Francesco Galli Zugaro, founder and CEO of luxury cruise provider Aqua Expeditions, said tourists had jumped at the chance to book cruises aboard their Aqua Blu yachts to secluded islands across the country when expeditions began in August.

“The Aqua Blu Indonesia local residents campaign has been very well received. We have had a lot of interest for 2021 and 2020 dates," he told The Jakarta Post during a recent interview. 

"People are looking at all our itineraries, as they propose new offerings compared to the traditional offerings. The ease of departing from Bali or Jakarta also helps."

At the moment, the company relies solely on Indonesian guests to charter their yachts privately. However, Zugaro remained optimistic that international borders would reopen in the next year and they could admit guests from outside Indonesia.

Recently, the provider began offering special rates for local residents – Indonesian nationals as well as KITAS and KITAP holders – for excursions on board the ocean explorer. Expeditions around the islands of Indonesia began in August with itineraries of three, seven and 12 nights to destinations as diverse as Komodo National Park, Ambon and the Spice Islands and Raja Ampat in West Papua. 

A three-night private charter for up to 30 passengers starts from US$84,900 and $113,200 for four nights. The rate includes all meals onboard and beverages, which include premium wines and local beer. It also includes all excursions, snorkeling equipment and wetsuits, scuba diving for passengers with diving certificates, group transfers to and from the vessel to recommended flights, as well as laundry and internet.

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