Why choose a cargo cruise with Aranui: the ultimate maritime adventure in Polynesia

On one side, giant cruise ships carrying thousands of passengers. On the other, a Polynesian cargo-passenger vessel supplying the most remote islands in the South Pacific while welcoming 230 travellers on board. A cargo cruise with Aranui is unlike anything else. It is a choice: exploration over mass entertainment, authenticity over staging. How does this unique concept work, and who is it really for ?

What is a cargo cruise ?

A cargo-passenger ship is neither a cruise liner nor a simple freighter. It is a vessel designed to fulfil two missions simultaneously: delivering essential goods to isolated communities and hosting passengers in comfortable surroundings.

The Aranui 5 embodies this model perfectly. At the bow, 3,000 tonnes of freight: food supplies, building materials, vehicles, equipment. At the stern, 103 cabins, a panoramic swimming pool, a restaurant, four bars and spacious decks overlooking the ocean. This purpose-built 126-metre ship, launched in 2015, accommodates up to 230 passengers under the French flag.

The difference from a conventional cruise is fundamental. Here, passengers are guests of everyday Polynesian life. The itinerary is driven by the logistical needs of the islands, not by a tourist brochure. At each port of call, you watch the ballet of cranes and forklifts as the crew unloads containers onto sometimes rudimentary wharves. Then you step ashore and are welcomed by the islanders.

A cargo cruise is a counter-movement to the gigantism of the cruise industry. No excess, no artificial scenery. A human scale, a real mission, and the feeling of being part of something meaningful.

Why choose a cargo adventure in French Polynesia ?

French Polynesia encompasses 118 islands scattered across an ocean area the size of Europe. Most conventional cruises are limited to Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti. The Aranui opens the door to archipelagos that large ships simply cannot reach. Here is what makes this adventure so distinctive.

Raw authenticity: freight operations at the heart of the voyage

At every port of call, the scene is the same yet always different. Containers are shifted, crates stacked, goods sorted. Sometimes a vehicle rolls down onto the wharf to a round of applause. Nothing is choreographed, nothing is staged for passengers. This is real work, with real people, in places where the arrival of the Aranui has punctuated community life for four decades.

Passengers watch these operations from the deck, sometimes just metres from the cranes. Many travellers cite these moments as the most memorable of their cruise, well ahead of the landscapes or excursions.

Access to the inaccessible: calling where no one else can go

The Aranui serves the six inhabited islands of the Marquesas, located more than 1,500 km northeast of Tahiti. This archipelago, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2024, is a world apart: towering volcanic cliffs, deep valleys cloaked in tropical vegetation, millennia-old archaeological sites.

Some of these islands, such as Fatu Hiva and Tahuata, have no airport. They are accessible only by sea. Landings are sometimes made by barge, with no built wharf. This is adventure in the truest sense, a far cry from the standardised ports of call of ocean liners.

The human factor: a Polynesian crew, a natural immersion

Almost the entire crew of the Aranui is Polynesian, hailing from the various archipelagos. This is not a detail: it is the heart of the experience. Evenings on board are enlivened by traditional songs and dances. The cuisine blends French gastronomy with local flavours. Interactions happen naturally, with a warmth and generosity that passenger reviews praise unanimously.

Ashore, the welcome in the villages is equally spontaneous. Music, smiles, mutual curiosity. You are not a tourist on an organised circuit; you are a guest received with genuine hospitality.

The luxury of time: disconnecting to truly discover

In the middle of the South Pacific, far from any commotion, the pace changes. Wi-Fi is available on board, but coverage is naturally limited in open ocean. Many passengers consider this disconnected interlude one of the true luxuries of the voyage.

No incessant notifications, no late-night scrolling. Instead: time to read, to contemplate the horizon, to chat with fellow travellers on deck. The cultural lectures offered on board, covering the history of the Marquesas, Polynesian navigation and the art of traditional tattooing, add depth to every sea day.

The Aranui 5: a unique cruise to the Marquesas Islands

When the Aranui 5 leaves the port of Papeete, Tahiti, it sets course for one of the most isolated archipelagos on the planet. The 12-day voyage first crosses the Tuamotu (with a call at Fakarava, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) before reaching the Marquesas. Each island reveals a different face of Polynesia.

The ship and its Marquesas itinerary

The classic Aranui 5 itinerary serves Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Hiva Oa, Fatu Hiva and Tahuata, with approximately 20 to 25 sailings per year. Shore time averages 3 to 5 hours per call, a rhythm linked to loading and unloading operations.

The Marquesas are not lagoon islands. The beauty here is terrestrial and cultural: the monumental tikis of Hiva Oa, the Bay of Virgins on Fatu Hiva (considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world), the sites where Paul Gauguin once lived, the valleys that still echo with the legacy of ancient Polynesian warriors. This is an immersion into what the Marquesans call "Te Henua Enana" — the Land of Men.

Comfort and services on board

The Aranui 5 offers 103 cabins across several categories: shared dormitory, standard cabins, balcony cabins, Deluxe suites and the Presidential Suite. The balcony cabins, the most popular, provide a direct ocean view and are described by passengers as well soundproofed and tastefully appointed.

The comfort is that of a good hotel at sea. A restaurant serving French and Polynesian cuisine, four bars including a panoramic bar, an outdoor swimming pool, a spa, a fitness room and a traditional Polynesian tattoo studio run by resident artists. The Aranui 5 is in fact the first passenger vessel in the world to feature a traditional tattoo artist on board.

Meals are included in the fare, along with guided excursions at each port of call and cultural lectures. For voyages between July and August, the sea can be livelier due to the Maraamu wind: travellers who are sensitive to motion may prefer a mid-ship cabin for maximum stability.

The Aranoa (2027): the new flagship for the Austral Islands

In 2027, Aranui Cruises plans to launch the Aranoa, a next-generation cargo-passenger ship dedicated to the Austral Islands. This marks the first fleet expansion in the company's history.

The Aranoa ("a great awakening" in Tahitian) will accommodate 198 passengers in 91 cabins, 62 of which will have balconies. Two restaurants, two bars, two jacuzzis, a spa, a traditional tattoo studio and a modern fitness room complete the facilities. The diesel-electric propulsion with azimuth system represents a technological and environmental step forward, in line with the company's Green Marine Europe certification.

The Austral Islands, located 600 km south of Tahiti, are among the most preserved in French Polynesia. Five inhabited islands (Rurutu, Raivavae, Tubuai, Rimatara, Rapa) are home to around 6,800 people. No mass-market hotels, very few air connections, deep blue lagoons and an ancestral culture rooted in self-sufficiency. From July to October, humpback whales come here to breed, offering encounters at sea of rare intensity.

The Aranoa will carry out the same dual mission as the Aranui 5: supplying the local population and opening these confidential islands to travellers seeking undiscovered destinations.

Note: the launch date remains subject to construction timelines. Information above is based on official company announcements.

A unique on-board experience: comfort and immersion

Those who picture a cargo cruise as a spartan crossing are mistaken. The experience on board the Aranui goes far beyond comfortable transport from point A to point B. It offers an immersion in Polynesian life that conventional cruises simply cannot replicate.

The on-board experience: far more than a comfortable voyage

Daily life on board blends relaxation and discovery. Sea days are punctuated by lectures from French-, English- and German-speaking guides on the history of the archipelagos, Marquesan culture and marine wildlife. Sunsets from the panoramic deck, Polynesian evenings with the crew, breakfasts facing the vastness of the Pacific: every moment is an invitation to slow down.

The atmosphere is convivial and cosmopolitan. With a maximum of 230 passengers, everyone gets to know each other quickly. Nationalities mix at the restaurant and on deck, creating a warm ambiance that travellers often compare to a small-group expedition.

Encounters with the crew and the islanders

This is perhaps the most precious dimension of the voyage. Crew members, originally from the five Polynesian archipelagos, share their culture with natural generosity. They recount the legends of their islands, teach a few words of Marquesan, prepare local specialities. The ship becomes a floating community.

Ashore, the port calls hold moments of rare authenticity. In the villages of the Marquesas, the welcome is sincere and warm: traditional dances, shared meals, local craftsmanship. These encounters are not a packaged tourist programme. They spring from the bond the Aranui has nurtured with these communities for forty years, as their vital lifeline to the outside world.

Travelling with Aranui: controlled value for money

French Polynesia has a reputation as an expensive destination. The Aranui cargo cruise offers a different approach: a voyage where the essentials are included, allowing you to manage your budget with no unpleasant surprises.

What the fare includes

Indicative fares and overall budget

For the Marquesas itinerary (12 days / 11 nights), cruise only excluding flights :

Fares vary by season and current offers. The company offers low-season discounts (January–March) and occasional senior discounts (60 and over). For up-to-date pricing, visit the Aranui Special Offers page.

The total budget from Europe also includes flights to Tahiti, any pre- or post-cruise accommodation in Papeete, and personal expenses on board. With excursions, meals and entertainment already included in the fare, the Aranui cargo cruise allows you to enjoy French Polynesia fully without stacking up extras.

Experience authentic Polynesia: the Aranui adventure starts here

The Aranui is no ordinary cruise. It is a voyage that weaves together cultural exploration, a freight supply mission and immersion in one of the most preserved territories on the planet. Since 1984, the Wong family has built a model unique in the world: a Polynesian cargo-passenger ship connecting isolated communities while opening their islands to travellers.

With the Aranui 5 sailing to the Marquesas and the Aranoa heading to the Austral Islands from 2027, the cargo cruise in French Polynesia offers two complementary ways to discover the South Pacific far from the beaten track. An Aranui cargo cruise is more than a trip: it is a gateway to preserved worlds.

Looking to explore more of French Polynesia beyond Bora Bora? Discover our cruises in French Polynesia :

• Bora Bora Cruise
• Tahiti Cruise
• Marquesas Islands Cruise
• Austral Islands Cruise
• Cook Islands Cruise
• Pitcairn Islands Cruise
• Society Islands Cruise
• Tuamotu Islands Cruise
• Gambier Islands Cruise

FAQ: aranui cargo cruise, your practical questions

Is there a risk of a port call being cancelled during the voyage?

Weather conditions or cargo logistics may require a port call to be modified. This is inherent to the cargo-passenger model: supplying the islands remains the priority. The crew adjusts the itinerary in real time to deliver the best possible experience. This flexibility is part of the adventure.

What is the supplement for solo travellers?

A single-occupancy supplement applies when occupying a double cabin alone. The amount varies by category and season. An attractive alternative: the shared dormitory (4 persons) significantly reduces the budget. Contact Aranui Cruises for a personalised quote.

What type of traveller is the Aranui suited to?

Curious, open-minded travellers who value cultural encounters and rare destinations. The pace is relaxed, the atmosphere convivial and cosmopolitan. The majority of passengers are between 55 and 75, but the voyage is open to all ages. What matters most is an appreciation for authenticity and a willingness to embrace a journey that adapts to real-world conditions.

Aranui 5 or Aranoa: which one to choose?

These are two different voyages to two distinct archipelagos. The Aranui 5 serves the Marquesas: spectacular volcanic landscapes, ancestral culture, UNESCO heritage. The Aranoa (from 2027) will serve the Austral Islands: even more secluded islands, pristine lagoons, humpback whale watching from July to October. The choice depends on which destination appeals to you most.

What is the best time to go?

The dry season, from May to October, offers the most pleasant conditions: temperatures between 24 and 28°C, low rainfall and ideal light. June and September combine fine weather with moderate visitor numbers. The July-to-October period is particularly popular for humpback whale watching in the Australs. The low season (January–March) offers reduced fares, lusher scenery and still warm temperatures (26–30°C), despite occasional showers. Whatever the period, an Aranui cargo cruise remains an exploration experience in its own right.