Information

Meals are served in an informal, family-style setting in our dining facilities. Special consideration for medically prescribed diets, must be requested at the time of booking or more than three weeks in advance of sailing date.

 

The unit of exchange is the French Pacific Franc (XPF).

 

The Marquesas are half an hour ahead of Tahiti i.e when it’s noon in Tahiti, it’s 12:30pm in the Marquesas.

 

Clothing which is informal, comfortable and easily washable is most practical aboard the ship. In addition to shorts, jeans or slacks, T-shirts and a bathing suit, a rain poncho or coat and warm sweatshirt or light sweater for chilly evenings are recommended. Comfortable shoes are essential for walking ashore over coral reefs. Tennis shoes or sandals are recommended. For women, the native pareo, made of colourful fabric, which can be wrapped in a variety of styles, is a versatile choice for both casual and festive occasions and can be purchased onboard or during port visits.

 

The Aranui Spa offers a variety of treatments by a fully trained wellness and massage therapist. Pamper yourself with a facial, body scrub and massages using the traditional oils of French Polynesia. Treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure or a relaxing foot massage — perfect after a day exploring.

 

A licensed Marquesan tattoo artist is available onboard by appointment. He will help you design a personalised tattoo using traditional Marquesan symbols to represent the story you wish to tell. Tattooing is done in a clean and sterile environment using modern equipment. A tattoo is the ultimate souvenir from the Marquesas.

 

A selection of novels and history books in French, English and German can be found in our library on Deck 6.

 

The ship’s boutique sells a variety of supplies including mosquito repellent, sundries, clothing, and local souvenirs.

 

Each cabin is equipped with 220 volt, 50 cycle AC (European-style outlet).

 

Wifi is available during the voyage, using your own devices, in cabins and most public areas throughout the ship. Provided by satellite service, the connection may not be as reliable as land broadband, but it is adequate for checking and sending emails. A log-in code can be purchased from the boutique.

 

In an emergency, it is possible to place telephone calls through our shipboard communications and to contact the vessel through CPTM’s office in Tahiti

 

Washing and drying machines are available on board; dry cleaning is not available.

 

There is a doctor or physician on board the vessel. If any person has, or is suffering from a serious ailment or condition, they should seek the advice and consent of their personal physician prior to embarking on the vessel. The right is reserved to refuse passage to anyone in such a state of health or physical condition as to be unfit to travel or whose condition, for whatever reason, might be dangerous to the individual or other passengers. 

 

Visits ashore are limited to the time required by cargo operators and port restrictions. Port time may range from just a few hours to a day or more. While shore excursions with a supplement may be available at some ports of call, Compagnie Polynesienne de Transport Maritime (CPTM) neither owns, operates or exercises any control over shore excursions arranged at any port of call. The company, its agents and employees do not assume any responsibility in connection with the operations of said programmes. The company accepts no responsibility of liability for the failure of any operator to perform any said programme and/or for any injury, damage or loss however caused or arising therefrom.

 

Credit cards may be used to pay for shipboard expenses. American Express, Visa and MasterCard will be accepted. Personal cheques cannot be cashed on board. Euro, USD, AUD, NZD and CAD currency notes can also be exchanged.

 

Electronic lock boxes are available onboard, however CPTM cannot accept custody or responsibility for passenger’s money or other valuables while aboard the vessel.

 

Stateroom luggage will be accepted on the day of sailing at boarding time only. All personal luggage is to be stored in the passenger’s cabin as we are unable to store it in other areas aboard the ship. Passengers should clearly label all luggage with their name, vessel, cabin number or deck assignment number and date of sailing. Valuables should be personally carried onboard. We recommend that travellers take out a baggage damage or loss policy through their insurance agent or travel agent.

Please contact your travel agency or the Compagnie Polynésienne de Transport Maritime.

 

Passengers are carried subject to the stipulations of the Passage Contract Ticket of Compagnie Polynesienne de Transport Maritime (CPTM). The passage ticket is non-transferable and is valid only for the person(s) who originally purchased the ticket.

 

After CPTM issues a confirmation, changes to the confirmed departure date made at the passenger’s or travel agent’s request, less than 90 days prior to the confirmed departure date, will be subject to the same penalties applied to cancellations.

 

Insurance is available to help recover non-refundable travel expenses for trip cancellations or interruption, baggage damage or loss, and trip accident. We recommend that passengers consider these coverages. Consult your travel agent or insurance agent for specific details concerning coverage and exceptions.

 

Cruise transportation and related taxes (tourist tax, port tax, fuel, TDC), shipboard accommodation, 3 meals per day, a bottle of wine to share between 4 passengers for scheduled onboard meals, lunches in local restaurants, planned guided shore excursions to remote villages and archaeological sites, cultural dance shows, lecturers onsite and onboard. Rates are per adult, in double or single occupancy. These fares are correct at the time of printing and are subject to change; with or without notice.

 

Shipboard purchases, liquor, gratuities, port taxes other than those specifically provided for, and other personal items. Rates quoted at the time of printing are based on current costs and are subject to change up to and including the date of sailing.

 

If, due to weather or other uncontrollable reasons, you are required to spend one or more additional nights, you will be responsible for your own hotel and meal costs. In addition, because the primary function of vessels in the service of Compagnie Polynesienne de Transport Maritime is to carry freight, the departure dates, ports of call, and duration of cruises may be subject to variation both prior to departure and en route. Freighter passengers should have a flexible time schedule and anticipate the foregoing possibilities. While we do everything possible to inform and assist our clients, neither CPTM nor its agents will assume additional expenses, hotel or meal costs associated with delays or changes in itinerary and schedules.

 

CPTM pledges to make every effort to operate all cruises as advertised. CPTM reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, ports of call or conveyances as deemed necessary.

All passengers must have valid passports for entry into French Polynesia. Those visitors who are not citizens of the United States or Canada or from the European Economic Community and those planning to stay in French Polynesia more than one month should contact their travel agent for visa requirements. All visitors must have a round trip airline ticket.

 

At time of publishing, vaccinations were not required. Passengers should consult their travel agent for the latest requirements.

 

Requests for refunds should be directed to the agency which sold you the cruise. No refunds will be made on unused features, such as meals, voluntarily omitted by the passenger.

 

All cruises outlined herein are carried out under the business management of CPTM and are governed by the terms and conditions printed on the Passage Contract Ticket which may also be inspected at the company’s office.

 

CPTM has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. CPTM will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained therein. Photos are non-contractual. Daily itineraries and optional activities are provided for information purposes only and may be modified at any time due to weather, freight activity or availability.