Cruises to Fiji: What You Need to Know
Want to sample the glorious archipelago of Fiji, as well as a few other South Pacific Islands along the way? A cruise to Fiji is certainly a lavish way to go about it, getting to see the South Pacific from its best angle, the ocean. You’ll not only find Fiji on the itinerary of world-class cruises, but many cruises to Fiji incorporate two or even three ports of call to really make the most of the South Pacific’s friendliest islands. So use this guide to see which cruises sail to Fiji, as well as the five ports of call in Fiji, and what there is to do in each.
Note: This guide refers to international cruises departing from Australia, New Zealand and French Polynesia. For more advice on cruises within Fiji, see The Guide to Cruises Around Fiji.
Tips for Taking a Cruise to Fiji
- Look for cruises departing from Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland and Tahiti, which have the largest selection of cruises to Fiji
- Off the beach, make sure you wear knee-length shorts/skirts to respect local customs
- Book your shore excursions independently, which is much cheaper than booking on the ship – see our favourites in the 10 Best Fiji Shore Excursions
- Bring snorkelling equipment and swimwear on shore excursions
- Prepare for sea days – there’s a significant number of sea days on South Pacific cruises
- Car rental is available in Lautoka, Suva and Savusavu (with deliveries to Denarau) should you want to explore at your own pace
- Fiji is a year-round cruise destination, although you’ll find more rain-free days between May and October – learn more about the seasons in Fiji here.
© Pxhere.comCruises That Go to Fiji
When planning your cruise getaway, you’re going to want to know which cruise itineraries feature Fiji. Cruises to Fiji depart from Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland and Tahiti.
Cruises from Sydney
One of many P&O Australia cruises to Fiji departs and ends in Sydney, calling at Suva and Port Denarau, as well as ports in New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
Royal Caribbean offers a few choices when it comes to cruises in Fiji, such as the 12-night voyage including Suva and Lautoka, as well as Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
Departing from Sydney and ending in either Honolulu, Seattle, San Diego, Holland America Line offers 19 to 26-day cruises incorporating Suva, Lautoka and even the less-visited ports of call, Dravuni Island and Savusavu.
Cruises from Brisbane
P&O Australia offers roundtrip cruises from Brisbane, stopping at Suva and Port Denarau in between other South Pacific Islands.
Cruises from Auckland
P&O Australia offers an 8-night cruise calling departing Auckland and calling at Suva, Port Denarau and Dravuni on its Fiji voyage, as well as a 14-night night cruise also incorporating other South Pacific Islands.
Another cruise starting in Auckland is with Carnival Cruises on their South Pacific, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand cruises calling in at the Fiji ports of Lautoka and Suva on their 13-night journeys.
Cruises from Tahiti
Starting from Tahiti and ending in Sydney, the Regent Seven Sea Cruises includes Suva and Lautoka in its 30-night voyage including French Polynesia, Samoa and New Zealand. Alternatively, take the 16-night trip ending in Auckland.
The luxury cruise liner, Paul Gauguin Cruises, offers cruises starting in Tahiti and ending in Fiji and vice versa, on their 12-night voyage including Fiji, Tonga, Cook and Society Islands.
Learn more about these cruises and more in the 10 Cruises That Visit Fiji.
© Matthias Süßen on WikipediaPort of Call: Suva
Featuring on the majority of cruise itineraries, Suva is Fiji’s capital city, which is located on the southeastern shores of the main island, Viti Levu. While the city has its own attractions of the national museum, eateries and the largest produce market in Fiji, passengers wanting to see more of the “real” Fiji can hop on a shore excursion to the Pacific Harbour or take a taxi to the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park. Learn more about Suva in The Complete Guide to Suva.
Shore Excursions from Suva
While shore excursions can be booked through your cruise, you’ll find booking tours independently will save you a ton! Here are a few shore excursions from Suva worth considering:
- Jewel of Fiji Tour (available on Viator and Tripadvisor) – Discover Fiji Tours
- Private Nature & Waterfall Tour (Viator/Tripadvisor) – Kay Services Tour
- Waimakere Forest Farm Tour (Viator/Tripadvisor) – Rosie Holidays Fiji
- Suva City Sightseeing Tour (Viator/Tripadvisor) – Hot Fiji Transfers
Learn more about these shore excursions and more in the 5 Best Shore Excursions from Suva.
Must-Dos in Suva
Aside from shore excursions, cruise ship passengers might also want to check out some of the other Suva experiences available.
- Visit the waterfalls of the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park
- Check out the Fiji Museum
- Visit the Orchid Island cultural centre
- Shop and mingle with the locals at the Suva markets
- Wander around Thurston Gardens
Find out more about each must-do and more in the 10 Must-Dos in Suva.
© FijiPocketGuide.comPort of Call: Denarau
A top tourist hub in Fiji, Denarau is the base for many excursions to Fiji’s idyllic Mamanuca Islands, Nadi, the Coral Coast and more. Wander the small town centre, its eateries and shops at Port Denarau, check out the array of five-star resorts on the manmade island, play a round of golf or hop on one of the island-hopping, fishing or snorkelling tours from the marina. Plan your visit to your own travel style using The Complete Guide to Denarau Island.
Shore Excursions from Denarau
- Castaway Island Day Trip (available on Viator and Tripadvisor) – South Sea Cruises
- Natadola Beach Day Trip (Viator/Tripadvisor) – Mick’s Fiji Transfer & Tours
- Nadi Tour (Garden of the Sleeping Giant, Temple & Mud Pools) (Viator/Tripadvisor) – Iconic Tours Fiji
- Island Discovery Scenic Flight (Viator/Tripadvisor) – Pacific Island Air
- Zipline and Mud Spa Tour (Viator/Tripadvisor) – Valentine Tours Fiji
Learn more about these shore activities and more in the 5 Best Shore Excursions from Denarau.
Must-Dos in Denarau
If you’d rather stick to things to do in Denarau, a few must-dos include:
- Play golf at the championship golf course
- Indulge in a luxury spa treatment
- Do some shopping and eating at Port Denarau
- Make a splash at the Big Bula Waterpark (Viator/Tripadvisor)
- Fly over the islands in a helicopter or seaplane.
Get more inspiration in our 10 Must-Dos on Denarau Island.
© Maksym Kozlenko on WikipediaPort of Call: Lautoka
Fiji’s second-largest town is a cultural hub of Indo-Fijians and Fijians. Lautoka is a thriving hub for Fiji’s sugarcane industry, but for visitors, you may prefer it for its bustling market with amazing Fijian handicrafts or its many eateries. You can also organise trips to the nearby Navala Village, one of the last remaining Fijian villages with thatched bures, or take a trip to the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park with its waterfall walk.
Shore Excursions from Lautoka
- Custom Private Sightseeing Tour (available on Viator and Tripadvisor) – Hot Fiji Transfers
- Half-day Nature Trek and Waterfall Tour (Viator/Tripadvisor) – Fiji Eco Tours
- Lautoka Surrounds & Ancestral Tour (Viator/Tripadvisor) – Pacific Travel Experts
See these tours and more in the 5 Best Shore Excursions from Lautoka.
Must-Dos in Lautoka
- Browse the Lautoka Market
- Try an Indo-Fijian curry at one of the local eateries
- Take a day trip to Navala Village
- Venture into the Koroyanitu National Park for a waterfall hike
For more ideas in the 10 Things to Do in Lautoka.
© Tourism FijiPort of Call: Dravuni Island
An island in the remote Kadavu Group, Dravuni Island is only visited by a small handful of cruise ships, including Holland America Line and P&O Australia. Unlike the developed ports of call elsewhere in Fiji, Dravuni is timeless with no vehicles, no shops and less than 200 inhabitants. With that, shore excursions here are limited to what your cruise ship company can provide, such as a zodiac nature tour around the island. Otherwise, passengers can enjoy walking and swimming at the pristine beaches or take a look around the small Fijian village here. If you’re fit, you might also want to walk up the palm-lined trail to the island’s peak for some stunning panoramic views.
Learn more about Dravuni in the 5 Best Things to Do on Dravuni Island, as well as the island group in The Complete Guide to Kadavu.
© Ed Bierman on FlickrPort of Call: Savusavu
Another port of call that very few cruises venture to, Savusavu is one of the main towns of Fiji’s second-largest island, Vanua Levu. The town itself is home to natural hot springs, a small selection of eateries and a small market. However, most cruise ship passengers to the island prefer to get out and explore Vanua Levu, such as the local village of Nukubalavu, Uruta and its waterfall, or venture into the lush forests of the Waisali Rainforest Reserve. Learn more about spending time on the island in The Complete Guide to Vanua Levu.
Must-Dos in Savusavu
- Scuba dive at the Namena Marine Reserve
- Go on a dolphin and snorkelling cruise
- Tour a pearl farm
- Visit Uruta Village and its waterfall
- Do some birdwatching in the Waisali Rainforest Reserve
For more ideas, see the 10 Must-Dos on Vanua Levu and the 10 Things to Do in Savusavu.
© SPTOTravel Tip: Fiji Has its Own Cruises!
Did you know that Fiji has its own small-ship cruises around its islands? If you were looking for a cruise experience that includes Fiji specifically, then the best thing for you might be the local cruises with Captain Cook Cruises (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor) or Blue Lagoon Cruises (on Viator and Tripadvisor). You’ll get to anchor at a new island each night on voyages from three to 12 days, allowing you to experience much more than the usual one to three days you get in Fiji on an international cruise.
See The Guide to Cruises Around Fiji to learn more.
More About Taking Cruise to Fiji
