Aranui Cruises
The Mixed Cargos Ship for your Polynesia Cruise
Soft adventure. The road less travelled. Authentic cultural immersion. A journey you'll never forget. This is the Aranui experience.
For more than 40 years, Aranui Cruises has been taking travellers beyond the ordinary to discover the heart and soul of French Polynesia's Marquesas and Austral Islands. Blending the comforts of a boutique cruise ship with the vital role of a working cargo vessel, Aranui 5 (in service since 2015) and the new Aranoa (launching in 2027) deliver essential supplies to some of the world's most remote island communities. With a maximum of just 230 guests aboard Aranui 5 and 198 on Aranoa, every voyage offers an intimate, relaxed, and authentic way to experience the rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality of French Polynesia.
Aranui Inclusions:
3 meals per day included
A bottle of wine between 4 during onboard lunches and dinners
Scheduled Aranui shore excursions with a guide
Guest Lecturers onboard to learn about the history, culture, art and archaeology of the destination
Aranui Offers:
$1,000 discount per person on Balcony Cabins plus $350 onboard credit per person
$1,000 discount per person on Standard Cabins plus $350 onboard credit per person
Valid on Aranui 5: December 2026 departures and January to June 2027 departures and Aranoa: April to June 2027 departures
Must be booked by 31 July 2026
Enjoy 15% off when you book two consecutive voyages.
Your Aranui Cruises:
Aranui 5 Marquesas Cruises:
From Tahiti through Fakarava's UNESCO atoll, north to the six inhabited Marquesan islands — Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Tahuata, Hiva Oa and Fatu Hiva — returning via Rangiroa or Makatea before a final day in Bora Bora's lagoon.
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Aranoa Austral Islands Cruises:
Sail away with Aranoa to uncover the hidden gems of the Austral Islands.
Experience French Polynesia's most remote and unspoilt archipelago . Here, time seems to slow down, offering visitors a unique immersion into an intimate and unspoiled Polynesia.
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About Aranui
Aranui Cruises is the first to work with the local island communities to create ongoing tourism and this project will help develop the Austral archipelago by providing new economic opportunities and fostering inter-island trade, while opening up the region’s breathtaking landscapes and colourful culture in a sustainable way.
The custom built Aranui 5 is a dual purpose passenger / freighter designed to offer the comforts of cruise liner, described as a small ship accommodation with approx. 203 passengers in 103 cabins. There is one restaurant and lounge, 4 bars and an outdoor pool, a spa and gym and even at Tattoo studio. At the 6 inhabited islands of the Marquesas the Aranui unloads goods destined for those destinations and returns to Papeete with cargo of copra, lemons, fish and “noni“. While this is happening passengers experience the richness of the culture and the spectacular scenery.
Aranoa is also a mixed passenger-freighter ship, equipped with all the mod cons and the latest technology for passenger comfort and to limit environmental impact. With 91 comfortable cabins, including 62 with private balconies, Aranoa can accommodate up to 198 passengers in an intimate and refined setting. Each cabin is equipped with the latest amenities to ensure a very enjoyable stay. On board, enjoy two restaurants offering a variety of cuisine, two bars, a gym, a spa, and two jacuzzis with a sea view to relax in complete serenity.
Our Cruise Conditions:
Unless otherwise stated, prices include SHARE TWIN / DOUBLE cabins and inclusions as specified. Special conditions apply for all Bonus Inclusions. Prices are in NZ dollars and subject to currency fluctuations and are for payment by direct deposit into our New Zealand bank account. Q Card & Credit Card prices are available on application. A cruise deposit will be required at time of booking. Amendment and cancellation fees do apply and can be up to 100% after booking is confirmed. Our prices exclude international airfares unless otherwise stated, however should airfares be purchased they are usually non-refundable, non-transferable, name changes are not permitted, include all prepayable airline surcharges, levies and airport taxes, require full payment for ticketing purposes at time of booking, and additional airfare rules will apply – please contact our specialists for more information. Our cruise deals are capacity controlled and restrictions may apply, and accommodation & airfares may not be available at time of booking. Images displayed are indicative and will vary by ship and cabin. Prices and Details were correct as at 16 July 2026 and are subject to change without notification and our Website Conditions & Booking Conditions apply.