Most people who sail with Blue Lagoon describe it as “magical” and sing praises of onboard staff and Fijian warm hospitality.
But those expecting a luxury experience on a boutique cruise may be disappointed. You’ll have a five-star experience if you’re hoping for stunning natural beauty and days spent lazing on the beach — not if you’re expecting white-glove butler service.
Amy Stoltenberg is a staff writer covering all things travel, shopping and lifestyle. After earning a BA at Savannah College of Art and Design, she worked as technical designer in corporate fashion before opting for a career with unlimited travel time. When her laptop's closed, you can find her wandering around Los Angeles looking for hole-in-the-wall eateries and plotting her way to all 50 states (she's currently at 28).
Expert review
If Fiji has always been on your bucket list — and movies like Castaway and Blue Lagoon captured your imagination — Blue Lagoon’s cruises will delight. You’ll get to visit exotic islands straight out of your dreamiest daydreams.
Along the way, you can kayak, scuba dive, and visit local villages to get an authentic taste of traditional Fijian life. The staff is friendly, the vibe is relaxed — and many people say a cruise with Blue Lagoon is the best vacation they’ve ever had.
That said, it’s not a luxury cruise. So your cabin won’t necessarily be updated or brand-spanking-new, and the crew isn’t there to heed your beck and call.
Also, understand that your daily itinerary may be affected by the weather. If it’s too windy, you might not be able to partake in all the activities you’d hoped to try. Of course, this is the case with any cruise, but a handful of disgruntled online reviews indicate that it’s worth a reminder.
About the Blue Lagoon cruise ship
Blue Lagoon Cruises has only one vessel — the M.V. Fiji Princess. With 34 air-conditioned cabins and a maximum capacity of 68 guests, it feels more like a yacht than a cruise ship. The line claims that the Fiji Princess is “small enough to tie off to a coconut tree.” Whether or not that’s technically true, the ship is small enough to visit bays and coves that larger cruise ships aren’t able to access.
The atmosphere on board is relaxed and casual, without a dress code. Chances are high that you’ll be on first-name basis with the crew by the end of the cruise.
Where do Blue Lagoon’s cruises depart from?
All Blue Lagoon cruises depart from Port Denarau on Denarau Island in Fiji. Denarau Island is seamlessly connected to Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu, by bridge.
From Fiji Nadi International Airport (MAC), it’s just a 20- to 30-minute drive to the port.
Blue Lagoon cruise destinations
Blue Lagoon’s cruises sail to the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands in the South Pacific, slightly off the western edge of Viti Levu. These include:
Blue Lagoon
Drawaqa Island
Malamala Beach Club
Modriki Island
Naukacuvu
Port Denarau
Sawa-I-Lau
Soso Bay
The Sacred Islands
Yalobi Bay
Blue Lagoon Fiji cruise prices
Blue Lagoon has three different options for your Fiji cruise. We’ve laid ’em out below, noting the islands visited and the prices:
Cruise name
Cruise length
Islands visited
Cruise price
Escape to Paradise
Seven nights
Modriki Island
Soso Bay
Naukacuvu Island
Yalobi Bay
Blue Lagoon
Sawa-I-Lau Island
Drawaqa Island
From $2,719 per person
Wanderer Cruise
Four nights
Yalobi Bay
Blue Lagoon
Sawa-I-Lau Island
Drawaqa Island
From $1,679 per person
Explorer Cruise
Three nights
Modriki Island
Soso Bay
Naukacuvu Island
From $1,259 per person
You can save 25% on your Blue Lagoon cruise by booking at least six months ahead of time.
Prices obtained from bluelagooncruises.com in January 2020.
What’s included on a Blue Lagoon cruise?
You’ll enjoy:
Breakfast, lunch and dinner — plus afternoon tea
Non-alcoholic drinks
Shore excursions
Non-motorized rental equipment like kayaks and scuba gear
Wi-Fi in areas of mobile coverage
Complimentary transfers from the airport or select hotels
Gratuities are not required. But in lieu of tipping, Blue Lagoon Cruises adds an automatic donation to Vinaka Fiji Trust onto each passenger’s account at the end of your cruise — about $47 for three- and four-day cruisers and $70 for seven-day cruisers.
The money aids the 27 island villages that live below international standards of health and poverty. You can decline or adjust this sum as you please.
Why you should — or shouldn’t — cruise with Blue Lagoon Cruises
Here are some pros and cons to consider while you’re deciding whether or not to book that Blue Lagoon cruise:
Pros
Unique itineraries truly showcase Fiji’s beauty.
All activities are included in your fare.
Spend less time sailing — more time on the islands.
Free of single-use plastics, as of April 2020.
Beer and wine bottles are recycled with a cool machine that crushes them into sand.
Cons
Alcoholic drinks are not included.
Ships have fewer amenities than larger cruise lines.
Cabins can feel old and outdated.
Limited onboard entertainment options
Frequently asked questions
If you’re OK with paying more to have a room to yourself, then the Blue Lagoon cruise experience could be wonderful. However, you’ll need to pay the double occupancy fare — it doesn’t have a program that can pair you with another single, and it doesn’t offer single rooms.
But book a cruise any time between Nov. 1 through March 31 to take advantage of its special reduced rates for single travelers.
If you book more than 60 days in advance, you’ll only have to pay a 10% deposit to reserve your spot. Payment in full is due within 60 days of cruise departure.
Fiji is in the Pacific Ocean, directly east of Australia and north of New Zealand.
Flying from the west coast of the US is the fastest route.
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