Captain Cook Cruises Fiji — Attraction in Western

I live in Fiji, am a sailor & strive to protect our beautiful marine environment. I have just done the 7 night Southern Lau & Kadavu trip and would not recommend it until some safety improvements have been made.

Unfortunately, I feel the Zodiac crew have not been trained sufficiently. Most of our snorkel trips were done during low tide, in choppy seas and the propellors damaged lots of reef. I did not feel safe snorkelling - there seemed to be only 1 ladder for every 4 Zodiacs ie you could not get back into your Zodiac until a ladder was provided from 1 of the other Zodiacs. The outboards were still running when we were asked to get in the water! There were a few times when the crew were unaware of where their guests were snorkelling! There were no staff members in the water while we were snorkelling, so if we got into trouble we were on our own until someone noticed and a Zodiac came to assist - and you would be lucky if it had a ladder! (This happened to me! the water was so choppy it flipped my mask off and I thought I was drowning! I am a strong swimmer and not prone to panic, I struggled to reach a Zodiac and was left hanging on to the rope for at least 10 minutes, in very choppy seas until a Zodiac came with a ladder). We were even dropped off in a spot where we could stand on sand and were surrounded by bits of bleached coral. Nothing to see here!

When I pointed out these issues, I was told it was an inaugural cruise. This does not excuse bad boatmanship! This cruise ship has other routes that it has been visiting for over 6 months, so there has been plenty of time to train the crew properly.

Even the captain did not know his ship sufficiently. While I was snorkelling and my husband was still on the ship, the captain announced a training fire drill. He requested "water fire extinguishers" for the bridge. After 10 minutes, he repeated his request. We found out later, there are no "water fire extinguishers" on board, the ship has a different type.

The cruise did not go to the 3 places I specifically booked the cruise for - Vuaqava, Kabara and Bird Island. No explanation given nor any apology.

I bought a beautiful wooden bowl from Fulaga. The ship fumigated my bowl but left major stains on the bowl - my cabin number had been written on a label in black marker pen, the label was left on while they fumigated and the label and cabin number have been permanently embossed on the bowl. I had bought it for a wedding gift. I have sent numerous emails over the last 3 weeks - the first response was to "use vinegar but that may damage the varnish". Which shows how little they know about the handicrafts that are sold on these islands - they do NOT use varnish! The vinegar did not work and they have ignored all subsequent emails.

I had primarily booked this cruise to see the Lau islands and do some hiking. The villages we visited were so similar to other villages throughout Fiji that I didn't feel I was in the Lau group, which was disappointing for me. And there was no hiking. In summary, it was a week of terrible snorkelling conditions and a few trips ashore. The snorkelling where I live is much better than where CCC took us!

On the plus side, the ship interior is beautiful, the cabins are comfortable and a great size and the food outstanding! For non-Fijian tourists, the village visits were excellent!

I like to promote Fiji tourism and appreciate the good intentions that CCC have in cruising to more remote islands that need the income. But at what cost!!! CCC needs to provide a lot more training to their boat crew - passenger safety and preserving the marine environment should be top priority!

I got a 50% local discount on this trip as it was during the cyclone season (and fortunately we didn't get a cyclone!). Even with the discount, it is way too expensive. We paid over AU$9,000 for the 2 of us (we upgraded to the 2nd cheapest cabin). It was a waste of my money and I wish we hadn't gone! (I talked to other guests on board who also...

My family and i were super excited to join the Captain Cook Cruise in January . It was a family holiday that was booked prior to Covid of September 2020 . We had to reschedule our trip years later and we finally made it .

We arrived in the Port to be told that we had to Covid Test , this was not made aware to us prior to leaving Australia and nor was my agent notified at Travel Associates . I tested positive unforunuately and was asked to get off the bus immediately . It felt very awkard to be told this . My children continued and i stayed back till i tested negative. The team at EMS were amazing and helped me reach my family on the 4th day . It was a 7 night cruise to the Yasawas and Mananucas . The ship decor was spectacular with a very royal feeling . I was though very disappointed with the service provided . The meals were very subpar . Breakfast on the deck was beautiful but i expected a higher standard of food styling and real coffee . On a cruise of that price you would expect a barista and the option to be able to have iced coffees considering the heat .at that time . Most travellers from Australia would have this expectation too .

The lunch and Dinner was the same with poor selection of house wine on offer . The drinks inclusive in the package were not transparent and you were left wondering what you were getting charged.

The dinner service was rushed and no consideration was given to be given sufficient time in between meals for families to connect . This was important for me and my family and we felt we were rushed out .

The Canapes and Cocktails were very low key with no high end Spirits available.

The rooms were fabulous and very spacious however needed to ask for towels and toiletries several times .

The entertainment needed to be more organised but i also did consider the ship had only started in November . The crew though had come from the previous ship and needed to brush up on their hospitlaity skills and align with the quality of the ship and price tag . They were very friendly and made you feel welcome especailly with the younger families .

Many of the other amazing guests were there to market the cruise in a positve way and promote buisiness however when you are a paying customer you expect a higher standard and when especially coming from a hospitality background .

The activites were fabulous and very easy to access however fruit , snack, drinks should of being provided for free and offered rather than be charged especially the water bottles.

The village tours were fantastic and raw ! Your guests need to be informed about the diseased animals on the islands and for childen to not touch them and also to be mindful of where they are stepping .

The Mud pools were interesting and not what i expected . I was not thrilled by them !! I felt that considering i arrived late on the ship there was no gesture to make me feel welcome after the loss of the 4 days .

I paid less than $2000 for the standard suite as the old price was honoured from the older cruise and still felt i wasent satisfied with the service of the cruise however the excursions and quality of the ship was amazing .The price is now triple that price per person and if not more. Upon my return i expressed my disappointment by emailing headoffice twice to be told that managment will get back to me . I still havent heard from them and gave them the opportunity to discuss it with me before i wrote my review . I feel extremely disappointed with the lack of response from Captain Cook cruises and even though you go to specatacular destinations this is just not enough for me to recommend or rebook...

We booked and went on the Tivoua Island day cruise. First we got stuck in the port for an hour or so due to boat trying to turn around in such a small area and getting wedged and stuck in the mud on the bottom of the docking area. Yes there was a little wind but the boat should have reversed out and not tried the U turn. Boat needs a makeover as everything is old the toilets on board are well not very good and the musty mouldy smell that floats up into the main sitting area from the toilets is not pleasant at all. A small array of sausage rolls Luke warm and banana bread was offered on the trip out with free tea or coffee but every other drink including water you had to pay for ( 2 adults and 2 children $808 Fijian dollars) you would think water and soft drinks would be free on board but no. Choc chip biscuits on way home only. We got to the island eventually, the swimming was great on the clear waters, the free kayaks could only seat 1 person so if you had young children mine being 7 and 9 you could not take them for a paddle with yourself and they could not do alone. Lunch was a BBQ of chicken, fish and sausages with a range of different side options. Not to Bad filled the hungry stomach. They ran out of ice quick so drink after a while served where warm There was meant to be a 90 min Kids club but no site or sound of it at anytime. The glass bottom boat was going to be a highlight but the boat is in serious need of a glass bottom refurbishment due to leaking and the clearness of it all making it very hard to see anything, first area we stopped and driver switched the motor off giving the fish a chance to come back so you could see them any other time sat idling over the reef so fish fled from it. Yes the island is a private is but needs a serious make over. Our time was not extended by much to make up the time we where stuck in port ( only 30 minutes extra for hour plus stuck) However the people are really nice and friendly could not fault that except for the lack of medical stuff as I was walking in the sand to lunch and really smacked my big toe on some coral tgat had been buried on a walking as my foot sunk in, resulting in pulling by toe nail back and a laceration ( medical equipment available some antiseptic and band aids, was a costly trip to medical centre after thr trip to get it cleaned properly and treated) Would I do this trip again honestly no I would not it is not worth the money paid. I was under the impression we where going on a sailing single hull type vessel instead we where on a...