AFAR: "This Lesser-Known Region of French Polynesia Is Best Explored on the Most Unexpected Cruise Ship"
04/04/2025
March 24, 2025, AFAR (USA) It doesn’t get more authentic than sailing on an upscale cruise ship doubling as a freight vessel that delivers critical supplies and transportation services to remote island communities throughout this Polynesian archipelago.
AFAR published an article about the unique cruise experience Aranui offers
On March 24th, 2025, in AFAR’s recent article, Jeri Clausing explains why only few sailings are quite like those offered by Aranui Cruises, whose vessel is an upscale cruise ship in the back and a freighter up front. Please read the full story here.
Extract:
"On the Aranui, you never lose your sense of place. I liken it to returning to a comfortable Polynesian guest house in a welcoming village. All the crew is local, and they appear to love their jobs. Many have worked with the company for decades, including the kitchen manager, who started as a dishwasher 20 years ago, and one of our guides, a former teacher in Papeete who, at the urging of his brother, planned to work for just one sailing. That was 10 years ago.Polynesian culture seamlessly integrates hospitality, and both the crew and the islanders were happy to share their beliefs and traditions. Whether it was the crew picking up ukeleles and singing their hearts out during happy hour, performing traditional dances, or simply telling their stories, the warmth and magic of Polynesia shines through in everything they do."
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