Blue Lagoon Cruises is offering ‘early bird’
rates on the last remaining ‘Historical & Cultural Dateline
Cruises’ it has scheduled for 2009.
Departing the iconic Fijian cruise
company’s home port of Lautoka on 9 November, the cruise offers a unique
opportunity to see the largely uncharted and seldom visited
reaches comprising Fiji’s remote north-eastern tip.
Standard prices for the ‘Historical &
Cultural Dateline Cruises’ start from US$2087 per person twin
share.
All bookings received for any of the
three departures prior to 30 September will qualify for the 30% ‘early bird’ discount which brings prices down to US$1605
per person twin share.
Operated to the boutique
cruise company’s highly regarded ‘Gold Club’ standard, the
seven-day itinerary includes Kioa Island, home to some 300
Polynesian Elice Islanders who migrated into the region in the
1940’s.
The cruise will also visit the 4,000
Micronesian Banabans who have inhabited Rabi Island since 1946. Rabi remains virtually the same since the Banabans
first arrived from Kiribati to escape the ravages phosphate mining
had dealt to their home islands.
The cruise
schedule also includes visits to Fiji’s original capital city,
Levuka, on Ovalau Island and Nananu-I-Ra Island, the home of the
Fijian Serpent God Degei who according to local legend created the
Fijian archipelago.
Hands-on cruise activities
include the opportunity to visit these islanders in their villages
and participate in several of their ancient ceremonies.
A high spot of the overall cruise is the greeting by Kioa
islanders, resplendent in traditional war dress, paddling out to
the MV Fiji Princess in outrigger canoes to ferry passengers
ashore for a traditional welcome.
Prices quoted do not include international airfares or
beverages (other than tea or coffee). Other terms and conditions
apply.
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