Fiji Yasawa Island Cruise
Check-in to the cruise was efficient and relaxed at the same time, we waited around the port area for our tender to take us to the ship moored offshore. We boarded the ship, which doubled as the glass bottom boat, and mass transport tender, after a short trip we were welcomed aboard the ship for lunch. The ship was the MV Reef Endeavour, capacity was 130, and on this trip we had around 65 fellow passengers, so there was never any fear of being crowded.
We chose this cruise to see the Yasawa islands, but also to notch up some dives in a new and interesting part of the world. There is a resident dive leader on board, we contacted him, and as we had limited flight weight allowance, we were issued with mask, snorkel and fins for the whole trip, free of charge, as was every other passenger who required them. We signed up for a package of 10 dives, at sites to be decided, but the prospect of seeing abundant coral reefs, shoal fish, sharks and rays was too good to miss.
Meals on the ship take varying forms, a split between buffet style, and a-la- carte type with waiter service and dedicated seating. Tables sat 6 or 8 and the staff always ensured the passengers mixed with each other, before long we were acquainted with everyone. Life on board was very relaxed, most days consisted of a tender to a nearby island beach for relaxation and swimming, or snorkelling from the boat, followed by a tour of the reef on the glass bottom boat. All timed so that if you really wanted to, you could manage all three.
We had our first dive on our first morning, we joined our dive master and two other passengers to visit 'The Supermarket' a well known shark spotting reef in Fiji. On our dive briefing we expected to make a shallow dive, and then go deeper to go shark hunting. It didn't quite turn out like that, on submersion we quickly realised that we didn't have to go dive deeper to see sharks, they were all around us. White Tip Reef Sharks and Grey Reef Sharks cruised the reef not far away, but more wary of us, than us of them, they kept away, except for one brave Grey who snuck up on our dive leader, but a rapid arm wave sent it away. The coral was alive and bright, and there was so much fish activity, you didn't know where to look next. A great first dive, topped off with the sighting of a juvenile humpback whale on the way back to the ship. Happy divers!
During the cruise we visited several small islands, and the communities that live on them. We spent time at a boarding school, where the children come form miles around, over the hills to spend sunday-thursday nights at the school. The children were very friendly, selecting a couple of passengers each to proudly show off their school and dorms. We spent time with 8-9 year olds, who could speak perfect english, and had great hopes of becoming teachers and doctors when they leave school. Really struck home how lucky we all are by comparison.
We quickly settled into life on board, the food was good, especially the fish dishes offered. The drinks were reasonable, and (free) tea and coffee were available 24 x 7 in the lounges. Most days the ship docked all day and would weigh anchor and sail to the next destination during the night, seas were calm and you barely knew you were moving. As part of the cruise we visited Qalito Island where Castaway was filmed and Nacula Island, where Blue Lagoon (the Brooke Shields version) was filmed.
Most of the clients were Australian or New Zealanders, we were the token Brits and there was one Chinese family on this trip. The 7 night cruise is actually a 3 night and a 4 night bolted together. The main change day is after the 3 night cruise, so we made our way back to Port Denauru to dock, restock supplies and pick up new passengers. The crew perform a few songs of farewell before passengers disembark, quite emotional. If you are taking the 7 night cruise, the company lay on 3 options of daytrips around Fiji, all complementary. We chose to visit the Botanical gardens and Orchid Farm for a couple of hours, and all too quickly we were back on the ship, eating again.
The next few days had a familiar feel, get up check weather, is the dive going ahead, dive, and relax.
On the various dives, we experienced the most amazing coral, fish life, and to top it all, swam with three large Manta Rays, which was my personal highlight.
At breakfast one day, we were talking to a couple from Melbourne, the usual subjects were being discussed, inevitably we got around to travel and all the places visited. Then the lady says, "we have a lovely Travel Agent, you probably won't have heard of them, she's a Travel Counsellor, I nearly sprayed my tea over the table, as I produced my card....snap I said. Which just goes to show you never know who you are sitting with or speaking to at anytime.
The entertainment on board is all ran by the crew, they do their best to involve all passengers in the festivities. On our cruise, Manasa played guitar and sang most evenings, and around the pool, he also doubled up as chief tour guide when visiting the islands. We also watched the captain continue his triathlon training by swimming from ship to shore whenever possible.
All too soon the 7 days were over, we had experienced great diving, met some lovely people, both ships crew and passengers. Our flight was later in the afternoon, so after we disembarked , grabbed some lunch (you surely cant be hungry was heard a few times) and had a look around the ports shops, buying 'souvenirs' as my wife would say. Apparently now when you clothes shop on holiday it isn't clothes shopping, but souvenir shopping...madness. Gentlemen be warned !
If you are travelling to the Pacific Island region, I couldn't recommend more to take this cruise, it isn't grand, it isn't posh, which it makes it the best way to visit Fiji and all it has to offer.