THE Capital City was hyped with shopping tourists last week, following the arrival of one of the three world class mega cruise liners, Sun Princess V435.
The cruise liner graced our shores with more than 2000 passengers who enjoyed the warmth and hospitality accorded to them, from the wharf, to the markets and the retailers.
Pacific Agencies boarding officer Livai Volavola said over the years, a good relationship between the agency and the cruise liner had been established.
“Pacific Agencies have been agents for Princess Cruises ever since we began operation in 2000,” Mr Volavola said.
“It is important to establish and have these good relationships so that we can have cruise ships coming to our ports annually.”
While the Tourism sector anticipated the arrival of cruise liners into the country, Mr Volavola said there were some challenges faced in order to control the passengers on board visiting our shores.
He says they always try to ensure that all was under control when these cruise vessels come especially the ones carrying nearly 2000 passengers.
Mr Volavola said their officers would make sure they were available for the passengers before the cruise liners docked.
However, he said, there were plans to grow and through this, more tourists may be attracted to come and visit our shores.
Website www.princess.com states Sun Princess has been a cruise ship industry pioneer. “When she was christened, she set the bar offering a high percentage of balcony staterooms from which to view the exotic destinations of the world,” the website adds.
Princess.com adds the Sun Princess has her amazing amenities and exciting features such as dining, entertainment, activities and and 18 activities. The cruise liner chefs are truly culinary artists who insist on serving the very finest cuisine.
“Our entire fleet has been inducted into the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs gastronomic society,” said the website.
“Each chef’s menu is creative and the selections change every day. Pair that with impeccable service and you’re in for an unforgettable gourmet experience.”
If you are looking for entertainment on board, the cruise liner, Sun Princess has it.
“Sun Princesses theater venues are designed with great acoustics, the best seats in the house, and stellar acts. The movies shown are all first-run feature-length films. Our ship’s hot spots are just that — sizzling! They vary depending upon the ship and feature dazzling casinos, our Movies Under The Stars outdoor theater, night clubs, dance floors and more,” said the website.
“The many activities onboard our ships are designed to stimulate, educate, entertain, inspire and sweat — not necessarily in that order.
But, you can be sure we’ll do our best to cover all the bases. And from art auctions to our Lotus Spa, this ship is loaded with fun things to do.
“Sometimes floating serenely just isn’t enough — splash around, ride the waves, swim against the current or take a dip in one of this ship’s bubbling hot tubs.”
Princess.com said their ships will keep you on the run, literally, with basketball, paddle tennis, jogging tracks and state-of-the-art gyms equipped with machines that’ll keep your heart rate pumping.
Sun Princess has a net tonnage (NT) of 44193 and a gross tonnage (GT) of 77441 with a total of 851 crew and 2001 passengers on board.
The cruise liners port of registry is at Hamilton, Bermuda.
Sun Princesse’s ports of calls in Fiji are in Denarau, Suva, Savusavu and Dravuni.
