Aranui Cruises Orders Second Ship, Aranoa

Aranui Cruises is expanding its fleet: The Polynesia-based cruise line is adding a second ship, Aranoa, which will sail the untouched Austral Islands in 2027.

On April 2, 2025, Aranui Cruises officially announced that Aranoa was in production. The mixed passenger-freighter vessel is scheduled to launch in 2027, sailing in the South Pacific.

“Aranui Cruises’ Aranoa will soon embark on its primary mission: supplying the remote Austral Islands and its residents with the provisions needed most, while also showcasing for our guests the magnificent, untouched and breathtaking islands,” said Eric Wong, executive vice president of Aranui Cruises.

Named after the Tahitian word for “awakening,” the 93-cabin Aranoa can hold 198 passengers, and will include two restaurants, two bars, two whirlpools, and a boutique, fitness and spa center. Aranoa will also have an onboard tattoo salon.

Aranui Cruises is known for its itineraries to the Islands of the Marquesas, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Region. Its current ship, Aranui 5, is a fully custom-built, dual-purpose passenger and freighter ship that debuted in 2015.

Founded in 1959, Aranui has evolved from a freighter shipping line to the remote Marquesas Islands to a passenger ship freighter that provides immersive journeys to French Polynesia. Aranui 5 currently sails the remote islands of Tahiti from Tahiti to the Marquesas, Society Islands, and beyond.

“We’re not just expanding our company and total number of vessels, we’re expanding our impact on the island communities that mean the most to our company,” said Wong. “The Austral Islands are certainly a ‘land unknown’ and it’s our honor and privilege to bring passengers on an authentic, culture-rich adventure they’ll never forget.”