Widgety recently caught up with Vaima Devimeux, founder of V. Islands Marketing, the European regional representative for Aranui Cruises. Vaima shared an exciting update on the upcoming 2027 launch of Aranoa, how their unique cargo-freighter model offers clients a meaningful experience, and top tips for travel agents looking to sell these one-of-a-kind Polynesian voyages.
Emma: Aranoa is launching in 2027. Can you tell me more about this?
Vaima: Yes, absolutely. Aranui Cruises has been operating for more than 40 years, so the launch of Aranoa in 2027 represents a very important new chapter for us. Until now, we have operated with one ship, the Aranui 5, which carries 230 guests, and explores the Marquesas Islands, around 1,500 kilometres from Tahiti. With Aranoa, we will be moving from one ship to two, which is a major step for the company. In a way, we are doubling our capacity, but we are also opening a completely new route. Aranoa will host 198 guests onboard and sail to the Austral Islands, another very remote and beautiful archipelago located southeast of Tahiti. These islands are still little known internationally, often called the ‘secret polynesia’, and they offer exactly the kind of authentic, untouched Polynesian experience that Aranui is famous for.
The ship herself will be very close in spirit to Aranui 5. She will keep the same unique concept; part passenger ship, part working freighter. The main difference is that Aranoa will carry a little less freight, which means there will be more space dedicated to passengers. As a new ship, she will also offer an enhanced level of comfort, while keeping the atmosphere, authenticity and sense of adventure that make Aranui Cruises so special.
For us, Aranoa is not just a new ship. It is a new opportunity to share another side of French Polynesia with our guests.
Vaima: It changes everything. When guests come on board, they are not simply welcomed by a cruise staff. They are welcomed by Polynesians who are sharing their own home, their own islands, their own history and their own culture. From the first moments on board, guests feel a genuine connection with the crew. There is a real sense of kindness and generosity. That makes the experience much warmer, much more sincere and much more personal.
Polynesian people are naturally very welcoming, and they are very proud to share their traditions. It’s one reason we also have a local tattooist onboard. About 5% of guests choose to have a tattoo during their voyage as a more permanent way to remember their experience. The fact that Aranui is also a working freighter makes this connection even stronger.
When the ship arrives in the islands, the crew unloads supplies and the local population comes to collect what they need. Guests see the sailors interacting with the islanders, speaking the local language, laughing together, helping each other. It is not a staged experience, it is real life. For passengers, this means they are not only visiting the Marquesas or the Austral Islands as tourists. They become part of the daily rhythm of these remote communities. And because the crew is local, they help create a bridge between the guests and the people of the islands. That is very important to us. Culture is not something we simply show on board. It is something our guests experience through the people they meet every day.
Emma: That sounds great and leads perfectly into my next question! Aranui Cruises are unique because half of the ship is a working cargo ship delivering supplies to tiny islands. How does this make the guests’ experience unique?
Vaima: Today, we see that many travellers are looking for something more meaningful. They do not just want a beautiful beach or a comfortable holiday. They want to understand the places they visit, to meet local people, and to feel that their journey has a purpose. That is exactly what Aranui offers.
Our ships are not only small-expedition ships. They have a real mission which Aranui have been a part of since 1954. They deliver essential supplies to remote islands, including places where there may be no airport and very limited access. The local communities rely on the ship. We bring all kinds of goods: food, medicine, books for schools, construction materials, cars, and many everyday items that are necessary for life on the islands.
This gives the voyage a completely different meaning. Guests are not watching something created for tourists. They are witnessing a service that is essential to the local population. During the COVID period, for example, when so many things were stopped, Aranui continued serving the Marquesas Islands because the local communities needed the supplies. That shows the strength of the bond between Aranui and the islands. In the Marquesas, Aranui serves six inhabited islands, and the Marquesan people often say that Aranui is like the seventh inhabited island. The ship is truly part of their life.
For guests, this is very powerful. They feel that the ship has a soul, a purpose and a history. They see that Aranui is not just passing through. Aranui belongs to the life of the islands.
Emma: It’s lovely that the Marquesans think of Aranui as the 7th Island. What other unique selling points should agents focus on when selling Aranui Cruises?
Vaima: I think the first and most important point is authenticity. Aranui is a Polynesian family-owned company, with a local Polynesian crew, taking guests to some of the most remote islands in French Polynesia. That combination is very rare. Guests are not just discovering a destination; they are discovering it with people who truly belong to it.
The second point is the unique freighter-cruise concept. The fact that the ship carries both passengers and cargo makes the journey very special. It gives the cruise a purpose and creates moments that guests simply cannot experience on a traditional cruise ship.
Another important selling point is the size of the ships. Aranui 5 and Aranoa are small-expedition ships, which creates a very intimate atmosphere on board. Guests quickly get to know the crew and each other. It feels friendly, relaxed and personal. At the same time, the ships are very comfortable. Guests often expect something more basic because they hear the word “freighter”, but inside, it is a real cruise experience, with comfortable cabins, good food, friendly service and a warm atmosphere. I would say it is comparable to a comfortable four-star hotel, but with much more soul.
For the UK and international markets, it is also important to know that English is spoken on board. We operate in three languages: French, English and German. This makes the experience accessible to international guests.
Finally, I would say that Aranui attracts like-minded travellers. Many of our passengers are curious, well-travelled and looking for something different. They have often travelled all over the world, but they are still searching for something authentic and meaningful. On board, they meet people with the same spirit, and very often friendships are created during the cruise. We regularly receive messages from guests asking us to help them reconnect with people they met on board. That says a lot about the atmosphere of an Aranui cruise.
Emma: What does working with Widgety mean for Aranui Cruises?
Vaima: Working with Widgety is very important for us because Aranui is a very special cruise line, but also a small and niche company. We are not always well known by travel agents, especially in markets where French Polynesia is already seen as a dream destination, but where the Aranui concept still needs to be explained. Widgety allows us to present our cruises in a professional, clear and detailed way, with itineraries, ship information, images and useful content that agents can easily access and share with their clients.
For a product like ours, information is essential. Agents need to understand what makes Aranui different, because it is not a standard cruise. It is a freighter cruise, an expedition-style journey, a cultural experience and a very authentic way to discover remote Polynesia.
Widgety also helps us reach a wider network of travel professionals. That visibility is very valuable for us. It gives agents the tools they need to sell Aranui with confidence and to explain the experience properly to the right clients.
Emma: What is your favourite part of working for Aranui Cruises?
Vaima: I really love it. I am Polynesian, so working for Aranui has a very personal meaning for me. It connects me to my roots, to my culture and to the islands. But beyond that, what I love most is that we are promoting something truly meaningful.
In our European office, we are a small team, and we are all very passionate about Aranui. We know that this is not just another cruise product. It is an experience that can deeply touch people. When guests come back from the cruise, they often tell us how moved they were. Some passengers even cry when they disembark because they have felt such a strong connection with the crew, the islands and the people they met. They often say that the voyage was much more powerful than they expected. For us, that is very rewarding. We are not simply selling cabins on a ship. We are helping people discover a part of Polynesia that is remote, authentic and full of human connection. Aranui is also a small company, with a very human spirit. That makes it a pleasure to work for the brand. There is a lot of passion, a lot of pride and a lot of happiness in promoting such a unique product.
Emma: One final question, one that we like to conclude all of our interviews with – What is one thing people get wrong about Aranui Cruises, or one thing they do not realise until they step on board?
Vaima: I think the first surprise is the comfort. Because Aranui is a cargo ship, some people imagine something quite simple or even basic. Then they step on board and realise that inside, it is a real cruise ship. The cabins are comfortable and well-equipped, the staff are welcoming and the environment is warm and inviting. Very often, passengers tell us: “We did not expect this level of comfort.” And in away, we like that surprise. It is always better for guests to discover that the experience is even more comfortable than they imagined.
Aranoa features two restaurants, a lounge bar, library, fitness centre, and two whirlpools, providing guests with everything they need to feel relaxed, at home, and well looked after throughout their time onboard. But the biggest surprise is probably the emotional side of the voyage. Many guests expect beautiful islands, of course, they know they are going to French Polynesia. But they do not always expect such a deep and unique experience. They discover remote islands that are pristine, powerful and very beautiful. They meet local people. They spend time with a Polynesian crew. They listen to Polynesian music through the crew’s onboard Aranui band. They see the ship working, delivering cargo and connecting communities. There is also a different rhythm on board. The ship travels slowly. The journey gives guests time to disconnect, to reflect and, in a way, to reconnect with themselves.
After twelve days, many passengers do not want to leave the ship. They feel they have been part of something special. And very often, what they want to do is come back. That is also one of the reasons why Aranui Cruises decided to launch Aranoa. We have many repeat guests, and we wanted to offer them a new itinerary with the same spirit and the same concept. Guests who have already discovered the Marquesas with Aranui 5 will now be able to discover the Austral Islands with Aranoa.
For us, that is very exciting, because it means we can continue sharing the magic of remote Polynesia in a new way.
