Blue Lagoon Cruises Fiji Review: We Tied Up to a Coconut Tree!
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Did we really want a swig of kava from a communal half-coconut shell?
We were sitting cross-legged on woven mats in a tiny Yasawa Island village during our Blue Lagoon cruise in Fiji.
In front of us, villagers pounded the roots of the kava plant into a muddy-looking powder before mixing it with water to make Fiji’s famously potent ceremonial drink.
Everyone smiled expectantly.
But we’d heard kava could make unsuspecting visitors feel pleasantly numb – or even put them to sleep!
Hmmm… Perhaps just one small polite sip?
The traditional kava ceremony is just one of the memorable experiences you enjoy on this cruise. Add deserted beaches, vibrant coral reefs, friendly islanders and some of the prettiest scenery in the South Pacific, and it’s easy to see why this cruise feels like classic Fiji.
Here’s our review of Blue Lagoon Cruises – covering their ship, itineraries, what’s included – and whether it’s the right cruise for you.
Blue Lagoon Cruises Fiji review
Here’s the quick version:
- The ship – The MV Yasawa Princess II, a 44-passenger catamaran.
- Where you cruise – Fiji’s secluded Yasawa Islands on 3-, 4- and 7-night cruises.
- Best for –Travelers who value authentic cultural experiences, small-ship cruising and laid-back island life over traditional luxury.
- What we loved – Village visits, tying up to a coconut tree, snorkeling and diving in crystal-clear water, and the wonderfully friendly Fijian crew.❤️
- Good to know – Don’t expect a floating 5-star resort. The ship is comfortable rather than lavish (think flip-flops and cutoffs “cruising”). The spectacular islands are the real stars.
- See more reviews
👉 Pssst! Extend your Fiji vacay, and stay in a dreamy overwater Fijian bure!
Contents: What’s in this review?
Why Blue Lagoon Cruises works so well in Fiji
If paradise had an address, we bet it would be somewhere in Fiji.
This South Pacific nation is made up of more than 300 islands, though only two – Viti Levu and Vanua Levu – are home to most of the population.
Many of the others are just tiny emerald specks scattered across an impossibly blue ocean.
That’s exactly why cruising works so well here.
Instead of packing, unpacking and catching ferries or water taxis between islands, you simply wake up somewhere new each morning – ready for snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, kayaking, beach barbecues and visits to Fijian villages, where traditions like the kava ceremony are still very much alive.
Blue Lagoon Cruises has been sailing to the beautiful Yasawa Islands since 1950. Today, the locally owned company offers relaxed 3-, 4- and 7-night cruises aboard the MV Yasawa Princess II.
We actually sailed aboard her predecessor, the MV Fiji Princess, before she was retired in April, 2026 following storm damage.
Happily, the experience guests love hasn’t changed. The new flagship continues the company’s tradition of easygoing small-ship Fiji cruises.
The MV Yasawa Princess II
The 148-foot (45-meter) catamaran carries a maximum of 44 guests in 22 outside cabins.
Its shallow draft lets it slip into secluded bays and anchor off teeny-tiny islands.
Onboard, you find comfortable lounges, an air-conditioned dining room, a sunny top deck for lounging (which transforms into an outdoor dining venue on some evenings), a small spa and plenty of places to relax between island adventures.
No beach, no problem!
And what’s this?
The MV Yasawa Princess II has its own sea pool at the stern. Whenever it drops anchor (and it’s safe to do so), you can hop in for a swim right off the back of the ship.
Cabins
Cabins measure about 156 square feet.
No, they’re not spacious luxury suites. But they have everything you really need – a comfortable queen or twin beds, strong air conditioning, a private bathroom, TV, mini-fridge, desk and plenty of storage.
Every cabin is above the waterline with a window looking out at the views.
Bathrooms are compact, but perfectly functional.
A nice touch is the stocked minibar waiting on embarkation, with complimentary local beer, soft drinks, sparkling wine, snacks and premium Fijian chocolate.
You also get a reusable water bottle, a Blue Lagoon tote bag, Pure Fiji gift pack and a colorful sulu (sarong), which comes in handy for village visits.
What’s the food like?
The food isn’t gourmet – but we found it to be fresh, plentiful and satisfying.
Breakfasts feature tropical fruit, eggs and pastries, while lunches and dinners often include freshly caught fish, curries, stir-fries and local specialties. Some dinners are served buffet-style, while others are plated and served at your table.
Our favorite meal came on our last night, when were treated to a traditional Fijian ceremonial lovo on the beach.
Chicken and pork, wrapped in coconut leaves, had been slow-cooked underground over hot stones. Meanwhile, the crew had turned the beach into an open-air dining room, setting up batik-covered picnic tables on the sand and hanging propane lanterns from the palms.
Service
The Fijian crew quickly make you feel more like a welcomed guest than a passenger.
Fijians are among the warmest, friendliest people we’ve met anywhere in the world. It’s almost impossible to believe their ancestors were once fearsome cannibals – a piece of Fiji’s history the crew happily joke about themselves.
Into the Yasawa Islands
We departed the main island of Viti Levu in the late afternoon, making a quick stop at one of Blue Lagoon Cruises’ partner resorts to collect a honeymoon couple, who climbed aboard from an old wooden launch. (If you’re staying at certain island resorts, you can join the cruise from there.)
By evening, we’d reached the Yasawa Islands.
Stretching across 20 volcanic islands, the Yasawas are all about dramatic green peaks and powder-soft white beaches. It’s where you find the dazzling turquoise bay made famous by The Blue Lagoon movie starring Brooke Shields.
Settling into island time
The ship usually sails for an hour or two each day before dropping anchor in another idyllic bay.
Flat-bottom steel skiffs tender you ashore, and “wet” landings (where you step off the skiff into shallow water) are part of the adventure.
It wasn’t long before we settled into a pleasant routine…
Wake around 6:00 a.m. for an early-morning swim from a deserted islet. Breakfast onboard. A village visit or snorkeling excursion. Lunch. More swimming, kayaking or simply lazing beneath a palm tree with a good book. Dinner.
After dinner, a few passengers often joined the crew at the stern, dangling nothing more than a fishing line and hook over the side in hopes of catching tomorrow’s dinner. Sometimes, we were entertained by Fijian singers.
Then it was off to bed, ready to do it all again!
Tying up to a coconut tree
Our favorite stop was Nanuya Lailai, one of the islands framing the Blue Lagoon.
Blue Lagoon Cruises owns about 50 acres here, complete with basic facilities and even a freshwater shower hose hooked up to a coconut tree.
Unlike many of the deserted islands we visited, it’s set up so you can comfortably spend the day ashore.
And the ship literally ties up to a coconut tree!
The day was pure bliss.
We kayaked around the island, snorkeled among candy-colored reef fish and stretched out to snooze beneath swaying palms.
Morning and afternoon tea were served right on the beach, complete with homemade lemon and chocolate cake – on proper china, no less.
Divers can also head out here with Blue Lagoon’s PADI dive partner.
On our dive, we drifted past coral walls alive with colorful soft corals, moray eels, spiny lobsters, parrotfish and, best of all, a graceful sea turtle gliding effortlessly past us.
That evening, everyone gathered on the beach for a barbecue dinner – the traditional lovo feats we mentioned earlier.
Afterward, we watched a fun international contest among passengers.
The New Zealanders did a Maori dance, the Australians read a story, the Canadians put on a tongue-in-cheek 2010 Winter Olympics skit, and the Europeans wisely just watched. (This particular cruise was unusual – there happened to be no Americans onboard!)
Then the smiling Blue Lagoon cruise staff brought out their guitars and got everyone up and dancing. Of course, the Fijians stole the show and “won.”
Giving back to the islanders
One of the things we really liked about Blue Lagoon Cruises is that it makes a genuine effort to support the local communities through Vinaka Fiji (the Yasawa Trust Foundation).
They pay villages for access to their beaches, cultural visits and traditional performances.
Islanders also sell their handmade crafts directly to guests, so tourism helps put money back into the local economy.
Educational projects are also a focus of attention.
One morning, an excursion took us to a tiny island elementary school (which exists mainly on donations from passengers).
The children greeted us with songs, then shyly chatted with us about their lives. Many of them stay at the school during the week because traveling back and forth by boat every day is simply too expensive.
It was one of those moments that reminded us the real heart of this cruise is about more than sunshine, sand and sea. It’s also about the people who make Fiji a special place.
What’s included?
Your cruise fare includes:
- Complimentary coach transfers between Port Denarau (where the ship leaves from) and Nadi International Airport (or your Nadi, Denarau, Wailoaloa hotel) on cruise departure and arrival days (Mondays and Fridays).
- All meals, including the Captain’s Dinner, themed buffet dinners and (on 4- and 7-night cruises) the beachside lovo feast.
- Most excursions and activities, from village visits and guided snorkeling trips to hikes, church services and seasonal swims with reef sharks and manta rays (May to October).
- Use of snorkeling gear, plus kayaks and paddleboards at Nanuya Lailai Island (visited on 4- and 7-night cruises).
- Beach towels (you don’t need to pack your own).
- Some alcoholic drinks, including sparkling wine (with canapés) before the twice-weekly Captain’s Dinner, plus complimentary house wine and local beer served with dinner.
- A Malamala Beach Club day pass, with an FJ $50 (about $22 USD) food-and-beverage credit. Depending on your itinerary, you can use it before or after your cruise.
What should you pack?
Shorts, T-shirts, swimsuits, flip-flops and plenty of sunscreen are all you’ll really need. Dinner is casual too. (You can safely leave the jacket, cocktail dress and high heels at home!)
The only exception is when visiting local villages.
Men are asked to wear the complimentary sulu (Fijian sarong) provided in their cabin, while women should cover their shoulders and knees out of respect for local customs.
Is Blue Lagoon Cruises right for you?
If you go expecting a 5-star deluxe cruise ship by North American standards, you’ll be disappointed.
But if your idea of luxury is snorkeling straight from Robinson Crusoe-like islands, swimming in bathtub-warm, popsicle-blue waters and kicking back on pristine beaches you’ll never want to leave, then you’ll likely fall in love with this cruise.
- For more information – See the company’s website.
- Stay a little longer in Fiji – We highly recommend adding a few days at one of Fiji’s island resorts before or after your cruise – maybe in an overwater bungalow? We stayed at the adults-only Likuliku Lagoon Resort – it was heavenly!
More small-ship cruise inspo
- Corsica Dreams! Our Star Clippers Sailing Cruise
- Our Indonesian Sailing Adventure on the Stylish Alila Purnama
- Windstar Cruises: Yacht-Style Cruising Done Right
Like this post on small-ship cruises in Fiji? Then save it on Pinterest!
Our top travel tips and resources
→ General trip planning: TripAdvisor is a helpful starting point, with loads of user reviews on hotels, restaurants and things to do.
→ Hotels: Booking.com is our go-to for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – often at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. (We especially like Booking.com’s flexible cancellation policy!) You can also find excellent discounted rates on Expedia, especially for hotels in the U.S. and Mexico.
→ Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
→ Flights: For the best flights, we search on Google Flights first. Expedia and Kayak are then perfect for snagging the cheapest tickets. (They’re often non-refundable, though, so for more flexibility, we book directly with the airline, even if it costs more.)
→ Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
→ Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
→ Car rental: Renting a car can be a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies for the lowest rates.
→ Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
→ Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
→ Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find cool hotels and other useful trip planning info.
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Photo credits: 4, 12, 16, 17, 19 to 21 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | 1, 2, 6 to 11, 13 to 15, 22 Blue Lagoon Cruises
About the authors
Beautiful place…
I love companies that give back to locals~
This looks like such an amazing experience! I look forward to making it to Fiji. Thank you for sharing. Blue Lagoon Cruises looks like a great outfit.
Beautiful pics, I’d love to do a South Pacific cruise as well. Hmm, the downside of internet – Fijian kids doing gangsta rap gestures!
Frank (bbqboy)
I’ve never done a cruise but to do one that goes around the South Pacific islands would be a dream come true! I agree that even the names of the islands do sound exotic!! Wonderful photos of the islanders :)