Captain Cook Cruises Fiji

A Fiji cruise line based at Denarau Marina

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji runs its own ships and day boats out of Denarau Marina in Nadi, Fiji. Its about page traces the business to tourism on Sydney Harbour in 1970, with later operations on the Great Barrier Reef and the Murray River in South Australia, and says it has been cruising in Fiji since 1997, claiming "over 40 years cruising experience" overall. What it sells in Fiji: day cruises from Denarau to its private beach at Kadavu Lailai in the Mamanuca Islands, an evening dinner cruise, and multi-night small-ship voyages through the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands, with a newer ship planned for the remote Lau group, Tonga and Samoa. It also sells wedding, honeymoon, diving, spa and corporate packages built around those cruises. The contact block gives Denarau Marina, Nadi, a postal address at PO Box 23, Nadi, Fiji Islands, an Australian line on +61 2 9126 8160 and a Fiji mobile on +679 9985252.

Day sails, dinner cruises and voyages

Island & Reef Day Sail. The homepage describes a day aboard the tall ship Spirit of the Pacific from Denarau Marina to the company's private beach at Kadavu Lailai in the Mamanuca Islands, with snorkeling over coral reefs and time on the beach. The company says guests can be "as active or laid-back as you like" and choose from a wide range of activities or none at all. A testimonial on the site mentions hotel pickup and a buffet lunch, and another says most island activities were included, but the site does not list the day sail's price, times or full inclusions.

Sunset Dinner Cruise. Departs Port Denarau Marina with a complimentary welcome drink, a tropical buffet prepared by local chefs from fresh local ingredients, and traditional Fijian cultural entertainment.

Reef Endeavour voyages. The wedding page advertises Reef Endeavour cruises of 3, 4 or 7 nights, and sets out a sample 4-day itinerary. Day 1 (Saturday) sails over lunch through the Mamanuca Islands, collecting passengers from resorts, to a snorkel off a sand cay at Nuku-i-Mana, with an a-la-carte dinner at a time you book. Day 2 (Sunday) visits Monuriki, where the page says Tom Hanks' Castaway was filmed, for a guided kayak tour and snorkeling, then a village choral service and the Sunday Show. Day 3 (Monday) stops at the Sacred Islands, where the crew performs a Sevusevu ceremony before swimming, snorkeling, beachcombing and glass bottom boat trips, then crosses to Waya in the southern Yasawa islands for a school visit, a village and shell market, a climb to the peak for "the fit," and a Pacific Island night. On Day 4 (Tuesday) the ship reaches Denarau Marina at 07:30am for a 9:00am disembarkation.

MS Caledonian Sky. The homepage announces this luxury expedition small ship for November 2023, with a capacity of only 114 passengers across 57 ocean view suites, 10 zodiacs and 70 crew. It says the planned 3 - 14 night itineraries will include expeditions to islands in the Lau group and journeys to Tonga and Samoa. The same passage wishes Reef Endeavour well "as she sails off on her next adventure," so the Reef Endeavour cruises on the wedding page may no longer run; confirm with the company which ship and itinerary are on sale.

The menus also list Fiji One, a sailing catamaran for charters, private yacht sailing adventures, and a brochures page.

On board and on the island

The company puts its crew at the center of the experience, saying its Fijian crew "welcome you with a warmth and happiness that will make you feel immediately at home," and lists captains, marine biologists, mixologists, chefs, dive masters, spa crew and ocean ambassadors among its staff. Its sustainability program invites guests to join marine biologists to learn about the reef, take part in an Ocean Ambassador program, and plant coral at Kadavu Lailai. The about page says the company partners with Cure Kids Fiji and applies $1 per room per night to each stay as a donation, with 100% going to the charity.

The about page cites wins as Fiji Visitors Bureau Best Cruise Line and the Fiji Tourism Awards Best Fiji Experience in 2014. The homepage groups its packages for divers, couples, families and private events.

Weddings and booking

Weddings have their own detailed page. The package includes a wedding planner, a professional celebrant with a Fijian singer and guitarist, the bride's orchid bouquet and groom's buttonhole, sparkling wine and wedding cake, and the official marriage certificate, "From just AU$985/FJ$1513 per couple, plus cruise fare or vessel hire." Ceremonies can be held on the private beach in the Mamanuca Islands or on board, including a charter of Fiji One for the ceremony, the reception or both. A photography package (36 prints in a tapa album and a CD of 100 pictures) is priced on application.

Group offers on the same page: a free wedding package when booking 10 or more rooms on a 7 Night Discovery Cruise, and a Tivua Island wedding package where a honeymoon around the Yasawa Islands is half price for 50 guests or more and free for at least 80 guests, from AU$187/FJ$290 per person.

To book, the site uses Book Now buttons and enquiry forms, and the wedding page gives an Australian number, 1300 TO FIJI (1300 86 3454). The footer links to gift certificates, charter groups and events, an FAQ page and terms and conditions. Returning guests join the Captain's Club, which the site says brings exclusive offers and member-only invitations.

What the site leaves open, and who it suits

The site does not give prices for the day sail, the dinner cruise or the voyages, only for wedding packages, and it does not state departure times for the day trips. It does not set out cancellation and refund rules alongside the trips; the footer links to separate terms and conditions and an FAQ. The status of Reef Endeavour against Caledonian Sky is unclear, as above. The about page's team section still shows placeholder text.

It suits visitors staying around Nadi and Denarau who want a day on a private island beach or an evening dinner cruise, and couples planning a Fiji wedding with the boat, venue, celebrant and guest cruise handled by one company. Travelers who want to compare prices at a glance will need to go through the booking flow or ask, since the site does not price the headline trips.