Aranui Cruises has released its 2027 program featuring two ships for the first time in the French Polynesian cruise line’s history.
With new build Aranoa joining Aranui 5 in March 2027, the program features a jam-packed schedule which sees two passenger-freighter ships visiting all five French Polynesian archipelagos throughout the year.
The 198-guest Aranoa is scheduled to commence operation on March 6, 2027, with the inaugural cruise a 13-day voyage to the Austral Islands including a call at Rapa Iti in the far south of French Polynesia.
The 116-metre-long mixed passenger-freighter vessel will offer a total of 18 cruises in its maiden season, mostly cargo cruises to the southern Austral Islands which include calls at Society Islands’ Raiatea and Bora Bora on the return leg.
All 13-day Austral Islands voyages will call at Tubuai, Rurutu, Rimatara and Raivavae for an overnight stay in the ‘Bora Bora of the south’. Rapa Iti will also feature in six of the Australs itineraries as Aranui works with the tiny community of 500 residents to create a small and sustainable flow of tourism.
Aranui’s brand new ship will also offer a series of cruises without freight delivery including a five-day short cruise to Makatea, Mataiva and Anaa in the Tuamotus, a special trip to the Marquesas Islands in December for the biennial Arts Festival, plus two 12-day voyages to Pitcairn and the Gambiers, which include an overnight stay at Pitcairn and are priced from A$10,258* per person twin share in a stateroom.
The cruise line’s 125-metre mixed freight and passenger vessel Aranui 5 will continue to service the Marquesas Islands with 20 voyages to the far-flung northern islands. Just as the cruise line has been doing for more than 40 years, the passenger-freighter will deliver cargo to the six inhabited Marquesas Islands – Hiva Oa, Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Tahuata and Fatu Hiva – allowing guests to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed region while the Polynesian crew unloads goods for locals. This itinerary also features calls at Tuamotu atolls Rangiroa and Fakarava, as well as the famed Bora Bora, to break up the journey to and from the Marquesas.
Aranui 5 will join sister ship Aranoa in Hiva Oa for the 2027 Marquesas Arts Festival, with Aranui 5 offering a 14-day itinerary on December 13, 2027, from A$9502* per person twin share in a stateroom. Aranoa’s 13-day Marquesas Arts Festival voyage departs Papeete on December 13, 2027, and is priced from A$9677* per person twin share in a stateroom. Both cruises will spend three nights at Hiva Oa allowing guests to experience the colour and excitement of the arts festival which celebrates the vibrant culture and traditions of the Marquesas Islands.
To launch the new program, Aranui is offering 20 per cent off Aranoa’s first two voyages in 2027, with the discounted inaugural Austral Islands cruise (including Rapa) departing on March 6 priced from A$7611*, and the March 24 cruise (excluding Rapa) starting from A$7347* per person twin share.
There are also early bird deals available on both ships when a 2027 cruise is booked before December 31, 2025.
With a 15 per cent early bird discount, Aranoa’s 13-day Austral Islands voyages start from A$7768* per person twin share. b
With a 10 per cent early bird discount, Aranui 5’s 13-day Marquesas Islands voyages are priced from A$8040* per person twin share.
“In 2027, we will operate two ships for the first time, which is a doubling of our operation in French Polynesia and represents a significant and exciting chapter for Aranui. Just as we put the Marquesas Islands on the map after 40 years of cargo cruising in the northern region, we are excited about working with the Austral Islands to slowly and responsibly introduce tourism to these remote island communities while allowing a small number of guests to discover their vibrant landscapes and rich culture. I know the return of Pitcairn cruises will also be of interest to many travellers, especially the chance to visit this fascinating place on our beautiful new ship Aranoa,” Aranui Cruises Australia and New Zealand Representative Laurent Wong said.
“With Aranoa’s arrival, we are thrilled to be able to spend more time in the Austral Islands, a truly untouched and pristine part of the world that is home to its own unique culture, beautiful nature, interesting history, and the most happy, welcoming people. Not to mention stunning landscapes like Raivavae’s dazzling blue lagoon which rivals Bora Bora. These islands are very special and also very small, especially Rapa Iti, which is located 1200 kilometres away from Tahiti and is home to just 500 people. It’s a privilege to be granted access to Rapa – currently Aranui is the only local cruise line allowed regular access – and we are working closely with the tight-knit community to open up their magical world in a responsible and sustainable way that is manageable and beneficial for them.”
With cargo delivery, as well as local crew, cuisine and culture, Aranui is the most authentic way to explore French Polynesia. An Aranui cruise includes thousands of dollars’ worth of shore excursions such as hikes, visits to archaeological sites and local feasts, a weekly laundry service, three meals per day and complimentary French wine with onboard lunches and dinners.
Aranoa, known in Tahitian as a “great awakening”, will accommodate 198 passengers across 93 cabins, most (62) 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.
The 230-guest Aranui 5 features a restaurant, conference room, lounge, library, boutique, swimming pool, gym, spa, the first tattoo studio at sea and bars including the panoramic Sky bar and popular Veranda bar.
