Aranui 3

Among the most unique and unusual small Tahiti cruise ships, Aranui 3 was a mixed passenger-freighter (cargo cruise ship) operating between Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands. Homeported in Papeete, Tahiti (French Polynesia), the vessel was SOLAS-certified as a "passenger ship" for international voyages.

The shipowner CPTM is a third-generation maritime shipping company operating exclusively in French Polynesia. Established in 1954 by the Wong family (Tahiti), the company was originally named "Wing Man Hing". Its cargo vessels have served French Polynesia for over six decades. Initially, the company operated freight services between Tahiti and the Tuamotus and Gambier Archipelagos.

In 2016, CPTM replaced Aranui 3 with the new China-built Aranui 5. Only two Aranui ship names were used—"Aranui 2" and "Aranui 4" were skipped due to superstitions. The new vessel is taller and slightly wider, featuring two additional decks that increased both stateroom capacity (passenger capacity 260) and public space. The overall length of both ships is similar—approximately 125 m (410 ft)—allowing safe navigation in the small harbors of the South Pacific islands.

Translated from Maori, the name "Aranui" means "Great Highway". Aranui 3 had a container capacity of 80 TEUs (standard containers). The ship was powered by a MaK 8M32 diesel engine (total output 3840 kW / 5150 hp). As a cargo cruise ship, she offered spacious passenger suites, a bar-lounge, library, outdoor swimming pool, gym, and access to various onboard activities including scuba diving, snorkeling, and sea fishing.

In 2018, the ship's name was changed to "M2", along with its MMSI number (previously 546001000; flag state French Polynesia). The vessel’s AIS location was last received on November 21, 2019, showing her in the Persian Gulf/UAE, docked at Mina Zayed (Abu Dhabi's Free Port).

Aranui 3 Cruise Itinerary

Aranui 3 operated cargo-passenger cruises in French Polynesia (South Pacific), visiting the Tuamotus, Marquesas, and Society Islands. In addition to freight services, the vessel offered 14-day roundtrip cruise itineraries departing from Papeete, Tahiti.

Below is the list of scheduled ports of call on the 14-day roundtrip cruise itinerary:

• Day 1 – Embarkation at Papeete port around 11:00 a.m. Activities include a "Welcome Aboard" cocktail party and a Marquesan dance show by the swimming pool.
• Day 2 – Fakarava Atoll (Tuamotus). Activities include swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and a visit to a local pearl farm.
• Day 3 – At sea. Passengers can attend onboard lessons (dancing, singing), lectures, and karaoke night.
• Day 4 – Ua Pou Island (Marquesas). Port call in Hakahau. Optional hiking, traditional dance show, cultural presentations, and lunch ashore at a traditional restaurant.
• Day 5 – Nuku Hiva Island (Marquesas). Stops at Taiohae, Hatiheu, and Taipivai.
• Day 6 – Hiva Oa Island (Marquesas). Stop at Atuona, with lunch ashore at a local restaurant.
• Day 7 – Fatu Hiva Island (Marquesas). Stops at Omoa and Hanavave. Activities include shopping for traditional handicrafts, carving and tapa (bark cloth) making demonstrations, and hiking a 17-km (10-mile) trail in Hanavave.
• Day 8 – Hiva Oa Island (Marquesas). Port call in Puamau with a guided excursion to an archaeological site and sacred dance performance.
• Day 9 – Tahuata Island (Marquesas). Stops in Vaitahu and Hapatoni. Activities include visiting a church, watching traditional tattooing and bone carving demonstrations, and participating in onboard leisure events.
• Day 10 – Ua Huka and Ua Pou Islands. Stops in Vaipaee, Hane, and Hokatu. Includes a full ship turnaround maneuver explained by the captain, a traditional welcome party in Vaipaee, visits to the ethnological museum, horseback riding to botanical gardens in Hane, lunch ashore at Chez Celine Fournier, and optional hiking.
• Day 11 – Nuku Hiva and Ua Pou Islands. Stops at Taiohae and Hakahau.
• Day 12 – At sea.
• Day 13 – Rangiroa Atoll (Tuamotus). Activities include souvenir shopping, scuba diving, snorkeling, an optional glass-bottom boat tour, and lunch ashore.
• Day 14 – Disembarkation in Papeete port around 9:30 a.m.