In this episode, we talk about a “where to go next” decision many travelers dream about: choosing an Aranui 5 (or Aranoa) voyage in French Polynesia—and understanding what the experience is really like behind the scenes. If you want expert help deciding which voyage fits your travel style and how to plan it smoothly, visit https://farandawayadventures.com. Normand interviews Spencer Hata Utuya, a guide onboard Aranui 5, to learn what guides do to make each sailing feel culturally immersive, and what travelers should expect when island plans change.

Spencer’s personal story is a useful entry point because it shows how much the experience depends on people, not just ports. He studied business management and marketing and didn’t expect to work in tourism. After returning home and not landing his first choices due to lack of experience, he found a guide job onboard the ship and began in September 2022. By late 2025, he had learned what remote-island voyaging demands: constant preparation, cultural knowledge, and the ability to pivot gracefully when a day doesn’t follow the original plan.

One major takeaway for anyone deciding “where to go next” is that these voyages are dynamic by nature. Spencer explains that the team begins preparing the next sailing’s program during the current voyage, often in the final days before the trip ends. They lay out the structure—daily schedule, excursions, and connections—but they keep room for adjustments because changes can come from local communities, contractors, tourism offices, and island organizations. His phrasing matters: nothing is set in stone, and even the night before arrival something can change. That’s not a reason to avoid the trip; it’s a reason to approach it with the right mindset. If you want travel that’s deeply connected to local communities, flexibility is part of the deal.

On an Australs sailing, a bus tour ran into a chain of disruptions: a vehicle ran out of gas, a replacement required keys retrieved from home, and guests waited. Spencer explains how guides use those moments to keep the day meaningful by walking around, talking about the island’s landscape, and socializing with guests so waiting doesn’t feel like wasted time.

Another important “where to go next” insight is how shore experiences are built through partnerships. Spencer explains that contracting and budgets are managed at higher levels, with set spending per island. Associations and partners may change depending on cost and organization. He also notes that religious schedules can affect who works on which days, meaning a visit might be hosted by different local groups on different voyages. This is a reminder that the experience isn’t scripted; it’s collaborative, and that collaboration is part of what makes it feel authentic.

Normand adds a perspective many repeat guests share: Aranui feels different because staff are from French Polynesia and share culture from lived experience, not from a generic cruise script. Spencer reinforces that by describing his own nightly study practice—reviewing notes even when he knows the material—to keep the experience fresh for each group of travelers. If you’re deciding where to go next and you want cultural immersion, this behind-the-scenes look suggests that who is guiding you matters as much as where you’re going.

Spencer’s first-timer advice also helps you decide if this trip fits your style. He suggests packing good shoes for hikes, water shoes for coral environments, repellent, and a raincoat for sudden weather. He emphasizes arriving with an open mind and letting go of preconceived judgments, because Polynesian hospitality is warm and sometimes physically friendly. If that kind of cultural closeness and real-world flexibility sounds exciting rather than stressful, Aranui 5 or Aranoa may be exactly the “where to go next” answer you’re looking for. For expert planning and the right sailing match, connect with https://farandawayadventures.com.