Blue Lagoon Cruises Retires Fiji Princess After Reef Grounding

Blue Lagoon Cruises has decided to retire its small cruise ship, MV Fiji Princess, after the vessel ran aground on a coral reef near Monuriki Island in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands on April 4, 2026. All 30 passengers were evacuated without injury, while maritime authorities and salvage specialists have worked to reduce pollution risks and assess damage amid rough weather.

Grounding near Monuriki Island

The 55.52-meter (182-foot) Fiji Princess grounded on a reef near uninhabited Monuriki Island, about 45 kilometers west of Nadi. The island is widely known as the filming location for the 2000 movie Cast Away.

Blue Lagoon Cruises said the incident occurred in the early morning hours while the ship was anchored overnight during a seven-day itinerary. In its account of the grounding, the operator said “conditions upon the ship anchoring in the area were calm,” and it “appears a severe squall caused the ship’s anchor to drag” toward the reef.

Passenger evacuation and guest arrangements

A fast ferry arrived at first light to take passengers off the vessel. Blue Lagoon Cruises said all 30 passengers disembarked with their luggage and were transported back to the Denarau area, where the company arranged accommodations at local hotels and organized alternative activities.

The operator and authorities reported no injuries among passengers or crew. Seventeen non-essential crew members were also evacuated, while remaining crew stayed involved in the response as the situation developed.

Damage, water ingress, and onboard safety concerns

Fiji’s Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) reported significant damage following initial checks. MSAF said there was “serious damage” in the rear section, including the area associated with steering equipment, along with damage beneath the vessel.

Authorities also reported engine failure after the impact and said the ship was taking on water. Underwater inspections and additional assessment work have been constrained by sea conditions, with officials citing strong waves and rough weather.

Pollution prevention and fuel removal

With the ship stuck on the reef, response teams focused on preventing diesel or oil from entering the surrounding marine environment. Early assessments cited in official updates indicated no sign the fuel tanks had been breached. Still, fuel and oils were offloaded as a precaution.

MSAF initially highlighted the environmental risk posed by the diesel onboard (reported as 5,300 gallons, or about 20,000 liters). In a later update, MSAF confirmed that approximately 23,000 liters of fuel had been removed from the vessel, reducing the pollution threat, while oil spill response booms remained in place as monitoring continued.

• Risk reduction: Fuel and onboard oils were removed to lower the chance of a spill while the vessel remains on the reef.
• On-water safeguards: Spill-response equipment, including oil booms, has been maintained around the site as a precaution during ongoing monitoring.
• Work sequencing: Inspection and recovery activity has been paced around sea-state limitations, with some tasks delayed until conditions allow safe deployment of equipment.

Salvage planning amid cyclone-linked weather delays

Blue Lagoon Cruises said it activated a crisis management plan and brought in an Australian marine recovery and salvage expert, with maritime authorities also confirming an Australian salvage operator was on scene.

Progress has been slowed by rough conditions, with the Fiji Meteorological Service warning of heavy rain, strong winds, and flash flooding in the islands during the period following the grounding. Local reporting linked the conditions to Tropical Cyclone Vaianu, and maritime officials said recovery work requiring equipment to be placed in the water was not safe or effective while conditions remained severe.

As the response continued, crew were moved off the Fiji Princess for safety. MSAF and company updates said crew were transferred to Blue Lagoon Cruises’ sister vessel Cougar, which departed the area for Port Denarau, while other personnel remained engaged in response and salvage planning.

Retirement of the Fiji Princess after 22 years

After initial recovery efforts began, Blue Lagoon Cruises announced it would retire the Fiji Princess, ending the ship’s service after about 22 years. In a social media post, the operator said it had made a “difficult decision to retire” the vessel following the April 4 incident.

The company said guests affected by the retirement would be contacted and offered alternative options. The Fiji Princess had been marketed as a small ship capable of reaching secluded shores in the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands, and its grounding has kept attention on the operational and environmental challenges of cruising in tropical conditions.

The Fiji Princess remains on the reef as authorities, the operator, and salvage specialists evaluate the safest recovery approach. With fuel removed and pollution controls in place, further action is expected to depend largely on improved weather and sea conditions around the Mamanuca Islands.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where did the Fiji Princess run aground?

The ship ran aground on a coral reef near Monuriki Island in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands, about 45 kilometers west of Nadi. Monuriki is widely known as the filming location for the 2000 movie Cast Away.

What caused the grounding?

Blue Lagoon Cruises said the vessel was anchored overnight when conditions changed rapidly. The company said “conditions upon the ship anchoring in the area were calm,” and it “appears a severe squall caused the ship’s anchor to drag” toward the reef.

Were there any injuries among passengers or crew?

No. Blue Lagoon Cruises and maritime authorities reported no injuries, and all 30 passengers were evacuated safely.

Was fuel spilled into the ocean, and what steps were taken to prevent pollution?

Officials said initial checks found no indication the fuel tanks had been breached. As a precaution, fuel and oils were removed from the vessel, and oil spill response booms were kept in place while monitoring continued. MSAF later confirmed approximately 23,000 liters of fuel had been removed.

Will Blue Lagoon Cruises return the Fiji Princess to service?

No. Blue Lagoon Cruises has announced it is retiring the Fiji Princess following the April 4, 2026 grounding, and the company said impacted guests would be contacted with alternative options.