Fiji

FIJI – including 3 night Blue Lagoon Cruise

In October 2016, I was lucky enough to attend an itravel Agent Familiarisation Trip to Fiji.
We flew out of Sydney with Fiji Airways directly into Nadi. On arrival, we were met and transferred to our first hotel.
Our first night on the trip was spent at DoubleTree by Hilton Sonaisali Island which is roughly 30-40 minutes’ drive from the Airport. I spent the night in a Double Queen Guest Room which had a small balcony that lead straight to the beach. The rooms are very spacious and the staff at the hotel were friendly and always happy to help. The following morning we all headed to the buffet restaurant for breakfast which is right beside the pool with great views over the beach. On check-out, we were transferred to the Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Denarau Island.

When we arrived at the Radisson Blu we were warmly welcomed and shown around the fabulous family resort. This resort has numerous pools, a great Kid’s Club called Blu Banana and the option to use their water sport equipment. We then came together for a beautiful lunch at their beautiful Chantara Thai Restaurant before heading to Port Denarau to board our 3 night Blue Lagoon Cruise.

On arrival at Port Denarau, we met with the Blue Lagoon Cruise staff who checked us in and then showed us to the ship. We cruised on the Fiji Princess for their “4 Day/3 Night Explorer Cruise”. The ship accommodates 68 passengers (34 air-conditioned cabins). My cabin was on Middle Orchid Deck and, like all cabins onboard, featured a window with Ocean Views. The staff onboard were wonderful – nothing was ever a problem for them. It was an excellent way to see some of the outer islands in Fiji.

Cruise Itinerary from Blue Lagoon Cruises website:-
Friday – 1st Night: Modriki Island
Bula and welcome aboard Blue Lagoon Cruises! Set sail aboard Fiji Princess as we head out from Denarau Marina for the outer Mamanauca Islands. Our first destination is at Modriki Island as seen in the Tom Hanks’ movie ‘Cast Away’. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and canapes prior to the Captain’s Welcome dinner. Entertainment provided by our talented singing, dancing, guitar-playing crew.
Anchorage MODRIKI ISLAND

Saturday – 2nd Night: Soso Bay
Enjoy a swim or wander along the beach before or after breakfast. Sea conditions permitting, swim with the sharks or view from a glass bottom boat. Visit the chiefly village of Soso, a current day Fijian island village. Ease into the evening with drinks on the sundeck, followed by a traditional Indian Thali dinner. This evening may turn into and extravaganza of Bollywood dancing complete with Bollywood movies.
Anchorage SOSO BAY, NAVITI ISLAND

Sunday – 3rd Night: Naukacuvu Island
Sunday in Fiji is respected as a day of rest so we pretty much follow suit. Start with a village Church service, followed by a traditional Sunday roast for lunch. Partake in a Fijian cooking lesson, making a traditional recipe. Buffet dinner of Fijian cuisine along with a choice of European dishes. ‘Fiji style’ bingo is held after dinner for lots of laughs.
Anchorage NAUKACUVU ISLANDS

Monday – Sacred Isles
Start the day with an early morning snorkel, swim or kayak trip. Breakfast cruising to the stunning Sacred Isles. Enjoy a buffet lunch onboard, overlooking the scene of paradise, before preparing for your departure. Farewell rendezvous with our high-speed catamaran for your private transfer to Port Denarau.

At the conclusion of our cruise, we were transferred to the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort on the Coral Coast for the second last night on our trip. This resort is another great family resort. We stayed in an Ocean View Room which looked over the top of all the palm trees within the resort to the beach. Dinner at the Sundowner Bar and Grill is a must – the views over the water as the sun sets is incredible and the food is amazing. The resort also offers a great Buffet Breakfast at Vale Ni Kana until 10:30 am. After a tour of the resort facilities (including the Beachfront Bures, Pool areas and the Bebe Spa that overlooks the entire resort from Vakalomalagi Hill) we were transferred back to Denarau for our final night.

Our final night in Fiji was spent at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa – a fantastic resort where each room features a view of the ocean. It has a large lagoon style pool and a great buffet restaurant. In the evening, cultural dancers put on a show for all those dining in the restaurant which is then followed by a fire dancing show on the beach.

An early rise on our last morning to meet our flight meant breakfast on the go. We were transferred back to Nadi Airport in time to meet our Fiji Airways flight back to Sydney.

What a great experience seeing a lot Fiji in such a small amount of time. Fiji has so much to offer and I can’t wait to hopefully return one day.