Following in the footsteps of the famed Bounty mutineers, Aranui 5 is offering a special cruise to Pitcairn via some of the most beautiful and untouched islands across three Tahitian archipelagos.
Please Note:
* Port Taxes and Charges vary depending on cabin type.
* Single supplement, child rates and triple & quad share cabins are available - please contact us for more details.
* Dormitory cabins can be mixed sex - You should be aware that you may be sharing with males and females in these dormitories.
Highlights
• Visit Anaa & Hikueru
• Discover Rikitea, Oneo island & Adamstown
• Explore Aukena & Amanu
You will embark on the Aranui between 7:00 and 9:00 am. You will be warmly welcomed by our Polynesian staff and settle in on the ship before the big trip to Anaa.
A small atoll with less than 500 inhabitants, Anaa wrote its way into the history books as the birthplace of Tahiti’s royal family — the Pomare Dynasty. These days it’s best known for its luminous jade lagoon with green clouds above from the sun rays reflecting off the water and picturesque motus with no less than eleven little islands scattered around the atoll. Most of the population is involved in copra or fishing, leading to the island’s landmark sustainable fishing programme. Guests can explore the village of Tukuhora and try traditional javelin throwing and handicrafts. Look out for ‘feo’, giant fossilized blocks of coral which are characteristic of the atoll. The shallow clear lagoon is ideal for fly fishing, an optional activity offered in Anaa.
Located 900km east of Tahiti, Amanu is an idyllic atoll with palm-fringed crystal-clear lagoons and a charming island village. During a visit to Ikitake, guests can see local handicrafts and explore the village’s old lighthouse, church and the 19th century building with walls made of coral stones that doubles as the town hall and a shelter during cyclones. Under a century-old tree known as “tau”, a buffet of local specialties will be served and a group of local singers and musicians will perform.
Take advantage of this day at sea to relax by the boat’s pool, to participate in one of our conferences or activities organized by our guides.
Mangareva is the largest island in the Gambier and its main village, Rikitea, is the chief town of the archipelago. The island has a large lagoon with striking blue and green hues and is also famous for its Tahitian black pearls, which are cultivated in the pristine waters around the island. Once the cradle of Catholicism in Polynesia, a visit to the renovated St Michael’s Catholic Church, where the altar is inlaid with iridescent mother-of-pearl shell, is a must.
More than 200 years after the Bounty arrived, Aranui 5 will call at Pitcairn. The tale of the mutiny of His Majesty’s Armed Vessel Bounty is one of the best known in history. After the master’s Mate Fletcher Christian cast adrift Commander Lieutenant William Bligh in the ship’s boat, the mutineers sailed the Bounty back to Tahiti then onwards to the Austral Islands, eventually seeking refuge on an uninhabited island, secure from the outside world. Pitcairn. As part of their crew, they took with them six Polynesian men and twelve women, the beginnings of the current Pitcairn community. Upon their arrival on January 17, 1790, the crew found Pitcairn to be an inaccessible and uninhabited place with fertile and warm conditions. After removing their possessions and lugging everything up the aptly named Hill Of Difficulty, the Bounty was run ashore and set alight so that no trace of her would remain visible from the sea. A village was established on the lower plateau, situated above Bounty Bay, where the village of Adamstown still stands. Although he lived in this isolated sanctuary only a few years, Fletcher Christian is fondly remembered as the founder and first leader of modern-day Pitcairn.
Home to just 50 people, Pitcairn is one of the most isolated islands in the world. During their visit, guests can immerse themselves in the living history and culture of the island, walking in the footsteps of the Bounty settlers from the landing at Bounty Bay to Adamstown; meeting the descendants of the mutineers at the curio market; visiting the grave of the last surviving mutineer John Adams; learning about an earlier Polynesian civilisation and viewing artefacts from the Bounty at the Museum.
Aukena is home to pristine lagoons perfect for black pearl farming, idyllic beaches and the first church constructed out of stone in all of French Polynesia – Saint-Raphaël Church was built in 1839. Guests can visit a pearl farm, do some sightseeing, and enjoy a barbeque on a white sand beach.
Take advantage of this day at sea to relax by the boat’s pool, to participate in one of our conferences or activities organized by our guides.
Located in the Central Tuamotu Archipelago, Hikueru was once a large natural pearl oyster reserve. A cyclone in 1903 caused considerable damage to the atoll, which Jack London described in great detail in his South Sea Tales. The first pearl farm to produce high quality Tahitian pearls was established here in the 1960s. Today, the population relies on the production of copra. Following a tasting of local fruits, guests will visit the village and a church built of coral, including an explanation of the island’s legends by its inhabitants. A beach barbecue will be served for lunch with time to swim and snorkel.
Enjoy this day at sea to relax by the boat’s pool, to participate in one of our conferences or activities organized by our guides
This is the end of our journey. It’s time to say Nānā! (Goodbye) to your travel companions, to the Polynesian staff and Aranui guides.
This itinerary may be modified due to technical or meteorological reasons. In the case of bad weather, disembarkment may
not be possible for safety reasons.
Please note that the Aranui will not transport any freight during this Tuamotu- Gambier- Pitcairn voyage.
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22 October, 2022 to 02 November, 2022
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Book now
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Dormitory style composed of:
4 units of 4 occupants (12,5sqm)
with porthole
4 bunk beds
1 private bathroom with shower
wardrobe
sitting area
Children below 15 not accepted
Location: Upper Deck
Capacity of 4 persons in each unit.
Class C – 8 Pax
1 unit of 8 occupants (26,5sqm); with porthole
8 bunk beds
2 private bathrooms with shower
wardrobe
sitting area
Children below 15 not accepted
Location: Upper Deck
Capacity of 8 persons.
Stateroom of 2 persons (32)
Exterior cabin (11sqm) with porthole
1 bathroom with a shower
double bed (180*200 cm) or 2 twin beds (90*200 cm)
desk
1 flat screen TV
safe
Includes 6 connecting cabins on Main and Lower Decks
These cabins are available on Boat Deck, Main Deck and Lower Deck.
Capacity of 2 persons.
Exterior cabin (13sqm) with private outdoor balcony (4sqm)
1 bathroom with a shower
make up table; desk
wardrobe
1 flat screen TV
double bed (180*200 cm) or 2 twin beds (90*200 cm)
safe; under counter refrigerator
hair dryer
These cabins are available on Sky Bar Deck, Sun Deck and Pool Deck.
Capacity of 2 persons.
Exterior cabin (14,5sqm) with private outdoor balcony (4sqm)
1 bathroom with a shower
make up table
desk
wardrobe
1 flat screen TV
double bed (180*200 cm) or 2 twin beds (90*200 cm)
safe
under counter refrigerator
hair dryer
These cabins are available on Sky Bar Deck, Sun Deck, Upper Deck and Main Deck.
Capacity of 2 persons.
Exterior cabin (18sqm) without balcony
with 2 windows that cannot be opened
1 bathroom with a shower
make up table
desk
wardrobe
1 flat screen TV
double bed (180*200 cm) or 2 twin beds (90*200 cm)
sofa bed
safe
under counter refrigerator
hair dryer
Exterior cabin (18 sqm) with private outdoor balcony (4sqm)
glass sliding doors; semi private day room with decorative screen
1 bathroom with a shower
make up table
desk
wardrobe
flat screen TV
double bed (180*200 cm) or 2 twin beds (90*200 cm)
sofa bed
safe
under counter refrigerator
hair dryer
Capacity of 2 or 3 adults.
Exterior cabin (22 sqm) with private outdoor balcony (9,5sqm)
glass sliding doors
a day room
a semi-private bedroom with decorative screen
wardrobe; one bathroom with a shower
make up table
1 flat screen TV
double bed (180*200 cm) or 2 twin beds (90*200 cm)
sofa bed
safe
under counter refrigerator
hair dryer
This cabin is available on Sun Deck, Pool Deck, Veranda Deck and Boat Deck.
Capacity of 2 or 3 adults.
Exterior cabin (41 sqm) with glass sliding doors
with private outdoor balcony (12 sqm)
living room; day room
mini bar
bedroom
walk-in closet
2 bathrooms with a shower
make up table
desk
2 flat screen TV
safe
under counter refrigerator
hair dryer
double bed (180*200 cm) or 2 twin beds (90*200 cm)
sofa bed
This cabin is available on Sky Bar Deck.
Capacity of 2 or 3 adults.
Additional charges:
Port taxes. From: 233 NZD pp
Aranui 5
Vessel Type: Passenger ship
Length: 126 m
Passenger Capacity: 260
Speed: 15 knots
The Aranui is a mixed passenger/cargo vessel that operates between Tahiti and the Marquesas.
It offers comfortable, air-conditioned accommodations for about two hundred passengers. Passengers will be able to sunbathe on deck, swim in the pool, or enjoy exotic tropical drinks while the Aranui wends her way among the islands of the Marquesas.
Accommodations classes are Suites, Deluxe, Standard and C Class.
The vessel operates under the French flag, and her crew are all Polynesian, primarily Marquesans.
The name “Aranui” means “The Great Highway” in Maori, another great Polynesian culture. The first Aranui was purchased from a New Zealand ship owner in 1959. CPTM kept her original name, because it suited her. Serving as a link between the remote Marquesas and the rest of the world, she truly was a “Great Highway” on which cargo and passengers traveled. The original Aranui was too small to meet the needs of the islands as trade increased. CPTM therefore retired her, and purchased a new vessel, which was also named the Aranui.
The second Aranui was originally built as a freighter for the Baltic trades, with unusually thick hull plates because of floating ice often found in that area. She was modified in Germany in 1990. After only a few years in service, it too was getting too small again to meet the islands growing trade needs as well as the increase in passenger travel. CPTM decided this time to built a new vessel in 2000, which was named the Aranui III.
The Aranui III was built in Romania as a freighter and passenger vessel. Because of the number of passengers the vessel can carry, she was reclassifed as a passenger vessel. Thus, meeting the strict requirements of international SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations and many safety features including life boats and lifte rafts and fire safety systems.
The vessel is French registry, and crewed primarily by Marquesans. They are extremely skillfull and very hospitable. It is often their custom to give an impromptu concert in the evenings, both for their own and our passengers pleasure.
The ship features a small boutique where various sundries, clothing and souvenirs are available. There are washing machines and dryers aboard, but dry cleaning is not available. There is also 2 bars and video room, which has a television, VCR and a small collection of videotapes. She also has a swimming pool and sunbathing space.
The electrical current in the cabins is 220 volt 50 cycle AC, using French-style plugs. If you have any small appliances, please make sure you have voltage converters and plug adapters needed to use the ship’s standard power. The vessel accepts traveler’s checks and credit cards for on-board purchases. We regret that we cannot honor personal checks. Lock boxes are available on board for passenger convenience. However, we do not accept custody or responsibility for passenger valuables or money.
Facilities:
* 1 dining room
* 2 spacious lounges & 2 conference rooms
* 4 bars including 1 panoramic bar (Skybar)
* 1 fitness room
* 1 outside swimming pool
* 1 shop
* 1 massage room
* 2 lifts
Inclusions
• Cruise transportation and related taxes (tourist tax, port tax, fuel, TDC)
• Shipboard accommodation
• 3 meals per day
• A bottle of wine to share among 4 passengers for scheduled onboard meals
• Lunches in local restaurants
• Planned guided shore excursions to remote villages and archaeological sites
• Cultural dance shows
• Lecturers onsite and onboard
Exclusions
• Shipboard purchases
• Liquor
• Gratuities
• Port taxes other than those specifically provided for
• Other personal items
• 2022 rates do not include any taxes
Small Ship Cruise
