voyage aranui 5

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Aranui 5 Deck Plans & Reviews

Activities & entertainment

• Cultural Excursions
• Enrichment Lectures
• Evening Entertainment
• Guest Lecturers
• Local Entertainment
• Swimming Pool
• Bar - Observation Bar *
• Bar - Panoramic Bar *
• Outdoor Bar *
• Dining Room - International
• Excellent 20
• Very Good 8
• All languages ( 36 )
• English ( 26 )
• French ( 6 )
• German ( 3 )
• Italian ( 1 )

Ship Overview

Operated by: Compagnie Polynesienne de Transport Maritime

Aranui 5 is a unique, custom-built, dual-purpose passenger/freighter that sails from Tahiti to the Marquesas, Tuamotu and Society Islands in French Polynesia on a 12-day all-inclusive cruise. Designed to offer all of the comforts of a cruise liner, while operating as a supply ship, Aranui 5 is classified as a small vessel, accommodating approximately 254 passengers and 103 cabins.

Redesigned and custom built with passenger comfort in mind, you will embark the Aranui 5 on a voyage of discovery following the paths of Paul Gauguin, Robert Louis Stevenson, Thor Heyerdahl and Jacques Brel. The Polynesian staff and crew will welcome you to these exotic, captivating islands they call home.

The Aranui 5 continues a relaxed, friendly tradition with space to meet new friends in the bars and lounge or while relaxing on the deck or by the pool, as the islands seem to float by. If you are looking for privacy or romance, retreat to your balcony in suites and deluxe staterooms. Watch the infinite colours of the sunset play in the sky and sea as another day draws to a close in the South Pacific.

After a three-course dinner, let the lively Aranui Band introduce you to Polynesian rhythms and teach you to swivel your hips to the infectious beat of the Tamure or the Tahitian Waltz.

Read our Aranui 5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

View expeditions

• Room Grades

Presidential Suite

SIZE: 41m2 / 441sqft SLEEPS: 3

Consisting of three individual rooms, 41 sqm. (440 sq. ft.) of interior space and a 12 sqm. private balcony, this exclusive suite offers a separate bedroom with a king size bed, a sitting room with a single sofa bed, a lounge with a built-in bar, two bathrooms with shower and hair dryer, a walk-in closet, desk, two flat screen TVs, refrigerator and safe.

Royal Suite

SIZE: 22m2 / 236sqft SLEEPS: 3

Aranui 5's eight Royal Suites are a large 22 sqm. with with glass sliding doors leading to a private outdoor balcony measuring 9.5 sqm. Royal Suites offer a bedroom with a king size bed and a sitting room with a single sofa bed, divided by a decorative filigree screen, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer, wardrobe, flat screen TV, refrigerator and safe.

Premium Suite

SIZE: 18m2 / 193sqft SLEEPS: 3

Aranui 5's 21 Premium Suites are a spacious 18 sqm. with glass sliding doors leading to a private outdoor balcony (4 sqm.) and offer a bedroom with a king size bed and a sitting room with a single sofa bed, divided by a decorative filigree screen, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer, wardrobe, desk, flat screenTV, refrigerator and safe.

Junior Suite

Located on the Veranda Deck, the two Junior Suites are 18 sqm. in size, with two non-opening windows. Junior Suites feature a separate sofa, make up table, flat screen tv, safe and refrigerator. Note this room type does not feature a balcony.

Superior Deluxe

SIZE: 14.50m2 / 156sqft SLEEPS: 2

Superior Deluxe rooms offer 14.5 sqm. of interior space with glass sliding doors leading to a a private outdoor balcony (4 sqm.) two armchairs, make up table, flat screen tv, safe and refrigerator. Ask us about the handicapped accessible Superior Deluxe room located on the Main Deck.

SIZE: 13m2 / 140sqft SLEEPS: 2

Deluxe rooms offer 13 sqm. of interior space, with glass sliding doors leading to a private outdoor balcony (4 sqm.), two armchairs, make up table, flat screen tv, safe and refrigerator.

SIZE: 11m2 / 118sqft SLEEPS: 2

Staterooms offer a compact 11 sqm. of living space with ocean views via a porthole (no balcony). Comforts include flat screen tv, safe and desk. Choose from locations on the Boat, Main or 2 decks.

Single Stateroom

SIZE: 9m2 / 100sqft SLEEPS: 1

Aranui 5's Single staterooms have 100 sq. ft. (9 sq.m) of interior space with a porthole, a single bed, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer.

SIZE: 12.50m2 / 134sqft SLEEPS: 4

Ideally suited for those on a budget or single travellers who don't mind sharing, Class C offers dormitory style accommodation for up to four guests in bunk beds. A bathroom is shared between all four guests and other conveniences include a porthole, wardrobe and sitting area. Interconnecting Class C rooms are also available for larger groups.

Aranui 5’s restaurant offers the chance to taste the distinctive flavours of French Polynesia while getting to know fellow guests in a casual, communal setting. Three meals are served daily with the breakfast buffet boasting tropical fruit, pastries and a hot breakfast. Complimentary wine is served with lunch and dinner, which is always a three-course meal including crusty bread, salad, dessert and mains ranging from freshly caught Wahoo to local pork, New Zealand lamb to Chow Mein and even American spare ribs. During special Polynesian themed nights, a seafood barbeque is served on the pool deck. Vegetarian and other special dietary requirements are catered for.

The Aranui 5 voyage is as much about the experience of being on a cargo ship as the fascinating excursions ashore. There is nothing like watching the muscular Polynesian crew go about their daily tasks and witnessing the kaleidoscope of activity as the ship’s cranes swing into action unloading everything from sugar to cars, trucks and building materials, and loading fresh produce such as copra (dried coconut), citrus fruits, fish and noni juice to take back to Papeete. And because it is a working ship, methods of disembarking and embarking vary according to port access. At some islands the ship is able to tie up at the dock, while at others it has to drop anchor and ferry passengers and cargo ashore by barge. But this is all part of the adventure.

When you are tired of watching the cargo operations, there is a full program of activities including a series of lectures about the Marquesas and the part played by Europeans and Polynesians in shaping their history. There is also a range of Polynesian-themed classes at which you can pick up some new skills. Sign up for a ukulele or dance class and you may even find yourself performing alongside the crew members of the Aranui band after dinner! Or you might like to simply relax on one of the sundecks, take a dip in the pool, work out in the basic gym or indulge in a spa treatment. With four bars, a comfortable lounge and library, the ship never feels crowded. 

The Aranui 5 has taken freighter cruising to a new level, offering more passenger space and facilities, a higher level of comfort and more balcony suites than its predecessor. All suites, staterooms and public areas are air-conditioned and there are two passenger lifts for easy access between decks. Accommodation includes 32 suites, ranging from the sprawling Presidential Suite to 8 Royal Suites, 21 Premium Suites and 2 Junior Suites.

A doctor travels on each voyage and the onboard infirmary is equipped to deal with most first-aid requests and emergencies. Guests can use the self-serve laundry and the onboard boutique has a wide range of books, souvenirs, toiletries, clothing, sweets and snacks.

Aranui 5 Expeditions

French polynesia's marquesas islands.

From AUD $5082.00 Per Person

DURATION: 12 Days/ 11 Nights REGION: Australia, New Zealand & Pacific SHIP: Aranui 5

From Tahiti to the Marquesas and Tuamotu Islands in French Polynesia, this 12-day all-inclusive cruise aboard the "part freighter / part cruise ship" Aranui 5 is a trip for the bucket list!

Pitcairn Island & French Polynesia

From AUD $5705.00 Per Person

DURATION: 11 Days/ 10 Nights REGION: Australia, New Zealand & Pacific SHIP: Aranui 5

SPECIAL OFFER | Second traveller SAVES 50% or no Single Supplement! | Join the Aranui 5 on an adventure of a lifetime from Tahiti to remote Pitcairn Island.

Austral Islands with Aranui

From AUD $5271.00 Per Person

Located 600km south of Tahiti, the rarely-visited Australs are untouched and mysterious, where white sand clashes with the intense blue of the lagoons.

Experiencing the Marquesas Islands onboard the Aranui 5

The Bay of Virgins on Fatu Hiva... one of the memorable stops made on the islands of Marquesas in French Polynesia during a 13-day voyage onboard the Arunai 5. (Image: Craig Tansley)

--> BY Craig Tansley

Last updated . 05 June 2023

Explore French Polynesia’s volcanic Marquesas Islands – one of the world’s most remote archipelagoes – aboard a true cargo ship expedition.

WINNER OF THE ASTW Best Cruise Travel Story of 2020

“In years and years no sailing vessel has attempted this traverse, and we found ourselves in the midst of one of the loneliest of the Pacific solitudes … we sighted no sail… no steamer’s smoke above the horizon. A disabled vessel would drift in this deserted expanse for a dozen generations, and there would be no rescue.” Jack London, The Cruise of the Snark , 1911.

Onboard a cargo ship to the Marquesas Archipelago

What might Jack London make then of my short temper here in the Owner’s Suite of the M/V Aranui 5 as I try, for the third time, to connect to the worldwide web. Goddammit, the signal was strong 10 minutes ago; how can those satellite waves be so slippery out here amongst this, one of the most remote island archipelagoes on Earth? When London sailed here a century or so ago – across the equator from Hawai‘i aboard his self-made sailing boat The Snark to these mysterious Marquesas Islands – his was a voyage with no precedent. Mine may well be done aboard a luxurious vessel which plies an identical path every three weeks of the year, but even with the three-course meals served up in its fancy dining room and the two 116-centimetre television screens in my super-size-me suite there aren’t many adventures like this one left in the world.

Onboard the Aranui 5. (Image: Tahiti Tourisme)

For the Aranui 5 isn’t a cruise ship, it’s a tub whose human cargo is secondary to the supplies it brings to the people of the Marquesas in French Polynesia; it offers one of the last true cargo ship expeditions. When the Aranui 5 departs The Island of Tahiti , it steams its way 1400 kilometres north-east until it reaches these little-known islands 500 kilometres south of the equator. It punches against persistent easterly trade winds, barging its way through the angriest waves the Pacific Ocean can conjure until it finds the 12 tiny islands of the Marquesas Archipelago: the centre of the ancient Polynesian empire.

I’ve been here before, a decade ago, aboard the Aranui 5’s predecessor. But even though I experienced these islands on almost the exact same itinerary, I am still not prepared for my first sighting of the Marquesas after three days at sea. There are none of the lagoons here that are usually associated with French Polynesia . Instead, mammoth black-faced volcanic peaks and entire caldera walls fringed by thick jungle and coconut trees plunge into deep, dark valleys shrouded in low cloud offering viewers the wildest island interiors anywhere in the Pacific.

This archipelago of overlooked islands – six of which are inhabited by barely 9000 Polynesians (and a handful of French hermits and government types), the rest are entirely without development – can only really be accessed by boat. Four of these islands have tiny tin shed airports, but the roads, most just dirt or gravel trails that spiral their way up and down deep valleys, are more roller-coaster tracks than sightseeing opportunities. The Aranui 5 stops at every major port of the Marquesas to restock everything from Hinano lager to medical supplies; so as heavily tattooed seamen unload freight on tiny wharves, I use the time to peer into one of the planet’s most private worlds.

The bare necessities at Port Puamau, Hiva Oa Island

Our first port of call is on the island of Hiva Oa. We anchor in a bay beneath a 1200-metre-high extinct volcano, and I’m passed like luggage onto longboats by Polynesians with arms like banyan tree trunks. Even the busiest port town in the Marquesas has fewer than 500 inhabitants; this one, Puamau, has 300. There are no cafes or bars as we know them – at one cafe I ask for a coffee and am duly handed four mugs: one with a finger-width of instant coffee, another with sugar, one with milk powder and another with steaming hot water – but food grows free-of-charge beside the narrow dirt and concrete streets of town; mango, guava, dragon eye, star fruit, bananas and tamarinds reach out as I walk by.

A cultural experience on Hiva Oa. (Image: Tahiti Tourisme)

Hanging out beneath the dramatic peaks of Hiva Oa. (Image: Tahiti Tourisme)

Locals prefer horses over 4WDs in Puamau; they ride them to a Catholic church erected beside the Pacific, dressed up to the nines to keep God happy. Just a few hundred metres behind town, I discover a forest full of ancient stone walls, altar-like structures, two-metre-high tikis, and carvings and petroglyphs, beside 600-year-old banyan trees sacred to the Marquesan people. It is like this all over the Marquesas – evidence of ancient Polynesian societies exists all through the islands’ hinterlands.

The missionaries left their mark on the Marquesas. (Image: Tahiti Tourisme)

The missionaries who came to save souls – Catholics mostly, a regular supply of them dropped in throughout the 19th and 20th centuries – ‘fixed’ their pagan ways and ended their cannibalistic traditions, moving them away from the sacrificial altars in their forests to a life lived in houses built beside the sea (diseases introduced by missionaries and whalers decimated the population from what was around 100,000 at the time of its discovery by Europeans at the end of the 16th century, to barely 1500 by the turn of the 20th century). And so the forests on these islands teem with treasure.

A musical welcome to Tahuata Island

At the next port, on the smallest of the inhabited Marquesas, Tahuata, locals set up handicraft stalls and dance and sing for us. But rather than feeling like manufactured tourism, the singing and dancing feels intimate, like it’s done for family; in the Marquesas nothing feels contrived. With no airport on the island, the next tourists won’t arrive till the next Aranui voyage in three weeks.

Tahuata is the smallest of the inhabited Marquesas. (Image: Tahiti Tourisme)

In the last precious sunlit moments of a cloudless, still afternoon, I scoop at the flesh of a green coconut with my fingers and feel the kind of contentment one can only find from nature. “Over all the landscape there reigned the most hushed repose, which I almost feared to break, lest, like the enchanted gardens in the fairy tale, a single syllable might dissolve the spell,” is how Herman Melville, author of Moby-Dick describes this kind of nature-induced Marquesan euphoria in his 1846 novel Typee.

Greenery on Ua Huka. (Image: Tahiti Tourisme)

In this town, surly teenagers still stare at their iPhone screens with all the hope and ferocity of their contemporaries in our own world, but little else appears to have changed in the century or so since history’s most celebrated artists and writers came to the Marquesas seeking the ultimate adventure, and escape. Melville ran away from a whaling ship to live with cannibals in the forests of the Marquesas’ largest island, Nuku Hiva, our fourth port of call.

Retracing Herman Melville’s journey on Nuku Hiva

From the port of Taiohae I retrace his 178-year-old journey by 4WD to the Taipivai (Typee) Valley, first ascending a mountain range into a mist forest, before descending and ascending again, passing wild horses gathered at hair-pin corners. We eat pork, fish and vegetables roasted in a traditional underground umu oven, surrounded by waterfalls Melville described in his book. “We stood on the brink of a precipice, over which the dark stream bounded in one final leap of full 300 feet,” he wrote. “On either side of the fall, two lofty and perpendicular bluffs buttressed the sides of the enormous cliff.”

A local man bears a traditional Marquesan tattoo on Tahuatu. (Image: Tahiti Tourisme)

It was Melville who inspired Jack London to venture to Nuku Hiva. “When I was a little boy I read a book … Melville’s “Typee”; and many long hours I dreamed over its pages,” London wrote in The Cruise of the Snark. “I resolved there and then … come what would, that when I gained strength and years, I too, would voyage to Typee.” It was another visitor, however, who is the Marquesas’ most famed guest. French artist Paul Gauguin came to the island of Hiva Oa seeking inspiration, and to hide from an outside world he despised. He lived in the village of Atuona, in a house dubbed the House of Pleasure, defying priests shocked by his sinful ways (teenage lovers, the encouragement of liquor consumption amongst natives and pornography spread across the walls of his home). The town’s still as quiet as the place described by Gauguin, though I find a fine restaurant with a sweeping bay view and a raw fish dish to die for, and Gauguin’s crushed coral grave in a cemetery above town, beside that of Belgian folk singer, Jacques Brel.

But for all the creative stars who plundered their way to the Marquesas (Robert Louis Stevenson was so inspired by the beauty of this archipelago that he chose to live out his days in Polynesia), it’s the least heralded of them who fascinates me most. Explorer and scientist Thor Heyerdahl (of Kon-Tiki fame) came to live in the forests on the island of Fatu Hiva in 1936 at the age of 22 with his new wife. He’d never visited the tropics before, he’d never left his native Norway, in fact, before he boarded a ship bound for Tahiti and then rode a copra schooner to Fatu Hiva, our next port of call. He asked the skipper to row them to shore by the town of Omoa, and requested to be picked up from the same spot a year later. “There we could make our experience. Go back to the forests. Abandon modern times. The culture. The civil. Leap thousands of years into the past. To the way of life of early man. To life itself in its fullest and simplest form,” he wrote in Fatu-Hiva: Back to Nature .

Experiencing lush remoteness on Fatu Hiva

Fatu Hiva is the most lush and remote of all the archipelago. We make it to anchor under a night sky full of stars. In the light of a three-quarter moon I look across the waters and imagine how it must’ve been for Heyerdahl then. Omoa is surely the Marquesas’ most charming town: piglets and goats run between backyards in a village backed by the black volcanic walls of a long extinct caldera. Though I can’t stay long – I must walk 17 kilometres to the village of Hanavave. The first eight kilometres are a torrid uphill battle along a red mud track, but I’m rewarded with a nine-kilometre descent down a winding mountain pass that cuts its path through steep rock faces looking down on the greenest valley in all the South Seas, and the still waters of the Bay Of Virgins. This is one of the world’s most iconic – and remote – sailing anchorages (today there are four yachts anchored here beside the Aranui ).

The Bay of Virgins on Fatu Hiva is one of the Pacific’s most picturesque anchorages, though its inaccessibility stops most from coming. (Image: Craig Tansley)

I might’ve remained on the ship for lunch as it steamed from Omoa to Hanavave, but I think these islands demand some effort from those who come to see them. Besides, the hours spent at sunset anchored a few hundred metres from the shore feel more precious to me now. As the evening light illuminates the high cliffs and escarpments above Hanavave, four-metre-wide manta rays circle the boat.

Memorable moments onboard Aranui

There are other ports of interest – some islands like Ua Huka and Ua Pou, oddly, are as barren as the rest are lush – though I find some of the most memorable moments I have on this 13-day journey through this forgotten world are ones I have onboard. I wake each morning at dawn off a new island, and I wander across the ship’s floors as if it were a deserted town. I cherish these quiet moments, when with a coffee from the infinite thermos in the lounge I watch for spinner dolphins and whales from my favourite vantage points: the top deck beside the bridge, my own super-sized balcony and the Sky Bar where in the moments before we dock, the same regulars congregate to detail how they might’ve parked our Aranui better.

A view from the island of Ua Huka. (Image: Tahiti Tourisme)

A dramatic rock formation off Ua Huk. (Image: Tahiti Tourisme)

The journey home

The sea is so calm for the voyage home that it feels like a journey across the world’s largest lake. We stop for a swim fix at the luscious lagoons French Polynesia is famous for: first at Rangiroa, and then Bora Bora. There are two other cruise ships in the lagoon beside us in Bora Bora and while it’s hardly Bondi Beach at Christmas, after the isolation of the Marquesas it feels cramped. Thankfully, it’s the isolation of the Marquesas that will save this lost world from progress. For if isolation is indeed a bliss, then these islands must be the happiest islands in the whole world.

Trip details

Getting there.

Air Tahiti Nui flies from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to Papeete, Tahiti, via Auckland with Qantas codeshare.

Cruising there

Aranui 5 offers a regular 13-day voyage from Papeete to nine Tahitian islands across the Marquesas, Tuamotu and Society Islands, including Bora Bora. An Aranui 5 cruise includes shore excursions, laundry service, three meals per day and complimentary French wine with onboard lunches and dinners

There’s time to relax in the pool on a port stop overlooking the dramatic peaks of Ua Pou. (Image: Craig Tansley)

Speaking there

English and French are widely spoken in The Islands of Tahiti , including the Marquesas, but it’s good to try a few Tahitian words and phrases while you’re there.

‘Ia ora na – Good morning

E aha te huru? – How are you?

Maita’i – Good/well

Māuruuru – Thank you

Māuruuru roa – Thanks very much

Nānā – Goodbye

Manuia – Cheers

Tiare – Flower

Motu – Island

Moana – Ocean

E or ‘oia – Yes

‘Aita – No

Researching there

Good reading before heading to the Marquesas includes:

The Cruise of the Snark by Jack London

Typee by Herman Melville

In the South Seas by Robert Louis Stevenson

The Happy Isles of Oceania by Paul Theroux

Paul Gauguin and the Marquesas: Paradise Found? by Caroline Boyle-Turner

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Discover The Marquesas

• Get inspired by the possibilities.
• Build your ideal trip.
• Explore Makatea, the second-largest raised atoll in French Polynesia
• Take a stroll in the numerous villages in Marquesas Islands
• Dive and snorkel in Tuamotu atoll, the largest in French Polynesia
• Snorkel in the translucent lagoon of Rangiroa
• Taste local Marquesan cuisine such as breadfruit and fei
• Scuba Diving
• Archaeological Site Visits
• Small Ship Cruises
• Village Visits
• South Pacific
• French Polynesia
• Marquesas Islands
• Society Islands
• Tuamotu Islands

Full Itinerary

Day 1: papeete, tahiti | embark.

• 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 2: Fakarava (January-April), Makatea (May-July) or Kauehi (August-Dec.)

• 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 3: At Sea

Day 4: nuku hiva (taiohae/hatieu/taipivai), day 5: ua pou (hakahau), day 6: ua huka (vaipe’e/hane/hokatu), day 7: hiva oa (atuona), day 8: hiva oa (puamau) & tahuata (vaitahu), day 9: fatu hiva (omoa - hanavave), day 10: at sea, day 11: rangiroa (otohu), day 12: papeete, tahiti | disembark.

• 1 Breakfast

Dates & Prices

My preferred start date.

Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.

Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, Check or Wire transfer

See our general terms and conditions:

• Adventure Life Terms & Conditions

We are an agent for one or more providers on this trip with specific cancellation policies and terms:

• General Terms & Conditions - Aranui

For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.

• 11 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 11 Dinners
• 11 Nights Accommodations
• Accommodations as listed
• Ground transportation as listed
• Activities as listed
• Meals as listed
• Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
• Cruise transportation and related taxes (tourist tax, port tax, TDC)
• A bottle of wine to share among 4 passengers for scheduled onboard meals
• Lunches in local restaurants
• Lecturers onsite and onboard
• Travel Insurance
• Personal Expenses
• Flight costs (please request a quote)
• Additional excursions during free time
• Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)

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South pacific travel guide.

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• Easter Island

Favorite South Pacific All Trips

• Cook Islands & Society Islands
• Hawaiian Seascapes
• Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands

Why Travel With Adventure Life

Recognized by.

A unique adventure is waiting for you aboard the Aranui 5.

This mixed passenger and cargo ship will welcome you in the pure Polynesian tradition for a cruise full of discoveries and magical encounters.

The Marquesas Islands, The men land, territory of mysteries and natural marvels, shelters the most incredible stopovers of this itinerary. Follow Paul Gaugin and Jacque Brel’s steps and admire these incredible landscapes from the comfort of your cabin.

Nature and beauty will be you daily routine for this timeless vacation.

In addition to the Marquesas Islands, Aranui offers many special cruises in 2024.

Some numbers

• The special atmosphère of a mixte cargo
• The magical itinerary accros splendid landscapes

Class ‘C’ (Dorm) - 2021 & 2022

Standard cabin (obstructed view) - 2021 & 2022, standard cabin - 2021 & 2022, deluxe cabin - 2021 & 2022, superior deluxe cabin - 2021 & 2022, junior suite - 2021 & 2022, premium suite - 2021 & 2022, royal suite (obstructed view) - 2021 & 2022, royal suite - 2021 & 2022, presidential suite - 2021 & 2022.

• MARQUESAS ISLANDS 2024 

Day 1 – Departure from Tahiti (Papeete) Day 2 – Tuamotu Islands – Fakarava or Kauehi (Voyages 12 & 23) Day 3 – At sea Day 4 – Marquesas Islands – Nuku Hiva (Taiohae - Hatiheu - Taipivai) Day 5 – Marquesas Islands – Ua Pou (Hakahau) Day 6 – Marquesas Islands –Ua Huka (Vaipaee - Hane - Hokatu) Day 7 – Marquesas Islands – Tahuata (Vaitahu) & Hiva Oa (Atuona) Day 8 – Marquesas Islands – Fatu Hiva (Omoa - Hanavavae) Day 9 – At sea Day 10 – Tuamotu Islands – Rangiroa or Makatea (Voyage 12 & 23) Day 11 – Bora Bora Day 12 – Back to Tahiti (Papeete)

• TUAMOTU, GAMBIER & PITCAIRN ISLANDS 2024   (FEBRUARY 2024)

Day 1 – Departure from Tahiti (Papeete) Day 2 – Tuamotu Islands – Anaa Day 3 – Tuamotu Islands – Amanu Day 4 – At sea Day 5 – Gambier Islands – Mangareva  Day 6 – Pitcairn Islands Day 7 – Pitcairn Islands Day 8 – Gambier Islands – Mangareva Day 9 – At sea Day 10 – Tuamotu Islands – Hikueru Day 11 – Back to Tahiti (Papeete)

• AUSTRAL ISLANDS (MARCH, APRIL & NOVEMBER 2024)

Day 1 – Departure from Tahiti (Papeete) Day 2 – Austral Islands – Rurutu Day 3 – Austral Islands – Rurutu Day 4 – Austral Islands – Raivavae Day 5 – Rapa Day 6 – Rapa Day 7 – At sea Day 8 – Austral Islands – Rimatara Day 9 – Austral Islands – Tubuai Day 10 – At sea Day 11 – Back to Tahiti (Papeete)

Departure dates

ARANUI SAILING SCHEDULES 2024:

• Voyage 1 – January 20th to February 31st, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS - 10% low-season discount
• Voyage 2 – February 3rd to 14th 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS - 10% low-season discount
• Voyage 3 – February 17th to 27th, 2024 –  TUAMOTU, GAMBIER ISLANDS & PITCAIRN
• Voyage 4 – March 2nd to 13th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS
• Voyage 5 – March 16th to 27th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS
• Voyage 6 –  March 30th to April 9th, 2024 - AUSTRAL ISLANDS
• Voyage 7 – April 13th to 24th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS
• Voyage 8 – May 4th to 15th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS
• Voyage 9 – May 18th to 29th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS
• Voyage 10 – June 1st to 12th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS
• Voyage 11 – June 15th to 26th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS
• Voyage 12 – June 29th to July 10th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS
• Voyage 13 – CANCELLED
• Voyage 14 – CANCELLED
• Voyage 15 – Agust 17th to 28th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS
• Voyage 16 – August 31st to September 11th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS
• Voyage 17 – September 14th to 25th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS
• Voyage 18 – October 5th to 16th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS  
• Voyage 19 – October 19th to 30th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS
• Voyage 20 –  November 2nd to 12th, 2024 - AUSTRAL ISLANDS
• Voyage 21 – November 16th to 27th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS
• Voyage 22 –November 30th to December 11th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS
• Voyage 23 – December 16th to 27th, 2024 - MARQUESAS ISLANDS

The rates are per person and include :

• The 12 days/11 nights Or 11 days/10 nights cruise (2024) with all meals
• Guided excursions
• Ports and tourist taxes

Travel Insurance :

• Upon confirmation of booking, all passengers must take out travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical expenses and repatriation.

2024 PAYMENT CONDITIONS

• 25% depositon reservation
• Remaining balance 90 days before departure

2024 - Cancellation policy for all Marquesas cruises and the Discovery Austral Islands cruises (V06, V20): 

• Any cancellation after the official confirmation of a cabin will be subject to an administrative fee of 165 USD per person. Non-refundable or non-commissionable
• If cancelled 90 to 61 days prior to scheduled departure: the initial deposit of 25% of the cost of the full fare of the voyage, including charges, will be retained 
• If cancelled 60 to 45 days prior to departure: one-third (1/3) of the cost of the full fare of the voyage, including charges, will be retained
• If cancelled 44 to 30 days prior to scheduled departure: two-thirds (2/3) of the cost of the full fare of the voyage, including charges, will be retained
• If cancelled less than 30 days or no-show: the full fare (100%) of the voyage, including charges, will be retained.

2024 - Cancellation policy for the Discovery Tuamotu-Gambier-Pitcairn cruise (V3) :

• Any cancellation after the official confirmation of a cabin will be subject to an administrative fee of 165 USD per person. Non-refundable or non-commissionable
• If cancelled 120 days to 91 days prior to scheduled departure: the initial deposit of 25% of the cost of the full fare of the voyage, including charges, will be retained
• If cancelled 90 days to 61 days prior to scheduled departure: one-third (1/3) of the cost of the full fare of the voyage, including charges, will be retained 
• If cancelled 60 to 30 days prior to scheduled departure: two-thirds (2/3) of the cost of the full fare of the voyage, including charges, will be retained

2024 Booking changes:

Once booking confirmation has been issued, any change of booking such as a change of dates or name will be subject to the same penalties as those applied to cancellations.

• CruiseMapper

Aranui 5 cabins and suites

Aranui 5 staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Aranui 5 cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Aranui Cruises (Small Cruise Lines) en-suite amenities and services.

The Aranui 5 cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Presidential Suite

The Presidential Suite features glass sliding doors opening to a private step-out balcony (furnished with 2 sunloungers, 2 chairs, 1 small square table) and accessible via sliding glass doors from the day room (wet bar, 4-seat dining table, mini-bar, under-counter mini fridge, coffee table with 2 armchairs, sofa bed), walk-in closet, separate master bathroom (WC, single sink vanity, shower cubical, guest bathroom (WC, single sink), 2 flat TVs, electronic safe, hairdryer, separate bedroom with one double bed (sized 180x200 cm / 70x80 inches) or 2 twin / lower beds (each sized 90x200 cm / 35x80 inches), 2 bedside tables with lamps, individually controlled air conditioning.

Royal Suite

Layout (floor plan).

Each of the Royal Suites has private step-out balcony (furnished with 2 sunloungers, 2 chairs, 1 small square table) and accessible via sliding glass doors from the day room (1 flat TV, coffee table with 2 armchairs, sofa bed, under counter mini-fridge), wardrobe, en-suite bathroom (WC, single sink vanity, shower cubical), semi-private bedroom with one double bed (sized 180x200 cm / 70x80 inches) or 2 twin / lower beds (each sized 90x200 cm / 35x80 inches), 2 bedside tables with lamps, electronic safe, hairdryer, individually controlled air conditioning.

Premium Suite

Each of the Premium Suites has a private step-out balcony (furnished with 2 chairs and 1 small square table, and accessible via sliding glass doors), day room (vanity desk with chair, coffee table with 2 armchairs, sofa bed, flat TV, under counter mini-fridge), decorative screen divided bedroom with 1 double bed (sized 180x200 cm / 70x80 inches) or 2 twin / lower beds (each sized 90x200 cm / 35x80 inches), 2 bedside tables with lamps, en-suite bathroom (WC, single sink vanity, shower cubical), wardrobe, individually controlled air conditioning.

Junior Suite

Junior Suites are both without private balconies. Each of them has 2 windows (non-opening), en-suite bathroom (WC, single sink vanity, shower cubical), coffee table with 2 armchairs, wardrobe, 1 flat TV,  under counter mini-fridge, sofa bed, one double bed (sized 180x200 cm / 70x80 inches) or 2 twin / lower beds (each sized 90x200 cm / 35x80 inches), 2 bedside tables with lamps, electronic safe, hairdryer, individually controlled air conditioning.

Superior Deluxe Balcony Cabin

Each of the Superior Deluxe Veranda cabins has private step-out balcony (furnished with 2 chairs and 1 small square table), en-suite bathroom (WC, single sink vanity, shower cubical), coffee table with 2 armchairs, wardrobe, under counter mini-fridge, 1 flat TV, one double bed (sized 180x200 cm / 70x80 inches) or 2 twin / lower beds (each sized 90x200 cm / 35x80 inches), 2 bedside tables with lamps, electronic safe, hairdryer, individually controlled air conditioning.

Deluxe Balcony Cabin

Each of the Deluxe Veranda cabins has private step-out balcony (furnished with 2 chairs and 1 small square table) and accessible via sliding glass doors from the day room furnished with 1 armchair, wardrobe, under counter mini-fridge, flat TV, one double bed (sized 180x200 cm / 70x80 inches) or 2 twin / lower beds (each sized 90x200 cm / 35x80 inches), 2 bedside tables with lamps, bathroom (WC, single sink vanity, shower), electronic safe, hairdryer, individually controlled air conditioning.

Standard 2-Passenger Porthole Cabin

Each of the Exterior Staterooms (oceanview cabins) has one porthole (round-shaped opening window), en-suite bathroom (WC, single sink vanity, shower cubical), one double bed (sized 180x200 cm / 70x80 inches) or 2 twin / lower beds (each sized 90x200 cm / 35x80 inches), 1 bedside table with lamp, vanity desk with chair, flat TV, electronic safe, wardrobe, individually controlled air conditioning.

Standard 4-Passenger (Family) Cabin

Each of the 4-Passenger (Family) Staterooms has two porthole (round-shaped opening windows), en-suite bathroom (WC, single sink vanity, shower cubical), one double bed (sized 180x200 cm / 70x80 inches), 2 bedside tables with lamps, 1 twin / lower bed plus 1 Pullman bed (above the twin bed, each sized 180x200 cm / 70x80 inches), coffee table with 2 armchairs, 2 wardrobes, flat TV, electronic safe, hairdryer, individually controlled air conditioning.

These 6 oceanview cabins are 3 connecting pairs (family) staterooms that can be booked as 2-bedroom suites (each with max capacity of 8 persons).

C-Class 4-Passenger Porthole Cabin

Each of these "Class C 4 Pax" cabins has 4 bunk beds (each sized 90x200 cm / 35x80 inches), sitting area (sofa, coffee table, 1 armchair), 2 wardrobes, en-suite bathroom (WC, single sink vanity, shower cubical), hairdryer, individually controlled air conditioning. Know that these are not family cabins as kids (children under 15) are not accepted.

C-Class 8-Passenger Porthole Cabin

The unique "Class C 8 Pax" cabin has 8 bunk beds (each sized 90x200 cm / 35x80 inches), sitting area (sofa, coffee table, 2 armchairs), 3 wardrobes, 2 en-suite bathrooms (each with WC, single sink vanity, shower cubical), hairdryer, individually controlled air conditioning. Know that these are not family cabins as kids (children under 15) are not accepted.

Handicap (Wheelchair-Accessible) Cabin

Aranui 5's only one Handicapped Accessible cabin (for passengers with mobile disabilities) is in category "Superior Deluxe". Unlike the other Superiors, this accommodation has no private step-out veranda. Instead, it has 2 round-shaped windows (non-opening) and larger entry- and bathroom doors. Cabin amenities include larger en-suite bathroom (WC, single sink vanity, shower, grab bars, raised toilet seat), 2 wardrobes, under counter mini-fridge, 1 flat TV, one double bed (sized 180x200 cm / 70x80 inches), 2 bedside tables with lamps, vanity desk, electronic safe, hairdryer, individually controlled air conditioning.

Aranui 5 cabins review

Aranui 5 cabin and suite plans are property of Aranui Cruises (Small Cruise Lines) . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

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Votre expérience

L’Aranui 5 a remplacé l’Aranui 3 depuis début 2016. Le concept unique au monde de croisière mixte et fret ravitaillant de petites îles marquisiennes vivant hors de la civilisation est fascinant ! Ce bateau mythique dessert régulièrement le petit monde perdu des Marquises, très éloigné des autres archipels de Polynésie. Cette croisière hors-norme mêle à la perfection des prestations de luxe avec un esprit convivial typiquement marquisien (tenue vestimentaire décontractée). Au programme sont inclus tous les repas, le vin de table ainsi que des activités inoubliables sur les différentes îles.

Votre bateau

- Dimension : 125m x 25m - 254 passagers / 103 cabines - 103 membres d’équipage - 9 ponts - Vitesse de croisière : 15 nœuds

La vie à bord

- Atmosphère décontractée, chaleureuse et conviviale - Langues parlées : français, anglais, allemand et tahitien - Restaurants/bars : petit déjeuner buffet, le midi et le soir ce sont des menus uniques avec entrée plats et desserts. Il existe des repas adaptés pour les régimes spéciaux (végétariens, sans gluten etc…). Ne ratez pas les Happy-Hours, tous les jours auprès des différents bars à bord.

- Activités et loisirs : tout au long de la croisière, des activités culturelles et sportives sont proposées. Lors des escales sur les îles, certaines activités sont optionnelles (plongée bouteille, balade en pirogue, survol en hélicoptère…).

Votre cabine

Toutes les cabines sont climatisées et équipées d’une TV écran plat avec vidéo à la demande, d’un accès à internet et d’une ligne téléphonique, ainsi que d’une salle de bain et de toilettes privatives. - 5 dortoirs : peuvent accueillir 24 passagers (1 dortoir de 8 couchettes et 4 de 4 couchettes). - 40 cabines Standard : 11m² avec hublot. - 31 cabines deluxe et supérieure : 13m² à 15m² + un balcon de 4m², avec réfrigérateur. - 29 suites : de 18m² à 41m² (suite présidentielle) avec réfrigérateur. Toutes les suites disposent d’un balcon, à l’exception de la ‘’suite junior’’.

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Aranui 5 Dual-Purpose Passenger/Cargo Ship

Aranui 5 is a custom-built, dual-purpose passenger / cargo ship under construction at Huanghai Shipbuilding facility. located in Shandong province, China. The new vessel will replace its predecessor Aranui 3, which entered service in 2003.

Vessel Type

Passenger / cargo ship

French Polynesia, France

February 2015

Maiden Voyage

Compagnie Polynesienne de Transport Maritime (CPTM)

299 (254 guests + 45 local passengers)

Aranui 5 is a custom-built, dual-purpose passenger / cargo ship under construction at the Huanghai Shipbuilding facility, located in Shandong province, China. The new vessel will replace its predecessor Aranui 3, which entered service in 2003.

The vessel will be operated by Compagnie Polynesienne de Transport Maritime (CPTM), a maritime company based in French Polynesia.

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Aranui 5 will carry cruise passengers, as well as supplies between the remote islands of the South Pacific Ocean. It was launched in February 2015 and is scheduled to sail on its maiden voyage in 2016 from Tahiti Island in French Polynesia to the most remote archipelago in the world, the Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific Ocean.

Aranui 5 operates under building and safety guidelines, including the international Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the French Coast Guard (CCS) regulations.

Aranui 5 passenger-freighter cruise ship design

The Aranui 5 will be 126m long and 22m wide, which makes it slightly larger than its predecessor. It will have a draught of 5.2m and dead weight capacity of 3,200t. The ship cruise at a speed of 15k to safely navigate the smaller harbours of the islands.

The Port of Tauranga is the largest port in New Zealand in terms of total cargo volume, with a throughput of over 13 million tons a year.

Unlike other cruise ships, half of the deck space towards the bow is dedicated to the carrying of food, fuel, and other supplies that will be delivered monthly to the islands of the Marquesas. The bow deck is fitted with carnage for cargo loading / off-loading, whereas the other half of the ship is meant for passengers visiting the same remote islands of the South Pacific Ocean.

Accommodation aboard Aranui 5

Aranui 5 will offer a variety of accommodation facilities, including suites, superior deluxe rooms, cabins , staterooms, and Class C accommodation. Classified as a small vessel, the ship can accommodates up to 299 passengers.

It will feature a total of 32 suites with balconies, 31 deluxe suites with balconies, 40 staterooms with picture windows, four dormitories of 12.5m² each, and a single dormitory with a porthole, housing eight persons.

Each suite will feature a queen-size bed and a sofa bed, and can accommodate up to three people. Staterooms will be available for single, double or quadruple occupancy. Private bathrooms with showers will be included in each guest room.

The four Class C dormitories aboard the ship will accommodate 24 passengers, while a dedicated deck space will house 45 local passengers.

Deck details of the Aranui 5 passenger / cargo ship

Aranui 5 will feature eight guest decks, which include a sky bar deck, as well as a sun deck, veranda, boat, and upper deck, as well as a main deck and deck 2. The sky bar area will have nine superior deluxe suites, two deluxe suites, one presidential suite, a sky bar, and a lounge.

The sun deck will feature 12 superior deluxe suites, two deluxe suites and two royal suites. The pool region will have eleven premium suites, three deluxe suites and two royal suites. The veranda deck will feature ten premium suites, two junior suites, and two royal suites, whilst the boat deck will have 12 staterooms and two royal suites.

The upper deck will feature two deluxe suites and five C class rooms, and the main area features a superior deluxe room for disabled passengers and eight staterooms. Deck 2 will have a total of 20 staterooms.

Deck interiors will reflect the Polynesian heritage. Other facilities will include two lounges, two conference rooms, one dining room, four bars, including one panoramic sky bar, an outdoor pool, a boutique, a massage room, and a gym.

All the passenger areas and indoor public spaces will be fully-air-conditioned. The restaurant aboard the ship will offer meals served in casual sitting.

Aranui 5 itineraries

The maiden voyage of Aranui 5 will include a 14-day round-trip around the islands of French Polynesia.

Aranui 5 will depart from the capital Papeete, on the island of Tahiti, and sail through Tuamotu Archipelago in the Takapoto Islands, Nuku Hiva, the Marquesas Archipelago, Tahuata and Hiva Oa, Fatu Hiva island, Hiva Oa, Ua Huka, Nuku Hiva, Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Islands, and Society Archipelago in Bora Bora, to finally reach Pappete on the 14th day.

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Découvrez nos calendriers annuels de croisière jusqu’en 2025. Les tarifs sont disponibles en cliquant sur chaque itinéraire (onglet cabines & prix).

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Politique de données

La Compagnie Polynésienne de Transport Maritime s’engage à collecter et à traiter toute Donnée personnelle en conformité avec la réglementation en vigueur issue notamment de la loi dite « Informatique et Libertés » n° 78-17 du 6 janvier 1978 modifiée et du Règlement (UE) 2016/679 relatif à la protection des données à caractère personnel (RGPD). Les seules données personnelles traitées sur le présent site sont les données collectées dans le cadre du questionnaire de contact. Le responsable du traitement est La Compagnie Polynésienne de Transport Maritime Siège social : BP 220 Papeete, Tahiti – Polynésie Française Tel : +689-40-42-62-42. Le traitement a pour seule finalité de nous permettre de répondre le plus efficacement à toute question de l’utilisateur. La base légale du traitement est le consentement de l’utilisateur. Les données demandées dans le questionnaire doivent obligatoirement être fournies. Dans le cas contraire, nous ne serons pas en mesure de répondre au message de l’utilisateur. Les données sont conservées pendant une durée n’excédant pas celle nécessaire au regard des finalités pour lesquelles elles sont traitées. Les données collectées sont destinées et accessibles aux seuls collaborateurs de La Compagnie Polynésienne de Transport Maritime L’utilisateur peut accéder aux données le concernant, les rectifier, demander leur effacement, exercer son droit à la limitation du traitement de ses données ou retirer son consentement au traitement de vos données. Il peut consulter le site cnil.fr pour plus d’informations sur ses droits. Pour exercer ces droits ou pour toute question sur le traitement de vos données dans ce dispositif, l’utilisateur peut contacter le service chargé de l’exercice de ces droits par courrier à La Compagnie Polynésienne de Transport Maritime. Si l’utilisateur estime, après nous avoir contactés, que ses droits « Informatique et Libertés » ne sont pas respectés, il peut adresser une réclamation à la Commission nationale de l’informatique et des libertés (CNIL).

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FinanceBuzz

14 Unique Cruises You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Posted: January 27, 2024 | Last updated: January 27, 2024

Whether you’re a diehard cruise lover or a casual tourist looking to step up your travel game , cruise ships offer a wonderful way to see the sights in multiple locations.

There are plenty of recognizable cruise ships that specialize in specific experiences or themes. However, these lesser-known cruise ship lines may offer a unique experience for those seeking something a little different.

Earn Points and Miles: Find the best travel credit card for nearly free travel

Sea Cloud Cruises

Mainstream cruise ships are often huge and fully modernized. At Sea Cloud Cruises, they focus on a smaller, more intimate sailing experience.

The private yachts primarily use hand-set wind sails to guide the ship. In fact, the routes periodically change to adapt to the weather. The yachts also dock at smaller ports, creating a more unique and personalized travel experience.

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Emerald Cruises

With Emerald Cruises, you can enjoy a river cruise through Europe and Southeast Asia.

Some river routes include the Danube, Rhine, Douro, and Mekong. The company also offers yacht cruises on the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Red Sea. You can also cruise through the Caribbean and Central America.

Emerald Cruises is also committed to sustainability, sourcing local ingredients at port and avoiding single-use plastic entirely.

Alaskan Dream Cruises – Kruzof Explorer

For a much smaller, more intimate cruising experience, book a stay on the Kruzof Explorer from Alaskan Dream Cruises. This former Bering Sea crab fishing boat only hosts 12 passengers in luxurious, cozy rooms.

Another perk of the Kruzof is the boat’s ability to get to remote, hard-to-access waters. There are also speed boats, kayaks, and adventuring gear on board for further exploration.

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For a more culture-forward cruise experience, take a trip on a Viking river or ocean cruise.

The cruise line docks in smaller towns like Marksburg Castle in Germany or Porto in Portugal. You can also travel along the Seine River in France or the Nile River in Egypt.

The vessels are designed in a modern yet comfy Scandinavian style.

Ocean Endeavour

If you’re seeking a true adventure, book a trip on the Ocean Endeavour, which takes guests on a tour of Antarctica.

With limited off-board options, the on-board amenities are vast, including saunas, spas, a pair of restaurants, and more. The experience is also intimate, with the passenger headcount capped at 199.

UnCruise Adventures

Another cruise line tailored to adventure seekers is UnCruise Adventures. This Alaska-based company has several vessels of varying sizes, and destinations that include Hawaii, California, the Galapagos, and Machu Picchu.

The smallest cruise ship hosts 22 guests in 11 cabins, and the largest can hold up to 86 in 43 cabins.

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Maple Leaf Adventures – Swell

History lovers will enjoy a cruise on the Swell, a 1912 tugboat built in Canada that has been converted into a commercial cruise ship.

The vessel is small, with six cabins and a maximum of 12 guests per voyage. Other amenities include a hot tub, three salons and lounging areas, and kayaks for further exploration.

Paul Gauguin Cruises – The Gauguin

Experience the South Pacific on an intimate vessel with Paul Gauguin Cruises. The Gauguin holds 330 guests and has three restaurants and a spa on board.

Destinations include Tahiti, the Society Islands, Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands, and more, many of which are explored together on one voyage. The ship can sail to a total of five islands within a week.

Quark Expeditions – 50 Years of Victory

Quark Expeditions offers another adventurous cruise ship option: 50 Years of Victory.

This nuclear-powered vessel features a spoon-shaped bow and stainless steel skirt that makes it able to break through ice as thick as 9.2 feet.

When not exploring polar waters, guests can take helicopter excursions, hit the gym, swim laps in the pool, warm up in the sauna, and more.

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American Cruise Lines

While most cruise ships explore oceans and rivers abroad, American Cruise Lines sets forth on river expeditions in America.

Specific rivers include the Mississippi River and the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Cruises also visit New England, Alaska, Puget Sound, and more.

The riverboats range in capacity from 90 to 180 guests, with each vessel featuring onboard entertainment and education, fine dining, and more.

Aranui Cruises – Aranui 5

Aranui is a Polynesian-focused cruise line that includes the Aranui 5. The vessel carries passengers around for a 12-day, immersive getaway. At the same time, it is also a supply ship that delivers to small, remote civilizations in French Polynesia.

The ship hosts up to 230 passengers and provides a culturally enriching, comfortable, all-inclusive experience.

Aqua Expeditions

Aqua Expeditions vessels offer river and ocean cruises in destinations such as the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam, the Amazon River in Peru, Komodo Island, the Raja Ampat and Spice Islands in Indonesia, and the Galapagos Islands.

The small cruises focus on culturally engaging experiences, emphasizing exploring nature and local wildlife.

Relais & Châteaux – Ecoventura

Adventurous travelers get to explore the Galapagos Islands aboard the Relais & Châteaux Ecoventura.

This experience also focuses on wildlife and nature, with activities that include snorkeling with sea lions. You might also spot dolphins, green sea turtles, and giant tortoises.

Seeing rare Galapagos birds is another enriching opportunity for passengers of the Ecoventura.

Sailing4Adventure – Skull & Crossbones

For a truly special sailing experience, take a trip aboard the Skull & Crossbones. Expeditions are four days long and recreate the experience of being a pirate sailing on the Baltic Sea in one of two ships.

Passengers are also referred to as players, as they will spend the expedition in character as a true pirate, complete with mock combat between the ships.

Bottom line

These cruise ships offer unique experiences — from exploring remote islands to experiencing the Antarctic.

So, if you have a credit card that helps you earn travel rewards , see if you have accumulated enough points or other perks to enjoy one of these cruises today.

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