Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Fiji-Princess

The iconic 'Fiji Princess', a cherished member of the Blue Lagoon Cruises fleet for more than 22 years, is set to retire following a grounding incident on April 4 in the northern Mamanuca Islands, where adverse weather conditions played a crucial role. After a thorough assessment post-recovery efforts, the operators have come to the difficult decision to permanently withdraw the vessel from their service. Guests affected by this unfortunate event are being contacted and provided with alternative travel arrangements. This announcement comes just two weeks prior to the much-anticipated launch of the 'Yasawa Princess II' on April 27, which promises an inviting experience for up to 44 passengers. Blue Lagoon Cruises is committed to ensuring a seamless transition as they introduce their new ship to the fleet.

On April 4, 2026, the 'Fiji Princess' encountered misfortune as it ran aground on a reef near the beautiful shores of Fiji, located at position 17° 36' S 177° 03' E. The incident, which occurred during stormy weather, led to the swift evacuation of all 30 passengers and 17 crew members aboard the vessel. A ferry arrived at first light to facilitate their safe transfer to Denarau Island, and thankfully, there were no injuries reported. The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (Msaf) promptly dispatched officers to the scene to evaluate the situation. Initial assessments indicated significant damage to the ship's aft port side, affecting crucial steering equipment and portions of the vessel's hull. Moreover, the ship had experienced an engine failure and was taking on water as a result of the grounding. Due to hazardous sea conditions, authorities found it too risky to conduct an underwater inspection at that time. On April 6, the primary focus shifted towards mitigating the risk of environmental pollution. With this concern in mind, the landing craft 'Krishnan' (IMO: 8994752) was dispatched to remove approximately 23 tons of pumpable fuel and other oils stored on board, thus reducing the potential for an oil spill. Luckily, officials reported no signs of damage to the fuel tanks during inspections. Salvage teams have been actively working to extract remaining fuel and oil from the 'Fiji Princess,' in cooperation with an Australian salvage specialist who arrived on the scene on April 5. Once weather conditions stabilize, recovery operations will commence in earnest. Msaf is collaborating with the vessel's operators as well as multiple response teams to ensure a seamless salvage process. The 'Fiji Princess' is well-known in the region, and Monuriki Island, approximately 45 km west of Nadi, has gained fame as the filming location for the 2000 blockbuster film *Cast Away*. In addition, it is part of the Mamanuca Island chain, infamous for hosting the US version of the reality show *Survivor* since 2016. The evacuated individuals were safely transported back to Port Denarau, while remaining crew members are lending their support to the salvage efforts, temporarily residing on the 'Cougar,' a sister ship of the 'Fiji Princess,' for safety. The vessel had anchored in comparatively calm waters prior to the incident, but a sudden strong gust of wind shifted the ship's anchor, leading it dangerously close to nearby reefs. As recovery efforts continue, the Msaf and the salvage teams remain vigilant in their commitment to ensuring the safety and environmental integrity of the beautiful waters around Fiji.