Fijian Holdings Ltd subsidiary South Sea Cruises Group has launched a new luxury vessel, the MV Yasawa Princess II, marking a F$15 million investment aimed at strengthening Fiji’s cruise and island tourism offering in the Yasawa island group. The Blue Lagoon Cruises–branded ship carries 22 air‑conditioned cabins for 44 guests and is designed to deliver an all‑inclusive small‑ship experience, company officials said at yesterday’s launch.
The vessel’s onboard facilities include a bar, dining room, expansive sun deck and spa, along with guest conveniences and activity options such as Wi‑Fi, snorkeling gear, kayaks, stand‑up paddleboards and a glass‑bottom boat for reef viewing. South Sea Cruises Group chief executive officer Brad Rutherford said the MV Yasawa Princess II was the latest visible outcome of a broader development programme, and positioned the company to capture higher‑value segments of the cruise market.
“This vessel is part of a F$100 million investment pipeline over a three‑year programme,” Rutherford said, pointing to earlier fleet renewal with the Yasawa Flyer III launched earlier this year and a pipeline that also includes resort acquisitions, new resort builds and a new beach club. He told reporters another fast ferry was expected to arrive in Fiji in July 2024 to further expand inter‑island connectivity.
Fijian Holdings chairman Sakiusa Raivoce said South Sea Cruises was among the better‑performing subsidiaries within the FHL group and highlighted tourism’s role in broader economic growth. “Tourists bring a lot of investment to Fiji in terms of economic growth, so we will support the tourism industry,” Raivoce said, underlining the company’s commitment to investing in domestic capacity.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka described the arrival of the MV Yasawa Princess II as “an important step forward for Fiji’s tourism industry,” stressing the value of authentic cultural engagement that Blue Lagoon Cruises promotes. “Visitors do not just travel through Fiji; they experience our way of life,” Gavoka said, adding that stronger local ownership and Fijian enterprise were priorities of the Coalition Government’s economic direction.
South Sea Cruises said local sailings for the MV Yasawa Princess II are scheduled to begin next month, with the vessel’s first international voyage planned for April 27, 2024. The company framed the deployment as part of efforts to diversify product offerings for visitors to the Yasawas—an archipelago heavily reliant on niche cruising and island‑stay tourism—and to meet growing demand for boutique, immersive experiences.
Industry observers note that small luxury cruise vessels like the Yasawa Princess II can command higher per‑guest yields and support downstream businesses in island communities by bringing tourists directly to village and resort locations. The launch signals continued private investment into Fiji’s marine tourism infrastructure at a time when operators are seeking to rebuild and upscale capacity.
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