Tips for planning and enjoying a Fijian cruise 

It’s hard to imagine anything more idyllic than cruising the azure South Pacific where solitary palm trees sway to the trade winds on a pure white beaches. It’s the stuff of fantasy, the fodder of daydreams – but on a cruise in Fiji, those dreams become reality.

Fiji, with its scattering of islands dotted around the South Pacific, is like something from a bygone time. This friendly nation moves at its own pace, subscribing to the uber-holiday vibe of ‘island time’ where no one seems to be in any sort of hurry – and can you blame them?
For many travellers, Fiji is an accessible tropical destination. It sits in that Goldilocks zone where it isn’t too far, too expensive, too out of your comfort zone, too hot, too intense or in too much of a hurry to grow up. 

For those fortunate enough to visit Fiji by cruise ship, you're even luckier. Cruises allow you to island hop like a Polynesian explorer, where you can soak in the best of what this tiny nation has to offer without the challenges of sorting it out on your own.

Travel to Fiji: by air or by sea?

Those keen to explore Fiji by cruise ship have many options and plenty of different approaches to this journey. You have the choice of starting your journey in Fiji or from further afield. This means that you can fly to Fiji and board your ship there or set sail closer to home and arrive via sea.

For Australian travellers, flying from home and setting sail once you get to Fiji means that you can maximise your island time and concentrate on beaches and village visits and not the open sea. There are plenty of cruise options that start and end in Fiji – from day trips to multi-day excursions.

If you’d rather have the true ‘ocean explorer’ feel to your holiday, you could board the ship in Australia and sail across the seas to Fiji – this ocean journey will take about two and half days. Likewise, you can start your cruise in New Zealand, so if you want to combine a holiday across the ditch with a Fijian cruise, that option is available too.

When to go

The temperature in Fiji is pretty consistent year-round. A delightful 26°C to 31°C serves as the perfect winter tonic when southerly winds batter Melbourne commuters and provides just the right amount of heat in the summer months. Fiji has two not-very-distinct seasons – summer and winter. 

Summer (from November to April) is characterised by warmer temperatures and frequent afternoon rain showers. These rains rarely last long and are quite refreshing! Winter, which runs from May to October, is slightly cooler but distinctly drier. You might need a light jacket for the evenings, but you can expect it to be much drier than summer

What to bring on a Fiji cruise 

Fiji is the epitome of relaxation. The island lifestyle permeates everything and everyone from a cab driver to the Prime Minister will spend most days in a floral shirt and shorts. Embrace the vibe and leave the formal wear at home.

Essentials

• Light clothing – dressing lightly will protect you from the sun and help keep you cool on those hot days.
• Beachwear – Fiji is world renowned for some of the best beaches anywhere, and not spending some time on the sand would almost be a crime.
• Travel umbrella – in summer months those afternoon rain showers can catch you out if you aren’t prepared. Likewise, when the mercury soars that same umbrella is your portable palm tree shade.
• A sense of adventure – Fiji has some amazing cultural experiences like Kava ceremonies and some of the best snorkelling around – don’t pass up on these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities! 

Customs and Culture

Fiji has a rich Polynesian culture that has stretched unbroken for thousands of years into the past. These ancient mariners and village-living peoples have continued these traditions into the twenty-first century. There are ample opportunities to connect to this culture and it is highly recommended. Your cruise will offer you the chance to experience this beautiful indigenous culture in several ways - here are some of the highlights:

Kava

This traditional drink is about as Fijian as you can get. Consuming kava is less about quenching thirst and more about tradition, ceremony and social connection. Kava is made from the dried roots of the plant by the same name. It is pounded into a powder and then mixed with water. It’s then consumed out of a coconut shell while sitting cross-legged in a ceremony amongst friends. To say that it’s an acquired taste is a bit of an understatement, but this is less about something tasty and more a timeless experience. A surprising, but perhaps delightful, effect of Kava is that it is a mild sedative. Something to keep in mind before indulging!

Lovo

Firewalking

Walking on hot coals has become a real showstopper for motivational speakers and daredevils – but its origin is right here in Fiji. It may sound like something dreamed up in a charcoal factory and a footwear marketing room – but walking on hot coals has been a tradition here for centuries. Try to catch a show while you’re in Fiji – it will be a spectacle you won’t forget in a hurry. 

Ports

Suva

Fiji's capital and its largest city – Suva is as cosmopolitan as Fiji gets. If you have shopping on your itinerary or are keen to visit some museums – Suva is the place. Don’t forget, Fiji isn’t that big of a place so even though Suva may be a city stop, beaches and jungles are never that far away.

Lautoka