Aranui 5

The 2015-built MV Aranui 5 is a cargo cruise ship (freight and passenger vessel) that started operations on December 12, 2015. The roundtrip "cargo cruise" itinerary (on the route between Tahiti and Marquesas Islands) is based on homeporting in Papeete (Tahiti, French Polynesia's capital). Aranui 5 replaced Aranui 3 (2002-built).

The Aranui 5 vessel (IMO number 9677492), just like the fleetmate AraMana/Aranui 6, is French Polynesia-flagged (MMSI 546018800) and registered as "passenger vessel" under the SOLAS Convention (Safety of Life at Sea), which allows the liner to operate international passenger shipping services.

The shipowner CPTM is a 3rd generation maritime shipping company that operates in French Polynesia exclusively. Established in 1954 by the Wong family (Tahiti), initially, the company was named "Wing Man Hing". its cargo vessels serve French Polynesia for over 6 decades. Originally, the company serviced Tuamotus and Gambiers archipelagos, conducting freight shipping between the islands and Tahiti.

In 2016, the shipowner CPTM officially replaced the old Aranui 3 with the newbuild Aranui 5. The larger Aranui 6 was ordered in 2019 and scheduled for completion in 2021. The names "Aranui 2" and "Aranui 4" were never used due to superstitious reasons. The new Aranui ships are larger than Aranui 3. They have 2 additional decks for more cruise staterooms and public spaces. Their smaller draught (just 5,2 m / 17 ft) allows safe navigation in the small ports and shallow harbours of the South Pacific Ocean's islands.

Aranui 5 is China-built and on November 9, 2015, the vessel arrived in its homeport Papeete Tahiti. Apart from supplying cargo to the 6 ports in the Marquesas Islands, this cargo cruise vessel also operates a passenger shipping and tourist service as part of a 14-day roundtrip Papeete itinerary. Aranui 5 also stops at the islands of Takapoto and Rangiroa (Tuamotus) before returning on day 13 to Bora Bora Island.

Among the options offered to Aranui cruise passengers ashore is the chance to get traditional Polynesian tattoos done by native artists. In the local culture, tattoos are important and symbolize major life events, social status, prowesses, family identity. The traditional tattoo process involves using wooden tools and serrated combs made of fishbone. For Aranui cruisers' tattoos, local artists use modern equipment and adhere to the highest safety standards.

Aranui cruise excursions include scuba diving, snorkelling, hiking, kayaking, beach picnics, visiting sacred ritual sites, local artisans, pearl farms, Eugene Henri Paul Gauguin's grave (French painter, 1848-1903, buried in Atuona, on Hiva Oa Island).

Itineraries

Next is shown Aranui 5's 14-day roundtrip Tahiti cruisetour itinerary map.

Follows the list of ports of call (scheduled day visits) on the ship's 14-day roundtrip cruise itinerary.

• DAY 1 - embarkation in port Papeete at around 10 am. Activities include "Welcome Aboard" party with fruit punch and Marquesan dance show by the swimming pool.
• DAY 2 - Takapoto Atoll (Tuamotus Islands) - activities include swimming, lagoon snorkeling, scuba diving.
• DAY 3 - At Sea
• DAY 4 - Nuku Hiva Island. Activities include stops in ports Taiohae, Hatiheu, and Taiohae, cathedral tour, Kamuihei (archaeological site, sacred dance performance), ashore lunch at Yvonne's Restaurant (traditional dish is Hima'a / pig cooked in underground oven), meae (sacred ritual sites, sacred dance performance), paepae (huge stone boulders), optional hiking (trail to Paeke site).
• DAY 5 - Ua Pou Island (Hakahau). Activities include stop in port Hakahau, the ship's crew unloads here supplies (including cement and sugar) and loads copra (dried coconut meat), Hakahau town exploration (handicrafts center, stone carvings shopping, church visit, ashore lunch at Rosalie's Restaurant (special dishes are breadfruit, island staple, curried goat, the poisson cru / raw fish marinated in lime and coconut milk, also fei / red bananas and fruit poe). Dining includes traditional Bird Dance performance.
• DAY 6 - Tahuata Island, and Hiva Oa Island. Activities include a stop in port Vaitahu (Tahuata), visiting handcrafts center (bone carvings, shell carvings), stop in port Atuona (Hiva Oa), visiting Paul Gauguin burial site, ashore lunch at Hoa Nui Restaurant, visiting the "House of Pleasure" and museum, optional hiking tour.
• DAY 7 - Fatu Hiva Island. Activities include stops in ports Omoa and Hanavave, demonstration (local women make tapa), demonstration (kumuhei making / herbal bundles used by local women as perfume), visiting arts-crafts center (tapa, carvings, monoi coconut oil), optional hiking (16 km / 10 ml from Omoa to Hanavave), ashore lunch.
• DAY 8 - Hiva Oa Island. Activities include stops in ports Puamau and Hanaiapa, guided tour visiting Meae Ipona (archaeological site) and Puamau ruins.
• DAY 9 - Ua Huka Island. Activities include stops in ports Vaipaee, Hane, and Hokatu, optional (4x4 or horseback riding) tour, visiting a museum, gardens, ashore lunch, visiting woodcarving workshops black and white coconuts carvings), onboard "Polynesian Night" (themed events, traditional dancing and chanting lessons, buffet dinner on pool deck, themed entertainment).
• DAY 10 - Nuku Hiva Island. Activities include morning stop in port Taiohae (arts-crafts center), afternoon stop in Hakahau (Marquesan souvenirs shopping).
• DAY 11 - At Sea
• DAY 12 - Rangiroa Atoll. Activities include lagoon swimming-snorkeling-scuba diving, pearl and shell jewelry shopping.
• DAY 13 - Bora Bora Island ( Society Islands). Activities include white-sand beach, snorkeling, picnic lunch (with traditional Tahitian dishes), optional excursions (scuba diving, outrigger boat tour, swimming with sharks and manta rays, a helicopter tour over Bora Bora Lagoon).
• DAY 14 - disembarkation in port Papeete at around 9:30 am.

Aranui 5 cruise prices for the 14-day itinerary start from EUR 2530 (class C cabin / no kids under 16 years) and from EUR 3890 (standard double cabin, double occupancy rates). Aranui cruise deals are inclusive of all taxes, all meals, wine (during onboard meals), pre-scheduled shore excursions, onboard enrichment (expert lecturers/guides).

Aranui 5's schedule for 2020 included the following departure dates: Feb 6-18, Feb 22-Mar 5, Mar 12-24, Mar 28-Apr 9, Apr 11-23, Apr 30-May 12, May 16-28, Jun 4-16, Jun 20-Jul 2, Jul 9-21, Jul 25-Aug 6, Aug 8-20, Aug 22-Sept 3, Sept 10-22, Sept 26-Oct 8, Oct 15-27, Oct 31-Nov 12, Nov 14-26, Nov 28-Dec 10, Dec 17-Dec 29. However, most of these voyages were subsequently cancelled following the Coronavirus crisis March-September.

In 2021, Aranui 5 introduced voyages visiting Cook Islands, Society Islands and a revamped (expanded with the Marquesas) Pitcairn Itinerary. These voyages were also included in Aranui 6/AraMana ship's schedule.

• The 13-day Cook Islands itinerary (Papeete roundtrip) is planned for September 4, 2021, and visits Aitutaki, Rarotonga, Rurutu, Rapa, Raivave and Anaa. The revamped with Tuamotus Pitcairn itinerary visits Hikueru Atoll, Pitcairn Island (Adamstown overnight) and Oeno Island (Pitcairn).
• The 12-day Society Islands itinerary is also Papeete roundtrip (planned departure May 8, 2021) and visits Rangiroa-Fakarava-Makatea (Tuamotus) and Raiatea-Tahaa-Maupiti-Huahine-Moorea-Bora Bora (Society Islands).

Aranui 5's schedule for 2021 included the following departure dates: Jan 9-21, Jan 28-Feb 9, Feb 13-25, Mar 4-16, Mar 20-Apr 1, Apr 8-20, Apr 24-May 6, May 8-19, May 22-Jun 3, Jun 10-22, Jun 26-Jul 8, Jul 15, 27, Aug 5-17, Aug 21-Sept 2, Sept 4-16, Sept 18-30, Oct 7-19, Oct 23-Nov 4, Nov 6-18, Nov 27-Dec 9, Dec 16-28.

In mid-December 2021, Aranui Cruises announced that in 2022 add to Aranui 5's itinerary program a new destination - the Australes/Austral Islands. The company's new 13-day roundtrip voyage visits the Australs archipelago (approx 600 km / 370 mi south of Papeete) consisting of 7 islands, including 5 inhabited (Rimatara, Rurutu, Raivavae, Rapa, Tubuai), of which 4 have airports.