The passengers and crew of cargo cruise liner Aranui 5 which completed her maiden voyage to the Cook Islands last week were entertained by local drummers and dance group at a special event on Saturday.

Led by Prime Minister Mark Brown and Cook Islands Tourism officials, a group of Cook Islanders including families of the passengers and crew were hosted by Aranui 5 before she departed for Bora Bora on Sunday.

The Tahitian adventure cruise vessel takes guests and cargo to Marquesas islands, Austral islands, Tuamotu islands and Gambier islands. Aranui Cruises have now added Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Atiu in their itineraries. The cruise cargo vessel had to cancel its visit to Atiu due to bad weather.

Prime Minister Brown and owners of Aranui 5, the Wong family, exchanged gifts to commemorate the addition of the Cook Islands in the cruise liner’s itinerary.

“We have some of our people who joined us who may have taken advantage of this voyage to do some business and bring some cargo here, many of them also have some links to French Polynesia so it’s great to have them here on board,” Brown told the guests and passengers on board Aranui 5.

“We like to extend our thanks and gratitude to the Wong family and also the crew of Aranui 5 for the hospitality extended to us.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to have a vessel like this to come through from French Polynesia to Cook Islands to see how we can extend and strengthen our links to French Polynesia and the opportunities that it provides for Cook Islands and also for French Polynesia

Cargo cruise liner Aranui 5 anchored outside Avatiu harbour on Saturday. 23042360

“This type of vessel is demonstrating to us the opportunity to have a cargo side and also to have the people experience to visit some of our islands and to showcase our Pa Enua. There is no excuse, the boat has to come back again because we didn’t get to Atiu, so we have to visit Atiu and the other islands as well.”

Aranui 5 is a custom-built, dual-purpose passenger/freighter ship designed to offer all of comforts of a cruise liner, while operating as a supply ship. Aranui 5 is classified as a small vessel, accommodating approximately 230 passengers in 103 cabins.

With eight different guest decks, the interior decor reflects the Polynesian heritage of her owners and crew. The ship features a restaurant where all the meals onboard are served in a casual setting; one lounge; two conference rooms, where guest lecturers will offer presentations on various topics related to the Marquesas; three bars, including the Sky Bar with sweeping panoramic views; an outdoor swimming-pool; a boutique; a spa; a gym and the first tattoo studio at sea.

Passenger accommodations range from Premium exterior staterooms, of which more than 90 per cent have a private balcony; to standard exterior staterooms with a picture window or porthole; and Class C, shared dormitory style cabins with occupancy for four or eight people.