Aranui 5 - Pitcairn Island cruise April 2020

[admbutch]

Ann-thanks for sharing your photos. They took us down memory lane.  We enjoyed so much our trip on the Aranui 3 in 2012.  The Marquesas Islands have remained uniquely free of much modern influence since they are so dependent on the Aranui to deliver their supplies and other connections to the rest of the world.  It is a trip I highly recommend.  We were surprised to see how nice the “dorm”  accommodations were when another passenger invited us to see his accommodation. It was similar to a hostel.  I don’t know anything about the newer ship rooms.  

 

This is is a cruise I highly recommend!!!  We used a travel agency that specializes in non-traditional cruises.

[westcoasttech]

I sailed through Papeete on the Ovation of the Seas in April, and saw what I presume was the Aranui 5 hiding at a far dock.  Really looking forward to getting to know her better and see her close up next Spring!

[cruisefun27]

You will have a great time. I have been on her 2 times. Was lucky in be on her maiden trip to the Pitcairn Island this past January. 

[Tausendundeinenacht]

Are you still going on the 11 April cruise?

[cruisefun27]

As of right now, the only people allow to fly into Tahiti are residents. They are checking  your ID when you try to get on the planes. So I don’t think your cruise will be leaving in April. I’m sorry to tell you that. 

[Tausendundeinenacht]

Yes, I am aware of this. But this only applies until 31 March, although I do believe the directive will be extended. But I really wanted to know whether anyone booked on this cruise still has hopes of it happening. The cruise line appears to refuse to cancel it.

[Ann Daly]

I emailed them this week and got the response that it is still planned and they will let me know more this week. I don't see how they can run. The majority of passengers are French with usually a lot of Australians and New Zealanders, all of whom are pretty much in lockdown. QANTAS just suspended ALL international flights. According to an NZ Radio article of 13 March Aranui have been ordered not to carry passengers (see last paragraph of attached). For insurance purposes I'm waiting for them to cancel, I guess most people are.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/411672/coronavirus-french-polynesia-won-t-follow-france-in-closing-schools

[Tausendundeinenacht]

The ban on carrying passengers ends exactly on 11 April. I think the Aranui is intentionally, unnecessarily and irresponsibly delaying cancellation and hoping more passengers will cancel at their end. It all has to do with insurance, as you quite rightly point out.

 

Everything else aside, you can no longer leave Australia, as you will have no insurance cover whatsoever for anything if you travel overseas against government advice.

[cruisefun27]

When you get to go to Pitcairn Island make sure you pick up a ship to bring home. When we were there she only had 2, so make sure you get to the top of the hill quickly.

[Tausendundeinenacht]

The Pitcairn cruise has now officially been cancelled. A new cruise might be offered for 2021 in addition to the one already scheduled to sail.

[gnld]

On 3/19/2020 at 7:02 PM, Tausendundeinenacht said:

The Pitcairn cruise has now officially been cancelled. A new cruise might be offered for 2021 in addition to the one already scheduled to sail.

I am on the January 5th, 2021 Pitcairn cruise. Still hope to go! They have added a 2nd Pitcairn cruise in February 20, 2021 to replace the April 2020 cancelled cruise.

They wanted a 100% single supplement for the January date. It was already an expensive cruise (and my wife was not interested in going), so I told them "no", I wasn't paying double! That's when they said one of the single cabins had recently opened up. I took it, even tho it's only a porthole cabin vs. a balcony.

[Tausendundeinenacht]

I didn't know there were single cabins. Do they come without any supplement? I'm on the February replacement cruise, in a dorm.