Blue Lagoon Cruises has retired the MV Fiji Princess after recovery efforts following the vessel’s grounding on Monuriki Island in the Malolo Group on April 4. The company announced the decision in a Facebook post on the completion of salvage work, calling the move “a fitting end to an amazing era of cruising.”
According to the operator, the ship — which had been part of Blue Lagoon Cruises’ fleet for more than 22 years — dragged while at anchor during a severe weather event and subsequently grounded on a nearby reef. Blue Lagoon Cruises said all guests and crew aboard at the time were safely disembarked during the incident, and no injuries were reported.
The retirement follows attempts to recover and assess the vessel after the reef grounding. Blue Lagoon Cruises acknowledged the outpouring of support and well wishes received during what it described as “an unfortunate tragedy at sea that was beyond our control.” The company thanked everyone who had sailed on the Fiji Princess over the years for the memories created aboard the vessel.
Blue Lagoon Cruises said it will be contacting guests affected by the retirement with an array of alternate travel options. The operator did not provide details about which vessels would be used as replacements or whether itineraries would be permanently altered, but assured customers that they would receive direct communication about their bookings and available choices.
In its social media message the company invited former passengers to share photographs, stories and comments “as a final salute” to the Fiji Princess. “The team at Blue Lagoon Cruises appreciates the many guests who cruised on board Fiji Princess, and we know many amazing memories were created on board,” the post read, urging the public to contribute memories to mark the end of the vessel’s service.
The retirement of the Fiji Princess brings to a close more than two decades of operation for a ship that had been a regular presence in day-trip and charter services around the Malolo Group. Blue Lagoon Cruises, a local tourist cruise operator, said it remains committed to supporting affected guests and continuing its excursion services in the islands while it adjusts its fleet following the loss of the long-serving vessel.
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