Australians will have a chance to explore some of the Fiji’s remote islands as Captain Cook Cruises, Fiji plans a second Discovery Lau cruise.

The decision was made after successfully completed the inaugural cruise to the region this month.

The line’s largest ship, MV Reef Endeavour sailed to parts of Lau Islands – a chain of sixty islands and islets located in the southern Pacific Ocean.

The first ever 11-night Lau cruise made calls to Fiji’s Garden Island of Taveuni; the Lauan islands of Vanuabalavu, Oneata, Fulaga, Vuaqava, Kabara, Totoya and Namuana on the island of Kadavu.

As part of the journey, passengers swam in and around three limestone caves inside the Bay of Islands; met descendants of Maa’fu – the Tongan Prince; joined the Island of Oneata for a polotu [Choral Church Service]; snorkeled in the waters of Fulaga; mingled with 16 students of Udu Village School and their teachers on Totoya; and witnesses a sacred calling of the turtle ceremony by the people of Namuana Village in Vunisea, Kadavu.

Captain Cook Cruises, Fiji managing director Jackie Charlton said the cruise gave cruisers a chance to see rarely visited locations and experience traditional local cultures.

“They [passengers] knew that hardly any tourist has been to the parts of Fiji they were visiting and we all felt honoured and blessed in that way,” she explained.

“To see the people of Lau living as they really do was just an amazing experience for the 126 passengers and 56 crew of the Reef Endeavour.”

The second 11-night Discovery Lau cruise departs 22 April 2014.