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Fiji, an archipelago of 333 islands in the South Pacific, offers some of the best cruising in the world, and this year for enthusiasts that want to get truly off the beaten track Blue Lagoon cruises have launched the first ever cruise to the remote Lau Island Group.
The Lau group are the most easterly of the Fiji islands and up until now have been inaccessible to all but the most intrepid travellers. Visited by Captain Cook in 1774, The Lau are culturally and historically significant and the cruise gives a rare insight into four unique cultures, Melanesian, Micronesian, Polynesian and Lauan. Highlights of the cruise include Qilaqila Island, the jewel in the crown of the Lau group’s ‘Bay of Islands’, and the ship’s passengers will have a fantastic opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture when they visit local villages, many of whose inhabitants have never met people from beyond their island chain.
Blue Lagoon’s new cruise adds to their already impressive portfolio of small boat cruises around the Fijian islands and along with Captain Cook Cruises offer something for everyone with an interest in cruising. Captain Cook offers a range of holiday options in Fiji, all guaranteeing passengers will get a taste of true Fijian culture visiting remote Fijian villages and schools and experiencing the beauty of the Fiji Islands. Three, four and seven night cruises around the Yasawa Islands operate weekly and special seven night Heritage and Cultural cruises operate throughout the year, all onboard the small ship MV Reef Endeavour. Captain Cook also offer a 7 night Northern Fiji Dateline Discovery Cruise, an amazing cruise that reveals the unique history, art and culture of the Northern Fiji Islands and allows passengers the ultimate experience of standing’ on the International Dateline.
Cruise enthusiasts looking for adventure should also consider the Tui Tai, an impressive luxury 140-foot sailing schooner with a crew of 16, accommodating up to 24 guests. The ship offers finely appointed staterooms with ensuite bathrooms, beautiful beds and linen, a private balcony for romantic evening star gazing, five star food, an on board pool and luxury spa.
Based out of Savusavu and sailing the waters of Fiji’s Northern Group of Islands the Tui Tai’s cruises are geared toward active outdoor enthusiasts, diving is offered daily, with up to 11 dives over the course of the 5-night Adventure Cruise. Other activities include snorkeling over an underwater rainbow of soft-corals and fish, river kayaking through mountain rivers, discovering hidden waterfalls, night fishing, dinner on the beach and cultural visits to local villages.
Big ship cruises also stop off in Fiji. Paul Gauguin Cruises has an itinerary which takes in the hustle and bustle of Lautoka and the capital Suva with its interesting markets and museum, contrasting with the ultimate relaxation and stunning scenery to be found at Malolo Island in the Mamanucas and Savusavu in the Northern Islands. P&O Cruises also offers a cruise out of Southampton on the Aurora which takes in the port of Lautoka in Fiji where guests can take part in a range of on-shore excursions including diving, sailing, and village visits.
Cruising in Fiji isn’t just for the luxury traveller either, Awesome Adventures offers a hop on, hop off cruise around the Yasawa Islands for travelers wanting to combine a cruise with a stay in budget accommodation. And for dive enthusiasts the Sere-ni-Wai and Aggressor Fiji offer dive cruises visiting the many fantastic dive sites throughout the Fijian islands.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
