Aqua Expeditions: Destinations Through Flavors

Through a symphony of flavors that narrate a story rich in culture and traditions, one delves into the culinary soul of a country. This year, it will be possible to explore the exclusive cuisines of chefs Benjamin Cross and Pedro Miguel Schiaffino through dedicated departures on board Aqua Blu and Aqua Nera.

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During the exploration of Bali and the Komodo Islands from August 10 to 17, Aqua Blu will host Australian chef Benjamin Cross.

He has built an illustrious career over two decades, beginning at the award-winning boutique hotel and restaurant Rae’s on Watego’s in Byron Bay and honing his craft with some of Australia’s culinary icons: Janni Kyritsis and Neil Perry.

Today, Cross has become one of Indonesia’s leading culinary professionals and restaurateurs. His restaurants in Bali – Mason, Fishbone Local, and Hank’s Pizzeria – are considered among the best on the island. His food philosophy is simple and unpretentious, based on high-quality products and the ability to let the ingredients speak for themselves. He is responsible for the world-class dining on board Aqua Blu, from 48-hour beef rib rendang to hand-caught grilled fish with Balinese sambal. During the voyage, Chef Cross will also introduce a new vegan menu using ingredients from Eastern Indonesia.

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On board Aqua Nera in Peru, guests will experience the Peruvian cuisine of Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, owner of Malabar and ámaZ, two of Lima’s most innovative restaurants. His cuisine blends Peruvian ingredients with traditional techniques and the ability to transform unusual ingredients into authentic, delicious dishes. Schiaffino focuses on using fresh, locally sourced products, 70% of which come from the Amazon.

For this reason, Chef Schiaffino is a pioneer of the rainforest-to-table movement. The first of his two cruises is already fully booked, while cabins for the second, from September 17 to 21, are rapidly filling up. During the cruises, guests can participate in a ceviche master class, a cocktail demonstration, or a dinner hosted by the chef.

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Aqua Mekong Dining Room

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In particular, Aqua Expeditions’ partnership with Chef Schiaffino has created significant collaborations for conservation projects, such as the protection and rehabilitation of the native paiche fish population and working with local river communities to promote sustainably sourced products in the Amazon.

Visit the Aqua Expeditions website for more information and stay tuned for further news and reviews on Cruising Journal.

Lucia Angeli