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.
For further information and bookings, please contact Captain Cook Cruises toll free from Australia on 1800 804 843; Int +61-2-9206 1111, Email: fiji@captaincook.com.au or visit www.captaincook.com.au.
