Blue Lagoon Cruises has confirmed that MV Fiji Princess will not return to service following an incident in early April that left the ship significantly damaged.
What happened to Fiji Princess
On April 4, the 182-foot vessel ran aground on a reef near Monuriki Island, located approximately 30 miles from Nadi. The island is widely recognized as the filming location for the Tom Hanks film Cast Away. The reality television series Survivor is also filmed in the area.
Authorities said a sudden squall caused the ship’s anchor to drag, forcing the vessel onto the reef. The ship sustained significant damage and began taking on water, though no injuries were reported among those on board.
A ferry came alongside to evacuate the 30 guests, who later disembarked at Denarau Island. The ship was in the middle of a seven-day voyage at the time of the incident.
An Australian salvage team assisted with the recovery operation. More than 20,000 liters of fuel were removed from the vessel to prevent potential marine pollution to the reef system. Authorities reported no signs of fuel tank leakage.
What happens next for passengers
“With much sadness and following initial recovery efforts, we have made the difficult decision to retire MV Fiji Princess following an incident on April 4,” Blue Lagoon Cruises said in a social media statement.
The cruise line has processed refunds for April bookings. Sailings will continue aboard MV Yasawa Princess II, which is scheduled to enter service later this month. The ship features 22 guest cabins.
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji is leading an ongoing investigation into the incident. No timeline has been given for the release of a final report. MV Fiji Princess had been sailing in the Pacific for more than 20 years at the time of the incident.
