Farewell to the Aranui 5 – A Floating Family Adventure Comes to Shore
Date: November 13, 2025
Location: Papeete, Tahiti
The final morning on the Aranui 5 hit differently. After nearly two weeks of sailing through the dreamscapes of the Austral and Society Islands, our floating home pulled quietly into the harbor in Papeete. The soft shuffle of bags, early risers milling about, and farewell hugs filled the morning air.
Our family was up at 6:00 a.m., doing a final round of cabin-checks, packing up souvenirs, sandy shoes, and folding up the laundry that somehow still didn’t dry in the humid air. We said heartfelt goodbyes to the crew and fellow travelers, many of whom had become part of our island family. It was one of those moments where the hugs were a little tighter and the jokes a little softer, because everyone knew the adventure was ending.
After disembarking, we made one last meaningful stop before heading to the airport: the Latter-day Saint temple just outside the city. The serenity of the temple grounds was the perfect pause—a quiet breath before the next leg of our journey. The contrast of that peaceful moment after the bustle of the ship brought home just how full and vibrant the last 13 days had been.
From manta rays to mountaintops, dance nights to spontaneous downpours, this wasn’t just a cruise. It was an unforgettable, immersive family adventure through the soul of French Polynesia. Traveling with Zakary and Teyauna added so many layers to it—seeing things through their eyes, sharing laughter (and sometimes oxygen tanks underwater), and showing them that yes, adventure has no age limit.
The Aranui 5 isn’t your typical cruise. It delivers mail, freight, stories, and smiles to islands that rarely see tourists. It’s a working ship and a living history tour, a floating hotel and a family reunion. And now, it’s woven into the story of our family.
As we headed to the airport for our 12:30 p.m. flight to the Cook Islands, the mood was nostalgic but hopeful. There was more to come. We weren’t finished yet.
The Aranui had given us more than memories—it had connected us to people, places, and purpose. And as we buckled in for the next flight, we knew something else with potential for magic awaited us: Rarotonga.