Cruise Ship MV Maasdam spent a day at the capital city with 889 tourists and 569 crew members from across 30 countries roaming the streets of Suva.

Suva was the Netherlands based vessel’s second port of call in the three days it is spending in the Fiji Waters.

The vessel was at Savusavu in Vanualevu on Monday, was in Suva yesterday and will be at Dravuni today.

It is expected to depart Dravuni, Kadavu at 6pm today.

Kenua Fiji Manager, Leone Naivalu confirmed that the cruise liner was the second last Holland American vessel expected to arrive in the country this year.

“This is our second last Holland American vessel for the year, as we have Amsterdam due into Port Denarau and Suva next month on December 5 and 6 respectively,” Mr Naivalu said.

Tourists

Tahitian couple, Felix Lihault and wife Sou Ying Lihault said their Fijian experience was the most beautiful and memorable one so far in this trip.

They who had boarded the vessel from New Zealand early this month before heading to Tonga said the Fijian natural environment and its people fascinated them.

“We love it here, the weather is very beautiful, it’s a very beautiful place and the people are very kind,” Mr Lihault said.

“The environment in Fiji is very different as its natural and unspoiled surroundings is special,” he said.

“We will be back in Fiji in the future because we love the country so much.”

Stall Owners

It was business as usual for Suva handicraft stall owners.

President of the Fijian Craft and Tourist Guide Association Apakuki Tabuaciri stated that it was business as usual for them as they anxiously wait for tourists to buy their handicraft.

“Many stall owners have been in the business for decades and this has been a source of livelihood for their families,” Mr Tabuaciri mentioned.

“I have been in this business  since I was 10-years-old and I now have grandkids; the money I earn helps me and my family with our daily living,” he said.

“The handicraft business has changed a lot through the years, before it has always been Fijian handicraft which looked so plain and simple, now there are so many new ways to design Fijian artifacts for our tourists to like.

“I have a passion for the tourism industry and the tourists and I love to assist them during my years working in hotels until now.”