Thousands of tourists and cruise enthusiasts from all over the world embarked in Suva today as the cruise vessel Pacific Explorer docked into the Suva Wharf as tourists flocked into the capital city, boosting businesses and helping create more employment for people in Suva.
The hot Suva sun took its toll on some tourists as they were walking around without any tee shirts, as locals provided fresh cold kumquat juices and fruits to help the tourists quench their thirst from the hot sun.
As one of Australia's favourite ships, the Explorer did a multi-million renovation work on board in 2017, which makes more interconnecting cabins and mini-suites for family and multi-generational cruising.
Formerly sailing as the Dawn Princess for Princess Cruises, the Pacific Explorer offers exciting new features for tourist cruisers, including new dining options and an action-packed water park with a 1,999-passenger capacity. Ana Raiseki from Tailevu, who sells coconuts, fruits and fresh kumquat juice at the Suva Market, told fijivillage News that when cruise ships come to Suva, she makes more sales.
She says in just one hour, she was mixing two 40 litres of fresh kumquat juice, and both finished, including the coconuts.
Raiseki says most of them prefer coconuts because of their health benefits.
New Zealand couple Dave Mackenzie and Lucy Elliot were happy to be greeted by the hot sun in Suva, and they also bought Fijian souvenier from various shops in Suva.
Mackenzie says the people are welcoming and friendly, as this is their first visit to Fiji.
He says they are glad to taste grog at a popular shopping outlet in Suva.
He says he wanted to drink grog, and to have a few bowls today was the highlight of this trip.
