cruisefun27 Posted June 29, 2016 Author #26 Share Posted June 29, 2016 We had a wonderful time on the Aranui 5. Glad we got a bal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjcruiser27 Posted June 29, 2016 #27 Share Posted June 29, 2016 We had a wonderful time on the Aranui 5. Glad we got a bal Are you going to write a review? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baycruising Posted June 29, 2016 #28 Share Posted June 29, 2016 Are you going to write a review? Yes please please write a review - we leave in six weeks and getting very excited Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FamilyAdventuring Posted June 30, 2016 #29 Share Posted June 30, 2016 OK so the truth is I have been on the Aranui 3. As a result I fell in love with the islands and took my family sailing for a few months to see the Marquesas again on a sailboat that we took to the Marquesas from California. Then the Aranui 5 came out and I just had to go and see it. Besides people ask me about it all of the time because I sell it among many other cruises and trips. I posted a detailed blog and the answers to about 50 questions nobody seems to answer anywhere. I even made a video with a aerial drone camera. The truth is if you like adventure, a unique experience, are well traveled, don't like to travel with masses of people, like to travel with staff that are locals and want to visit places few people go to, the Aranui 5 is a fabulous experience. If you prefer broadway shows, casinos, paying extra for shore excursions, you may want to avoid this type of a cruise. I'm the adventuring type so it was definitely up my alley of the top 2 cruise experiences I have ever had and I have cruised a lot. Normand Schafer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FamilyAdventuring Posted June 30, 2016 #30 Share Posted June 30, 2016 Thanks for the tip on Wells Fargo. We looked into it, but Michael says we'll just hit the cash machine in Papeete. I don't think we'll need that much cash since all our transfers and hotels are pre-paid. Mostly for trinkets on the islands, I'm thinking. No, we've never been to these islands before but have heard nothing but good things about them. I'm adding to my list of things to remember to pack! Woo hoo! I just went to the bank machine in Papeete, it was much easier than ordering Polynesian Francs. I hear there are also bank machines at the airport but I pre-booked a transfer to my hotel so I didn't need any cash... and tipping is not even customary in French Polynesia so that made things even easier. Normand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floridiana Posted July 24, 2016 #31 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Thank you Normand, very good information! I, too, fell in love with the islands when travelling on the Aranui 2 and 10 years later on the Aranui 3. It looks like the Aranui 5 has more amenities than her predecessors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjcruiser27 Posted July 25, 2016 #32 Share Posted July 25, 2016 I tried to link onto your blog but for some reason it didn't work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baycruising Posted July 25, 2016 #33 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Yes Normand's website seems to be down at the moment. The blog is great reading and very informative so I hope it will be available again soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FamilyAdventuring Posted July 25, 2016 #34 Share Posted July 25, 2016 (edited) Yes Normand's website seems to be down at the moment. The blog is great reading and very informative so I hope it will be available again soon The new Aranui 5 Blog and the older Aranui 3 Blog are still online. The site may have been doing maintenance in the evening. Hope you enjoy them. Edited July 25, 2016 by FamilyAdventuring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinwee Posted July 9, 2017 #35 Share Posted July 9, 2017 We are going on Aranui 5 end of September 2017 and are so excited! Glad to know there are ATMs at the airport where we can get cash as I like to have a bit of local currency when we travel. Appreciated Normand's blog as well as the info here on Cruise Critic. Would love to hear if anyone else will be on the Sept. 30 departure. Have heard negative remarks about one language group and am hoping we won't have that sort of trouble! I know those of us from the USA will be in a minority, but we'll be courteous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oak Hill Cruisers Posted July 9, 2017 #36 Share Posted July 9, 2017 This is a great thread. This is at the top of our bucket list (well mine, not the DW's). But first, we have to survive our 34 days on the Rickmers Seoul (breakbulk freighter) from Houston to Antwerp this September & October. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floridiana Posted July 31, 2017 #37 Share Posted July 31, 2017 A writer friend told me that one well-known author of young adult novels wrote them on freighter trips. Unfortunately I don't have a talent that would keep me occupied that long. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FamilyAdventuring Posted August 1, 2017 #38 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Floridiana, A typical freighter may give you time to write a novel but I'm sorry, this one is not typical or one you should pick if you want to sit around to write a book. It will keep you busy every day as the activities are too interesting and will entice you out of your room. The Aranui 5 is a hybrid freighter/cruise ship. Yes there are two at sea days (of the 14 days) when you may fill up your time with guest lectures, Polynesian dance lessons or some much needed down time. You will see from my blog that the daily excursions that are included in the price will keep you busy exploring the islands unless you somehow decide to stay in your room. I just couldn't resist exploring the islands myself. Normand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjcruiser27 Posted August 6, 2017 #39 Share Posted August 6, 2017 We are going on Aranui 5 end of September 2017 and are so excited! Glad to know there are ATMs at the airport where we can get cash as I like to have a bit of local currency when we travel. Appreciated Normand's blog as well as the info here on Cruise Critic. Would love to hear if anyone else will be on the Sept. 30 departure. Have heard negative remarks about one language group and am hoping we won't have that sort of trouble! I know those of us from the USA will be in a minority, but we'll be courteous! I hope that you do a review when you return from this adventure! I would be interested in hearing about it[emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisefun27 Posted March 9, 2018 Author #40 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Hey who else is booked on the January trip to the Pitcairn Islands? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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