The only expedition cruise taking you off-grid in Fiji
Go off-grid with Captain Cook Fiji.
| THIS ARTICLE WAS CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Captain Cook Fiji |
Step aboard the only next-level expedition cruise line to visit the off-grid untouched wonders and magnificent islands of the real Fiji.
When you think of holidaying in Fiji, it’s likely your mind is transported to white-sand beaches, bures hidden among palm trees, some of the best snorkelling and surfing sites in the world, and the smiling faces of locals. But what if you could have all those things without sharing them with your neighbour’s best friend’s uncle?
With more Australians holidaying in Fiji than any other nationality, chances are you’ve been there at least once – or know someone who has. It’s likely, however, you’ve stuck to the popular main island of Viti Levu, or headed to the Mamanuca or Yasawa islands. As beautiful as these destinations are, Fiji has much more to offer if you’re willing to go further afield and into the remote corners of this friendly nation.
The new MS Caledonian Sky.
You can do exactly that with trusted operator Captain Cook Cruises Fiji when you join their Remote North Discovery Cruise and other itineraries aboard their new luxury ship, MS Caledonian Sky. Captain Cook Cruises is an iconic tourism business in Fiji, and now it’s leading the way in small-ship luxury expedition cruising to the archipelago.
Fiji’s unexplored remote north and Lau Islands
When setting sail with Captain Cook Cruises Fiji you can expect a more intimate experience on adventure-style voyages, entering into shallow bays that larger vessels can’t access. This not only means passengers are stepping foot on islands rarely visited by tourists, but that the interactions with villagers are also genuine, enriching and meaningful.
Experience meaningful moments with the locals.
On Makogai Island, for example, you’ll join local children in a village hall as they perform hymns in their Sunday best. You’ll then discover the island’s fascinating history (it was once a leper colony) and tour the island’s graveyard, where thick jungle marches toward headstones, before rounding out your visit with a snorkel over giant clams not far from the shore.
Another trip highlight is calling into Levuka, the original capital of Fiji in the 1870s. This now sleepy town on the island of Ovalau is a gem not to be missed, offering visitors a glimpse into Fiji’s colonial past. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, and there’s plenty of time for cruise passengers to wander around the peeling weatherboard buildings and easily imagine what it was like when sea cucumber traders, whalers, sailors and missionaries drifted in and out with the tide.
Step onto the exquisite Tivua Island.
If you still want plenty of sand and sun but with fewer tourists, you can find it on Tivua Private Island. This coral cay may be located in the Mamanuca group but it’s owned by Captain Cook Cruises, so you can expect to share it with only your fellow passengers and staff. Swim or snorkel in the calm aqua water while searching for blue sea stars, or throw a towel down on the soft beach and enjoy entertainment by the ship’s crew. Captain Cook Cruises Fiji has also announced a new half-day exclusive experience to Tivua, which includes Champagne, a private cabana and biologist-led activities.
Along with the Remote North Discovery Cruise, there are also itineraries to the eastern Lau Islands, where you can go off-grid to explore the lagoons of Qilaqila (also known as the Bay of Islands) and uninhabited Vuaqava Island.
Luxury cruising in Fiji
Captain Cook Cruises’ award-winning fleet can easily navigate remote islands and reefs, offering a kind of luxury that surpasses hotel butlers and private plunge pools. You’ll have access to areas rarely visited by the kaftan-wearing crowd, as well as cultural immersion that goes far beyond a pop-up market in an over-run port (an unnervingly common feature of large cruise itineraries). The service is intimate, and by the end of the cruise you’ll have not only made friends with other travellers but also with the bubbly staff.
Enjoy luxury service on the sun-kissed
top deck.
The classic MV Reef Endeavour will sail until November, at which time MS Caledonian Sky will replace her, heralding a new age of luxury for the company. Onboard features include deluxe suites with private balconies, while more dining options, extra staff, higher levels of service and an enhanced expedition team of marine biologists, cultural experts and ocean ambassadors will elevate the experience. As for the itineraries, you can expect to continue to journey into little-known parts of Fiji, including the unexplored Lau Islands, as well as Tonga and Samoa.
The details
You can travel the Remote North Discovery Cruise aboard two ships: the iconic MV Reef Endeavour (until November 2023) and the new MS Caledonian Sky, sailing from Nadi.
There is a suite of itineraries, with two new seven-day journeys to southern or northern Lau and Kadavu island groups launching for the 2024/25 season. There are also two new 14-night itineraries slated for 2024/25; one lets you visit the Southern Lau islands before swimming with whales during their migration in Tonga, while the other will see you explore the Northern Lau group and the outer islands of Samoa.
Rates on MS Caledonian Sky start from $3297 per person for a three-night itinerary and from $7693 per person for seven-night cruises.
Visit spectacular lagoons and reefs.
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