Aranui Aranoa

The 2027-built MS Aranoa (initially named "Aranui 6", also known as AraMana) is a cargo cruise ship currently under construction in China. It was originally scheduled to begin cargo and passenger services in Q2 of 2022.

The vessel’s class and original design represented a significant change for Aranui Cruises (a CPTM-owned subsidiary and travel brand), as CPTM traditionally specializes in "cargo cruises" in French Polynesia, operating between Tahiti Island (homeport Papeete) and the Marquesas Islands.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, construction was delayed and the inauguration postponed—first to 2023, then to 2026, and finally to 2027.

The vessel is planned for year-round deployment in the Austral Islands.

The Aranui Aranoa (IMO number 9878759), like her fleetmate Aranui 5, will be flagged in French Polynesia (MMSI TBA) and registered as a "passenger vessel" under the SOLAS Convention (Safety of Life at Sea), enabling international passenger services.

During her inaugural cruise season, AraMana will be homeported in Hong Kong, China. When deployed in the South Pacific, she will homeport in Papeete and visit destinations including Pitcairn Island (UK) and the Cook Islands.

CPTM is a third-generation maritime company operating exclusively in French Polynesia. Founded in 1954 by the Wong family (Tahiti), the company was originally named "Wing Man Hing". For over six decades, its cargo vessels have served the islands, initially operating routes between Tahiti and the Tuamotus and Gambier Archipelagos.

In 2016, CPTM officially replaced the older Aranui 3 (launched in 2002) with the Aranui 5 (built in 2015). The names "Aranui 2" and "Aranui 4" were never used due to superstition.

Aranui 6 is larger (in both dimensions and gross tonnage) and has a different design from Aranui 5.

Unlike the mixed cargo-passenger design, AraMana (shown in the next photo) was designed as a traditional cruise liner, lacking the forward cargo decks (container storage spaces).

However, later, AraMana's design was revised, the ship was shortened (from 140 to 116 m/LOA length), and the cargo decks in the forward section were added.

Traditionally, Aranui ships are smaller than most South Pacific-based cruisers and have a shallow draft to allow access to smaller ports and shallow harbors.

The shipbuilder is Huanghai Shipbuilding Co Ltd (1944-founded as Shandong Huanghai Shipyard), located in Weihai, Shandong Province, China.

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities

The ship's signature facilities include Main Dining Room (full-capacity complimentary restaurant with plush booths), a Specialty Restaurant/Steakhouse, an aft Sundeck (with two whirlpools and a poolside Bar & Grill), a large Boutique (duty-free shop), a Library, Wellness complex (Fitness Center/Gym, Spa rooms for massages and treatments, Beauty Salon, Tattoo Studio), indoor Observation Lounge, Bar Lounge (disco nightclub with dance floor), Amphitheatre (main show lounge/cinema).

The ship has four passenger elevators and provides 5-star luxury hotel amenities and services.

Public areas are highlighted by a sweeping grand staircase (in the Atrium), spacious walkways, and Polynesian-themed decor.

On the top deck are the Helideck (midship helipad used for emergencies) and the funnels (smoke stacks).

Decks and Cabins

Aranui Aranoa ship has a total of 91 passenger staterooms (for 198 guests), of which 62 have a private, step-out balcony.

Accommodations are three types: Balcony Suites (categories - Presidential, Suite, Grand Royal, Royal, Premium, and Junior), Balcony Staterooms (Superior Deluxe, and Deluxe), and Oceanview Staterooms with Porthole Windows (Standard, and C-Class 4-Passenger).

~70% of all passenger cabins (including all suites) feature private open-air balconies accessed via floor-to-ceiling sliding doors.

In-cabin amenities include a large HDTV, a double King-size bed (convertible to twins in most rooms), a headboard with mounted reading lamps, premium bedding, bedside tables with lighting, pillow menu (3x pillows per person), ceiling-mounted LED lighting, vanity with armchair, lounge area with sofabed (for 3rd/4th guest), coffee table, sideboard, en-suite bathroom (toilet, glass-enclosed shower, large mirror, single-sink vanity with under-sink storage, towels and toiletries, LED mirror,  hairdryer), and individually controlled air conditioning. Larger suites include a four-seat dining table.

All balcony staterooms and suites come with two deckchairs and a low table.

The ship has 9 decks, of which 6 have cabins.

Itineraries

Currently, the ship is scheduled to start revenue operations in March 2027. The Inaugural Cruise (13-day itinerary) leaves roundtrip from Papeete on March 6th. It visits Raiatea, Bora Bora, Rurutu, Rimatara, Tubuai, Rapa Iti, and Raivavae.

Aranoa's maiden season (2027) includes a total of 18 voyages.

Aranui Aranoa itineraries range from 10 to 13 days and include destinations new to the brand. The ship is crewed entirely by Polynesians and visits islands not featured in Aranui’s cargo cruise itineraries—such as the Austral, Gambier, Society, and Tuamotus archipelagos, along with Pitcairn Island and the Cook Islands.

In the Austral Islands (French Polynesia's southernmost archipelago), Aranoa visits Rapa Iti, Raivavae, and Rurutu as part of the Cook Islands itinerary.

The Society Islands route includes ports such as Bora Bora, Huahine, Moorea, Rangiroa, and Tahaa.

The Tuamotus leg includes Makatea Atoll.

Aranui's new "Pitcairn Itinerary" debuted on April 11, 2020, aboard Aranui 5.

• Day 1 – Papeete, Tahiti (embarkation 7-9 am), departure
• Day 2 – Anaa Atoll (Tuamotus)
• Day 3 – Amanu Atoll (Tuamotus)
• Day 4 – Sea day
• Day 5 – Rikitea (Mangareva Island, Gambier Islands)
• Day 6 – Adamstown (Pitcairn Island)
• Day 7 – Bounty Bay (Pitcairn Island)
• Day 8 – Aukena Island (Gambier Islands)
• Day 9 – Sea day
• Days 10-11 – Rapa Iti Island (Bass Islands, Austral Islands)
• Day 12 – Raivavae Island (Austral Islands)
• Day 13 – Return to Papeete, Tahiti (~5 pm), debarkation

In addition to supplying cargo to six ports in the Marquesas Islands, Aranui also operates passenger ferry services and offers land excursions as part of a 14-day roundtrip itinerary from Papeete. Aranui ships also stop at Tuamotus (Takapoto and Rangiroa) before returning to Bora Bora on Day 13.

In 2021, Aranui 5 introduced the company's first itineraries to the Cook Islands and Society Islands, along with an expanded Pitcairn route—these voyages are also part of AraMana’s schedule.

• The 13-day Cook Islands itinerary (Papeete roundtrip), scheduled for September 4, 2021, visits Aitutaki, Rarotonga, Rurutu, Rapa, Raivavae, and Anaa. The expanded Pitcairn itinerary includes Hikueru Atoll, an overnight in Adamstown (Pitcairn), and Oeno Island.
• The 12-day Society Islands itinerary (Papeete roundtrip, departing May 8, 2021) includes Rangiroa, Fakarava, Makatea (Tuamotus), Raiatea, Tahaa, Maupiti, Huahine, Moorea, and Bora Bora (Society Islands).