MV Reef Endeavour

MV Reef Endeavour cruise ship was built in Fiji and has been popular mostly with Australian passengers since its launch in 1996. The vessel spent its first 15 years of service deployed to the Great Barrier Reef (Coral Sea, Australia). However, in 2010 the ship was moved to Fiji replacing there Captain Cook Cruises ship Reef Escape, that had been damaged during Cyclone Mick. Reef Endeavour was completely refurbished in 2013 and currently operates on round-trip itineraries to Yasawa Islands leaving round-trip from Port Denarau (Nadi, Fiji).

The vessel (IMO number 9012666) is Fiji-flagged (MMSI 520184000).

In 1996, the Australian-based travel company Captain Cook Cruises entered the Fiji day-cruising market. This way, "Captain Cook Cruises Fiji Islands" company was created, with joint owners Captain Cook Cruises' founder (late Captain Trevor Haworth from Australia) and Semi Koroilavesau (Fiji Ports Ltd company's chairman). The first vessel to provide overnight accommodations on Fiji roundtrip cruises was Reef Escape. With the introduction of the larger Reef Endeavour, the company had the chance to offer longer and more intriguing itineraries.

In 2012, the Haworth family sold the Australian cruise operations but retained the Fiji operations. Then was introduced a new itinerary for MS Reef Endeavour. The company also offers an exclusive island destination - the Fijian private island Tivua island.

Shipboard facilities

The ship's 2013 drydock upgrades followed the devastating Cyclone Evan which in December 2012 struck Fiji's west coast. While at anchor in Nadi Bay and with no passengers onboard, enormous waves pounded the ship heavily, smashing windows, flooding cabins and damaging the Sun Deck. The 5-deck vessel was repaired and refurbished with new carpets (in all public areas and cabins), new mattresses in all staterooms, new dining room, new outdoor and indoor lounge furniture. All cabins were also repainted. The ship was also upgraded with a new glass-bottom boat and tender boat. The cocktail lounge received soft furnishings, while all passenger staterooms were refreshed with brand new bed linens. A small fleet of yellow kayaks was also added.

Any of the Reef Endeavour cruise itineraries offers snorkeling, swimming and meeting Fijians in their natural village settings, in small towns, at local markets. Much of the time passengers spent on land and in the water. Most staterooms are accessed through the open decks running along both sides of the 3 upper decks. There are no cabin balconies, so passengers step straight onto these 3-foot wide promenade decks to enjoy the mesmerizing ocean and island views.