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Tahitian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises is adding an idyllic, new destination to its 2020 program, taking the cruise line’s total Tahiti line-up to 17 islands across all five French Polynesian archipelagos.

Guests who join Aranui 5’s bumper 14-day cruise departing Papeete on December, 17, 2020, will receive a bonus day at no extra cost, with the cruise line throwing in a call to Makatea in the Tuamotu Atolls as a special Christmas treat.

Made famous by the ‘90s film ‘Six Days, Seven Nights’, starring Harrison Ford and Anne Heche, Makatea is an untouched atoll in the Tuamotus, located about 200 kilometres northeast of Tahiti.

Priced from $6670* per person twin share in an ocean view stateroom, the 14-day cruise will take guests to ten Tahitian islands with Makatea offered in addition to Aranui’s usual 13-day voyage, which operates roundtrip from Papeete and includes calls to Bora Bora in the Society Islands; Hiva Oa, Nuka Hiva, Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Tahuata, and Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas; and the regular Tuamotu ports of Rangiroa and Fakarava.

Aranui Cruises Regional Representative Australia New Zealand Laurent Wong said the cruise line was thrilled to be returning to Makatea after previously calling at the isolated and beautiful French Polynesian island as a local inter-island trader in the 1970s.

“French Polynesia is home to some 118 islands across five archipelagos and in 2020, we’ll be cruising to no less than 17 different Tahitian destinations. From Bora Bora’s blue lagoon to the jaw-dropping volcanic vistas of the Marquesas, the mysterious Australs, the far-flung Gambiers and now a new atoll in the picture-perfect Tuamotus, we are proud to take our guests to some of the least visited islands in the world, including more French Polynesian ports than any other cruise line,” Mr Wong said.

“At 8km long and 5km wide, and with a population of less than 100, Makatea is a tiny speck in the South Pacific. Despite its small size, it’s sure to leave a big impact on our guests. It’s the only raised coral atoll in the Tuamotus and while it was once abuzz with phosphate mining, it’s now a verdant paradise which is home to unique flora and fauna, a charming local village and crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkelling.”

Aranui Cruises’ 125-metre long mixed cargo and passenger vessel is one of the few remaining cargo cruise experiences in the world and in 2020, Aranui 5 will offer 20 scheduled cruises around French Polynesia, including another voyage to Pitcairn Island after the inaugural 2019 cruise sold out within weeks.

The 13-day roundtrip cruise from Papeete to Pitcairn Island is priced from $7630* per person twin share in an ocean view stateroom and will depart on April 11, 2020. The cruise includes calls to seven Tahitian islands – Anaa and Amanu in the Tuamotus; Mangareva and Aukena in the Gambiers; and Raivave and Rapa in the Austral Islands – as well as Pitcairn Island where guests will receive a highly sought-after Pitcairn stamp in their passport.

During the visit to Adamstown, guests will have the chance to visit the grave of Mutineer John Adams, hand feed the Island’s only Galapagos tortoise, browse Pitcairn’s local Curio and Craft market, sample the island’s unique organic honey, purchase a rare stamp from the Post Office which opens especially for guests, explore the island’s Museum including the Bounty Cannon, and walk to Christian’s Cave, where the founder of modern day Pitcairn, Fletcher Christian, would climb to watch for passing ships.

To launch the 2020 program, the Tahitian adventure cruise line is offering a 10 per cent discount across all cabin categories on the first two cruises of the year with discounted ocean view staterooms starting from $6030* per person twin share for voyages departing on February 6 and 22, 2020. A 10 per cent senior’s discount is also available on the voyage departing September 10, 2020. There are no cruises in January as Aranui 5 will be in dry dock.

Packed with value, an Aranui 5 cruise includes shore excursions such as hikes, 4WD tours, visits to archaeological sites and local feasts, a weekly laundry service, three meals per day and complimentary French wine with onboard lunches and dinners.

Aranui 5 features a restaurant, two conference rooms, lounges, a library, a boutique, a swimming pool, a gym, a spa and four bars including the popular Sky bar.