Fiji Princess Liveaboard Overview

The Fiji Princess cruise offers guests the chance to snorkel in some of the most pristine waters in the world. The Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands are home to some of the best snorkeling spots in Fiji, with clear waters, abundant marine life and abundant soft coral. These idyllic islands lie off the western coast of Viti Levu, and have some of the most beautiful and striking scenery in the South Pacific.

The Fiji Princess is a boutique cruise ship and a popular choice for travelers looking for a personalized and intimate cruising experience. Offering 3-, 4- or 7-night cruises, the ship is 179 feet (55 m) long and can accommodate up to 64 guests in 32 cabins. All cabins are air-conditioned, have private en-suite bathrooms, and a stocked mini-bar.

Well-known for its friendly and attentive staff, the onboard crew of 30 goes out of their way to make sure that guests have a memorable experience. Thanks to the smaller size of this ship, it can access bays and islands that would be impossible for larger ships, getting so close to shore that it can anecdotally tie off to a coconut tree so guests can swim to the beach.

Let’s dive into our review of the Fiji Princess.

Where to book

Fiji Princess liveaboard anchored near a Fiji island with a guest wading in the shallows

Liveaboard.comNo booking fees

Diving on the Fiji Princess

Fiji Princess liveaboard anchored at dusk with a paddleboarder nearby

snorkeler swimming near two reef sharks above a Fiji reef

Fijian dancer performing a torch lit meke for cruise guests on the beach

yellow and green kayaks lined up on a white sand Fiji beach

swimmers and sunbathers along a palm lined beach on a Fiji Princess shore stop

The Fiji Princess is a snorkeling boat rather than diving, though limited diving is available on certain days for an extra fee. Snorkeling is available to all guests and is included in the cost of the cruise.

Guests are provided with fins and masks at the beginning of their cruise to use for the duration. With a maximum of four hours cruising a day, guests have lots of opportunities to swim and snorkel when the ship is moored.

Highlights include an optional night-snorkel and a visit to the Sawa-I-Lau Caves, a series of underwater caves that are home to a variety of marine life. Another unforgettable experience is snorkeling with reef sharks and manta rays, if conditions permit. The crew gives detailed safety briefings and are in the water with guests for safety.

Diving is outsourced to one of the Fiji Princess’s partner companies and is available on Sunday and Thursday only. Not included in the cost of the cruise, it can be booked on board as an optional extra.

The Yasawas and Mamanucas offer some exciting diving opportunities for inexperienced or brand-new divers in the form of a Discover Scuba Diving experience. Certified divers can join a guided dive at Drawaqa Island.

A bull shark dive is also available on Mondays at Kuata Island, subject to a minimum number of certified divers pre-booking.

Highlights:

Snorkel with sharks and manta rays
Opportunity to dive
Paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing also available

Onboard the Fiji Princess

twin cabin with navy and white bedding aboard the Fiji Princess

queen bed with tropical print pillows in a Fiji Princess cabin

crew member serving cocktails to guests relaxing in the Fiji Princess's onboard pool

guests chatting with the bartender at the Fiji Princess's onboard bar

Dining tables set on deck as the sun sets over Fiji

wood shelving stocked with books beside a dining table aboard the Fiji Princess

Cruising on the Fiji Princess is a relaxing and enjoyable experience. With 32 cabins for up to 64 guests, the atmosphere is friendly and intimate. The crew are exceptionally attentive and make sure their guests have a truly memorable experience.

Catering to the mid-level market, the Fiji Princess offers a comfortable and stylish cruising experience, with amenities such as air-conditioned cabins, private bathrooms, a restaurant, bar, lounge, onboard spa, and sundeck. Cabins are compact and comfortable with a nautical theme. Some of the cabins also have balconies with ocean views.

The salon is decorated with Fijian artwork and handicrafts and features a comfortable seating area where guests can relax and socialize. The dining area, next to the salon, features large windows with panoramic views of the ocean.

At the bar, you’ll find a variety of drinks, including cocktails, beer, and wine, all as an optional extra. Hop in the saltwater splash pool when the ship is moored and visit the onboard spa for a massage, facial, or a variety of other therapies.

Evening entertainment options include Bollywood dancing, island bingo and a traditional Fijian meke performance.

Highlights:

Onboard spa
Self-service guest laundry
No single-use plastics onboard

Dining on the Fiji Princess

plated roasted vegetables and greens with balsamic drizzle on the Fiji Princess

seared pork loin topped with tomato salsa on a Fiji Princess dinner plate

chef preparing an omelet at the Fiji Princess's breakfast cooking station

dining room set with white linens and folded napkins aboard the Fiji Princess

The cuisine is a mixture of European and Fijian styles, with an emphasis on local produce. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style with hot and cold options, and evening meals include themed-buffets, a traditional Fijian Lovo on the beach at Nanuya Lailai, and a twice-weekly Captain’s Dinner.

On these evenings, complimentary pre-dinner drinks and canapes are served on the sky deck, if the weather permits, followed by an à la carte menu. Alcohol is complimentary during the Captain’s Dinner and, from April 2024 onwards, will be complimentary during evening meals.

Vegetarian, vegan and special dietary requirements can be catered for. Meals can be enjoyed either in the open-air dining room or on the sky deck where diners can soak up the views.