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Aranui 3 French Polynesia Freighter Cruise


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Wow! I don't know what happened to all of my posts here...........They have all disappeared. I have been posting hoping to find folks that have cruised on the new Aranui 3 Freighter which departs from Tahitti and cruises the Marquesas for 14 days. I would love to hear about this cruise from those that have experienced a Freighter Cruise and have cruised the South Pacific etc.

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In the mid eighties we went on the Aranui I as that part of the world was ideal for viewing of Halley's comet. The trip was wonderful and was unexpectedly one of the best trips we have taken.

 

The Aranui 3 is much improved, from an amenities standard. She goes to the same places, a couple of the Tuamotus and most of the inhabited Marquesas. If you like the big, glitzy cruise ships with dress ups, casinos, and Broadway style entertainment don't go - you will hate her and be very unhappy.

 

We have signed up to go again next May and expect to enjoy it thoroughly. Note in the brochure that creature comforts have been added in spades. Aranui is not as costly as she looks as most port trips are included and tipping, in the Tahitian way, is discouraged.

 

Ask anything you want, know that part of world fairly well as we had our own boat there for several months and really like it. As I said, we have not been on Aranui 3 but didn't hesitate a minute when we found the time.

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Char70,

Thanks so much for responding to my posts. My wish is to go back to French Polynesia and once again soak in the magic and beauty of this part of our world. We have been on many upscale cruises and are not looking for a big bang glitz cruise ship experience. The Aranui 3 has many new amenties and I think even though we have only cruised on some wonderful ships the Aranui 3 will be a very comfortable & relaxing adventure. Please stay in touch and post here about your plans for touring the islands or anything that comes you way about the Aranui 3 and the Marguesas etc. I can't wait to hear from you again and especially before and after your May cruise.

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I assume you have been on the Aranui web page and also have their brochure. They are very informative. When are you going? Sounds like you are the type of people who will get maximum enjoyment from the type of experience the ship offers.

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We're thinking of the July 1, 2006 date. We have cruised of the Raddison Paul Gauguin and it is a wonderful ship, cruise and experience but only a seven day adventure. We're just looking forward to going back to French Polynesia and the Aranui's 14 day itinerary is so wonderful............and a "no worries" packing issue for our long trek to this part of that part of the world.

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  • 4 months later...

Just happened upon this post. Yes, I was on the ship last October. It was a wonderful trip. All our shore excursions were very well arranged to give a selection of activities. I had a cabin with a balcony overlooking the swimming pool. A lovely large room but if I were to chose again I would select a balcony cabin on either side of the ship. Be careful with what you get though as a few passengers were upset with what they thought would be a balcony and was only a door opening with a gate across. The food was good but there was not much selection - if you didn't care for what was being served, it was a bit hard to communicate. The ship was full on my trip with about 50 English-speaking to 150 mostly French-speaking. Because of the ship being full, the dining times had to be divided. Although the Aranui is new, I found the workmanship in the construction of the ship a bit lacking. Don't let this influence you though - I think I might be a bit picky. I loved arriving at each location and seeing the freight being loaded and unloaded. A very enjoyable trip.

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Thanks for your post here...................very enlightening! I hope more folks send their reviews etc. and keep this thread going. I am anxious to read eveything about an adventure cruise on the freighter Aranui 3.

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Although we are not particularly religious the various churches were definitely a highlight of our time in the South Pacific.

 

Polynesians have to be some of the best singers in the world and the music they produce is marvelous. Also, the Marquesans are super woodcarvers and they have made outstanding carvings in many of their churches. The smaller churches can amaze with their a capella harmonics as they can't afford piano or organ.

 

Dress decently and don't miss church on Sunday - a memorable experience.

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  • 1 year later...
  • 2 years later...
  • 2 weeks later...

We are considering this as an option on 2012.

Would you report back on the trip and what you thought about it?

We did tahiti on the Tahitian Princess (to the Marquesas) but would prefer something more intimate (we don't like that specific ship style).

 

Thanks!

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  • 4 weeks later...
Anyone interested?????????????????? Anyone cruised on the Freighter Aranui 3????????????????? Would really like to hear from you!

I am so interested in this cruise. I sent for a brochure 6 or 7 years ago and was scared away by the prices. It actually sounds like my ideal cruise, though. We "settled" on an Alaskan cruise for our 25th anniversary in September (our first) but I have never forgotten the Aranui brochure. I purged it in a cleaning fit about 5 months ago and I miss it and want a new one.

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... I have never forgotten the Aranui brochure. I purged it in a cleaning fit about 5 months ago and I miss it and want a new one.

 

You can download the current brochure from the aranui website - aranui dot com

 

I'm going in June for the Solar Eclipse, but the trip itself sounds wonderful!

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  • 1 year later...
  • 6 months later...

Hi Tika,

 

We stayed in the dorm rooms. Aranui 2

It's set up like a pullman train with an upper and lower berth with a curtain you can pull closed for privacy.

The showers and toilets are shared, women's and men's separate.

I don't remember who many berths there were in our dorm, but there were only about 10 pax. there so we had our choice of location, not assigned berths.

We were perfectly happy and this is one trip I would repeat.

Enjoy your trip and please post here when you return.

Joanne

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