Aranui 3

Among some of the most special and unusual small Tahiti cruise ships, Aranui 3 was a mixed passenger-freighter (cargo cruise ship) operating between Tahiti and Marquesas Islands. Homeported in Papeete Tahiti (French Polynesia), the vessel was SOLAS-registered as a "passenger ship" for international operations.

The shipowner CPTM is a 3rd generation maritime shipping company that operates in French Polynesia exclusively. Established in 1954 by the Wong family (Tahiti), initially, the company was named "Wing Man Hing". its cargo vessels serve French Polynesia for over 6 decades. Originally, the company serviced Tuamotus and Gambiers Archipelagos, conducting freight shipping between the islands and Tahiti.

In 2016, the shipowner CPTM replaced Aranui 3 with the new China-built Aranui 5. There are only two Aranui ships - "Aranui 2" and "Aranui 4" names were not used due to superstitious reasons. The new Aranui ship is taller and slightly wider, with 2 additional decks adding more cruise staterooms (passenger capacity 260) and public spaces. The length of both ships is similar - approx 125 m (410 ft) - enabling safe navigation in the small harbours of the South Pacific islands.

Translated from Maori, the name "Aranui" means "Great Highway". Aranui 3  has a container capacity of 80 TEUs (standard containers). The ship is powered by MaK 8M32 diesel engine (total power output 3840 kW or 5150 hp). This cargo cruise ship offers spacious passenger suites, bar-lounge, library, outdoor swimming pool, gym, passenger use of onboard facilities (including scuba diving, snorkeling, sea fishing).

In 2018, the ship's name was changed to "M2", along with its MMSI number (from 546001000, flag-state French Polynesia). The vessel's AIS location was last received on November 21, 2019, showing the boat in the Persian Gulf/UAE and docked at Mina Zayed (Abu Dhabi's Free Port).

Aranui 3 cruise itinerary

Aranui 3 scheduled itinerary offers cargo ship cruises in French Polynesia (South Pacific), visiting Tuamotus ( Marquesas and Society Islands). Apart from the cargo shipping service, the vessel's cruise passenger service offers 14-days long roundtrip itineraries departing from Papeete Tahiti.

Follows the list of ports of call (scheduled day visits) on the ship's 14-day roundtrip cruise itinerary.

• Day 1 - embarkation in port Papeete at around 11 am. Activities include "Welcome Aboard" cocktail party and Marquesan dance show by the swimming pool.
• Day 2 - Fakarava Atoll (Tuamotus) - activities include swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, visiting a local pearl farm.
• Day 3 - at sea - passengers can attend onboard lessons (dancing, singing), lecture, Karaoke night.
• Day 4 - Ua Pou Island (Marquesas). Activities include a stop in port Hakahau, optional hiking, traditional dancing show, cultural display, ashore lunch at a traditional restaurant.
• Day 5 - Nuku Hiva Island (Marquesas). Activities include stops in ports Taiohae, Hatiheu, Taipivai.
• Day 6 - Hiva Oa island (Marquesas). Activities include stopping in port Atuona, ashore lunch at an authentic restaurant.
• Day 7 - Fatu Hiva Island (Marquesas). Activities include stops in ports Omoa and Hanavave, shopping for traditional handicrafts, carving demonstration, tapa (bark) cloth making a demonstration, hiking (in Hanavave) of a 17 km (10 ml) long trek.
• Day 8 - Hiva Oa island (Marquesas). Activities include stop in port Puamau and an guided excursion to an archaeological site (sacred dance performance).
• Day 9 - Tahuata Island (Marquesas). Activities include stops in ports Vaitahu and Hapatoni, visiting a church, watching tattoo making and bone carving, plus onboard leisure events planned.
• Day 10 - Ua Huka Island, and Ua Pou Island. Activities include stops in ports ofVaipaee, Hane, Hokatu, watching the cruise ship doing a complete turnaround while the captain explains the unique manoeuvre, follows traditional welcome party at Vaipee, visiting its ethnological museum, horseback riding to the botanical gardens at Hane, ashore lunch at Chez Celine Fournier, optional hiking.
• Day 11 - Nuku Hiva Island, and Ua Pou Island. Activities include stops in ports Taiohae and Hakahau.
• Day 12 - at sea
• Day 13 - Rangiroa Atoll  (Tuamotus). Activities include souvenir/gift shopping, scuba diving, snorkelling, optional glass-bottom boat tour, ashore lunch.
• Day 14 - disembarkation in port Papeete at around 9:30 am.