Aranui Cruises/fleet will commemorate its 40th anniversary of cargo cruising this year with a series of celebrations, culminating in a special birthday cruise in November.
Voyage 21 (scheduled from November 16 to November 27, 2024) will be Aranui’s official 40th birthday cruise. Highlights include a Polynesian night at Nuku Hiva Island featuring a Marquesan show, fireworks, a local feast, and an official ceremony with partners and mayors from the Marquesas.
Guests will receive unique souvenirs, enjoy special entertainment from local bands, and have a chance to win a free cruise. Cruise fares start from US$8181 per person, based on double occupancy.
Throughout 2024, all guests aboard the mixed freight and passenger vessel Aranui 5 will partake in anniversary celebrations during every Polynesian Night and receive limited edition gifts.
In honor of the occasion, Aranui Cruises collaborated with Australian filmmaker Guido Pezzimenti to create a short film that captures the essence of Aranui and the spirit of the island communities.
Looking ahead, Aranui Cruises will continue to serve the remote Polynesian population with cargo transport and authentic, immersive Polynesian cruise experiences. In 2024 and beyond, Aranui will offer travelers the adventure of a lifetime with regular roundtrip voyages from Papeete to the Marquesas.
Starting in 2025, the cruise line will expand its cargo cruising operations to include the southern Austral Islands. This initiative aims to develop the economy and tourism in these remote communities in a slow and sustainable manner, while opening up the beautiful islands to a select group of travelers.
With its commitment to cargo delivery and a focus on local crew, cuisine, and culture, Aranui provides an authentic way to explore French Polynesia. An Aranui cruise includes a range of shore excursions such as hikes, visits to archaeological sites, and local feasts. Additionally, the cruise offers a weekly laundry service, three meals per day, and complimentary French wine with onboard lunches and dinners.
The current passenger-freighter, Aranui 5, is equipped with a restaurant, conference room, lounge, library, boutique, swimming pool, gym, spa, the first tattoo studio at sea, and bars including the panoramic Sky Bar and the popular Veranda Bar.