AraMana in the spotlight

ARANUI Cruises has revealed further details about its upcoming ship (CW 06 Sep 2019) during a tour of its Aranui 5 mixed cruise/ freight vessel in dry dock at Garden Island in Sydney.

Updates on the new $100 million vessel, which is scheduled to launch in 2022, included its name, AraMana, as well as a range of amenities such as an observation lounge, a spa, a dance floor area, two restaurants, a swimming pool, an amphitheatre, and 11 cabin categories - 95% of which will feature balconies.

Aranui Cruises Regional Representative Australia and New Zealand Laurent Wong said the new vessel marks the first time the company has designed a ship exclusively for cruising, with predecessors being hybrid cargo/ passenger ships.

“The 280-guest AraMana has been designed solely with cruising in mind,” he said.

“There are some similarities to Aranui 5 in terms of the layout of the ship but AraMana is our first foray into leisure cruising so the new ship will be about comfort and relaxation,” Wong added.

Wong also noted that when she launches in mid-2022, it will be the first time the cruise line has two ships in operation at once, presenting an opportunity to explore new destinations in Polynesia. AraMana is scheduled to sail itineraries to French Polynesia’s Tuamotu, Gambier, Society and Austral Islands, the Cook Islands and the Pitcairn Islands.

See more renders of the AraMana on Cruise Weekly’s

Facebook page HERE. MEANWHILE the cruise line has added three new itineraries to its

Aranui 5 2021 program, featuring 11 new island destinations.

Highlights include a maiden visit to the Cook Islands, the first dedicated Society Islands cruise, as well as an expanded Pitcairn Island itinerary.