Captain Cook Cruises Fiji officially welcomed luxury small ship MS Caledonian Sky on Friday morning heralding a new era of expedition cruising in Fiji and the South Pacific.
Allison Haworth West, Executive Chair and Captain Peter Martin of Captain Cook Cruises Fiji guests onboard including Brent Hill, CEO Tourism Fiji Chief Executive and Adi Varanisese Ligalevu Tavaiqia, representing the Vanua of Vuda, named as MS Caledonian Sky’s Godmother alongside the ship, docked in
The ceremony included a blessing by Reverend Saimoni Rokini and the time-honoured Fijian tradition – the Sevusevu (where a new arrival presents kava (yaqona) to the traditional owners of the land and asks for their blessing. Adi Varanisese Ligalevu Tavaiqia accepted the kava and welcomed the ship to her new home in Fiji.
MS Caledonian Sky was then formally named as the ship’s Godmother and wished the ship safe and happy voyages ahead.
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Following maritime tradition, and to commemorate the arrival of the ship, the ship’s Godmother cut a flower garland that stretched from ship to shore to signify the ship’s launch and to welcome her to Fiji. After the formal proceedings, guests enjoyed a tour of the spacious suites and well-appointed public areas on the ship and enjoyed drinks with canapes prepared by Executive Chef Ashim Singh.
MS Caledonian Sky’s arrival elevates the cruising experience in Fiji and offers refined onboard accommodation and hospitality. The luxury expedition ship is tailor-made for the adventurous traveller, offering spacious boutique comfort whilst also being small and maneuverable, taking guests to corners of the Pacific not accessible by larger ships. With a capacity of just 114 passengers across 57 spacious ocean-view suites, guests can enjoy the luxury of their own private balconies, elegant suites, alfresco dining, and an expansive sky deck.
Building on their pioneering success with small ship expedition experiences, in 2024 MS Caledonian Sky will complement existing itineraries with additional seven-night Northern Lau and Southern Lau itineraries plus 14-night voyages journeying through Lau to Tonga and to Samoa. All experiences are enhanced by a 10-strong onboard expedition team of marine biologists and cultural experts plus a fleet of 10 Zodiacs.
Haworth West said she was delighted to welcome MS Caledonian Sky to Fijian waters and to 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. With our commitment to give back to the people and places we visit, this is cruising of Fiji, for Fiji,” Haworth West remarked.
Lead image, from left: Captain Peter Martin; Adi Varanisese Ligalevu Tavaiqia, Godmother of MS Caledonian Sky; Brent Hill, Tourism Fiji and Allison Haworth West, Executive Chair, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji.
