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| Cruises in Fiji |
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Blue Lagoon Cruises A
Blue Lagoon Cruise in the remote Yasawa Islands north and west of Fiji's
main island, Viti Levu, is one of the world's unique holiday experiences.
It's an experience that touches all the senses and leaves personal
memories that will long be cherished. It
is in this remote corner of the world's most romantic ocean that the South
Seas promise is fulfilled, with day after day of brilliant sunshine and a
thousand clear white beaches fringed by tall palm trees and calm blue
lagoons. Many liken a Blue Lagoon Cruise to a sojourn on a well appointed private motor yacht. Blue Lagoon Cruises' six modern ships are specially designed to accommodate only 40 to 70 passengers in air-conditioned cabins and staterooms all with private facilities. It is the perfect way to relax and enjoy the company of a select group of passengers from around the world, while cruising the calm waters of these spectacular islands. |
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There
are five types of cruises to choose from. For example, the renowned three day/two
night 'Popular Blue Lagoon Cruise' aboard comfortable 40 metre (135') twenty
cabin popular class motor vessels. Twice weekly sailings of the four day/three
night Club Cruise operated by the sophisticated 55 metre (180') thirty three
cabin MV Yasawa Princess and a seven day/six night Club Cruise operated by the
49 metre (140') MV Nanuya Princess with 25 staterooms. The
newest edition to Blue Lagoon Cruises' fleet, the Mystique Princess, commenced 5
star cruising in September 1996. This 72 passenger luxury vessel operates a four
day/three night Gold Club cruise through the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. Designed
to give the feel of a millionaire's private motor yacht, it features 36
air-conditioned staterooms with king size bed, large panoramic window, en suite
bathroom, telephone, personal safe and mini bar. Public areas include a main
air-conditioned dining room, saloon bar, sky-deck bar, two sundecks, foyer,
boutique, reception and aft boarding platform. The Mystique Princess is the most
sophisticated cruise ship in the South-West Pacific. After
more than forty years of cruising the sheltered lagoons, passages and reefs of
the Yasawa Islands, Blue Lagoon Cruises is considered a South Seas 'must do'. Itineraries
are leisurely and carefully planned to cruise the island chain, frequently
stopping to drop anchor in a quiet bay, to sunbathe on a pristine beach, visit
remote villages, swim and snorkel in crystal-clear lagoons, view colourful
tropical fish and delicate coral, ride a sailboard or take a bush walk. Cruising
time is about four hours each day so there's plenty of time to spend ashore and
reflect on the tranquility and spectacular beauty of these special islands.
There is nothing quite like strolling a stretch of white sand on a deserted
beach and contemplating the endless hues in a turquoise lagoon. The
ultimate South Seas escape... |
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Shore
excursions to local villages are included in the cruise itinerary. The villages
are fascinatingly simple and a world away from everyday pressures. Despite their
long association with westerners, the Yasawa Islanders retain an authentic folk
culture that is evident in their vigorous and expressive meke dancing and in the
reverent discipline of the ancient ritual attached to mixing and drinking of the
lip-numbing yagona or as it is better known, kava. Fijians
have an international reputation for fun-loving friendliness and Blue Lagoon
Cruises' professional crews are no exception. There service is first class and
they are as eager to explain a legend or sing a song, as they are to serve a
refreshing cool drink. Each
day starts with a choice of continental breakfast, fresh tropical fruit, juice,
rolls and coffee or a hearty serve of bacon and eggs always accompanied by a
deep warm 'Bula' greeting from the crew. It's a pattern that continues
throughout the cruise, at beach barbeques, the Captain's Dinner, island feasts
and ship's party. In
this friendly, informal atmosphere dress is casual. Slip into a Fijian sulu
(sarong), add your favourite T-shirt and you're dressed for the day. At night,
under the moon and stars, with the gentle trade wind rustling the palms,
formality might extend to shorts and another favourite T-shirt. Fiji's
culture can't be appreciated without a traditional island feast, the lovo. Under
lantern-lit trees near the beach, pork, lamb, fish, chicken and vegetables are
wrapped in banana leaves and slow cooked on hot stones in an earth oven covered
with palm fronds, producing a uniquely delicate smoked flavour....delicious. In
the evenings uniformed stewards strum guitars and ukeleles entertaining both
themselves and passengers with songs of the islands and everybody dances the
Fiji shuffle. Out on deck, the stunning peacefulness of the lagoon is
occasionally disturbed by the splash of fish, the stars seem close enough to
touch and you are aware that this is a very special experience. Days merge into each other and before you realise, the Captain sets a course to the south east to return to the mainland. It's almost over, but not quite; as the crew sing Fiji's haunting farewell song 'Isa Lei', you have the feeling that this is an experience that will never be quite over and one which will beckon again and again. Perhaps that is why it is known as the ultimate South Seas experience. Choose one of the following cruises: |
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