Captain Cook Cruises Fiji officially debuted its new luxe small ship MS Caledonian Sky with a traditional Fijian welcome before she departed on her first voyage in local waters on 11 November 2023.
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji Executive Chair Allison Haworth West and Captain Peter Martin welcomed official guests, including Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill and Adi Varanisese Ligalevu Tavaiqia.
Ms Tavaiqia represented the Vanua of Vuda and was named MS Caledonian Sky’s Godmother.
The official ceremony included the Sevusevu where a new arrival presents kava (yaqona) to the traditional owners of the land.
Ms Tavaiqia accepted the kava and welcomed the ship to her new home in Fiji. She was then formally named the ship’s Godmother and wished the ship safe and happy voyages ahead.
In 2024, the 57-suite MS Caledonian Sky will add extra seven-night Northern Lau and Southern Lau itineraries plus 14-night voyages through Lau to Tonga and Samoa.
All experiences will include a 10-strong onboard expedition team of marine biologists and cultural experts plus a fleet of 10 Zodiacs.
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji Executive Chair Allison Haworth West said she was delighted to welcome MS Caledonian Sky and bring a new standard of premium small-ship expedition cruising to the region.
“This is a momentous occasion for our extended family here at Captain Cook Cruises Fiji and we’re both proud and excited to be offering guests a new, more genuine, bucket list experience of Fiji,” she said.
“With our commitment to give back to the people and places we visit, this is cruising of Fiji, for Fiji.”
Find out more at captaincookcruisesfiji.com
