Aranui 5, a cruise ship / container ship hybrid, will make its maiden voyage from Tahiti to the Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific Ocean at the end of November 2015.
The Aranui 5 is replacing its predecessor, the Aranui 3 on a dual mission to bring travelers and commodities to the Marquesas Islands, the remotest archipelago in the world.
The Aranui 5 will complete a circuit of 2,200 miles leaving from Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, and traveling to all six inhabited islands in the Marquesas chain. Making it into the archipelago alone takes over three day’s sea journey.
With a total length of 126m, featuring air-conditioning and lifts, the new passenger/freighter ship can carry up to 254 passengers accommodated in magnificent suites and cabins more spacious and comfortable, of which a great number of units with private balcony.
Public areas include a reception, restaurant, 4 bars including a Sky bar, dancing room, 2 conference rooms, lounges, library, video and computer room, boutique, swimming pool with jacuzzi, fitness room and Spa.
It will also stop at Takapoto and Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Archipelago and idyllic Bora Bora in the Society Islands.
Dubbed ‘The Freighter to Paradise’, the vessel will combine comfort with cargo, delivering essential supplies to each port on its itinerary and transporting copra (dried coconut meat), citrus fruit and fish to Papeete.
Although the Aranui 5 is unique in design, it represents a concept that has been around in the shipping industry for many years: the fusion of cargo and cruising.