Captains Log

Over the last fortnight we have completed another Heritage Cruise (3rd to 10th January) and a week in the Yasawas.  Despite this being the low season from a tourism point of view we have still had welcomed a great mixture of nationalities (from both the northern and southern hemispheres); and also great to see so many local people getting to know about our cruises and taking the opportunity to experience more of their own country.

Another week has passed cruising the Yasawas, during which time we celebrated the new year.  New Years Eve was a great evening with a party following our usual first night Captains Dinner.  The party was held up on the Sun Deck in which all the passengers and crew participated – a night of talanoa (story telling); Yaqona (kava); perfect weather and even fireworks at midnight.  We even followed an old British maritime tradition whereby the oldest member of the ship’s company rings 8 bells for the old year and the youngest rings 8 bells for the new – 16 bells in all.  Passenger numbers were quite high with a great mix of overseas and local families – a great week enjoyed by all who were lucky enough to experience it.

We have just completed the 3 night Christmas Cruise during which we visited the Southern Yasawas.  All passengers aboard had a very pleasant and relaxing cruise. The highlight of the cruise was, of course, Christmas Day which we spent at the Sacred Islands.  We enjoyed a special Christmas Lunch while at anchor after which those who hadn’t eaten too much were able to do a little more swimming snorkeling before we left for the Yalobi Bay anchorage.  In the evening we enjoyed an on board  carol service and a short nativity play performed by the crew – a tradition developed over the 16 years that Captain Cook Cruises has been operating in Fiji – followed by a very pleasant buffet dinner served around the swimming pool with the tanoa and kava nearby – very pleasant and relaxing evening enjoyed by the passengers and crew alike.


Captain Chris

We have just completed another Yasawa 7 night cruise. On Sunday morning our two dive instructors, Tara and Mikey, plus Florian and I carried out another assault on the Crown of Thorns starfish at Sacred Island, netting well over 100 – making a total of over 700 removed since our campaign began.

Captain Chris

We’ve just finished another seven nights in the Yasawas. The 4 night cruise was featured our first Celebrity Chef cruise with NZ Master Chef Simon Gault and his team on board. The cruise was a great success with Simon offering two cooking shows each day with most of the ingredients sourced locally. Each main dish was a traditional Fijian delicacy with his own special culinary slant.  

Captain Chris

We have just completed the last two weeks in the Yasawa Islands. Water temperatures are down due to the persisting La Nina, however this augers well for the cyclone season with little activity being predicted in Fiji waters. This also accounts for the very wet conditions up around the Philippines area.  Weather conditions have been mixed in Fiji but with frequent balmy nights and beautiful days.

Our thoughts have been in New Zealand with the Rugby World Cup taking place. A very big congratulations to the New Zealand All Blacks for coming out on top and to France, Australia & Argentina marking up the top four.

Our passengers recently made a celebrity meeting with Prince Albert of Monaco and his new wife (with entourage). Taking a break on his private yacht (between France’s Semi Final and Final matches), Prince Albert visited Ratu Namasi School near Nabukero (adjacent to the Blue Lagoon and Sawa I Lau caves). The Prince delighted all by playing touch rugby with the school students and posed for photos with some of our passengers (pictures enclosed – Prince Albert is wearing the bright shorts and white t-shirt). Everyone was all a little excited on their return to Reef Endeavour.

One more week cruising the Yasawas and then off on the Heritage Cruise. 

Since the last message we have been cruising the Yasawas and the weather has improved with some lovely calm days with beautiful sunshine

Vow Renewal
One special couple (Mark & Barbara) renewed their wedding vows on Drawaqa Island. It was a lovely affair with the crew acting as Warrior and singers. The weather was lovely and according to Barbara it was “ just what they wanted”.

Film Crew
A film crew filming for Fiji Tourism and National Geographic , together with actor families from Australia, Hong Kong and Fiji, joined us for the 4-night cruise. Using the Reef Endeavour as a base, they were able to get some great footage of Fiji. It was interesting talking with the Director and camera crews about what they wanted to do and whether we could do it. Which of course we could and did.

Crown of Thorns
Another ongoing project is the removal of Crown of Thorns from the reef. The coral at Sacred Island is particularly beautiful so we have all been going out whenever we can to protect the reef – collecting approximately 600 Crown of Thorns so far.

Queensland Fires
This past week we have been experiencing hazy conditions, and today we heard from our weather man that this is actually due to the bush fires in Queensland. The smoke from the fires has risen up into the jet stream and been blown to the east. Due to the colder than normal air temperatures the smoke particles float down and reduce visability. As the air temperature increases the smoke particles will move onward and we shall soon have back our lovely clear blue skies.

So wherever you may be, please be safe and we all look forward to seeing you back on board. Oh yes and enjoy the World Cup

Captain Brian

Our last full day of the cruise is back on the north coast of Viti Levu at Nanana I Ra for some lovely beach time and snorkelling the reefs for the day. The final nights offered a Pacific evening night with a gorgeous buffet and all passengers dressed to accompany the theme and topped off by a brilliant show from our crew.

Finally it is time to say good bye and after a tearful (and there were quite a few!) Isa Lei we said farewell to our new Reef Endeavour friends with promises to return. Some as soon as next week!!!

Vinaka and be safe

Captain Brian

Sunday we moved down to the church service at Wairiki, a catholic service. For those not wanting to attend a walk up to the cross overlooking the sound allowed for a good photo opportunity with the ship below. Then on to the 180 degree meridian where it is traditional to have one’s photograph taken with one leg in the east and one in the west at the same time. In the afternoon we crossed the straits for beach activities then the long haul overnight leaving Vanua Levu for another month.

Captain Brian

Saturday took us to the Bourma Waterfall (both passengers and crew enjoyed the dip) before a picnic lunch. Returning to the ship in the afternoon we readied ourselves for what for me is the highlight of the trip. The visit to Naselesele village where Ratu Talema and his elders cordially greets us with the traditional Sevu sevu, and I mean traditional welcome, with young warriors and yours truly taking the lead at the kava bowl (tanoa). Ratu Tameli and I, along with his elders, had a very spirited discussion as to the outcome of the Rugby World Cup.

Captain Brian