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PRECIOUS MOMENTS
FROM THE VERY FIRST “BULA”
Maggie Wong warms to the instinctive “guests are first” approach
of Blue Lagoon Cruises’ cheery all-Fijian crew.
It’s evident from the first cheery “bula!” that Blue Lagoon seriously straight up and down. While on duty they are in
Cruises’ staff members are genuinely happy in their work
as they welcome visitors to what they regard as their home
and village – a floating one called the Fiji Princess.
A number of the crew do in fact hail from small villages,
including some from tiny settlements in the stunningly
beautiful Mamanuca and Yasawa islands that are the
setting for the voyages of Fiji Princess. Growing up in
such an idyllic place is surely what makes them smile so
winningly and treat passengers like treasured members of
the family.
There’s a ratio of one crew member to every two
passengers on the ship and they quickly get to know
their guests by name. Their instinctive “guests are first”
approach is heart-warming, and as a quick dip into the
page of Blue Lagoon Cruises’ Facebook page reveals, it
makes the cruise experience unique.
“Blue Lagoon Cruises are my happy place. I just finished
cruise number five”, says one visitor to the page.
“Cannot praise the crew and staff enough. We had an
amazing four days and highly recommend this mini-
cruise”, says another.
Amongst the happy crew faces and their singing and
guitar playing, the captains of the ship seem at first
accordance with their Maritime Safety Authority training
which involves regular refresher courses, but when not
at the helm they will often stop for a chat too and even
invite passengers to join in the crew’s night-time fishing
excursions that produce fresh mahi-mahi or coral trout for
the passengers’ lunches the next day.
No Blue Lagoon Cruise would be complete without a taste
of kava, and as they do when in their own villages, the crew
sit down to a relaxing bowl at day’s end. They are always
happy to shuffle over to make room in the kava circle for
passengers interested in a taste. Another locally made
beverage of more universal appeal is Fiji Rum, made from
Fiji sugar cane.
The bar staff on Fiji Princess report that Fiji Rum is favoured
as the base of many cocktails – piña colada or mai tai,
anyone? It is also enjoyed straight up or paired to create
a delicious liqueur with Fiji-grown coffee, bananas,
coconut or honey. Passengers on Fiji Princess can taste
these specialities individually or via a “rum paddle” of four
tasting glasses. And you’ll be sure to find the delighted
comments on Facebook.
Blue Lagoon Cruises offers an early bird discount of 25% on cruises
booked and paid six months in advance, plus onboard bar credits of
up to FJD$500 for a limited time.For details contact your helloworld
travel agent.
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