ARANUI CRUISES CELEBRATES 30 YEARS AS FRENCH POLYNESIA’S RENOWNED ADVENTURE CRUISE

20 November 2014 – Aranui Cruises, operator of the Aranui 3 mixed passenger-freighter vessel, is celebrating 30 years as the world’s only soft adventure cruise provider to sail the virtually untouched, lush Marquesas Islands and fully immerse travellers in the culture of French Polynesia.

This month will mark the 30th anniversary of the company’s first historic passenger-freighter voyage, which departed from Papeete, Tahiti in 1984, bound for the northern Tahitian archipelagos, and sparked the beginning of its once-in-a-lifetime cruise operation.

To honour the occasion, Aranui Cruises has announced it will celebrate with a 30th anniversary sailing on 25 April, 2015 which will include a special dinner show and firework-display, as well as commemorative giveaways.

Owned and operated by the Wong Family through Compagnie Polynesienne de Transport Maritime (CPTM), Aranui Cruises takes travellers on a unique adventure sailing 800 miles north of Tahiti to some of the most spectacular and remote islands in the world, where they are fully immersed in the French Polynesian culture.

“For 30 years Aranui has been offering discerning travellers the adventure of a lifetime across three French Polynesian archipelagos – the Marquesas, Tuamotu and Society Islands – and with transport, meals, accommodation and tours all included, it’s still one of the best value ways to see Tahiti,” said Jules Wong, Marketing Director, Aranui Cruises.

In 1960, the Wong Family began offering a cargo service that ferried supplies to the Tuamotu-Gambier Islands and provided passage to Tahitians, becoming the first regular contact the inhabitants had ever had with the outside world. Sensing a market for a soft adventure cruise experience in the region the family spent several years in the early 1980’s modifying its freighter to a mixed cargo and passenger vessel with the introduction of 12 cabins, a new galley, dining room, dormitory and other basic amenities.

On 22 November 1984, the Aranui 1 made its first historic passenger voyage, departing from Papeete, Tahiti with 24 international and local passengers, along with cargo, bound for the northern Tahitian archipelagos.

Three ships and 30 years later, Aranui Cruises’ vessels have seen over 44,750 passengers, 534,511 tons of freight and sailed more than 917,800 nautical miles between Tahiti and the remote Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands.

Today, the Aranui 3’s 14-day voyage departs from Papeete, Tahiti visiting Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, Tahuata, Fatu Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Huka in the Marquesas, Takapoto and Rangiroa in the Tuamotus, and will add a stop at the famed Society Island of Bora Bora to its itinerary in 2015.

Each voyage includes on-shore experiences such as awe-inspiring hikes past waterfalls and sacred ritual sites, encounters with local artisans, a visit to French artist Paul Gauguin’s grave, snorkelling in translucent waters, island picnics featuring local food, a visit to a pearl farm and more.

Featuring a crew primarily composed of local inhabitants from the Marquesas Islands and throughout French Polynesia, the Aranui provides a unique culture-oriented spin on hospitality which combines with mesmerising scenery to create an unforgettable sailing experience.

Travellers booking a stay aboard the Aranui 3 can choose from four different cabin categories – Suite, Deluxe, Standard and Class C – each providing different room configurations. The ship offers comfortable, air-conditioned accommodations for about 200 passengers, featuring 63 tastefully designed standard cabins, nine deluxe staterooms and 12 well-appointed private balcony suites.

Prices for the anniversary departure, 25 April – 8 May 2015, start at £3250 per person sharing a standard twin bedded outside cabin with private facilities including all meals with wine, all land-based sightseeing excursions and taxes. Optional excursions such as scuba diving, horseback riding and fishing are additional.

Flights to/from Papeete, Tahiti are not included in these prices. Air Tahiti Nui fly to Papeete with prices from around £1600 per person return from London.

For further information visit www.aranui.com or contact Steppes Travel www.steppestravel.co.uk / 01285 880980 to make a booking.