Cruise Port Information for Fiji - Savusavu and Dravuni Island

Picturesque Savusavu Town, Fiji

Here is some port of call information for two more places in Fiji that cruise ships visit.

Savusavu is the main settlement on Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest island. The colourful buildings of the little town, dwarfed by the steep volcanic hills behind, are situated on the shores of the deep, semi enclosed bay. International yachtsmen come here to shelter during the Pacific cyclone season, as did the United States Navy during World War II.

Sea Princess in Savusavu Bay, Fiji

Cruise ships anchor in the bay, a short distance from the township, and passengers go by tender to the Marina. Here you'll be serenaded by a local band as you enter the building which is a restored copra shed. From there it is a short wander up the main street, the only street, to the shops. On the days cruise ships visit, locals set up little stalls along both sides of the street to sell their souvenirs.
  Savusavu was interesting to me because it is a service centre for the surrounding district, rather than a tourist town. It was an opportunity to 'people watch' in an authentic setting. I loved the place and would like to go back one day.

Dravuni Island, Fiji

Dravuni Island looks like everyone's dream of a South Pacific paradise. It is a very small, only about a mile long, and you can walk from one side of the island to the other in 5 minutes. From the top of the one hill on the island there is a panoramic view over the other islands in the Kadavu Group, south of Suva.
   You can really chill out on the long sandy beach here. You won't be able to use your cellphone - there is no reception. You won't be able to drive anywhere - there are no roads or cars. There are no shops either, but on cruise ship visit days, the locals have little thatched huts along the edge of the beach and offer massages, hair braiding, souvenirs, cold drinks, and island style clothing for sale.

In the village on Dravuni Island, Fiji

  Please, respect local customs. Cover up your swimsuit and take off your hat when in the village. If you are lucky enough to be invited into someone's home or into the meeting place, take off your shoes, and sit rather than stand when inside a house.
  Oh, one final caution. The beach is lined with coconut palms. Don't sit directly under one. You don't want to be brained by a falling coconut!

Two Cruise Ports of Call in Fiji - Port Denerau and Suva

A cruise around Fiji is an ever-changing vista of beautiful islands clothed in native rainforest, white sand beaches lined with coconut palm trees, and blue seas fringed with the white of waves breaking on the coral reefs. It is a photographer's dream location.
  On Pacific Island cruises that visit Fiji, one or more of these ports of call will be on the itinerary.
Each of them is very different from the other.

A View From Port Denerau

Port Denerau, on the West Coast of Fiji's largest island, Viti Levu, is a resort island on reclaimed land. Cruise ships anchor off the coast and tender passengers ashore to the Denerau Marina. There is a modern shopping centre here and shuttle buses operate between the large resorts and spas and the 18 hole golf course.
   The nearest town is Nadi, known for its duty-free shopping. Buses and taxis regularly run between Port Denerau and Nadi. Shops in Nadi are closed on Sundays.


Suva, as Fiji's capital, has most of the facilities you would expect in a modern city. Colonial era buildings and recently constructed department stores, a large movie theatre complex and tiny shops are a colourful mix in the downtown area.

   The food market, always busy and bustling, is worth a visit to see the tropical fruits and flowers and local vegetables. There is also a handicrafts market if you're looking for local souvenirs.

   As a welcome respite from the heat and humidity, visit an air conditioned department store or rest under the shady trees in the parks along the foreshore, cooled by the sea breezes.

A river cuts through the middle of downtown Suva, Fiji

   Cruise ships dock at the wharf on the edge of Suva's CBD. A free shuttle bus takes passengers into the heart of the city's shopping district. It delivers you to the door of a department store where you will be greeted by smiles, singers and traditionally dressed warriors! It is only a flat, 5 minute walk for those not wanting to take the bus.

Warriors Greet Cruise Ship Passengers

But if you walk, you might miss a welcome like this!

The Southern Cruise Season has Started

'Dawn Princess' in Auckland, New Zealand

The South Pacific cruising season has started with the arrival of Princess cruise ship 'Dawn Princess' in Auckland this weekend. From October to April ships will sail around New Zealand and across to Australia, and some itineraries will also take in the Pacific Islands - New Caledonia, Loyalty Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji.
   There are more cruise ships than ever in the South Pacific this year. The port of Auckland is expecting over 100 visits. And more cruise lines are sending ships to this part of the world. Holland America, Princess, P&O, Celebrity, Carnival, Seabourn and Royal Caribbean will all be sailing here. The biggest ship to visit Auckland will be 'Voyager of the Seas', carrying 3840 passengers.
   Now is a great time to get a good price on a cruise. More ships and a stagnant economy mean there are big price reductions, especially for last minute deals. Cruises have never been cheaper!

Highlights of a Cruise Around New Zealand

Visit Auckland, New Zealand on a Cruise

A cruise around New Zealand is a great way of seeing a wide variety of beautiful scenery, including places that are inaccessible by land. Add to that exotic Maori culture, coastal cities and excellent wine and you have a cruise that is guaranteed to delight!
   Here is a rundown of the highlights of our cruise from the north of the North Island to the south of the South Island.

• Bay of Islands - (for history) - see Waitangi where the treaty was signed between Maori and the British in 1840 and visit Russell, the oldest township in New Zealand.
• Auckland - (the largest city) - catch a ferry to the historic seaside suburb of Devonport or jump on the 'hop on hop off' sightseeing bus that will take you around the major visitor attractions of the city. 
• Tauranga - ( for Maori culture and thermal scenery) - this is the closest port to Rotorua and it is a day trip to see traditional Maori cultural shows and the scenic attractions of the active thermal region.
• Napier - ( for Art Deco architecture) - take a guided walk and learn about the Art Deco period and the buildings of the 1920s and 30s.
• Wellington - ( the capital city) - walk around this small city and visit Te Papa, the interactive National Museum with displays that showcase New Zealand's history, cultures, and art. 
• Picton - ( for wineries) - tours from the port to the Marlborough Region, one of the premier grape growing and wine making areas of the country.
• Akaroa - (for a French influence) - an historic French settlement on the shores of a beautiful harbour.
• Dunedin - ( for wild life) - albatrosses and rare yellow-eyed penguins are some of the wildlife that make the area around Dunedin and the Otago Harbour their home. Go bird watching only half an hour from the city centre.
• Fiordland - (A World Heritage Site wilderness area) - this National Park of stunning mountains, deep fiords, and many waterfalls is home to a wide variety of marine mammals and native birds. Your cruise ship can go deep into the Sounds to places inaccessible by vehicle.

So there you have it - a list of what I think, are the best things to do in your New Zealand ports of call. Enjoy your exploring!

What to Pack in Your Carry-on Bag

What to Pack in a Carry-on Bag

We all know that cruise lines advise us to put such items as medication, jewellery and anything else of value in our carry-on bags. But what else should you pack in your hand luggage in case something goes wrong?

   Jeanette and Dan had a very stressful start to their Mediterranean cruise. They were in Venice; their luggage was in Vancouver! Another horror story about airlines leaving bags behind! 

  So began a hurried round of shopping to buy underwear, in an unfamiliar city that seemed to sell mostly souvenirs! They boarded their cruise ship with only one small carry bag between them. Fortunately the rest of their luggage arrived within 30 minutes of sailing - the airline couriered the bags to the ship just in time.

  Here are Jeanette's recommendations for extra items to pack in your carry-on bag just in case  you and your luggage are spending the night on different continents!

• spare pair of knickers and nightwear
• change of clothes
• basic toiletries
• mobile phone charger
• copy of complete itinerary
• copy of travel insurance documents

Jeanette and her husband went on to enjoy the cruise, but could have done without the hassles in the beginning.

  Take their advice. Be prepared for a luggage hold-up, and pack things to get you through the first couple of days - just in case! 

  Thanks, Jeanette, for the cautionary tale.

Mediterranean Cruise for 2013

A Mediterranean Cruise with NCL

Yippee! We've got a Mediterranean cruise sorted for next year. It's a wonderful itinerary over 12 days. We'll be visiting Barcelona, Toulon, Livorno, Rome, Naples, Istanbul, Izmir, Mykonos, Athens and Venice with 2 sea days.
  And we'll be able to cross sights off our bucket lists - Gaudi's Sagrada Familia cathedral, Pompeii, Ephesus and Hagia Sophia.
  The cruise is with Norwegian Cruise Line. We haven't sailed with them before so it will be interesting to see how different they are from others. 

Looking for a Mediterranean Cruise

We're getting ready to go to a cruise expo in a couple of hours. I've been researching Mediterranean cruises for next year so am looking forward to seeing what's on offer at the expo.
  We want to cross a few places off our bucket lists!
 Pete wants to see Gaudi's Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona. I want to go to Pompeii and Istanbul. And, having lived in Greece, I'd love to go back there, even if only for a few hours over a couple of days on a cruise.
  Let's hope we can find an itinerary that works for us and the dates we have to work around so we can turn our dreams into reality!