Founders Club Grand Adventure – Islands of Fiji
Looking for a ticket to paradise?
Fiji is an island group situated in the South Pacific, about 2,600 miles north of New Zealand, between New Caledonia and American Samoa. The main island of Viti Levu is home to the international airport and is the most populated and developed of the Fijian islands. Northwest of Viti Levu there is a chain of pristine islands populated by small native villages. These are the Yasawa Islands.
Our time in Fiji will be a combination of land and sea beginning with a luxury resort stay just off Viti Levu. We’ll then embark on a boutique cruise experience in the stunningly beautiful Yasawa Islands.
Within the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Viti Levu’s Denarau Island is a newly built “adults-only” enclave called the Waitui Beach Club. We’re staying at Waitui Beach Club for three full days and nights, with access to the complete resort. We have two special events planned during our stay at the Sofitel. Our Sigatoka River Safari takes us by jet boat to visit villages along the river. Our Evening at Coco Palms, an evening of music, culture and a traditional “lovo” feast, takes place at the nearby Westin Resort. The rest of your time is yours to relax and enjoy the Sofitel facilities and services.
Our one-week cruise of the Yasawa Islands will be aboard the intimate 68-guest Fiji Princess of Blue Lagoon Cruises. Think yacht vs. cruise ship…tying up to a palm tree…a pre-breakfast swim off the back of the boat…the crew gathering informally to sing and play their ukuleles. We have the 20 best cabins on the boat on the top two decks. All meals are included, most in the open-air restaurant on board, some ashore. WiFi is free but not always available. What is always available is sun, deep blue water, happy people and a totally relaxed state of mind.
See you in paradise?

Per Person Double Occupancy
From $6999
Single Supplement: $3399
Now Oct. 16-28, 2022
13 Days / 12 Nights
Itinerary
Depart USA
Today we depart Chicago for the West Coast where we connect with our overnight transpacific flight. Enjoy meals, movies & entertainment en route to magical Fiji.
International Date Line
Cross the International Date Line and lose a day en route to Fiji.
Arrive in Fiji
Early this morning we land at Fiji’s Nadi International Airport and transfer directly to Denarau Island, home to the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa. We are staying at Waitui Beach Club, an exclusive adults-only luxury enclave within the resort. Your oceanfront room will be immediately available. Relax in the infinity pool, walk the beach and enjoy your first day in paradise. Join fellow Founders Club members this evening for complimentary cocktails and savor your first Fijian sunset. (B)
Sigatoka River Safari–Coco Palms
Today’s adventure begins with a uniquely Fijian adventure into the heart and soul of Fiji, aboard custom-built safari jet boats. Travel along the Sigatoka River to visit authentic Fijian villages and experience a day in the life of the real “kaiviti” (Fijian). Learn the history, customs and legends of the area, taste kava in a traditional welcome ceremony, and enjoy lunch prepared by village women. Entertainment, dancing and shopping in the market caps your Sigatoka River adventure. Following time to relax and refresh, rejoin your fellow group members for an evening at Coco Palms. It’s an evening filled with Fijian music, culture and a traditional “lovo”, a feast cooked in an underground hot rock oven. Anyone for the barefoot fire walk? (B, L, D)
Day at Leisure
Today is your day to do it all or nothing at all. The Sofitel offers a host of activities to choose from, and the spa offers a full array of services and treatments. Enjoy your day! (B)
Board Fiji Princess–Modriki Island
After breakfast, drive to Port Denarau where we are welcomed aboard the M.V. Fiji Princess of Blue Lagoon Cruises. Set sail for the outer Mamanucas. The first overnight anchorage is in a gorgeous secluded location at Modriki Island. Seen the Tom Hanks movie Cast Away? Tonight you will be a castaway on that island. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and canapés as you watch the sunset. The Captain’s Welcome Dinner will be served in the dining saloon with entertainment by the talented singing, dancing, guitar-playing crew. (B, L, D)
Included Activities: Visit the film location of Cast Away, Captain’s Dinner
Soso Bay
There is time to step ashore for a beach walk or swim before or after breakfast. Sea conditions permitting, you’ll have an opportunity to swim with the sharks at a secret reef location en route to our next destination. After lunch we’ll visit Soso, an exceptional example of a modern day Fijian island village. Enjoy a traditional Thali dinner which features exquisite Indian dishes. The evening may turn into an extravaganza of Bollywood movies and dancing. (B, L, D)
Included Activities: Beach swim, shark snorkeling, village visit, traditional Thali dinner
Naukacuvu Island
Sunday is a day of rest in Fiji. After breakfast, attend a village church service. Then cruise south to the beautiful Naukacuvu and Narara Islands as you enjoy a traditional Sunday roast lunch. Join the chef for today’s Fijian cooking lesson and make the traditional dish ‘Kokoda’. Tonight’s buffet has a range of dishes from Fiji along with a choice of European dishes. After dinner play bingo ‘Fiji style’ with prizes and lots of laughs, or enjoy a quiet nightcap at the bar. (B, L, D)
Included Activities: Sunday roast, reef snorkeling, cooking lessons
Yalobi Bay
As Fiji Princess arrives at the stunning Sacred Isles, you’ll think you are lost in paradise. The backdrop of the neighboring Waya Lailai volcanic formations is breathtaking. Spend the remainder of the day swimming, snorkeling and relaxing. (B, L, D)
Included Activities: Swimming, reef snorkeling, Fiji style high tea, cooking lessons
Blue Lagoon
Our destination today is the famed Blue Lagoon. This superb stretch of water is ringed by islands including Blue Lagoon Cruises’ very own private island. Watch as the crew positions the vessel right up to the beach and ties her off to coconut trees. Enjoy happy hour on shore with canapés. A traditional Lovo meal cooked underground will be served under the coconut palms and tropical stars. There will be Fijian meke; singing, dancing and storytelling by local villagers. (B, L, D)
Included Activities: Explore private island, traditional Lovo cooked meal, Fiji style high tea, snorkeling, fish feeding, volleyball
Sawa-i-Lau Island
A leisurely guided island walk with panoramic views to a cake shop and shell market is offered this morning. Laze in the sun or try your hand at basket weaving. A guided snorkeling safari is also offered today. Enjoy lunch on board as we cruise north for a private guided visit to the amazing Sawa-i-Lau caves. The village of Tamasua welcomes us to a yaqona ceremony, a guided walk around the village and a village style feast prepared and cooked by the village women. The villagers will share their culture and home with us this evening. (B, L, D)
Included Activities: Guided walk, Kava ceremony, guided visit to Sawa-i-Lau Caves, village style seafood dinner
Drawaqa Island
Cruise to Drawaqa Island where a marine biologist joins us for a presentation about the local marine life and the volunteer conservation work carried out in the area. There will be an optional excursion to the local island school to view the work of the Vinaka Fiji Volunteers. Dinner this evening is a barbecue served under the stars. Tonight we party Fiji style. (B, L, D)
Included Activities: Marine biologist presentation, BBQ on the Skydeck. Optional excursion: Local school visit
Disembark–Homeward Bound
Enjoy breakfast on board as we cruise back toward Port Denarau. Along the way you will be serenaded with a traditional Isa Lei farewell song by the crew, as your exploration of the magical Yasawa Islands comes to an end. Following debarkation, travel through the beautiful Sabeto Valley to the Gardens of the Sleeping Giant where you will discover the largest orchid collection in Fiji. Containing over 2000 varieties, this was once the private collection of the late American actor Raymond Burr. In addition to the orchids, the walk along the path cut through a tropical rainforest at the base of the Sleeping Giant Mountain lends another insight into Fiji’s beauty. A visit to Vaselsei Village and time for shopping and lunch on your own fills out your day prior to arrival at the airport. Following check-in, perhaps do some final duty-free shopping prior to boarding your USA-bound flight. During your overnight flight, recross the International Date Line, gaining back the day you “lost” en route to Fiji, and arrive back home the same day filled with fond memories of your Founders Club Grand Adventure to the Islands of Fiji. (B)
Inclusions
Included
- Roundtrip economy class airfare from Chicago
- 3 full days & nights at the Waitui Beach Club at Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa
- 7-night cruise on Blue Lagoon Cruises' M.V. Fiji Princess (Orchid Deck cabin)
- All meals & activities listed in the itinerary
- All ground transportation via deluxe AC coach
- English-speaking guides & personnel throughout
- Custom luggage handling
- Complete services of Cruise & Tour
Founders Club Exclusives:
- Welcome & Farewell Dinners
- Roundtrip Group Transfers Between Milwaukee and Chicago O’Hare
- Premier Lounge Access at Nadi Airport Prior to Return Flight
- FJ$200 Per Person Spending Allowance Aboard the Fiji Princess
- FJ$150 Per Person Spending Allowance at the Sofitel Fiji Resort
- Founders Club Adventure Gift Set
Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Taxes & fees of $175 (subject to change)
- Requested FJ$150 per cabin donation to Vinaka Fiji Trust (optional, in lieu of crew gratuity)
- Gratuities for tour guides pre and post-cruise
- Baggage fees
- Items of a personal nature
COVID-19 NOTICE: Effective immediately and until further notice, all guests may be required to provide one of the following in order to be able to travel: proof of vaccination, proof of recovery from COVID-19 (based upon a defined time frame specified by entry country), or a negative COVID-19 test result (based upon a defined time frame and test type specified by entry country). Specific requirements will vary by destination governing bodies and travel vendor/operator and are subject to change at any time. Cruise & Tour does not have any control over these requirements. Masks may be required to be worn during portions of your trip and specific requirements will vary by destination governing bodies and travel vendor/operator. Cruise & Tour does not have any control over these requirements. Any costs associated with these requirements shall be at the travelers’ expense. This shall not release the passenger from the cancellation policy or be grounds for adjustment of the price of the travel arrangements reserved.
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*Because of limited medical services and the remote nature of the Yasawa Islands, and the need for a costly evacuation should a serious medical situation arise, Blue Lagoon Cruises requires that their guests carry travel insurance. Please inquire about obtaining a policy that meets the requirements of the cruise line.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENT:
$1000 per person deposit required with your reservation
$2000 per person second deposit due 3/18/22
Final payment due 6/17/22
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:
Initial $1000 deposit refundable through 3/18/22, less a $500 cancellation fee
3/19/22 to 6/17/22: Cancellation charge is 50% of deposits paid
After 6/17/22 or non-appearance on departure day: 100% of cost forfeited

How to Book
- Call Cruise & Tour at (800) 383-3131 or REQUEST A CALL
- Ask to have a place held on this trip
- You will receive an email with a link to our online registration form
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Travel Insurance Information
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Cruise & Tour recommends that you purchase travel insurance.
To purchase travel protection insurance:
- Click here to view and print the Travel Insured International brochure which has a brief summary of coverage.
- After making your travel reservation and deposit, a Cruise & Tour representative will create an insurance quote for you. You will receive that travel insurance quote from Travel Insured International Customer Care.
- From here you will be able to view the quote, add additional coverage options such as Cancel for Any Reason, and purchase your policy all in the Travel Insured International Portal.
Please Note: Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion will be waived if you purchase the protection plan within 21 days of the date of your initial trip payment. Options such as Cancel for Any Reason or Interrupt for Any Reason must also be purchased within 21 days of the date of your initial trip payment.
To view and print the Explanation of Benefits, click here.

Cancellation/Interruption