By
Laura Hyde |
Aranui Cruises has taken delivery of its new 198-guest ship, Aranoa, which means ‘great awakening’ in Tahitian. The ship is now en route to French Polynesia where it will spend its maiden season sailing itineraries around the Austral Islands from March 2027.
Aranoa, which was built by Huanghai Shipbuilding in Shandong, China, has been designed as an “intimate, innovative and authentically Polynesian” vessel. It features 91 cabins, including 62 with private balconies. The ship also has two restaurants serving international and French Polynesian-inspired cuisine, two bars, whirlpools, a spa and fitness centre, a boutique and a tattoo salon.
The ship will primarily sail in the remote Austral Islands, which is located around 300 miles south of Tahiti with itineraries visiting five islands: Rimatara, Rurutu, Tubuai, Raivavae and Rapa. Aranui Cruises’ signature 13-day roundtrip from Tahiti will also include a call at Bora Bora in the Society Islands, while special voyages will sail to Pitcairn Island and a five-day itinerary will visit the Tuamotu Archipelago. Although the ship’s crew is entirely Polynesian, all itineraries will feature guided excursions in English.