Blue Lagoon Cruises – Explorer Cruise – 3 Nights

The most memorable part of this three-night Fiji cruise is the way it links several island experiences without making you repack every morning. From Denarau, the Fiji Princess carries you toward Modriki, the Yasawas, and Naukacuvu, with beaches, snorkeling, village visits, and meals handled along the way.

I like the included shore activities and the steady supply of food, tea, coffee, and water. I also like the choice of cabin decks, since you can spend more for an Orchid Deck cabin or choose the smaller Hibiscus Deck group. The main caution is price: at about $1,177.51 per person, this is a serious spend, and the cruise suits you best if convenience and a floating island base matter more than a bare-bones Fiji holiday.

Key points before you book

• Modriki gives the cruise a cinematic opening: The first anchorage is linked with the island seen in the film Cast Away, adding a fun bit of movie trivia to your first afternoon.
• Shark snorkeling depends on sea conditions: A secret reef location in the Yasawas may offer a swim with reef sharks, but this is not a guaranteed wildlife show.
• Sunday brings a local rhythm: The Naukacuvu stop may include a village church service, followed by a traditional Sunday roast lunch.
• Malamala can stretch Day 1: A pre-cruise beach-club visit includes a high-speed catamaran transfer and a FJD$50 food and beverage voucher.
• Every cabin has an external window: Orchid Deck offers 28 cabins across upper and middle decks, while Hibiscus Deck has four lower-deck cabins.
• The ship bundles many costs: Meals, selected activities, snorkeling gear, entertainment, water stations, and a departure-day minibar are included.

What three nights on the Fiji Princess really gives you

This is a compact island cruise for people with limited time. You leave from Port Denarau and spend three nights aboard the M.V. Fiji Princess, returning on the fourth day after a final morning on the water.

The value is not simply the bed and meals. You are paying to move between island groups while the ship handles the transport, daily schedule, shore excursions, and most ordinary onboard costs. That can save you the hassle of arranging separate transfers, boat trips, meals, and short stays in different parts of Fiji.

The trade-off is flexibility. A cruise timetable is not a private island-hopping plan. You follow the ship’s route and the conditions at sea. If you prefer to stay several nights in one village, choose your own beaches, or spend a whole day on a single reef, a land-based trip may suit you better.

The cruise has 32 cabins, and cabin allocation is provided at check-in. All have private facilities and external windows, but the deck location and bed arrangement can differ. Orchid Deck has the largest selection, including upper and middle deck cabins. Hibiscus Deck has four cabins on the lower deck.

Day 1: From Port Denarau to Modriki

Your cruise begins at Port Denarau, the main launch point for this trip. The Fiji Princess sets a course for the outer Mamanucas, and the first overnight anchorage is Modriki Island. The day’s itinerary also identifies the stop as Monuriki, so check the final cruise information if the exact island name matters to you.

The movie connection gives this first stop a little extra character. Modriki is associated with Cast Away, the Tom Hanks film, and that detail adds a simple talking point as you look toward the island from the water or step ashore.

The schedule allows up to 12 hours at this first stop, which is more useful than a rushed photo stop. You have time to settle into ship life, join the scheduled activities, and get your first taste of Fiji’s outer islands.

For the best start, keep a small day bag with swimwear, sun protection, and anything you need before your main luggage reaches the cabin. This is especially useful if you add Moments at Malamala, the optional pre-cruise visit available to people booking the three-night cruise.

Making the most of Moments at Malamala

Malamala Beach Club is offered before you join the Fiji Princess. After checking in your luggage at Port Denarau, you take only a day pack on a 25-minute high-speed catamaran ride to the club.

For people staying in Nadi, Wailoaloa, or Denarau, the transfer leaves Port Denarau at 9:30 a.m. and arrives at 10 a.m. For Coral Coast, Natadola, Momi Bay, and Sonaisali visitors, departure is listed at 10 a.m., arriving at 10:30 a.m.

You spend the day using the club facilities, then a tender boat takes you directly to the cruise ship at about 3:30 p.m. Your luggage is placed in the cabin for arrival. The FJD$50 per adult food and beverage voucher helps soften the extra cost, though this add-on makes Day 1 longer and more structured.

I would choose Malamala if you are already near Denarau and want a beach-club day before the ship leaves. I would skip it if you need a quiet start, have a long transfer from elsewhere, or prefer to get aboard early and unpack.

Day 2: Yasawa beaches and a possible shark swim

Day 2 takes you into the Yasawa Islands. You can step ashore for a swim or walk along the beach before or after breakfast, giving you a useful choice between an early outing and a slower start.

The most unusual activity is a possible swim with reef sharks at a secret reef location. The important phrase is sea conditions permitting. This is a nature-based activity, not a guaranteed encounter, and conditions may affect whether it goes ahead.

That uncertainty is part of the value and part of the limitation. You get a chance to see reef wildlife in its setting, but you should not book the cruise solely for a shark sighting. Bring a calm attitude and enjoy the snorkeling even if the conditions do not allow the shark stop.

Snorkeling gear is included, as are the ship’s other water-sports facilities. The ship also has a swimming pool, so you have a backup if you want water time without heading ashore.

The Yasawa day is long, listed at about 20 hours, which gives the island more room to breathe than a quick port call. Still, your exact time in the water depends on the ship’s schedule and the sea.

Fijian cooking and a closer look at local life

The cruise includes a Fijian cooking lesson, one of the more useful cultural activities in the program. Food demonstrations can easily become passive entertainment, but a cooking lesson gives you something practical to take home: an understanding of local ingredients, preparation, and the role of food in daily life.

You also visit a remote Yasawa Island village. This is the part of the cruise to approach with respect and attention. A village visit is not just another scenic stop. Listen to the instructions, dress appropriately, and remember that you are entering a lived-in community rather than a staged attraction.

The itinerary includes guided shore excursions and entrance fees where shown, so you do not need to budget separately for the listed activities. It does not specify every village protocol or the name of the cooking instructor, so do not expect a detailed personal guide profile before departure.

Day 3: Naukacuvu, church, and Sunday lunch

The third day centers on Naukacuvu Island, with Narara also part of the route. Sunday has a different pace in Fiji, and the program reflects that with an opportunity to attend a village church service after breakfast.

This is optional, and that matters. If attending a service is not right for you, you can use the morning for another activity, subject to the ship’s schedule. If you do attend, dress modestly and treat the service as a community event, not a performance arranged for a cruise timetable.

The ship then cruises south toward Naukacuvu and Narara while you enjoy a traditional Sunday roast lunch. The meal gives the day a home-style note after the earlier village experience.

The stop is listed at about 18 hours, so there is time for a beach visit, swimming, or a quiet spell aboard. A cruise can sometimes feel busy, with one activity following another. This day offers a welcome change of rhythm.

Day 4: A final swim before returning to Denarau

The last morning starts with a chance to snorkel, swim, or kayak. If you want one more water activity, this is your final practical opportunity before the return journey.

After breakfast, the ship cruises toward the Sacred Isles. You then have a buffet lunch before transferring to a high-speed catamaran for the trip back to Port Denarau.

The listed Port Denarau stop is only five minutes, which means the final port call is a transfer point rather than a sightseeing stop. Plan your onward arrangements with care. Hotel drop-off after the cruise is not included, so you must arrange your own post-cruise transport.

The high-speed catamaran transfer is useful because it gets you back to Denarau efficiently. It also means the end of the cruise feels like a transport change rather than a long final sail.

Cabins, decks, and what the fare includes

All 32 cabins have private facilities and external windows. That is a meaningful comfort on a small ship, though window size, deck position, and bed layout vary.

Orchid Deck has 28 cabins. On the upper deck, nine have queen beds, while three have either a queen bed or two single beds. The middle deck has 16 cabins, including 12 with queen beds and four with either a queen or two singles. Four middle-deck cabins include a small single day bed suitable only for a child under five.

Hibiscus Deck has four lower-deck cabins. Two have queen beds, and two offer either a queen or two single beds.

Your actual cabin is allocated at check-in, so bed preferences are not fully guaranteed from the information provided. If you are traveling with a partner or child, confirm the available configuration before paying.

The fare includes:

• Three breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners
• Morning and afternoon teas
• Sparkling wine with breakfast
• Tea and coffee in the main dining area around the clock
• Artesian mineral water stations on each deck
• Snorkeling gear and use of the swimming pool and guest library
• Guided shore trips, entrance fees, and listed activities
• Scheduled cruise entertainment
• Wi-Fi in the lounge bar and outdoor deck areas when within range
• A departure-day cabin minibar with two Fiji beer brands, soft drinks, French sparkling wine, cookies, snacks, and water
• A beach tote, sarong, and reusable drink bottle

That package is generous by the standards of a short cruise. The minibar is not replenished as part of the listed inclusions, and drinks beyond the included items are extra. Diving, sports fishing, spa services, and spa products are also not included.

Is $1,177.51 per person good value?

At about $1,177.51 per person, you should compare this with the full cost of a land-based Fiji trip, not just the price of a hotel room. The cruise includes accommodation, three meals each day, scheduled activities, island transport, snorkeling equipment, entertainment, and several small extras.

The fare makes more sense if you value simple planning. You pay once for a route that reaches the Mamanuca and Yasawa areas, and you do not need to book a separate boat for every island stop.

It makes less sense if you will not use the excursions, eat little onboard, or prefer independent travel. Some people may find the price high for the cabin size and fixed schedule. The cruise also has a non-refundable cancellation policy, so you should be certain about your dates before booking.

An overall rating of 4.5 from 21 ratings points to a generally strong experience, but the price has drawn serious criticism from at least one long-time repeat customer who felt the cruise did not match the cost. I would take that warning seriously if you have sailed on small tropical ships before and expect a highly polished, spacious vessel.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend the Fiji Princess to you if you have only four days, want several island stops, and prefer having meals and activities arranged. It also suits people who like a social ship setting, guided outings, and a mix of beach time and cultural visits.

Families should study the cabin layout carefully, especially if you need a separate bed. The listed day bed in four Orchid middle-deck cabins is suitable only for a child under five.

This is also a good match for people who want a gentle introduction to Fiji beyond the resort zone. The village visit, church option, cooking lesson, and local meal give the trip more substance than a simple beach transfer.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed shark sightings, unlimited Wi-Fi, private control over your daily schedule, or a large luxury cabin. Sea conditions can change the program, and Wi-Fi is only available in certain areas when the ship is within range.

Pickup is offered, and complimentary seat-in-coach transfers are available before the cruise for Monday and Friday departures. Hotel drop-off afterward is not included. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability, and the operator recommends a moderate level of physical fitness.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon Explorer Cruise?

Book it if your priority is seeing several Fiji islands in a short, tidy package. The strongest reasons are the included meals and gear, the Yasawa village visit, the chance of shark snorkeling, and the ease of having your cabin, boat transport, and daily plan in one place.

Think twice if the $1,177.51 price would bother you every time you notice a small cabin, a fixed departure, or an activity changed by weather. This is not a cheap way to sample Fiji, but it can be a fair value for a short cruise with many costs already covered.

My practical choice would be an Orchid Deck cabin if cabin location matters to you, with a written check of bed configuration before departure. Add Malamala only if you want a full first day near Denarau. Pack a day bag, expect the shark swim to depend on the sea, and treat the village and church visits with the same courtesy you would want in your own community.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Port Denarau Marina on Denarau Island, Fiji.

How long is the Explorer Cruise?

The experience lasts approximately four days and includes three nights aboard the Fiji Princess.

What meals are included?

Three breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners are included, along with morning and afternoon teas.

Is sparkling wine included?

Yes. Sparkling wine is offered with breakfast each day.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with access to the ship’s swimming pool and other onboard facilities.

Can I swim with reef sharks?

The itinerary offers a possible swim with reef sharks at a secret reef location in the Yasawa Islands, but it depends on sea conditions.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the lounge bar and outdoor deck areas when the ship is within Wi-Fi range.

What cabin types are available?

There are 32 cabins with private facilities and external windows. Orchid Deck has upper and middle deck cabins, while Hibiscus Deck has four lower-deck cabins. Bed layouts include queen beds, two singles, and some limited child day-bed arrangements.

Is the Malamala Beach Club visit included?

Moments at Malamala is available to people booking a three-night or seven-night cruise. It includes a FJD$50 per adult food and beverage voucher, with a high-speed catamaran transfer before joining the Fiji Princess.

What is not included in the cruise?

Diving, sports fishing, spa treatments and products, drinks beyond the listed inclusions, and hotel drop-off after the cruise are not included.