French Polynesian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises has released its 2023 program including a dedicated Austral Islands explorer featuring the ‘Bora Bora of the south’, a bonus Pitcairn sailing to make up for cancelled COVID cruises and the cruise line’s first five-day cruise.
On sale now, the 2023 program is Aranui’s most diverse, featuring 25 scheduled cruises ranging from five to 13-days and calling at 26 islands around the South Pacific on Aranui 5, a 125-metre mixed freight and passenger vessel, which offers one of the few remaining cargo cruise experiences in the world.
For the first time in 2023, Aranui 5 is taking guests to five Austral Islands on the inaugural cruise dedicated solely to French Polynesia’s beautiful up-and-coming southern archipelago. The special 12-day Austral Islands** explorer will depart 9 September 2023 and includes calls to Raivavae – known as the Bora Bora of the south, Tubuai, Rurutu, Rapa and the cruise line’s first visit to tiny, remote Rimatara, from A$8783* per person twin share.
The cruise line is introducing its first short cruise in 2023, with a five-day itinerary departing 28 April priced from A$3485** per person twin share. The itinerary is still to be determined.
A Cook Islands** cruise includes visits to Aitutaki, Rarotonga and the small, untouched island of Atiu, via Raiatea and Bora Bora. The nine-day itinerary departs on 17 April 2023, and is priced from A$6841* per person twin share.
Two Pitcairn** voyages will depart on 18 February and 7 October 7 2023. Priced from A$8477* per person twin share, the 11-day voyages include an overnight visit to Pitcairn Island as well as calls to Hikueru, Anaa and Amanu in the Tuamotus and Mangareva and Aukena in the Gambier Islands.
In 2023, the small cargo cruise ship will continue to offer its classic itinerary to French Polynesia’s remote Marquesas islands with itineraries alternating between Tuamotu atolls Makatea and Fakarava on the journey north, and Rangiroa on the return leg.
During the traditional 12-day roundtrip cruises from Papeete, Aranui 5 will deliver cargo to the six inhabited Marquesas Islands – Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Tahuata, Fatu Hiva and two stops at Hiva Oa including Gauguin’s Atuona village and the valley of Puamau – while guests disembark and explore the mystical Marquesas Islands on a range of complimentary excursions including hikes, 4WD tours, local feasts and visits to archaeological sites, from A$7561* per person twin share.
A special extended 13-day cruise departing 15 December 2023, will take in the Marquesas Festival of Arts while guests will also be treated to a visit to Kauehi, a picturesque atoll in the Tuamotus, from A$8280* per person twin share.
Aranui Cruises Regional Representative Australia New Zealand Laurent Wong said there was something for everyone in the diverse 2023 program.
“We know our special cargo cruise to the Marquesas will always be popular but we also know that the world is going to be different after COVID-19 so we’ve made some changes to the usual program to cater to the post-pandemic traveller. In addition to enhanced health protocols onboard, we are offering shorter and cheaper options to give more travellers the chance to enjoy a post-pandemic holiday in paradise. As a small ship that likes to head off-the-beaten-track, we are looking forward to welcoming adventurous Australians back onboard Aranui 5 in 2023 and taking our guests to every corner of the South Pacific from Adamstown to Aitutaki and across all five of French Polynesia’s archipelagos,” Mr Wong said.
To launch the 2023 program, the boutique adventure cruise line is offering discounts on nine voyages in 2023, including 15% off voyages 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 when booked before 31 December 31 2021. Earlybird prices start from A$6483* per person twin share.
A low season discount is also available on voyages 1 and 2, while Australians aged over 60 can take 10% off voyage 4 fares, with discounted staterooms starting from A$6843* per person twin share.
With local crew, cuisine and culture, Aranui 5 is the most authentic way to explore French Polynesia.
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, four bars including the popular Sky bar and the first tattoo studio at sea.
For more information visit www.aranuicruises.com.au
*Subject to availability, conditions apply **Freight will not be transported during this voyage
SOURCE: Aranui Cruises IMAGE CREDIT: Lionel Gouverneur
