Aranoa, a mixed passenger and cargo vessel, will expand Aranui’s collection of off-the-beaten-track itineraries to the remote Austral Islands – a five-island archipelago 400 miles south of Tahiti.
Aranui said passengers would take in the real French Polynesia, with itineraries featuring cultural visits to archeological sites as well as the islands’ villages. Guests will learn about village life and how locals earn a living through craftmanship, and will also have opportunities to take in the unique landscape characterised by green mountains, turquoise lagoons and white sandy beaches.
The ship, which is currently under construction, will be able to accommodate up to 198 passengers in its 93 cabins, 62 of which have private balconies. It will also feature two restaurants, two whirlpools, a fitness centre and a tattoo parlour, and will be crewed by a wholly Polynesian crew.
Aranoa, which means "awakening" in Tahitian, has been designed with several sustainability features to help protect and preserve marine life; these include equipping the ship with a diesel-electric engine, which optimises fuel efficiency while reducing air and noise pollution, and fitting propellers designed to reduce the ship’s acoustic impact on whales.
“This is the first cruise of its kind to bring tourist exploration to the Australs on a regular basis,” said Aranui’s marketing, communications and operations director Romina Wong.
"In addition to contributing to the development of tourism in the Austral archipelago, we hope to provide new economic opportunities for the islanders by showcasing to our passengers these magnificent and untouched islands, vibrant landscapes and rich culture, as well as promoting important inter-island exchanges.”
Aranui Cruises has been offering mixed cargo-passenger itineraries in the South Pacific for more than 40 years, showcasing French Polynesia while also supplying remote communities with essential provisions.
Since its launch in 1984, the line has transported passengers and primary goods to the Marquesas Islands, 900 miles north-east of Tahiti, onboard its part-cargo, part-cruise ship Aranui V.
"Aranui Cruises has a proud heritage of helping the development of the economies of remote Tahitian Islands by supplying the islanders of the Marquesas, and we are delighted that through the launch of Aranoa in 2027, we will be able to continue this tradition by supplying the remote Austral Islands and their residents with the provisions they require the most,” Wong added.
