French line Ponant enters East African cruise sector with Aqua Expeditions acquisition

Ponant Explorations Group has acquired a majority stake in small ship expedition company, Aqua Expeditions, ahead of the inaugural sailing of the boutique cruise line’s newest ship in East Africa.

Aqua Expeditions will keep its name and operate as an independant subsidiary, led by CEO and Founder, Francesco Galli Zugaro.

“This transaction comes at a pivotal time as Aqua Expeditions ramps up the launch of its East Africa itineraries, exploring the Seychelles and Tanzania, with a particular focus on the Aldabra group of islands,” the cruise line said in a statement.

Aqua Expeditions’ East African itineraries will launch in December aboard the luxury cruising yacht Explorer, with itineraries ranging from five to nine nights.

These itineraries can also be combined to create a 14-night exploration of the Seychelles.

This will be the cruise line’s first itineraries in Africa, visiting biodiversity hotspots such as Aldabra, Cosmoledo, Astove, Farquhar Atoll, Kilwa Kisiwani and Pemba in Tanzania and the Seychelles.

“At Aqua, we’ve always been inspired to visit destinations that are off the beaten track,” said Galli Zugaro. “It was inevitable that our journey would eventually bring us to African shores.”

“It has always been a dream of mine to venture into East Africa and explore this part of the world on a luxury expedition ship,” he added. 

“I am so excited to finally be able to showcase to our past guests the beauty of the Indian Ocean and the famous Aldabra Atoll.”

Few travellers have visited Aldabra, home to more than 150,000 giant tortoises. Considered the Galapagos of Africa, this island group is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, and to some of the most amazing marine life in the world.

Aqua Expeditions hopes to create in East Africa the same luxury exploration niche it has established in the Galapagos and among the ‘Spice Islands’ of Indonesia. 

Its new vessel, Explorer, is due to join the fleet this year, marking the sixth addition to its fleet of small luxury vessels.

The cruise line currently has five ships; three of which travel to river destinations and two of which are dedicated to ocean cruising. None of its vessels carry more than 40 passengers, with its smallest one, super-yacht Aqua Mare, hosting just 16 guests.