Aranui Cruises ' newest ship , Aranoa, will join the Aranui 5 in March 2027. This program includes a full schedule with both mixed cargo and passenger ships visiting the five archipelagos of French Polynesia throughout the year.
The Aranoa, with a capacity for 198 passengers, will begin operations on March 6, 2027, with an inaugural 13-day cruise to the Austral Islands, which will include a stop in Rapa Iti, in the southernmost part of French Polynesia.
This 116-meter-long mixed-use vessel will offer a total of 18 cruises in its inaugural season, primarily focusing on cargo itineraries to the southern Austral Islands. These voyages will also include stops in the Society Islands, such as Raiatea and Bora Bora, on the return journey.
All 13-day cruises to the Austral Islands will include overnight stays in the so-called “Bora Bora of the South”: Tubuai, Rurutu, Rimatara, and Raivavae. Rapa Iti will be featured on six itineraries, in collaboration with its small community of 500 inhabitants to create a sustainable tourism flow.
In addition, the new ship will offer cruises without cargo service, such as:
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a short 5-day cruise to Makatea, Mataiva and Anaa in the Tuamotu Islands,
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a special trip to the Marquesas Islands in December for the biennial Arts Festival,
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and two 12-day cruises to Pitcairn and the Gambier Islands, which will include an overnight stay in Pitcairn.
The Aranui 5, a 125-meter mixed-use vessel with a capacity for 230 passengers, will continue serving the Marquesas Islands with 20 voyages to the remote northern islands. For over 40 years, this vessel has delivered essential cargo to the six inhabited islands: Hiva Oa, Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Tahuata, and Fatu Hiva, allowing guests to explore this UNESCO World Heritage-recognized region while the Polynesian crew unloads supplies. The itinerary also includes stops at the Tuamotu atolls of Rangiroa and Fakarava, as well as the renowned Bora Bora.
In December 2027, the Aranui 5 will join its sister ship Aranoa in Hiva Oa for the 2027 Marquesas Arts Festival.
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The Aranui 5 will offer a 14-day itinerary departing on December 13, 2027.
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The Aranoa will offer a 13-day cruise to the same festival, departing from Papeete on the same date.
Both itineraries will include three nights on Hiva Oa, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture and festivities.
To celebrate the new program, Aranui is offering a 20% discount on the first two Aranoa cruises in 2027. There are also early bird offers on both ships for bookings made before December 31, 2025.
Laurent Wong, Aranui Cruises' representative in Australia and New Zealand, commented: “In 2027, we will operate two ships for the first time, doubling our operations in French Polynesia. This marks an exciting chapter for Aranui. Just as we put the Marquesas Islands on the map after 40 years of cargo service, we now want to collaborate with the Austral Islands to introduce responsible tourism that allows a limited number of visitors to discover their unique landscapes and culture. The return of cruises to Pitcairn will also attract many travelers eager to explore this fascinating destination aboard our new ship, Aranoa.”.
Aranui offers the most authentic way to explore French Polynesia, combining cargo service, local crew, cuisine, and Polynesian culture. An Aranui cruise includes shore excursions such as hikes, visits to archaeological sites, and local banquets; it also offers weekly laundry service, three meals a day, and complimentary French wine with lunch and dinner on board.
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Aranoa (“great awakening” in Tahitian) will accommodate 198 passengers in 93 cabins, 62 of which have private balconies. The ship will feature two restaurants, two bars, two jacuzzis, a boutique, a spa, a gym, and a tattoo parlor, continuing the tradition of Aranui's first tattoo studio at sea.
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Aranui 5, with capacity for 230 passengers, includes a restaurant, conference room, lounge, library, boutique, swimming pool, gym, spa, bars (including the panoramic Sky Bar and the popular Veranda Bar) and the first tattoo studio on a cruise ship.
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