Award-winning small-ship specialist Aqua Expeditions has unveiled full details of its new summer Arctic season, with bookings now open for 2026 voyages in Svalbard and the Arctic Circle aboard its purpose-built superyacht Aqua Lares. Launching 30 May 2026, the Polar Class 6 vessel will operate 5- to 14-night expeditions from Longyearbyen and Tromsø, alongside two dual-destination journeys pairing the Norwegian Arctic with the Scottish Isles.
Carrying just 30 guests in 15 cabins including three Owner’s Suites (13–66 sqm) Aqua Lares blends ice-capable performance with ultra-luxury detailing by Birgit Galli Zugaro and Milan studio HOTLAB. A 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio (33 crew) underpins service, while facilities and gear support a robust daily programme: five private tenders, kayaks, paddleboards, mountain bikes, and diving equipment enable small-group landings and time-sensitive wildlife encounters. Cuisine is led by renowned chefs, with menus calibrated to high-latitude operations and extended daylight under the midnight sun.
Core Svalbard routes thread glaciers, fjords and sea ice from Lilliehöökbreen and Raudfjord/Kongsfjorden to Van Keulenfjorden and Reinøya with Zodiac sorties in search of polar bear, walrus and bearded seal. Pelagic sightings may include humpback, minke and sperm whales; on land, Arctic fox and reindeer are regular finds. Cultural touchpoints span Alkehornet’s bird cliffs, Gravneset and Smeerenburg’s historic whaling stations, and far-north villages such as Skarsvåg. Bookend sailings extend south to the Scottish Isles, taking in Iona Abbey, Staffa’s Fingal’s Cave, UNESCO-listed St Kilda, the Callanish Stones and Mousa Broch all interpreted by onboard naturalists.
Commercials are calibrated for FIT and charter demand: fares from USD 10,150 pp (twin share, 5 nights) and private charters from USD 435,000 (up to 30 guests). Inclusions cover all meals, house wines/beer, non-alcoholic beverages, excursions, Wi-Fi and laundry.
Aqua also debuts Circolo Aqua, a four-tier loyalty programme (Voyager, Navigator, Explorer, Legend) offering Miles redeemable fleet-wide plus benefits from savings and onboard credits to exclusive dining experiences and priority access to new journeys.