How to Book Cruises in Fiji + 10 Tips for Taking Small-Ship Cruises

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Booking a Cruise Through a Travel Agent

If you’re the sort of person who likes to be prepared but would rather get the experts to sort out the logistics, then a travel agent is a good way to book a Fiji cruise.

Travel agents like Flight Centre, STA, House of Travel, Fiji Vacations and Travel Express can plan and book cruises for you before you land in Fiji.

Alternatively, Rosie Holidays, Bula Travel, Fiji Holidays, Fiji Travel Deals, Fiji Escapes, Tropical Holidays Fiji, Fiji Bound, and Fiji Journeys are based in Fiji.

The Pros of Booking a Cruise with a Travel Agent

• Relieves the stress of planning and booking a cruise independently.
• You have one point of contact should you need to change your plans.
• Travel agents may be able to offer you a good deal, such as discounted flights plus a cruise.
• They can help you with some of the logistics, like visas, ground transfers and more.

The Cons of Booking a Cruise with a Travel Agent

• Travel agents tend to be more expensive than booking directly.
• Travel agents will only push the cruises they sell, meaning you might not be able to compare all possible options with them.
• They don’t tend to offer price matching.
• Overseas travel agents sell tours for a higher price than what you often see once you’re in Fiji.

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Booking a Cruise Through an Online Travel Agent

Online travel agents (OTAs) are comparison websites for activities, accommodations, flights and more. An OTA for comparing day cruises, hop-on hop-off passes and small-ship cruises is Viator, for example, while OTAs for small-ship cruises only include Cruiseabout and LiveAboard.

The Pros of Booking a Cruise with an Online Travel Agent

• They are convenient to use anywhere with an internet connection.
• They make comparing cruises easy with filters for price, ratings and more.
• They have more relaxed cancellation policies than booking directly or with a travel agent, allowing you to be more flexible.

The Cons of Booking a Cruise with an Online Travel Agent

• Some cruise companies use these booking websites to fill up spaces on less popular cruise dates, which is not always convenient.
• The price is often a little more expensive on OTAs.
• Some OTAs charge extra fees you don’t see until you go through the online booking process.

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Booking a Cruise Directly with the Cruise Company

All of Fiji’s cruise companies have websites, email addresses and phone numbers in order to book tours directly (Ok, so that might not seem like it needed to be said, but that’s quite a feat for tourism companies in the South Pacific).

Many of the cruises, ferries and day cruises have offices/kiosks in Denarau where you can also book directly face-to-face.

Finding out who the cruise companies are is easy with websites like Fiji Pocket Guide (that’s us!) showing you hundreds of Fiji tourism companies across the website.

The Pros of Booking a Cruise Direct

• You can usually get the best price for the tour with the cruise company.
• Cruise companies will usually only have deals on their own websites.
• If you find it cheaper elsewhere, cruise companies will usually match the price.
• Booking directly means you have the opportunity to book any cruise they have.

The Cons of Booking a Cruise Direct

• It’s often more time-consuming and stressful to book a cruise yourself rather than using a travel agent.
• Many cruise companies have strict cancellation policies, and you’re unlikely to get a full refund if you cancel your trip.

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Booking a Cruise Through an Accommodation

Finally, a popular, easy and cheap way to book just about any tour or transport in Fiji is through your accommodation.

Accommodations, like resorts and hotels, can book day cruises and ferry passes on your behalf and organise the transfers for you, making it an easy process. You usually pay the cruise provider rather than the accommodation.

The Pros of Booking a Cruise with Accommodation

• It’s convenient, as the reception at many major resorts in Fiji is open 24 hours.
• Relieve the stress of organising a cruise for yourself.
• It allows you to be more spontaneous.
• Accommodations can usually get better prices for cruises than what is charged overseas.

The Cons of Booking a Cruise with an Accommodation

• Accommodation will often only show you the cruises that they work with.
• You will almost always be offered the cruise at full price, not leaving much room to get a good deal.

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10 Tips for Taking a Small-Ship Cruise in Fiji

See more than the average tourist on one of Fiji’s cruises. Fiji is a place for a small-ship cruise experience, with a new stunning island anchorage each night, delectable cuisine and a range of adventure, relaxation and cultural activities.

If you have your sights set on small-ship cruises in Fiji, like Blue Lagoon Cruises, then this list of tips should make for “smoother sailing”.

For more information on the cruises of Fiji, take a look at The Guide to Cruises Around Fiji.

1. Book Your Cruise Directly for the Best Deals or with Booking Websites for a Better Cancellation Policy

If you’re looking for the best price on cruises, it can often be found directly on the cruise company websites, with past deals being similar to 25% off the full price and “single specials”.

However, with some cruises needing to be booked far in advance, you might want to turn to booking websites like Viator for a more consumer-friendly cancellation policy.

2. Be Flexible with Your Dates

Speaking of good deals, it pays to be flexible with your dates when booking a cruise to Fiji. For Blue Lagoon Cruises, discounts are more evident between October and March – Fiji’s low season.

3. Most Cruises Sail the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands

If you’re looking for a cruise in Fiji, know that most cruise departures are for the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. While these are the most visited outer islands in Fiji, they still have a feeling of tranquillity with remote island villages and glorious beaches.

Learn more about these island groups in The Complete Guide to the Mamanuca Islands and The Complete Guide to the Yasawa Islands.

4. Get Familiar with Port Denarau

All small-ship cruises depart from Port Denarau. This manmade island, town and marina are approximately 15 km (6 mi) from Nadi International Airport, where you can either arrange a transfer through your cruise (meeting their terms and conditions) or make your own way there following our advice in the 5 Ways to Get to Denarau Island.

It’s also worth considering staying at one of the luxury resorts of Denarau the night before your cruise.

Check out the 10 Best Resorts in Denarau Island for recommendations.

5. Choose the Right Cruise for Your Travel Style

It’s important to note that Blue Lagoon Cruises are small ships with a boutique vibe, AND it is an adults-only cruise (with a few select family cruises throughout the year).

So, families may want to check out some of the 10 Best Day Cruises in Fiji for a family-friendly alternative.

6. Book Family Cruises as Soon as They Are Available!

While Blue Lagoon Cruises is primarily an adults-only paradise, they do offer a handful of family-friendly sailings that are perfect for creating unforgettable memories with your little ones. These special cruises are like gold dust, though – they book up faster than you can say “Bula!”.

So, if you’re dreaming of introducing your kids to the magic of the Fijian islands, keep a close eye on the cruise calendar and be ready to pounce.

7. Fiji is Ideal for Cruising All Year Round

Fiji has a warm tropical climate all year around. Although the rainy season, which is from November to April, seems off-putting for most, the wet season is usually made up of plenty of sunshine with only one or two down-pours once every one, two or even a few days.

Get familiar with Fiji’s climate in What is the Weather Like in Fiji?

8. Check-in at Least an Hour Before Departure

The small-ship cruises in Fiji require passengers to check in their luggage at least one hour before departure.

The cruise ship counters at Port Denarau are typically open from 8:30-9 am for checking in, so you can check your luggage in early and spend the rest of the morning at the fabulous eateries of Port Denarau before departure.

9. Know What to Pack

Aside from tropical attire, some key things to pack for a cruise in Fiji are some clothes that cover the shoulders and knees for village visits and some shoes to wear in the water, as there are wet landings on some islands. Casual clothing is good for the daytime, while smart casual clothing is recommended for dinnertime.

Check out more recommended things to pack in The Complete Packing List for Fiji.

10. Don’t Get Fiji’s Small-Ship Cruises Confused with International Cruises

If you’re used to going on large international cruises, don’t get this mixed up with Fiji’s small-ship cruises. The cruises in Fiji are much more intimate.

And if international cruises to Fiji were, in fact, what you were looking for when you stumbled across this article, then be sure to check out The Guide to Taking a Cruise to Fiji.