South Sea Cruises Group is expanding its Blue Lagoon Cruises fleet with the addition of a second vessel, the MV Yasawa Princess II, to meet rising demand for intimate small-ship cruising in Fiji. The 45-meter catamaran is slated to launch in April 2026 and will operate alongside the existing MV Fiji Princess through 2026 and 2027, effectively doubling the company’s capacity for Yasawa Island itineraries.
The Yasawa Princess II carries 22 cabins, accommodating a maximum of 44 guests, and features a shallow draft that enables access to secluded bays and islands that larger ships cannot reach, including the ability to tie up to a coconut tree on Blue Lagoon Cruises’ private beach. Following an extensive refit, the vessel offers light-filled cabins with ocean views, an upper deck with a bar, dining and lounge seating, a sundeck, and a hydraulic rise-and-fall stern platform for easy water access. For the 2026–2027 season, it is planned to operate the company’s four-night itineraries, while the MV Fiji Princess will continue to host the three- and seven-night cruises.
Blue Lagoon Cruises, regarded as Fiji’s premier small-ship cruising brand, will mark its 75th anniversary in 2025. The introduction of the Yasawa Princess II is part of the group’s long-term growth plans and reflects the enduring popularity of boutique cruising in the region. The fleet expansion is designed to meet strong demand from both international visitors and local travelers seeking high-quality, intimate experiences on Fiji’s islands.
This move sits within a broader strategy to strengthen inter-island connectivity and boutique travel in Fiji, aligning with other initiatives in the region aimed at enhancing island access and immersive experiences for communities in the Yasawa and Mamanuca islands.
What this means for travelers: The new vessel offers more capacity for intimate voyages, greater scheduling flexibility, and continued access to Fiji’s famed Yasawa landscape with the same renowned Fijian hospitality, onboard amenities, and onshore activities that define Blue Lagoon Cruises.
Blue Lagoon Cruises is adding MV Yasawa Princess II to its fleet, expanding intimate small-ship cruising in Fiji with four-night itineraries in 2026–27, alongside the existing MV Fiji Princess, as part of a broader growth plan to meet growing demand and celebrate the brand’s 75th anniversary.
The expansion reinforces Fiji’s appeal as a premier boutique cruise destination and supports sustainable, community-focused tourism by increasing opportunities for travellers and local partners alike. If you’d like, I can include a sidebar with key milestones (launch date, capacity, itineraries) and social-ready quotes.
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