Aranui 5 South Sea Cruise

The weather in the Marquesas Islands is relatively constant all year round. The average temperatures are between 25° and 29° Celsius.  The "dry season" is from March/April to October/November and the "rainy season" from November to March. The sea is calmer from September to May than in June, July and August.
 

Citizens of Germany, Canada, USA, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and a number of other countries do not require a visa or vaccination to visit French Polynesia/ Marquesas Islands if you are staying for less than 90 days and for tourism purposes. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your arrival date. However, always check the current visa requirements or whether the entry requirements for your country have changed.
 

The Aranui 5 has Wi-Fi on board, but the connection can be slow, especially when many passengers are connected at the same time. Wi-Fi is not available in the cabins, but is available in the Verandah Bar, the lounge, the Sky Bar, the reception area, the dining room and the fitness center. 
Internet is also available in the villages on Takapoto, Taiohae - Nuku Hiva, Hakahau - Ua Poe, Atuona - Hiva Oa, Omoa - Fatu Hiva and Vaitape - Bora Bora. 
You can order a personal Wi-fi hotspot that works without cell towers before you travel to Tahiti. With "Tahiti Wifi" you will receive a router on arrival at the airport. Two data packages are then available on board the Aranui:
- 3500 cfp (US$35) for 150 mb 
- 5000 cfp (US$50) for 300 mb

Ua Po, Hiva Oa, Fatu Hiva and Tahuata:
- Deep-sea fishing (3 hours) 10,000 xpf. Depending on the weather, twice a day on four days, starting at 8 am and 2 pm. Timely reservation at the reception is required, space is limited to 4 persons.

Fakarava: 
- Bike rental 1500 xpf
- Diving for certified divers (2 hours) 9900 xpf
- Guided quad tour (1.5 hours) 28,600 xpf
- Guided jet ski tour (1.5 hours) 15,600 xpf

Rangiroa: 
- Diving 9.900 xpf
- Glass bottom boat 6.000 xpf

Bora Bora: 
-Snorkeling tour in a motorized pirogue (canoe) for 14 passengers 7,000 xpf (3 hours)
- Snorkeling with rays and sharks for 20 to 60 passengers 5,500 xpf (2.5 hours)
- Guided island truck tour for 15 to 40 passengers 6,000 xpf (3 hours)
- Lagoon Island tour by boat (3.5 hours) 8,500 xpf
- beginner diver (1 hour) 11.000 xpf
- certified diver (1 hour) 9.900 xpf
 

Embarkation takes place at 7:00 - 9:00 am the Quai d'honneur at the harbor in Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, disembarkation at Quai cabotage N°2 at 7:00 am.
 

The Aranui 5 has a swimming pool, 2 small fitness rooms, 3 bars, various indoor and outdoor lounges, a dining room, a conference room, WLAN in the public areas, a gift store, a library and a games room. 
During the Aranui's 14-day South Seas cruise, there will be five evenings of entertainment from the Aranui Band, playing local Polynesian music on the Veranda Bar on Deck 6. The band of crew members loves to share the traditional songs and sounds of the islands. On certain days, entertainers can be found around the pool area. Other days, movies about the Marquesas Islands and their travel destinations are shown in the main lounge on deck 5.
 

The Aranui 5 is both a cruise ship and a cargo and supply vessel. You have time for shore leaves and excursions while the port authorities and cargo companies go about their business. This varies depending on the port and can range from 3 hours to a whole day.
 

The senior discount of 10% on selected trips applies from the age of 60.
 

Dietary requirements can be catered for if you inform us in advance when making your booking. The Passenger Information Form that you complete and provide to the Aranui will include questions and allow you to provide details of your specific dietary requirements. We recommend that you also discuss your dietary requirements again with the kitchen staff upon embarkation to ensure that everything is catered for accordingly.
 

Meal times may vary depending on the daily schedule, e.g. when longer excursions with picnics ashore take place. Breakfast is usually served between 6:30 and 8:30 am, while lunch and dinner on board are served at two times with a half-hour difference. Passengers who register for early dinner at the reception desk on embarkation day can enjoy lunch at 12:00 noon and dinner at 7:30 pm. For passengers who opt for a late dinner, lunch will be served at 12:30 and dinner at 20:00.
 

Free coffee, tea and cookies are available daily in the ship's lounge area. 1 bottle of wine per 4 guests is included with both lunch and dinner. Soft drinks can be purchased at the bar and mineral water is available in the boutique. At the beginning of the trip, there are also several complimentary bottles of water and cans of locally produced juice in each room. Free juices are offered during breakfast.
To avoid waste, it is recommended that you bring a reusable water bottle. Ice machines with built-in filtered water dispensers are available on most floors, where you can refill your water bottle at any time. This is also particularly recommended for shore excursions.

You can - in reasonable quantities - bring your own alcohol on board.
 

A doctor and a nurse are on board during every voyage on the Aranui 5. This nurse can also assist with everyday needs in the infirmary on deck 3. The infirmary is located in the corridor behind the reception and next to cabin 3502.
 

Unfortunately, the Aranui 5 is not barrier-free; it docks at a pier in at least three ports but all other transfers to the islands are by tender. Unfortunately, Aranui voyages are also not suitable for people with visual or hearing impairments, as navigating through the various areas of the ship or decks can lead to potentially dangerous situations. Please ask about a particular disability to determine if travel aboard the Aranui is safe for you.
 

Casual, comfortable and easy to care for clothing is recommended:
- Shorts/jeans/pants, T-shirts/tops, a swimsuit, a rain jacket or waterproof poncho, water shoes and a light sweater for cooler evenings and if you like a pareo or similar for the singing and dancing activities on board.
- Depending on your preference, something smarter for dinner.
- Sturdy, comfortable and broken-in shoes for shore excursions, water shoes or sandals that can get wet.
- Insect repellent with at least 25% DEET
- a powerful sun screen
- All necessary medication

After applying insect repellent, be sure to apply sunscreen, as insect repellent can facilitate sunburn!

Towels, beach towels, shower cap, soap, shampoo and lotion are provided, a selection of toiletries are available in the on-board boutique or on Tahiti in case you run out or forget something. If you have any particular preferences, please bring them with you.
 

A free laundry service is available to guests on board the Aranui on two days. However, this service does not include socks and underwear. There is a laundry room with 5 washing machines and 5 dryers where guests can do their own laundry. An iron and ironing board are also available. The use of the dryers is free of charge, for the washing machines a token is required, which can be purchased in the gift store for 600 cfp (6 $). Laundry detergent is also available in the gift store or can be brought.

Laundry days may vary, but are scheduled on the first Sunday, Thursday and second Monday for guests in Deluxe cabins and suites, and the first Monday, Friday and second Tuesday for passengers in Standard and Class C cabins.
 

At Faaa International Airport, the arrival point for all flights to Tahiti, travelers will find ATMs and a currency exchange available for all arriving international flights. You can also easily and conveniently withdraw Polynesian francs at a favorable exchange rate from ATMs in Tahiti. Most hotels also exchange money, but at less competitive rates.

Credit cards are widely accepted in stores throughout French Polynesia, but not at local market stalls, street vendors and roulottes (food trucks), where only cash is accepted.

It is not customary to tip in Tahiti and French Polynesia. Therefore, there is no expectation of tipping on board the Aranui. However, if you would like to show appreciation for good service, you can of course do so. When you leave the ship at the end of the cruise, there are two boxes available - one for feedback and one for community tips. The tips received will be divided equally between all staff, from the cargo handlers to the waiters.

All expenses on board are paid by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, UnionPay), cash payments are not accepted. Only expenses incurred on board will be charged to the credit card.

Boarding and disembarking conditions on the Aranui can be challenging, depending on the sea conditions. Therefore, it is recommended that persons joining an Aranui voyage be in good physical condition, be able to climb stairs with ease and be able to climb over a 1.5-foot high emergency exit door if necessary. Although there are several elevators on the ship, they may not always be available.

A maximum of 9 passengers may be on the gangway, which is used to board and disembark the ship from a pier, at any one time. Both hands must be free of objects when boarding and disembarking. If you are taking a camera, sunscreen, souvenirs or other items on board or off the ship, these should be securely stowed in a belt or backpack. This allows you to use both hands to board and disembark safely.
 

If you would like to extend your stay in French Polynesia, we recommend a visit to Pitcairn, the most remote inhabited island in the world, with the supply ship Silver Supporter! Click here for the travel page.