16 Feb 2024|East Indonesia, Onboard Experience
Originally built as a British Royal Navy explorer, the Aqua Blu has come a long way to become a world-class luxury cruise yacht. This is her unusual story.
When you see the gleaming, streamlined hull of the Aqua Blu cruising on the seas of East Indonesia later this year, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this is a spanking new superyacht.
In fact, the Aqua Blu’s sleek form and aesthetic has far more depth and story than her modern appearance would first suggest.
Part of the intrigue of our Indonesia cruise, and indeed why we fell in love with this unique cruise ship enough to make it part of our Aqua Expeditions family, is her remarkable heritage as the former British Royal Navy Explorer HMS Beagle.
In the 1960s, the British Royal Navy sanctioned the construction of a fleet of four ocean survey vessels. Among them was HMS Beagle, named in honor of the original ship that carried Charles Darwin as he circumnavigated the globe. Built by Brooke Marine and designed with a merchant hull, the 198-foot (60.4m) long vessel was officially commissioned in 1968 — the year Richard Nixon won the White House — along with three other survey ships in the Bulldog-class.
Titan: A truly unique cruise ship conversion takes place
Just as the HMS Beagle was about to call time on her naval tour of duty, an English couple had learned of the availability of the soon-to-be-decommissioned vessel. Peter and Pauline Bull had eight years of experience in running the 173-foot Benetti charter yacht Galu when they chanced upon the HMS Beagle.
The duo became savvy to the ship’s potential almost immediately. Unlike many military vessels, the HMS Beagle was broad-beamed (or ‘beamy’ in maritime slang). This was because as a survey ship, she did not have to move or turn as fast as a battleship. With ample deck room coupled with the ship’s obvious seafaring pedigree and stellar maintenance over the years, the Bulls pictured the HMS Beagle as a five-star charter yacht.
Titan: A truly unique cruise ship conversion takes place
Just as the HMS Beagle was about to call time on her naval tour of duty, an English couple had learned of the availability of the soon-to-be-decommissioned vessel. Peter and Pauline Bull had eight years of experience in running the 173-foot Benetti charter yacht Galu when they chanced upon the HMS Beagle.
The duo became savvy to the ship’s potential almost immediately. Unlike many military vessels, the HMS Beagle was broad-beamed (or ‘beamy’ in maritime slang). This was because as a survey ship, she did not have to move or turn as fast as a battleship. With ample deck room coupled with the ship’s obvious seafaring pedigree and stellar maintenance over the years, the Bulls pictured the HMS Beagle as a five-star charter yacht.
Presenting the Aqua Blu
In 2018, after more than a decade of operating successfully the small-ship river cruise line Aqua Expeditions, Founder and CEO Francesco Galli Zugaro sought the next step in the company’s global expansion, with a particular focus in offering coastal cruising to discerning affluent travellers with an appetite for adventure.
It was then Francesco came across the former HMS Beagle. “I came across her at a yacht show and I immediately fell in love with her,” he fondly recalls. “I saw the opportunity to buy her from the owners and after tremendous negotiation managed to come to a deal in the October of 2018,” Francesco elaborates. “We’re naming her the Aqua Blu, and she’ll be sailing three beautiful destinations in Indonesia’s Coral Triangle come end of 2019.”
To take the ship to an even higher level of refinement and sophistication, Francesco has roped in renowned yacht designer Cor D. Rover to oversee a refurbishment process currently underway in Singapore. Meanwhile, certain elements such as the ship’s teak interiors will be lovingly given a new shine and blend seamlessly and stylishly with a modern brass-and-ivory themed interior.
Presenting the Aqua Blu
In 2018, after more than a decade of operating successfully the small-ship river cruise line Aqua Expeditions, Founder and CEO Francesco Galli Zugaro sought the next step in the company’s global expansion, with a particular focus in offering coastal cruising to discerning affluent travellers with an appetite for adventure.
It was then Francesco came across the former HMS Beagle. “I came across her at a yacht show and I immediately fell in love with her,” he fondly recalls. “I saw the opportunity to buy her from the owners and after tremendous negotiation managed to come to a deal in the October of 2018,” Francesco elaborates. “We’re naming her the Aqua Blu, and she’ll be sailing three beautiful destinations in Indonesia’s Coral Triangle come end of 2019.”
To take the ship to an even higher level of refinement and sophistication, Francesco has roped in renowned yacht designer Cor D. Rover to oversee a refurbishment process currently underway in Singapore. Meanwhile, certain elements such as the ship’s teak interiors will be lovingly given a new shine and blend seamlessly and stylishly with a modern brass-and-ivory themed interior.
A unique cruise ship poised for adventure
More significantly, Aqua Blu will offer guests unprecendented access to the heart of the Coral Triangle in East Indonesia. Not only is the vessel the first ship of its class to operate primarily in the region, it is also the first to sell individual cabins instead of solely charters. The Aqua Blu will cruise Komodo National Park, Ambon & Spice Islands as well as Raja Ampat on mostly 7-night itineraries, with the occasional 12-night limited cross-destination voyage.
A unique cruise ship poised for adventure
More significantly, Aqua Blu will offer guests unprecendented access to the heart of the Coral Triangle in East Indonesia. Not only is the vessel the first ship of its class to operate primarily in the region, it is also the first to sell individual cabins instead of solely charters. The Aqua Blu will cruise Komodo National Park, Ambon & Spice Islands as well as Raja Ampat on mostly 7-night itineraries, with the occasional 12-night limited cross-destination voyage.