Travellers to the outer islands in the Eastern and Northern divisions can expect extra trips for this Christmas season.

Shipping mogul George Goundar has confirmed that his vessels would be making extra trips on Sunday to Koro in the Lomaiviti group; Taveuni and Savusavu in the North for those wanting to spend Christmas with their families.

Mr Goundar who is managing director of Goundar Shipping Limited (GSL) said the extra trips were for those who intent to travel later for some reason.

GSL has five roll on-roll off passenger vessels that service the Lomaiviti Group, Kadavu, Savusavu, Taveuni, franchise runs to the Lau Group and charters.

“Lomaiviti Princess V will make an extra trip on Sunday evening from Suva to Savusavu,” Mr Goundar said.

He said from Savusavu it will head to Taveuni before returning to Suva.

“Lomaiviti Princess I is doing extra trips for Koro, Taveuni, and Savusavu and back to Suva on Monday morning,” he said.

“This is for our travelers who are doing last minute shopping and plan to depart depart for Savusavu and Taveuni on Sunday.

“Lomaiviti Princess I is taking a trip to Vanuabalavu tomorrow and Lomaiviti Princess II, that is in Rotuma now will travel to Yasayasa Moala and Totoya when it returns on Sunday.

“When she (Lomaiviti Princess II) returns she will be on standby in case there are is a need to engage another vessel to meet the demand.”

Return travellers can also expect a discount to their fares this festive season depending on how they make their bookings and payments.

“A one way ticket is now $40 and $70 for return. To save their money they can pay for their confirmed return trip and save.

“We have been doing extra trips every time like this the last seven years.

“We see this as something we give back to our regular customers.

“The cargo prices remain the same.

“We are not charging for extra luggage which is usually $5 and $10 – this is for Christmas time only.”

Liahona II

Meanwhile, South Island Shipping Services is also making extra trips during this festive season.

This was confirmed by the South Island Shipping Services director Ulaisi Baivatu on Monday.

Mr Baivatu said their vessel; Liahona II was doing extra trips because passenger demand was high.

“The number of passengers usually increase during this festive season and we need to arrange for extra trips.

“We normally go on Tuesdays and Thursdays to Kadavu but this week we are also going on Friday.

“Tuesday we normally go to the western side of Kadavu but there is not much passengers there so we are going to the eastern side.

“We are going to the same place same route twice a week.

“Normally we go down to the western side and eastern side in one week.

“We will go to the eastern side Dravuni, Kavala and Kadavu Koro on Tuesday and Friday.

He said it has always been like this way during the festive season.

The vessel caters up to 300 passengers.