17 hours ago
Cruising French Polynesia on a cargo cruise
In my mind's eye, French Polynesia is as close to Paradise as you can get.
The area consists of more than 100 individual islands across five archipelagos in the south-central Pacific Ocean, so it makes sense that one of the best ways to explore them is on a cruise ship.
There are many different cruise lines that offer great itineraries — but if you are up for something a little different — why not try a cargo cruise?
Tahitian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises has just announced an offer of 20 per cent off its cruises to the Austal Islands in 2025 and 2026 when booked by August 11, 2025.
The discount is available on 13-day roundtrip voyages on board their Aranui 5 ship departing Papeete November 1, 2025, and February 14, March 28, September 12 and October 24, 2026.
The voyages visit all five inhabited Austral Islands in the south of French Polynesia — Tubuai, Rurutu, Rimatara, Raivavae, and Rapa Iti — with calls at Raiatea and Bora Bora in the Society Islands on the return leg.
At present, Aranui offers the only way to visit all five islands as Rapa Iti is only accessible by sea and Aranui 5 is the only local cruise ship permitted to call there.
Aranui Cruises Australian representative Laurent Wong said the south of French Polynesia was a new cruise destination for Australians to explore.
'Like the Society Islands of yesteryear, the Austral Islands boast soaring mountains, pristine beaches, hidden caves, intense blue lagoons, unique local produce and picturesque villages, plus a colourful history including a link to the Bounty mutineers. It's an exciting new corner of the Pacific to discover,' Laurent said.
Business out the front and party at the back
The mullet haircut analogy comes to mind when I see the Aranui 5.
The front deck is the workspace with a couple of cranes to lift goods on and off the ship — and rear offer all the comforts of a cruise ship.
It can accommodate approximately 230 passengers in 103 cabins across eight guest decks — and it has a restaurant, conference rooms, lounges, a library, a boutique, a swimming pool, a gym, a spa, and bars including a panoramic Sky bar.
Aranui's Austal Islands cruises in 2025 and 2026 are priced from $7006 and includes more than $2000 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.
The offer is subject to availability, the discount is valid on new bookings made before August 11, 2025, across all levels of accommodation (except the dormitory), on voyage 19, 2025, and voyages 3, 6, 18 and 21, 2026. The promotion is exclusive to Australian and New Zealand residents, only available for new bookings with new passengers' names and is not combinable with any other discount. It cannot be refunded or changed to another substitute departure sailing date.
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