French Polynesian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises has released its 2026 program.
The new release features more voyages to French Polynesia’s southern Austral Islands, a short Tuamotus cruise and its traditional lineup of cargo cruising in the Marquesas Islands.
With 25 cruises on offer and more variety than ever before, guests have the chance to stay onboard the 125-metre mixed freight and passenger vessel Aranui 5 for consecutive cruises, offering the ultimate exploration of the remote northern and southern regions while only unpacking once.
Save up to 15% on back-to-back cruises
For the first time, Aranui is offering a discount for back-to-back cruises. The cruise line is offering a 15% discount when any Marquesas voyage is booked before or after a discovery voyage to the Australs or Tuamotus.
Choosing the perfect French Polynesia Cruise
Aranui Cruises offers four 13-day voyages to the south of French Polynesia, the only way to see all five inhabited Austral Islands—Tubuai, Rurutu, Rimatara, and Raivavae—known as the Bora Bora of the south. Rapa Iti is only accessible by sea and Aranui 5 is currently the only local cruise ship permitted to visit.
The itinerary includes calls at Raiatea and Bora Bora on the return leg, offering guests the chance to explore the cultural and natural delights of the Society Islands.
Aranui 5 will offer a short cruise to Mataiva, Makatea, and Anaa for those wanting to immerse themselves further in the Tuamotus after a Marquesas Islands voyage.
After celebrating its 40th anniversary of cargo cruising in the Marquesas this year, the Aranui Cruises will continue to offer its beloved itinerary to French Polynesia’s remote Marquesas Islands with 20, 12-day roundtrip cruises from Papeete delivering freight to the six inhabited Marquesas Islands – Hiva Oa, Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Tahuata and Fatu Hiva – which includes picturesque pitstops at Tuamotu atolls Fakarava, Rangiroa and Makatea, as well as Bora Bora.
2026 early bird sale
To launch the new program, the boutique cruise line is offering a 15% early bird discount on Austral Islands voyages booked before 31 December 2024.
The 13-day Austral Islands voyages depart on 14 February, 28 March, 12 September, and 24 October 2026. Discounted staterooms start at $7412* per person twin share.
All 2026 Marquesas Islands and Tuamotu voyages are discounted by 10% when booked by 31 December 2024.
The Discover the Marquesas Islands voyage starts from A$7420* per person twin share in a stateroom
The five-day Tuamotu cruise, departing 22 May 2026, is priced from A$3364* per person twin share in a stateroom.
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.
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.
This article was produced with content supplied by Aranui and is a Signature Luxury Travel & Style digital exclusive. Be the first to see more exclusive online content by subscribing to the enewsletter.
