Blue Lagoon Cruises - Fiji Princess
Fast Facts
Vessel: Fiji Princess
Cruise Line: Blue Lagoon
Star Rating: NYR
Tonnage: 1258 GRT
Max Passenger Capacity: 72
Description: There are 5 ships in the Blue Lagoon Cruises' fleet, offering a choice of 4-day/3-night or 7-day/6-night cruises around the Yasawa Islands, Fiji.
Fiji Princess offers a choice of two types of cabin, all with panoramic windows with ocean views, ensuite, queen beds (or two singles). Some have a sofa bed for a third occupant. All meals and gratuities are included, but drinks are extra. Snorkelling equipment is available at a small charge.
Prices for a 7-day/6-night Gold Club Cruise start from F$3998. For further information contact Blue Lagoon Cruises: 1800 148 235 or visit www.bluelagooncruises.com
Fiji Princess
Discover different worlds, from the local Yasawa Islands, to the luxury and comfort on board Fiji Princess and the underwater delights of tropical fish and coral.
There is a country, not far from Sydney, that warrants one of those black bumper stickers for the back of cars that reads "Fiji - somewhere in the South Pacific". And, if you are looking for a holiday experience where your memories are not just of relaxation and overindulgence, but also of wonder, discovery and cultural delights, then Fiji could be just what you are looking for. Hop on a plane from Sydney and just three hours later arrive in another world.
There's no better way to explore the idyllic Fijian islands than by cruise ship. After an overnight stay in Nadi and a 30 minute drive to the port of Lautoka, situated on the north-east side of the island, I found myself greeted by big white smiles and a garland of sweet smelling flowers from of the crew of Blue Lagoon Cruises. Ukuleles and guitars strumming, the crew sang a welcome song as I stepped on board the company's newest acquisition, Fiji Princess.
Blue Lagoon Cruises was founded by Captain Trevor Withers in 1950. After falling in love with the beauty of the islands, Withers took a huge gamble. On the verge of bankruptcy he sold all his worldly possessions for 7000 pounds in a last ditch attempt to fund a cruise of the Yasawa Islands. The cruise was a success and the business grew. Over the last 15 years more than 20,000 people have taken a Blue Lagoon Cruise.
Fiji Princess, is a 60 metre catamaran - the only one in the fleet of five vessels - with 34 deluxe air-conditioned cabins which all have large panoramic windows with ocean views. The average size of the 28 deluxe cabins is 13 square metres and there are six staterooms of 11 square metres. All are beautifully appointed and extremely comfortable. A large mirror adds to the feeling of space, while beds can be double or single configurations. There is a flat screen TV/DVD, wardrobe with hanging space and shelves and a small safe for valuables, vanity table with hairdryer, minibar - stocked with the usual alcoholic beverages, Fijian water and the all important supply of chocolates (these come in handy when you visit the islands. Take a packet of m&m's and be swarmed by local children who queue up for their favourite colour!). Fresh flowers are a lovely touch, as are the fragrant frangipani flowers placed on the soap in the en-suite. The bathroom is compact, with loo, shower and basin, but has a showerhead that stretches high enough for the vertically challenged of up to six foot four to stand upright in (a rare delight for tall cruisers!).
Accommodation is situated on three decks and mine, rather conveniently, was just a short walk directly into the lounge bar, where I made friends with Head Barman, Clinton, who will delight you with his repertoire of colourful cocktails.
The crew are very friendly and all Fijian, including the Captain of the ship, Simi Naivalu, who has been with Blue Lagoon Cruises since 1972. He is enjoying his role as Captain of Fiji Princess, which cruises at around 12 to 14 knots and enjoys being able to pop home to see the family regularly as he is a local from the Yasawa Islands.
Weather permitting, Fiji Princess cruises for about 4 hours each day, usually up the west coast of the Yasawas. These are uncharted waters with reefs that make it difficult to steer a course, making local knowledge a necessity. The Yasawa Islands comprise a spectacular chain of six principle islands and 60 smaller islets and sand cays. The Captain will pick the course according to weather conditions, and due to the mini cyclone brewing at the time, we stuck to the east side of the islands and found sheltered bays in which to drop anchor.
It was only the very faint hum of the engine that made me realise we were already underway when I awoke. The weather had cleared and the true beauty of this pacific paradise was evident from the window of the cabin. Although not an early morning person, I didn't want to miss breakfast, and wasn't disappointed at getting out of bed for a wonderful buffet of every breakfast-type food imaginable. The fresh fruits were exquisite, the cooked foods delicious, with eggs cooked on request according to your preference. My only grumble - the coffee. Australians love their coffee as much as Italians or Brazilians and once you get used to freshly ground espresso coffee, for me the filtered variety just doesn't match up.
Fiji Princess generally sets sail early and anchors up after breakfast in a sheltered lagoon. On the first night we stayed in Soso Bay then, after cruising a few hours north, jumped into one of the zodiacs and were taken ashore. Flippers, goggles and beach bags in hand, stepping onto the soft white sand of Omba Bay, I felt a million miles from anywhere. Towel laid out in the shade of the palms, I took to my book. Pure bliss.
The call for morning tea took me by surprise, but I couldn't say no to a piece of Lamington on a china plate, on a white table cloth, on a remote island, somewhere in the South Pacific - could I? I assured myself I would snorkel it off, but didn't expect the coral and abundant array of tropical fish to be so close to shore. I paddled about a bit, just in time for a delicious buffet lunch, served back onboard.
The cruise includes the option of a village visit. Stepping ashore on to the island of Malakati, initially I felt like I was invading the privacy of the local islanders, but then remembered the link between Blue Lagoon Cruises and the locals.
These island visits allow the locals to earn money from giving access to their beaches, performing their traditional Fijian entertainment and by selling their atefacts. Blue Lagoon Cruises contributes considerably to the Yasawa Islands community assisting with children's education, development projects and the establishment of medical clinics.
This relationship made me relax a little and made the welcome even more special. We were taken to a local church and briefed on how to behave and respect the way of life of the islanders. My mind wandered. No electricity. No mod cons, telephones, shopping malls or restaurants. Another world.
We had to vote on a leader from our group who would be our "Chief" in the Kava ceremony. This was the lucky guy who had to sit in front of the local Chief and take the first drink from a half-coconut shell of the local brew, made from the roots of the Kava plant, known to have mild narcotic properties. OK, not everyone's cup of tea, but apparently after one slug of this stuff any inhibitions would slip away. Easy!
The ceremony began, and things got down to business. It is, by all accounts, rude not to drink the lot at one of these events. The brew looks like muddy water, and tastes pretty much the same. Whether it was out of politeness, nerves or just the holiday spirit, we had soon all tried this obscure mixture and were up and dancing with the locals - much to their amusement.
It was somehow strange stepping back onto the ship, with its high-tech amenities, abundance of delicious food and "Clinton's cocktails". However, adjustment was swift and it wasn't long before we were sitting on the open top deck of Fiji Princess, watching a beautiful South Pacific sunset with a Margarita in hand.
A highlight of every cruise is a visit to Blue Lagoon Cruises' private island, Nanuya Lailai. Here you can enjoy snorkelling or diving in the pristine waters, or relax in a beach hammock. Fishfeeding is also a highlight and great fun. During the afternoon a lovo feast is prepared for the evening meal, which takes place on the last night of the cruise. This traditional Fijian feast includes pork, lamb, fish, chicken and vegetables which are individually wrapped in banana leaves and slowly cooked on hot stones in an earth oven, covered with palm fronds.
While passengers freshen up after a hard day on the beach on board the catamaran, members of the crew are busy preparing the dinner.
Returning to the beach after dark is a truly magical experience. Dinner is served under lantern-lit trees, tables are covered in white table cloths and adorned with fresh flowers and sparkling glassware. If this isn't enough to impress, considering you are in the middle of nowhere in the South Pacific, there is even ice cream for dessert. Pure decadence.
Perhaps Blue Lagoon's catamaran warrants it's own bumper sticker - "Fiji Princess - somewhere in the South Pacific".
Written by Sue Pollard - Issue 20 Winter 2005