Cruise Overview
With only three scheduled cruises for 2010, this world first itinerary takes passengers on an incredible journey through the rich history and diverse cultures of the Fiji Islands. The 7 Day/6 Night Historical and Cultural Gold cruise ventures off the beaten track to the international dateline and the northeast tip of the Fiji Islands. Experience three different South Pacific cultures; Melanesian, Micronesian and Polynesian, while exploring remote island locations, some never visited by commercial vessels before. Resident experts travel with this special cruise to provide you with a truly unique perspective on the history of the Polynesian Fijians (Kioa Islanders), the Micronesian Fijians (Rabi Islanders) and the Melanesian Fijians and the now local Indian community.
Day 1 - North East Viti Levu
Final check-in time is 8:30am at our pre-boarding lounge in Lautoka, for a 10:00am departure from the wharf. We depart, cruising north east, up the coast of Viti Levu. Against this backdrop of island scenery, complimentary champagne and hors d’oeuvres are served on the Sky Deck as the sun sets. Tonight a superb four course a la carte dinner is served, with a wide selection of wines available from the ships cellar. Island songs from the crew complete this first memorable evening anchored in the lee of Viti Levu.
Day 2 - Savusavu-Vanua Levu
Often referred to as Fiji’s Hidden Paradise, Savusavu appears to be much the same as it was 30 years ago. Founded before the Deed of Cession, Savusavu was originally established as a center for sailing ships trading in sandalwood, beche-de-mer and copra. Savusavu continues to be a copra town with a processing mill in Balaga Bay at the very bottom of Savusavu Bay. Between the creek and main street is the Copra Shed which was built in 1917 by the Savusavu Planter’s Co-operative Association and later taken over by Morris Hedstrom as a trading store. The renovated Copra Shed still exists today as the main facility for the Copra Shed Marina. We spend the day in Savusavu, with a visit to the J Hunter Pearl farm and the afternoon spent at Weena Estate just a short distance from Savusavu where there is time to swim and snorkel at this beautiful property.
Day 3 - Taveuni- Garden Island of Fiji
Breakfast is served onboard and then we head ashore for a visit to the Catholic Mission and the 180th Meridian. Taveuni is especially noteworthy of its diversity of bird life. It is the home of the Orange Dove. The island is wholly volcanic in origin (the most recent volcanic activity was 2000 years ago) and has a uniform backbone of volcanic cones forming a 900 meter high ridge which stretches for more than 16 km. We have a picnic lunch in a coconut grove and in the afternoon take a short and easy walk to the famous Bouma Falls, where you can cool off in the clear fresh water. After this experience a traditional Fijian afternoon tea before we head back onboard. Tonight our dinner theme is Tali Buffet Dinner with a variety of exotic curries and condiments to tantalize your taste buds.
Day 4 - Kioa's Polynesians and Rabi's Banabans
Since 1946, when it was purchased by the Ellice Islands, Kioa has been home to 300 Polynesians from Vaitupu Island, Tuvalu (the former Ellice Islands) who faced overpopulation on their own home island. At Kioa Island we are met by a small fleet of outrigger canoes paddled by Kioa islanders in traditional costumes, so have camera’s ready to capture this unique experience. Rabi hasn’t caught up with the last century yet, let alone this one. An island off the south eastern coast of Vanua Levu, with four villages and about 4000 inhabitants, Rabi doesn’t have a resort, a hotel, a restaurant or anything resembling tourism infrastructure. In 1941, the British government purchased Rabi Island to serve as a new home for the Micronesian Banabans of Ocean Island (Banaba) in Kiribati, whose home island was being ravaged by phosphate mining. The 180th Meridian Dateline cuts through both Uma and Tabiang villages. Having received special permission to visit the Micronesian Banabans from the chairman of the Rabi Island Council, morning tea and lunch is served on the beach where there is the opportunity to go swimming and snorkeling. We rejoin the vessel and depart for Tabiang Village where passengers can go ashore for a guided tour of a traditional Banaban village and Micronesian cultural show. There is also time to enjoy the beach and water. After the visit we round Udu point to anchor overnight at Tilagica Bay - a great fishing spot!!
Day 5 – Macuata Coast
(Exact itinerary for this day to be confirmed)
We arrive as breakfast is being served whilst enroute to a village off the Macuata Coast. These islands in Macuata do not see much commercial vessels and never experience tourism this far up north. We will be visiting a village and school in Macuata after a traditional welcome ceremony by the islanders. In the late morning, as morning tea is served, we set sail for an island where we will have a picnic lunch . There is time to go swimming and snorkeling around the beautiful beach areas of the island. Late lunch is served onboard as we set sail for Nanuya Lailai, crossing the stretch of water between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu known as Bligh Waters. Bligh waters is named after Captian William Bligh of "The Mutiny on the Bounty" fame. We also pass through Yadua Passage, well known as famous fishing spot. In 1789, Captain Bligh and his officers performed their famous feat of seamanship and endurance by rowing their long boat between these two main islands.
Day 6 – Nanuya Lailai
Light continental breakfast is served . On your first morning in this paradise go ashore to our own private island Nanuya Lailai, known around the world as the Blue Lagoon. After a champagne brunch, a variety of activities await you including sail boarding , coral viewing, spy boarding, paddle boards, fish feeding, fishing, sunbathing, snorkeling and for the more energetic, volleyball with the crew. Brunch turns to lunch as the day progresses, so book your hammock or your beach massage for later. Tonight is island night. A Lovo feast is prepared in an underground oven. After dinner, a beach party captures the spirit and romance of the South Pacific.
Day 7 – Homeward bound
After an early morning swim the anchor is lifted for the last time as the Captain sets a course for Lautoka during breakfast. Later in the morning, refreshments are served as the Fiji Princess cruises through the Yasawa islands to arrive at Lautoka wharf at noon. Your last memories of this extraordinary experience are the haunting lyrics of Fiji’s farewell song “Isa Lei” sung by your crew.
Please note children under 15 are not permitted on the Historcial and Cultural Cruise.
This itinerary as published serves as a guide only. Blue Lagoon Cruises Limited reserves the absolute right to cancel, amend or reschedule any cruise vessel, cruise itinerary, shore excursion or any other service necessary in the interests of operational necessity and/or passengers’ safety and/or well being.