Demographics vary slightly with each sailing, but most passengers come from France and Germany, with a smattering of Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians and Americans. Most are older couples (baby boomers and active seniors), but there are a few families, younger adults and solo travelers, as well; the latter two groups usually opt for dorm-style cabins to keep costs down.

Aranui passengers are typically well-traveled and curious, and they place a premium on port exploration and discovering Polynesian history and culture over having a luxury cruise experience.

French is the ship's official language, but the multilingual crew also offers announcements, port briefings and excursions in English and German.

Not at all. The dress code is casual with an emphasis on items that are both comfortable and easily washable. Bring along a sweatshirt or a light sweater for the evenings when the temperatures dip, as well as a raincoat or poncho for wet weather days.

Don't bring any dry clean only items. Although there is a washer and a dryer onboard, no dry cleaning is available.

No, but a lot is. All of your meals are included in the price of the cruise and you can wash it all down with complimentary wine included for both lunch and dinner; filtered water is available from machines all the time. One complimentary guided shore excursion is offered at every port, plus if you're headed out on a shore excursion, you will be provided with either a picnic lunch or a meal at a local restaurant. Enrichment activities onboard are also all included.

Extra fees include beverages outside of lunch and dinner, personal purchases, spa treatments and pre-/post-cruise transfers.

Shore excursions are by far the most popular activity for Aranui passengers, and an array of options has been designed to reveal the South Pacific's colorful history and culture, including an included excursion of island highlights that might feature a stop at an archaeological site, live traditional dancing, music demonstrations and strolls through tiny beachfront villages.

Onboard, cruisers enjoy taking part in anything that brings them closer to the destination, including Polynesian dance and stretching classes by the pool, lei (flower garland) and hei (flower crown) tutorials, and palm leaf-weaving workshops.

Best for: Adventurous travelers seeking a truly cultural experience in a remote corner of the world

Not for: Big-ship cruisers looking for lots of onboard activity and extensive dining options