When the Norwegian Sun mega cruise liner docked at the Queens Wharf in Lautoka with 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew in the early hours of Wednesday, 07th May, an incredible logistics operation of a scale not seen before in Fiji swung into operation.

Rosie Fiji Cruises along with the Fiji Ports Authority, port agencies including the relevant government border agencies with Customs, Immigrations, Bio Security and the Tourism Police Unit came together to deliver the most complex disembarkation and embarkation process for close to 4,000 international cruise passengers along with over 8,000 pieces of check-in luggage from port to airport and hotels and vice versa.  

“This was not only one of the greatest logistical challenges we have successfully hurdled but also a defining moment for our cruise tourism industry,” said Rosie Travel Group General Manager, Mr. Eroni Puamau. Fiji is not only a world-class destination for cruise ship day excursions, but also capable of handling turnaround operations for cruise liners of all sizes, from the small expedition cruise liners all the way to the larger capacity cruise line brands, he added.

A key factor that is working in Fiji’s favour to grow in cruise turnarounds is the well-established air connectivity with Fiji Airways, that is enabling cruise passengers to fly to Fiji from all key markets and embark on their cruise journey with ease. And likewise when they disembark and fly home from Fiji. Fiji is also well placed with a diverse range of accommodation and the capacity to engage in large-scale turnaround operations for cruise ships here in Fiji.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is in the Top 3 cruise line brands in the world based on volume of cruise passengers and programs globally, and they have confirmed plans to invest more of their cruise turnaround programs into our Pacific region, with Fiji playing a key role in their plans.

As a result of this initial success, Rosie Fiji Cruises is now embarking on a strategic plan to expand Fiji’s resources that will improve our capacity and efficiency with the logistics for these turnaround programs, added Puamau.

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About Rosie Holidays: 
Rosie Holidays is Fiji’s leading inbound tour operator, committed to delivering authentic and sustainable travel experiences. By partnering with local communities, we ensure every adventure offers a unique connection to Fiji’s culture, people, and breathtaking landscapes. 

For more information, please contact: 
Jale Solivakanene 
Cruise Content Developer 
jale@rosiefiji.com