The world has shrunk to the point that most places on earth are reachable by air, but thankfully there remain a few exceptions where the sea route is paramount and the destinations remote and largely unspoiled. The French Polynesian island chains of the Marquesas and Tuomotus are just the ticket for sea travelers in search of an adventure and a comfortable conveyance. The Compagnie Polynesienne de Transport Maritime began providing regular freight and passenger links in 1959 using ships named Aranui (“great highway” in Maori).
Fleet
In 2003 Aranui III took over the island circuit sailing from Papeete, Tahiti while providing a purpose-built passenger-cargo service forup to 200 passengers in accommodations ranging from spiffy cabins withbalconies to small separate sex dormitories.
Itineraries
The Aranui III plies a 16-day interisland route from Papeete to the Marquesas and Tuomotus.
Dining and Decor
The food is a westernized version of Polynesian fare, servedat two sittings in the single dining room.
Programs
An English-speaking guide is often aboard to explain thelocal customs and sights. The shore trips, with some landings by launch throughthe surf, are included in the price.
Onboard Experience
With this ship, the onboard atmosphere is veering towards acruise, yet the cargo side is vital and a major part of the overall experience.And so are the local inhabitants one encounters in these beautiful SouthPacific islands. From reports, some passenger mixes work better than othersmainly because of cultural differences in behavior and manners betweennatiuonalities. So those who are tolerant and accepting of different ways ofliving in a confined environment will find this voyage to be enchanting like noother.
Competitors
The only comparable parallel would be the St. Helena Linefrom Britain and South Africa to the islands of Ascension and St. Helena. Whilelatter is purely English-speaking, the Aranui’s passengers are a European mixwith French naturally dominant, plus North Americans and Australians.
Ships
