Aranui Cruises has released its 2028 program featuring the first full year of cruising for new-build Aranoa, including more calls than ever to the Australs, along with increased calls to Huahine and more of Moorea.
With Aranoa scheduled to sail on 19 voyages to the Australs, up from 14 in 2027, Aranui Cruises continues to put French Polynesia’s southern archipelago on the map and will carry more guests to the remote islands than ever before.
In 2028, the 116-metre-long mixed passenger-freighter Aranoa will offer six cargo cruises featuring all five inhabited Austral Islands – Tubuai, Rurutu, Rimatara, Raivavae and Rapa Iti – on a 13-day roundtrip cruise from Papeete, which also calls at Bora Bora, Raiatea and Moorea on the return leg.
The remaining 13 Australs voyages sail roundtrip from Papeete on a 12-day itinerary with picturesque Society Island, Huahine, replacing Rapa Iti as part of an ongoing agreement to introduce tourism slowly and sustainably to the tiny island community, home to less than 500 residents.
The 198-guest vessel will also offer a freight-free five-day short cruise to Makatea, Mataiva and Anaa in the Tuamotus, plus two 12-day voyages to Pitcairn and the Gambiers, which include an overnight stay at Pitcairn.
The cruise line’s 125-metre mixed freight and passenger vessel Aranui 5 will continue to service the Marquesas Islands in 2028, with 23 12-day 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 French Polynesia’s famed Bora Bora, to break up the journey to and from the Marquesas.
To launch the new program, Aranui is offering an early bird discount of 15 per cent off Aranoa’s 2028 voyages as well as 10 per cent off Aranui 5’s Marquesas Islands cruises, when booked before December 31, 2026.
Discounted 2028 cruises start from A$8495* per person twin share for Aranoa’s 13-day Austral Islands cruise with Rapa, or from A$7764* per person twin share for Aranoa’s 12-day Australs cruise (excluding Rapa) with Huahine.
With a 10 per cent early bird discount, Aranui 5’s 13-day Marquesas Islands voyages are priced from A$8037* per person twin share.
“We are excited to have two ships in operation for a full year in 2028, opening up many more opportunities to carry guests and cargo to the northernmost and southernmost points of French Polynesia. With Aranoa in action all year, we are offering an additional five voyages to the Austral Islands, taking almost 1000 more people to these beautiful, untouched islands, to discover a stunning new corner of the world that is home to some of the most dazzling blue lagoons and happiest people on the planet. We will continue working with the wonderful communities that call the Australs home to introduce tourism in a sustainable and meaningful way,” Aranui Cruises Australia and New Zealand Representative Laurent Wong said.
“While we continue to put the special southern islands on the map, Aranui 5 will continue to ply the northern waters on our classic cargo cruise to the Marquesas. It is one of the world’s most incredible sea adventures, to a magical place of volcanic vistas and tattooed warriors, and we hope that 2028 is the year that Australians tick this bucket list journey off their list.”
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.
