In this episode, we talk about the upcoming Aranoa ship and what it signals for the future of small-ship cruising in French Polynesia—especially in the remote Austral Islands. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are featured early because this is exactly the kind of specialized, logistics-heavy trip where expert planning makes the experience smoother and more rewarding.

Normand Schafer sits down with Leo Colin from Aranui Cruises for a practical, behind-the-scenes look at how a new ship concept moves from an idea to steel in the shipyard—and eventually to real sailings that serve both travelers and island communities. Leo shares how Aranoa is designed to carry forward the Aranui model: a combined passenger-and-cargo vessel that supplies remote islands while also delivering one of the most authentic travel experiences available in the South Pacific. Rather than separating “tourism” from “real life,” these voyages put them together—passengers see the operations, feel the rhythm of the route, and understand why the ship matters beyond sightseeing.

We discuss how Aranoa is intended to differ from Aranui 5 without losing the spirit that made Aranui iconic. Leo explains that the ship is planned to be smaller than Aranui 5, reflecting the realities of the Australs—fewer residents means less freight volume, and the ship’s scale can match the needs of the region. The onboard experience is also shaped by the passenger-to-crew feel Leo describes, which hints at a service style that’s personal and attentive rather than mass-market.

Because the Australs sit in a part of the Pacific that can see significant swells depending on southern weather systems, Leo talks about planned comfort and operational features such as stabilizers to reduce rolling. He also explains dynamic positioning—technology that can help a ship maintain position without anchoring, which can be especially relevant in places where protecting the seabed matters. These are the kinds of details travelers don’t always hear about, yet they can meaningfully shape both comfort and the environmental footprint of a visit.

The conversation also highlights why flexibility is part of responsible cruising in remote regions. Leo shares an example of leaving a bay during a tsunami alert—showing that conditions, safety guidance, and local authority direction can require changes even on well-planned itineraries. Finally, we touch on the realities of shipbuilding and commissioning: validating systems, checking drawings, and catching small issues early so crews don’t inherit preventable problems later.

If you’re considering Aranui 5 now—or you’re intrigued by what Aranoa could bring to the Australs—this episode offers a grounded perspective on what’s coming and why it matters. When you’re ready to plan, Far and Away Adventures can help you choose the right sailing, build smart pre/post stays, and coordinate the full French Polynesia journey with less stress and better flow.

In this episode, we talk about the freight-and-cargo reality that powers the Aranui experience, and how Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com can help you plan the right sailing, cabin category, and pre/post island time to match your goals.
Normand interviews Charles, a second captain on the Aranui freighter cruise in French Polynesia, to understand why this voyage feels so unlike a typical cruise: it’s a passenger experience built on top of a working maritime operation that serves remote communities.

Charles begins with his personal path—years working on other cruise ships around the world before deciding to shift toward sailing closer to home and choosing French Polynesia as a place he wanted to discover. What follows is an operator’s perspective on why the ship’s culture feels so tight-knit. Normand observes the “family atmosphere” onboard, and Charles reinforces it: crew members across roles know each other well and create a familiar environment for guests too. That human side matters, because it’s the same teamwork that makes complex cargo operations possible in remote settings.

Charles’ explanation that Aranui isn’t purely a cruise ship and isn’t purely a cargo ship. A traditional cargo vessel might carry passengers in basic accommodations, but without the hospitality layer guests expect—no comparable dining, no bar, and a different overall onboard life. Aranui, as described here, is designed so guests can experience the cargo reality while still enjoying an elevated passenger journey. That’s why Normand uses the phrase “deluxe freighter cruise,” and Charles agrees the mix creates something rare: you’re watching real deliveries unfold while also traveling in comfort.

Charles describes the practical side: cargo holds, cranes, forklifts, and the daily work of managing freight while maintaining passenger safety systems. A standout operational detail is how deliveries happen when there’s limited or no pier access. Charles explains that the ship may anchor and use cranes to load barges, then transfer heavy items to shore—an operation made more complicated by swell, tide, and changing sea states. Normand shares a vivid memory of seeing a car loaded onto a barge while the ocean rises and falls, which captures exactly what guests often find mesmerizing: a complex, high-stakes procedure happening in plain sight.

The episode also explores the “what” of freight—sometimes surprisingly personal. Charles notes that animals are transported at times—horses, cows, dogs—using specialized containers placed on deck, with crew members feeding and monitoring them. Then comes the unpredictable story that feels almost scripted, but isn’t: a shipment of seven sheep where one gave birth onboard, so the paperwork that began with seven ended with eight delivered. These moments underline what makes this voyage different: it’s built around real life and real community needs, not just guest entertainment.

Finally, Charles discusses what moves back from the islands: limited freight overall, but some exports like fruit—lemons and very large citrus (pamplemousse is mentioned). Normand connects this to the broader island network, including stops that can include places like the Tuamotus and Bora Bora, where imported fruit can be valuable. Charles mentions refrigerated containers and how goods may transfer onward via smaller ships to reach additional islands. For travelers, this supplies context: the itinerary is a travel experience, but it’s also an active logistics chain.

If you want to experience French Polynesia in a way that feels culturally immersive and operationally real, Episode 2 is a strong primer on what you’ll be watching from the deck and the shore. And if you want it planned well—sailing choice, cabin fit, island extensions, and a trip flow that makes sense—Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com is where you start to build the voyage around your priorities, not around guesswork.

In this episode, we talk about how Aranui 5 (and the Aranoa) delivers an experience that feels deeply local—because the real story isn’t only the itinerary, it’s the people making each day happen. If you want an expert to plan a French Polynesian freighter voyage from start to finish, visit Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com. Normand interviews onboard guide Spencer Hata Utuya to explore what guides do before guests ever step onto a shore excursion, and what happens when island plans shift in real time.

Spencer’s entry into the Aranui world is refreshingly honest. He studied business management and marketing and didn’t expect to work in tourism or hospitality. After returning home, he set simple criteria for his next step—independence, stability, and basic needs covered—then found a guide job online and started in September 2022. By November 2025, he’s spent years learning the rhythm of these sailings, and he shares what that growth really looked like: a steep learning curve, constant studying, and the humility of realizing that travelers sometimes arrive with deep knowledge of French Polynesia already in hand.

That learning curve becomes a key theme because it’s what allows guides to deliver the immersion guests rave about. Spencer explains he reviews his “technical notes” about each island nightly, even when he feels confident, so his delivery stays sharp and accurate. He describes how preparation matters not just for storytelling, but for adaptability: when assignments change due to illness, accidents, or personal emergencies among the guide team, the person who prepared can step into another role without missing a beat. That kind of cross-coverage is invisible to guests, but it’s one reason voyages feel smooth.

Then the conversation moves into the reality of logistics. Spencer shares how the next voyage’s program starts getting prepared during the current sailing—often a few days before arrival back at the end of the trip. The team drafts the structure, including and optional excursions, and key connections, but keeps “room for adjustments,” because island operations can change due to local organizations, contractors, tourism offices, and community needs. He makes a point that nothing is set in stone—plans are “in pencil”—and even the night before arrival a change can happen. That’s not said as a warning; it’s said as an honest description of travel across remote communities where real life comes first.

Two stories bring that to life. On a Marquesas sailing, a local dance performance was expected, included in the program, and then didn’t happen because the performers had a family situation. Spencer describes how guides manage not only the schedule, but the mood: explaining what happened, setting expectations, and helping guests stay engaged with the destination even when a highlight changes. On an Australs sailing, a bus tour ran into a series of disruptions: the bus ran out of gas, a replacement bus required a driver to retrieve keys from home, and guests waited.

Normand adds an observation many past guests echo: Aranui feels different because the staff are from French Polynesia, sharing culture from lived experience rather than from a script. Spencer’s advice to first-time visitors reinforces that: arrive with an open mind, set aside preconceived ideas, and be ready for warm Polynesian hospitality. He also shares practical packing guidance—good shoes, water shoes, repellent, a raincoat—and a caution to be mindful around coral environments. If Aranui 5 or Aranoa is on your list, this episode offers a grounded, behind-the-scenes lens that helps you understand what you’re actually signing up for: a culturally immersive voyage powered by preparation, relationships, and a guide team that can pivot when the ocean—and the islands—set the pace. For help choosing the right sailing and building a seamless plan, connect with Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com.