Aqua Expeditions Taps Ensemble Travel Network to Deepen US and Canada Presence
Aqua Expeditions joins the North American consortium as a supplier member, expanding its trade partnerships ahead of Aqua Lares’ debut.
Photo: Courtesy of Aqua Expeditions
Aqua Expeditions has entered a new partnership with Ensemble Travel Network, joining the North American consortium as a supplier member as the luxury small-ship operator expands its presence across the U.S. and Canada. The collaboration, announced today, Feb. 24, connects the brand more directly with Ensemble’s agency network.
“North America continues to be a key growth market for Aqua Expeditions,” said Francesco Galli Zugaro, the line’s founder and CEO. “Ensemble gives us the ability to deepen our relationships with advisors across the U.S. and Canada and support that growth in a meaningful, long-term way.”
Under the agreement, Aqua Expeditions will introduce new trade-facing initiatives to increase engagement with Ensemble members, including collaborative marketing, access to training, and dedicated sales support. The effort will be led by the company’s North America team, which will focus on expanding awareness of the brand’s expedition-style itineraries across its existing river and yacht portfolio.
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The line currently operates voyages in the Peruvian Amazon and Mekong Delta, as well as coastal sailings in East Indonesia and the Galápagos Islands. Later this year, the company is set to introduce Aqua Lares, its sixth vessel, which will rotate between East Africa itineraries from November through April and Arctic sailings in Svalbard during the summer season.
Founded in 1968 and acquired by Range Group in 2022, Ensemble Travel Network brings together a large collective of independent agencies across North America. Its platform provides preferred partnerships, marketing channels, and technology tools to improve operational efficiency for members. For Aqua Expeditions, the partnership creates an additional distribution layer.
“We’re excited to partner with Ensemble as we continue to grow our business and deepen our relationships across North America,” said Monika Weinsoft, the director of sales for North America. “With Aqua’s expanding product portfolio and a strengthened sales team to support this next phase, we’re well positioned to build meaningful momentum through this partnership.”Aqua Expeditions operates vessels carrying between 16 and 40 guests, with itineraries centered on remote ecosystems and culturally focused shore programs. The new Ensemble relationship is expected to roll out immediately, supported by product training, destination briefings, and ongoing collaboration between both organizations as Aqua Lares prepares to enter service later this year.
