Monthly Archives: May 2024

 

 

SECOND TRAVELLER SAVES 50% OR NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT!

 

For over 30 years one of the most unique ways to experience the islands of Tahiti and beyond has been a cruise aboard the ‘half cargo / half passenger’ ships operated by Aranui Cruises. They have been taking avid adventurers on one of the most fascinating voyages anywhere on the planet and Aranui 5, the crown jewel in their pursuit of the ultimate passenger-freighter, will take you to far-flung corners of French Polynesia. Along the way, the ship will stop to resupply tiny communities living far from civilisation with everyday items such as new refrigerators, televisions and motor vehicles. 

For a limited time, you can save 50% off the normal second traveller fare OR single travellers pay no single supplement on 2025 cruises (excludes Voyages N°01,08 & 22). This offer is valid for new bookings made until June 21, 2024, across all cabin categories except dormitories, and applicable on the public fare excluding charges and taxes.

 

 

 

Throughout your Aranui 5 cruise, all your meals and scheduled excursions are included as you discover the magic that attracted Paul Gauguin, Robert Louis Stevenson, Thor Heyerdahl and Jacques Brel to this remote region. The ship’s gracious Polynesian staff and crew, many of whom are from the islands you will visit during the cruise, will welcome you as family and delight in introducing you to their centuries-old customs. Onboard, you will also enjoy getting to know knowledgeable lecturers and guides as they share the French Polynesian culture with you as you explore these captivating islands.

 

Check out Aranui 5’s 2025 schedule below. There’s a series of the ever-popular 12-day Marquesas Islands cruises on offer, plus three Discovery Cruises to the rarely-visited Austral Islands. 

 

Aranui 5’s 2025 Cruise Schedule

The following departures are available with these special fares. All cruises depart from and return to Papeete.

 

See the Marquesas Islands Itinerary

See the Austral Islands Itinerary 

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  08 March 2025

Arrives: 19 March 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  22 March 2025

Arrives: 02 April 2025

 

13 Day Austral Islands Discovery Cruise

Departs:  05 April 2025

Arrives: 17 April 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  19 April 2025

Arrives: 30 April 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  03 May 2025

Arrives: 14 May 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  17 May 2025

Arrives: 28 May 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  14 June 2025

Arrives: 25 June 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  28 June 2025

Arrives: 09 July 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  12 July 2025

Arrives: 23 July 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  26 July 2025

Arrives: 06 August 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  09 August 2025

Arrives: 20 August 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  23 August 2025

Arrives: 03 September 2025

 

13 Day Austral Islands Discovery Cruise

Departs:  06 September 2025

Arrives: 18 September 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  20 September 2025

Arrives: 01 October 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  04 October 2025

Arrives: 15 October 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  18 October 2025

Arrives: 29 October 2025

 

13 Day Austral Islands Discovery Cruise

Departs:  01 November 2025

Arrives: 13 November 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  15 November 2025

Arrives: 26 November 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands

Departs:  29 November 2025

Arrives: 10 December 2025

 

12 Day Marquesas Islands – Marquesas Arts Festival

Departs:  15 December 2025

Arrives: 26 December 2025

 

 

 

 

2025 Special Fares for the 12-day Marquesas Islands Cruise

Save up to $7,408 per couple!

All prices are in Australian Dollars, and are per person, twin share, unless otherwise stated. These Special Fares are valid for new bookings only on 2025 cruises made between 01 May and 21 June 2024 or until sold out. 

 

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $15,490.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $8,028.00

 

ROYAL SUITE

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $12,278.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $6,422.00

 

PREMIUM SUITE 

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $11,250.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $5,909.00

 

JUNIOR SUITE

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $11,020.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $5,794.00

 

SUPERIOR DELUXE

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $10,850.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $5,709.00

 

DELUXE 

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $10,064.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $5,316.00

 

STATEROOM 

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $8,181.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $4,374.00

 

OBSTRUCTED VIEW STATEROOM

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $7,799.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $4,183.00

 

 

 

 

2025 Special Fares for the 13-day Austral Islands Discovery Cruise

Save up to $7,818 per couple!

All prices are in Australian Dollars, and are per person, twin share, unless otherwise stated. These Special Fares are valid for new bookings only on 2025 cruises made between 01 May and 21 June 2024 or until sold out. 

 

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $16,204.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $8,386.00

 

ROYAL SUITE

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $12,838.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $6,703.00

 

PREMIUM SUITE 

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $11,764.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $6,166.00

 

JUNIOR SUITE

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $11,306.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $5,937.00

 

SUPERIOR DELUXE

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $11,052.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $5,810.00

 

DELUXE

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $10,249.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $5,408.00

 

STATEROOM

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $8,619.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $4,594.00

 

OBSTRUCTED VIEW STATEROOM

Twin-share (1st passenger) / Single traveller - $8,214.00

Twin-share (2nd passenger) - $4,392.00

 

To book your 2025 Aranui Cruises French Polynesia cruise call the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists today on 1800 90 20 80 or email [email protected]

 

 

Read the Review: Marilyn & Bob  have just returned from their 12-day Marquesas Islands cruise aboard Aranui 5, read their review.

 

 

 

Scroll Down for Last Minute Deals on 2024 European Summer Cruises

 

Our polar expedition partner Swan Hellenic has just released their 2025/26 Antarctica season with 20% discounts off regular brochure fares on selected cruises when you book your expedition to the White Continent before 30 June 2024.

With a name synonymous with luxury cruising dating back almost eighty years, Swan Hellenic now focuses on expedition and cultural cruising, with one of the newest fleets in the field. Launched in 2022 and 2023 respectively, Swan Hellenic’s newbuilds SH Vega and SH Diana are both rated to Polar Class 5 and have been specially designed to maximise the expedition experience while also providing 5-star luxury surrounds in a boutique environment.

 

 

While Swan Hellenic’s fleet is deployed on a year-round schedule to all corners of the globe, including the Arctic, Africa and the Mediterannean, Antarctica remains the drawcard for many travellers, and with great savings on offer now is the ideal time to secure your place.

 

Swan Hellenic 'In Shackleton's Footsteps' Expedition

 

Perhaps the highlight Antarctic cruise available as part of Swan Hellenic’s 2025/26 Earlybird Savings is the 18-day, all-encompassing ‘In Shackleton’s Footsteps’ expedition cruise which combines the three ‘jewels in the crown’; Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. There’s two departures on offer aboard the flagship SH Diana, 19 January 2026 (from $22,380pp) and the more intimate SH Vega on 06 February 2026 (from $25,180pp). 

Expeditioners joining this voyage will follow in the wake of one of history’s greatest explorers on this extraordinary cruise. They will be able to experience the incredible endless icy wilderness of the Antarctic Peninsula, just as Ernest Shackleton and his crew would have done as they commenced their quest to cross the ice to the South Pole. 

See the 'In Shackleton's Footsteps' Itinerary and pricing

 

SH Diana - 19 January to 05 February 2026

SH Vega - 06 to 23 February 2026

 

 

There will also be the opportunity to step ashore on Elephant Island, where Shackleton’s men would survive two Antarctic winters. Along the way, there will be the chance to observe penguins, seals, whales and seabirds that, unlike Shackleton’s ship, Endurance, have no issues thriving in this formidable environment. 

Before crossing the infamous Drake Passage back to Ushuaia, SH Diana will stop at the Falkland Islands, allowing travellers to discover a haven for a host of endemic birdlife, and meet the proud, resilient locals.

 

 

 

 

Other Swan Hellenic 2025/26 Antarctica Earlybird Cruises

 

In addition to the ‘In Shackleton’s Footsteps’ expedition, Earlybird Savings are also available on the following cruises:

 

10 Day Antarctica Peninsula Discovery

Various dates from $11,880 per person, twin share

 

SH Diana - See Itinerary & Pricing

SH Vega - See Itinerary & Pricing

 

12 Day Weddell Sea Discovery

Two departure dates in January 2025 from $14,480 per person, twin share

 

SH Diana - See Itinerary & Pricing

SH Vega - See Itinerary & Pricing

 

All prices are in Australian Dollars in an Oceanview Stateroom. Please enquire with our team for 20% savings on other cabin and suite types.

 

 

Swan Hellenic’s Expedition Fleet

 

Swan Hellenic Cruises operates a fleet of two modern expedition ships, both launched since 2021. SH Vega accommodates just 152 expeditioners in a range of suites and cabins, will the slightly larger SH Diana maxes out at 192 travellers. Both boutique ships feature the same distinctive comfort and Scandi-design interiors, extensive deck space and dedicated expedition facilities, including a dedicated presentation and lecture theatre, and an expedition mud room. 

Both ships also offer three dining venues from which to choose – the Swan Restaurant, Club Lounge and Pool Bar & Grill, and there’s also a state-of-the-art gym, spa, panoramic sauna, club room and swimming pool.

 

 

To find out more about Swan Hellenic’s 2025/26 Antarctica Earlybirds and how you can save  20% off brochure fares when you book by 30 June 2024, contact the knowledgeable team at Expedition Cruise Specialists today on 1800 90 20 80.

 

Please note that Earlybird prices are subject to availability and limited to new bookings only made after 01 May 2024 until withdrawn or sold out.

 

 

 

Last Minute European Cruise Deals 2024

 

If you're travelling to Europe this northern summer and would like to try out the Swan Hellenic experience for yourself, we've got a number of last minute cruise deals with incredible pricing. Call our team today on 1800 90 20 80 to discover the full list of dates and itineraries, here's just a selection of what we have on offer. Cabins are sure to sell quickly at these great prices so act fast!

 

High Arctic of Svalbard - 10 Nights - 10 to 20 July 2024

SH Diana - from $7,735 per person, twin share (normally $10,980pp)

Discover the rarely visited High Arctic. Sail from Tromsø through the wilderness of Bear Island, and explore the icy landscapes of the Svalbard archipelago. Marvel at the Monacobreen Glacier, listen to Alkefjellet’s bird cliff, and take in Svingeldalen’s vistas. Cruise around Cape Lee and Dolerittneset before venturing to Koefoedodden on Hopen Island. Then stop at the village of Skarsvåg before heading to Alta, 'the city of the Northern Lights'.

 

Iceland in Depth - 8 Nights - 10 to 18 August 2024

SH Vega - from $4,948 per person, twin share (normally $10,380pp)

Experience the wild and fantastic landscapes of Iceland. Circumnavigate the geologically active island and see the puffin capital of the world! Discover fjords, spectacular waterfalls and never-ending volcanic scenery. Visit Iceland’s oldest houses and meet locals who are proud of their traditional heritage. Hike to thundering waterfalls, duck under the spray of spouting hot geysers, and trek across remote locations where only arctic foxes live.

 

Canadian Arctic & Northern Lights - 15 Nights - 25 September to 10 October 2024

SH Vega - from $6,952 per person, twin share (normally $15,480pp)

Visit parts of the legendary ice-filled route that challenged great explorers on this epic Northern Canadian Discovery voyage. Sail from Greenland through the iceberg capital of the world, and gaze in awe at the straits and fjords crammed with huge icebergs. Watch out for caribou and polar bears on the northern Canadian coast, and you’ll get the chance to hear the stories of the indigenous Inuit people, and discover whaling sites in Newfoundland.