Cruise Description

7 Night cruise departing roundtrip from Ambon onboard Aqua Blu.

Setting sail from the rustic Indonesian port city of Ambon, Aqua Blu cruises south across the Banda Sea to the Spice Islands, a destination steeped in historical significance and endowed with both unspoilt nature and culture. As the origin of the nutmeg, a spice that was worth more than gold in terms of weight, the Spice Islands (also called the Banda Islands) were the Holy Grail for famous Old World explorers including Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan, who sought but never managed to find it.

Eventually, the Spice Islands were discovered and the Dutch established and exercised control over them - with a monopoly on the nutmeg trade - from 1607 up until the late 18th century. In that time, the Dutch built up numerous colonial-styled architecture and extensive fortifications. Surrounded by the local town and the oldest nutmeg plantations on Earth, these structures remain mostly well-preserved.

Today, setting foot on the Spice Islands is like entering a spectacular living museum on Earth, where time appears to have stood still for decades and centuries-old relics, such as Fort Belgica, exist alongside rich Indonesian local traditions such as nutmeg cultivation and kora-kora war canoe racing.

Note: All itineraries are subject to change, due to weather and other conditions.

Day 1 Indonesia Ambon
Arrive to a warm welcome in Ambon, and head to the Swiss Bel hotel located at Laha Bay. Refresh yourself in your day-use room before boarding Aqua Blu at lunch. After settling in, bid farewell to the harbor as you set sail along the scenic northern coast of Ambon.

Day 2 Indonesia Hila
Head out for your first excursion to explore the historical Dutch fortification, Fort Amsterdam, in the coastal town of Hila. Sail through the afternoon and learn about the incredible history of the spice trade. Next, enjoy a sundowner as Aqua Blu continues sailing to the Banda Islands. While traveling through the deep expanse of the Banda Sea, enact an old naval tradition - 'hands to bathe' - where you jump into the water and swim, floating over depths stretching thousands of meters.

Day 3 Indonesia Banda Islands & Banda Neira
Approach the Banda Islands at sunrise, greeted by Kora-Kora war canoes at the harbor. Stroll through history at the Dutch Fort Nassau on Banda Neira - which used to be most hotly contested island in the world back in the 16th and 17th century. Walk through ancient passageways now bustling with modern life, yet still showcasing a treasure trove of history. After lunch, head out for a snorkeling or diving excursion, and end the evening with a sundowner at Fort Belgica.

Day 4 Indonesia Banda Besar & Pulau Hatta
Spend the day exploring the oldest nutmeg plantations in the world on Banda Besar. Learn about the history of the spice and the wars which were fought over it. Resume sailing at lunch to Pulau Hatta, for a dive and snorkel along beautiful walls inhabited by corals and schools of tropical fish. Return to Aqua Blu for a screening of the Ring of Fire documentary, followed by sunset drinks and the remarkable cuisine of chef Benjamin Cross.

Day 5 Indonesia Pulau Manuk
Savor a sunrise breakfast against the backdrop of the 300-meter tall cliffs of Pulau Manuk - a volcanic island rising 3 kilometers from the seabed. For those wishing for an early workout - ocean swimming from Aqua Blu towards the island's active volcano is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Pulau Manuk is a haven for fish hunting birds, as well as sea snakes and reef sharks which flock to enjoy the area's underwater thermal springs. At sundown, take the tenders out to sea and enjoy drinks at our makeshift floating bar.

Day 6 Indonesia Pulau Ai & Pulau Run
Arrive at Pulau AI & Pulau Run, the westernmost of the Banda Islands, at sunrise. Swim, snorkel, and dive in the crystal-clear waters, where you'll discover stunning coral gardens and reef fish. Afterward, head ashore to Pulau Ai for a guided tour of Fort Revenge and its nutmeg storehouses.

Spend the afternoon at a pristine beach on Pulau Run, which was traded for the island of Manhattan in 1667 by the British and the Dutch. Witness the sun setting into the sea while enjoying a cocktail party on these historic sands.

Day 7 Indonesia Nusa Laut & Molana
Head out for an early morning ocean swim, followed by a diving or snorkeling excursion. On the north side of Nusa Laut, discover the scenic fishing villages of Ameth and Akon. This is also home of the dugong, the Southeast Asian cousin of the American manatee. Enjoy a cooking lesson before lunch, and cruise to Molana Island - a small but heavily forested island with fantastic reefs.

Day 8 Indonesia Ambon
Awake to the bustle of Ambon and disembark after a sumptuous breakfast for your outbound flight.