65 INTERVIEW A local hero Rebecca Barnes catches up with Phillippe Wong of Aranui Cruises to discuss new ships, serving local communities and delivering low-impact travel Phillippe Wong is the third generation of the Wong family to lead French Polynesian shipping and expedition cruise company Aranui Cruises. As CEO, he has been instrumental in evolving Aranui into an internationally respected cruise line, while preserving its original purpose of supplying vital goods to isolated island communities. Known for its pioneering passengerfreighter voyages to the remote Marquesas Islands, Aranui has successfully blended maritime logistics with culturally immersive travel, creating a model of responsible tourism that supports local economies, protects Polynesian heritage and offers guests an authentic connection to the South Pacific. Wong’s vision is clear: to deliver meaningful, low-impact travel experiences while honouring the company’s deep-rooted responsibility to the islands and people it serves. This has earned him wide respect within the maritime and tourism industries, and he was awarded the Knight of the National Order of Merit in recognition of his contribution to French Polynesia’s shipping and tourism sectors. He freely admits that operating a ship like Aranui, which allows passengers to witness and be part of authentic maritime operations – something that can’t be found on regular cruise ships – is a unique balancing act. “On the one hand, we offer our guests an unforgettable cruise experience; on the other, we serve as a lifeline to remote “ It’s the combination of adventure, culture and purpose that makes Aranui truly one-of-a-kind” Photo: Noemie Debot-Ducloyer Aranui’s new Aranoa will debut in 2027 as the first mixed passenger-freighter ship to serve the Austral Islands
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