A second ship will join the Aranui Cruises fleet in 2027 to sail French Polynesia’s lesser-known southern islands, with the 116-metre Aranoa currently under construction.
Like Aranui 5, Aranoa is designed as a mixed passenger-freighter vessel, equipped with all the latest amenities and technology for passenger comfort and to minimise the ship’s environmental impact. It will cruise French Polynesia’s south from 2027, carrying cargo and just under 200 guests on itineraries to the remote Austral Islands.
Meanwhile, Aranui 5 will continue to sail the northern Marquesas Islands where Aranui has been offering cargo cruises for more than 40 years.
Aranui Cruises Australia and New Zealand Representative Laurent Wong said it was an exciting time for the cruise line. “Aranui Cruises’ new ship Aranoa will soon embark on its main mission: supplying the remote Austral Islands and its residents with provisions, while also offering our guests the chance to be among the first to discover the magnificent, untouched and breathtaking islands in French Polynesia’s south,” he said.
“In building a brand-new ship that is dedicated to the Australs, we are the first to bring regular, sustainable tourist exploration to the southern islands, marking a significant investment for us and reinforcing our company’s commitment to help develop economies in the remote islands of French Polynesia.”
Aranoa, meaning a “great awakening” in Tahitian, will accommodate 198 passengers across 93 cabins, with 62 of those equipped with a private balcony. The ship will feature two restaurants, two bars, two spa pools, a boutique, a health spa, a fitness centre, and a tattoo salon in line with Aranui’s first tattoo parlour at sea.
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Guests will be introduced to charms of the off-the-beaten-track Australs with their mountains, pristine beaches, hidden caves, intense blue lagoons, unique local produce, picturesque villages, and colourful history. The archipelago is home to five inhabited islands – Rimatara, Rurutu, Tubuai, Raivavae and Rapa.
In line with the sustainable cruise model offered in the Marquesas, Aranui will work with the Austral communities to foster inclusive tourism. It aims to slowly develop the archipelago by offering a small, steady flow of tourists to create jobs and economic opportunities, while also promoting inter-island exchanges as cargo is carried back and forth.
“This is the first time we have operated more than one cruise ship, so this is a significant milestone for Aranui, not long after we marked our 40th anniversary of cargo cruising in the Marquesas Islands last year,” Wong aid.
“But we’re not just expanding our company and the number of vessels, we’re excited about working with another group of remote island communities to create new opportunities for them while also showcasing their vibrant landscapes and rich culture to the world – that’s what means the most to us. It’s a privilege to be granted access to the Austral Islands and we are so proud and excited to be able to offer our guests one of the world’s most authentic and culture-rich adventures.”
The new passenger-freighter vessel is being built at Huanghai Shipbuilding facility in Shandong, China with Aranui Cruises to announce its 2027 sailing schedule later this year.
