THE CAPTAIN AND THE COMMODORE
Captain Cook Cruises MV Reef Endeavour departed on her inaugural Fiji Cruise on Saturday 6th February with special guests Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama and his wife. The cruise celebrated the return of Fiji’s largest shipping export.

At 73 metres in length and 3,000 tonnes, the MV Reef Endeavour is the largest vessel to have been built by the Fiji Government Shipyard. She was launched in 1994 and sailed to Cairns Australia to operate weekly cruises of the Great Barrier Reef.

In January Captain Cook Cruises announced MV Reef Endeavour would relocate back to Fiji to replace the 120-passenger vessel MV Reef Escape which had sustained damage during the Cyclone Mick in December 2009.

Prime Minister Bainimarama was joined on MV Reef Endeavour’s inaugural Fiji cruise by other dignitaries including The Defence Minister -Honourable Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and The Commissioner for Police -Commodore Esala Taleni

The MV Reef Endeavour has taken over the MV Reef Escape’s four itineraries – the three night Southern Yasawa Islands cruise, four night Northern Yasawa Islands cruise, the seven night Yasawa Islands cruise and the seven nights Northern Fiji Dateline cruise continuing the cultural cruises that have proved so popular with passengers.

Featuring 75 staterooms and cabins the MV Reef Endeavour has the ability to nearly double the passengers Captain Cook Cruises have been carrying on their Fiji itinerary for more than 14 years.

The deployment of the Reef Endeavour to Fiji demonstrates Captain Cook Cruises commitment to the Fijian Tourism industry.

“We believe the delivery of the Reef Endeavour to Fiji demonstrates our commitment to developing Tourism in Fiji and giving tourists the best opportunity to experience the real Fiji. We are very grateful for all of the assistance that our industry partners and the Fijian Government have given us in bringing the Reef Endeavour back to her home.” Said Mr Nick Hortle, CEO, Captain Cook Cruises.

HOLIDAYS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. CHILDREN FRIENDLY RESORTS

 Sheraton Royal Denarau Resort
Sheraton Royal Denarau Resort is one of three Sheraton resorts on popular Denarau Island – only a 15-minute drive from Nadi airport. All the resorts are welcoming of families and have kids’ clubs, kids’ meals and playgrounds.

Castaway Island Resort
Castaway Island Resort is a private island resort in the beautiful Mamanuca group of islands east of Viti Levu. Castaway has a complimentary kids’ club open to children three years and older from 9am to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm, and a supervised children’s dinner between 5pm and 6.30pm.

Shangri-La Fijian Resort
Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort is located on its own island in the Yanuca group, surrounded by superb beaches and close to a natural lagoon, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Shangri-La has excellent children’s facilities including a complimentary child-minding centre and playground called The Little Chiefs Club. Care is provided by friendly Fijian staff.

Naviti Resort
Naviti Resort is spread across 38 acres of tropical gardens on Fiji’s famous Coral Coast. Self-contained rooms can comfortably accommodate families of 2 adults and 2 children. There are plenty of activities and facilities for kids of all ages and a Rugg Rats club for kids aged 5 to 12.

Plantation Island Resort
Plantation Island Resort is located west of Nadi on the island of Malololailai. Children under two stay free, and two kids under 16 can also share a room with their parents for free. An assortment of free activities, from mini-golf to crab racing will keep the kids entertained while they hang out at the Coconut Kids Club. Additional nanny and child-minding services are also available.

Koro Sun Resort
Koro Sun Resort is surrounded by the lush rainforests of northern Fiji and is close to quiet beaches and interesting villages. It has family-sized rooms and the Koro Kids Club, open from 8am-5pm daily for kids three and up.

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE 

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Get engaged while staying at InterContinental Fiji in the month of February and the resort will treat you to a complimentary wedding including a wedding coordinator, venue hire, marriage license, minister or celebrant, Fijian choir, flowers for the bride and groom and a buffet dinner with three hour beverage package.

You and your loved one can exchange vows with the white sand of Natadola Beach between your toes, the crimson rays of a spectacular Pacific sunset as the backdrop and the harmonic sounds of a local Fijian choir serenading you.

Set among 35 acres of tropical gardens and overlooking the aqua-blue lagoon of Natadola Bay, InterContinental Fiji is the South Pacific’s newest wedding destination on Fiji’s Coral Coast.

“For couples seeking to get married or spend their honeymoon in paradise, there are few destinations in the South Pacific that can match Natadola for natural beauty.  This is a pristine location, made available for romantic getaways and wedding parties for the first time thanks to the opening of InterContinental Fiji,” said InterContinental Fiji general manager, Neil Houghton.

“The resort also offers endless opportunities for intimate proposals. From a romantic cabana dinner for two under the stars, a couples treatment at Spa InterContinental or private picnic for two in a secluded location, our staff are always on hand to help mark the occasion,” he said.

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa offers all of the wedding services and facilities expected of a luxury resort including a professional wedding coordinator, intimate wedding pavilion overlooking Natadola Bay with live video feed capabilities so friends and family can share in the day, cultural entertainment and a range of venues for small and large group dining, as well as themed and experiential meals.

The Valentine’s month wedding giveaway is available to all couples that get engaged at the resort during a stay in February 2010. Weddings may be held any month up until February 2011. To receive this offer a minimum of 10 rooms must be booked and paid for by the wedding party and guests, on Advance Purchase rates starting from only FJD$375 per night.

For more information contact the resort’s wedding coordinator and events team on +679 673 3374, weddings.fiji@interconti.com or visit www.intercontinental.com/fiji. Bookings are subject to availability and terms and conditions apply