FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT
AQUA EXPEDITIONS CRUISES - in their own words:
What should I pack?
Life
is casual aboard the M/V Aqua Nera and M/V ARIA. Bring comfortable walking shoes, light-weight long pants
and long-sleeved tops for excursions, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, extra socks, mosquito
repellant with DEET, and of course, your camera, with charger and extra batteries.
Don’t forget to include some items that you can give away to the locals (t-shirts,
pens and paper are especially prized).
During meals in
the dining room we ask our guests to wear casual clothing and shoes.
We provide
rubber boots for wetland excursions and recommend taking comfortable walking shoes. We also provide waterproof ponchos with hoods to
protect against rain.
There will be
hairdryers available in every suite. Our vessel has 220-volt outlets in the staterooms so
you should be able to use your shaver with a converter if necessary.
What
is a shore excursion? How physically challenging are they?
A
shore excursion can be anything from exploring remote tributaries to spotting monkeys and
birds along a jungle trail, from visiting a local village to fishing on one of Amazonia’s
beautiful lakes. They vary in level of difficulty, but most travelers who are reasonably
fit will have no trouble participating in every excursion.
Passengers
will be divided into three groups of eight to 10 people for shore excursions, with each
group led by a trained and knowledgeable naturalist guide. Guides will rotate among the
groups, so that each passenger can benefit from their specialized knowledge. Our guides
speak fluent English, and one speaks French. We recommend that groups requiring any other
language bring a translator, if necessary.
Each
evening, your guides will brief you on what to expect on the next day’s excursions.
Typically, we will navigate the Amazon
River
or one of its tributaries at night, arriving in a new location, for a new adventure, in
the early morning. Passengers opting to go on the early morning excursions will get a
wakeup call at approximately 5
a.m.
The
M/V AQUA NERA & ARIA are equipped with three auxiliary aluminum skiffs that will take passengers along
the waterways or ferry them to the landing point for onshore excursions. These comfortable
speed boats are equipped with 4 stroke low-emission engines and constant radio
communication with the main vessel. Each boat has capacity for eight-10 passengers, plus
guide and launch pilot.
Excursions
last three to four hours, allowing plenty of time to explore, listen to your guide’s
explanation, and photograph the abundant wildlife. While most excursions involve
“dry” landings, some require “wet” landings, where you will have to
step into water that may reach as high as your knees and then wade to shore. Your guide
and skiff driver will assist you.
When
the excursions are in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, we follow marked trails, walking at a
leisurely pace for up to one hour.
Guests
should be in good physical health in order to be able to make the most of their Amazon
cruise. The daily nature excursions may include walking on irregular terrain, and getting
in and out of the skiffs occasionally requires some physical effort.
We
provide rubber boots for wetland excursions and recommend taking comfortable walking shoes
for walking on the dry paths. We also provide waterproof ponchos with hoods to protect
against rain.
Should
I buy travel insurance? Is it worth it?
Travelers
are strongly advised to purchase trip cancellation insurance, which will reimburse the
cost of air tickets and other non-refundable trip payments. International medical, baggage
loss, and delay insurance are also recommended.
Unfortunately,
if you miss the vessel because of a weather-related flight cancellation, we will not
reimburse the cost of the reservation, since flight cancellations are beyond our control
and we have to comply with our schedules.
If
the M/V AquaNera or ARIA are not able to sail (i.e. due to force majeure or mechanical failure), Aqua
Expeditions reserves the right to substitute another vessel. If the travelers do not take
this option, Aqua Expeditions reserves the right to cancel the trip upon a refund pro rata
per cruise night not used or, as an alternative, will offer credit toward a future cruise
on the Aqua.
Are
cabins assigned in advance?
A
suite or master suite will be assigned to you when we confirm your reservation. All suites
are described and numbered in our Deck Plan document. You may request a specific suite
depending on your preference and we will assign it if available.
Are
all suites river view?
Yes,
all suites have outward-facing panoramic windows, giving every cabin a river view. The
Master Suites have even larger windows that offer you magnificent views of the passing
landscape. The dawn light will awaken you in the mornings, and you can see what the
weather is like without leaving your suite.
Is
there any difference between the lower and upper-deck suites?
Dimensions
and all features are exactly the same for both decks.
Will
I have access to a safe deposit box?
Yes.
All cabins have safe deposit boxes with instructions for their use.
How
much luggage can I bring? Are there porters available at the airport and the pier?
We
allow you to bring as much luggage as you like, but suggest the use of soft suitcases/bags
for easy storage. How much you bring, however, may be determined by the airlines, which
have limits on both checked and carry-on baggage. LAN
for example, allows 20 kilos (44 pounds) of checked luggage and 8 kilos (18 pounds) of
carry-on baggage.
Porters
are available at both the airport and pier. They will make sure that your bags arrive at
the M/V Aqua embarkation point. As soon as you have identified your luggage, porters will
take your suitcases to your suite.
What
if I don't like my tablemates? Is room service available?
This
is rarely a problem. However, if you wish to move to another table, please speak with the
Maitre d' or Cruise Director. They will make every effort to seat you with more compatible
dining companions...discretely and politely.
Room
service is not available, but will be provided in the event of passenger illness.
What
meals will be served on the last day of the cruise?
Breakfast
and lunch will be available on your last day and are included in the rate.
What
services are available onboard?
If
you need to contact your home or office for any emergency, the M/V Aqua is equipped with a
satellite phone. The cost of your call can be
paid directly on board. We will inform you, prior to calling, of the current price of an
international call.
We
do not have Internet connections onboard the vessel. For cellular phone contact you may
need a special telephone that can operate on a foreign signal. Please check with your
carrier. However, keep in mind that most areas outside Iquitos
are so remote that you will be unable to get a signal.
There
is no laundry service.
We
do not have a doctor on board, but first-aid trained staff can handle minor scrapes, bites
or sprains.
There
are no handicapped facilities.
What
if I don't want to take an excursion or participate in activities?
This
would probably not be the case, because we are sure that you will want to take advantage
of all excursions to explore everything that this thrilling unexplored part of the world
has to offer.
That
said, you are free to skip any excursions that you want. You are welcome to stay aboard
the vessel and rest, visit the boutique and purchase some souvenirs, or just relax at the
outdoor lounge or observation deck.
Do
you welcome families with children?
Yes,
we welcome families with children, as long as they are age seven or older. Four of our
suites are interconnected to cater for families. And accommodation for one child or
additional adult is available in up to six cabins. Our naturalist guides are very friendly
with kids and all of our staff will provide the necessary care for your family.
Are
there smoking areas?
Smoking
is forbidden inside the M/V Aqua. It is allowed only in the outside lounge and on the
observation deck. If you want to smoke in the
outside lounge, please ask the bartender for an ashtray. Do not throw your cigarette stubs
or ash into the water.
What's
the drinking age on board?
You
must be at least 18 years old to legally consume beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages
in Peru
and on the M/V Aqua Nera & Aria..
What
about tipping?
We are often asked what gratuity is appropriate for guides and crew, and our
response is that the quality of service should determine the amount of any tip. From past experience, we recommend an amount in the
range of US $20 – $30 per passenger per day for the crew (to be divided among all the
crew members) and between US $7 – $10 per passenger per day for the guides. Please
bear in mind that this is merely a suggestion, since we believe that gratuities are a very
personal matter.
How
do I pay for purchases on board? Do you accept cash?
You
will be asked to sign for every drink at the time you order it. Please keep track of your
consumption of alcoholic beverages in order to avoid any confusion at the end of the
cruise. You can pay your bar bill, as well as
for any purchases in the boutique, either in U.S.
dollars or with Visa or American Express.
Do
you have safety equipment on board?
Once
all the passengers have boarded, the crew will conduct a mandatory safety drill. Please be
sure to check exactly where the life vests are located in your cabin. Memorize your way to the deck in case an emergency
should arise. Consult your Cruise Director or
Guide regarding any questions you may have.
Life
vests are provided for use while onboard the skiffs and you are required to wear them.
Always
hold the guide or crew member’s hand while embarking or disembarking, since the boat
ladder and deck may be wet and slippery.
It
is important for us to verify that all our passengers are on board prior to departure.
There is a check list in the reception area that you must sign upon returning from every
visit.
Can
we drink the water onboard?
You
cannot drink the water from the faucet. When you board the vessel, you will be supplied
with a complimentary water bottle which is yours to keep. Water refill stations are
available throughout the vessel.
Do
I need any shots before traveling to the Amazon? Do I need to take my own map of the area?
Malaria
medication and yellow fever shots are not required for travelers coming into the region,
however they are recommended. Please consult your physician.
We
will provide a map of the area and the necessary information for every onshore activity.
Do
you have insect repellent and sunscreen protection available?
We
recommend that you bring your own. These products will also be available for sale in our
onboard boutique.
