Aranui 3 Christmas Sailing to include Christmas Day on Bora Bora and notable guest speaker

Marquesas Island Adventure Cruiser, the Aranui 3, has announced its special Christmas 2014 cruise featuring three very different French Polynesian archipelagos – Marquesas, Tuamotu and Society – culminating with a Christmas Day treat on stunning Bora Bora.

Guest speakers will include the highly regarded French Polynesian expert from the French Marine Protected Areas Agency, Sophie-Dorothée Duron.
Departing from Papeete, Tahiti on 13 December 2014, guests on board the mixed passenger/cargo vessel will be treated to a fourteen-day tour of the stunning Marquesas Islands, on an awe-inspiring itinerary that has been created to climax with a memorable Christmas Day on Bora Bora.

Christmas Eve will be spent at sea whilst the Aranui 3 travels between the Marquesas and Society archipelagos. Perfectly timed, the Aranui’s guests will wake up on Bora Bora’s picture perfect blue lagoon on Christmas morning – the ultimate Christmas treat.

Christmas Day will include a picnic lunch on a secluded white sand beach and a chance to swim in the beautiful lake of Motu Tapu, before returning to the ship for a Polynesian evening of entertainment and dancing with a surprise visit from Santa Claus himself.

In the days leading up to Christmas, guests will tour the Marquesas and experience the islands’ strong local culture and unspoiled scenery. Starting with a day of snorkelling and scuba diving in the translucent lagoons of Takapoto in the Tuamotu Islands, stops will include the volcanic amphitheatre of Nuku Hiva for lunch at one of the best restaurants in the Marquesas; a visit to the home of artist Paul Gauguin; a jeep safari to the most important archaeological sites for tikis outside of Easter Island and the haunting ruins of Puamau.

All Aranui cruises feature specialist guest lecturers and for the Christmas voyage the speaker program will include Sophie-Dorothée Duron, Head Officer of the French Polynesian Department at the French Marine Protected Areas Agency. A maritime lawyer for 13 years, Sophie-Dorothée has been with the Department since 2009 and has been active in coordinating oceanographic campaigns and programs dedicated to marine conservation, maritime cultural heritage and education.

Operating under the French flag, the cargo-cum-passenger ship Aranui 3 operates regular year-round sailings between Tahiti and the Marquesas. Passengers can relax on deck or take a dip in the pool whilst taking in the spectacular views before exploring at each stop, whilst the ship goes about its daily task of delivering supplies to the most remote archipelago in the world. The vessel boasts 86 fully air conditioned cabins as well as the capacity to carry more than 2000 tons of freight.

Prices for the Christmas departure, 13-26 December 2014, start at £3306 per person sharing a standard twin bedded outside cabin with private facilities including all meals with wine, all land-based sightseeing excursions and taxes.

Flights to/from Papeete, Tahiti are not included in these prices. Air Tahiti Nui fly to Papeete with prices from around £1560 per person return from London.

For further information visit www.aranui.com or contact Discover the World. www.discover-the-world.com.uk / 01737 214291 to make a booking.