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We are Elite on Princess' date=' and really are comfortable with that line. [/size']

It is really sad to hear all about the individual problems with the Veendam, especially since we have booked a long trip with her.

On the other hand, nothing I have read so far points to a ship that is worse than many others. We experienced 2 Princess ships a short while ago and I can tell you, based on our experience my better half refuses to book a Princess ship again. The Dawn Princess was in a bad shape, not properly maintained at all, in all respects. That reflected on the captain and many of his officers. Really bad indeed.

Personally I would not go as far as to never sail Princess again; we select our cruises based on itinerary.

We have been on cruises we found excellent only to meet passengers at the very end complaining and happy to finally get off the ship.

I take reviews, positive as well as negative ones, always with a grain of salt. :)

There is a reason many "Aranui people" take the trip at least twice. You should not miss out on paradise for too long :D

If Cunard's Atlantic crossings are one of the most traditional cruises, a three class society from top to bottom, Aranui is one of the most unconventional cruises. You can mingle with the polynesian crew at the bar; they lift you into the boat like you are a feather, and they are the friendliest people I know. The Aranui has nothing of the big cruise ship atmosphere, nor can you expect elaborate entertainment. But it is also not comparable to the current freighter trips were you share your time with hundreds if not thousands of containers and maybe a handful of crew, in and out of ports within a few hours. The Aranui is a true old fashioned freighter, carrying all the supplies to these remote islands, from beer to cars to couches; piece by piece.

I also visited the Queen Mary in Long Beach a couple of times. She still amazes me.

Yes Graham, I'll never forget these two ships...

Time flies; now they put even their successors into retirement.

By the way, if you need prices for the Aranui, the only agency I know in the US that sells the Aranui trips is travltips.com. They are specialized on freighter trips.

Aranui 3 is more comfy than Aranui 2 was, but the latter was more romantic. You really "lived" with the freight during loading and unloading. Most ports in the Marquesas and Tuamotus do not have piers to accomodate ships, so the freight used to be unloaded on fairly small wooden whaler boats and than unloaded either at a small pier or carried through the water onto the beach where the customers could pick up their stuff. Passenger were carried on the same whalers onto shore either as a dry landing or a wet landing. Aranui 3 has more modern aluminum pontoon boats for the freight and larger aluminum boats for the passengers. However, the wooden whalers are still there and used in 1 or 2 locations. And the unloading via small piers or the beach has not changed either.

You want an exciting working freighter trip into paradise, try the Aranui. She goes from Papeete via the Tuamotus to the Marquesa islands; about 14 days roundtrip. The newest version, Aranui 3, takes about 150 passengers; passenger facilities are in the rear portion of the ship, the freight is in the front. While freight is unloaded on each island passengers visit the interior on small trucks or SUVs, or on foot. Most everything is included in the price, even the wine at lunch and dinner; you only have to take care of your bar tab :)