Aranui Cruises will introduce its second passenger-freighter vessel, Aranoa, in 2027. The new ship will join the existing Aranui 5 to enable year-round operations across French Polynesia’s five archipelagos, including the Austral Islands.
Aranoa, whose name in Tahitian translates to “great awakening”, is designed to carry 198 guests in 93 cabins; 62 of those cabins will have private balconies. The ship will provide amenities such as two restaurants, two bars, two spa pools, a fitness centre, a boutique, and a tattoo studio.
Her maiden season will include 18 cruises focused on the Austral Islands. Among the itineraries are 13-day round-trips that will include stops at islands such as Rapa Iti, and return legs that call at Society Islands including Raiatea and Bora Bora. Aranui 5 will continue its established service in the Marquesas Islands, maintaining its mixed cargo-passenger operations.
Both Aranoa and Aranui 5 are scheduled to coincide at Hiva Oa on December 13th, 2027 for the Marquesas Arts Festival, during which each ship will spend three nights in port to allow passengers to engage in the local cultural events.
Promotional pricing is available for Aranoa’s first two voyages in 2027, with discounts offered, and early-bird rates are posted for bookings made before December 31st, 2025.