NEW ZEALAND travel consultants visited family-friendly properties in the country as part of Tourism Fiji’s first-ever educational program, geared to showcase the family market.

Twenty-four consultants took part in the “Free me-Fiji Me” campaign and visited hotels and resorts on the Coral Coast, Denarau Island and Toberua Island Resort in Lomaiviti.

Island hopping in the family-friendly Mamanuca Group was an integral part of the itinerary because of the large number of family-oriented resorts in the area.

Tourism Fiji said, programs were designed to allow the Kiwi agents to experience Fiji’s unique living culture and a number of newer adventure-oriented activities recently launched in the country.

A gala dinner was held at Plantation Island Resort on the final night.

Tourism Fiji acknowledged the support from Air Pacific and Air New Zealand for making the family-friendly familiarisation possible.

“Further establishment of Fiji as one of the world’s foremost family friendly destinations remained a critical part of Tourism Fiji’s marketing strategy in New Zealand,” said TF regional marketing director, Sala Toganivalu.

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Sport: Fiji name squad for New Zealand trip

Posted at 23:16 on 18 July, 2011 UTC

Nine local players have been included in Fiji’s 24 man squad to travel to New Zealand to face the All Blacks this Friday.

Sekonaia Kalou and Taniela Rawaqa are among the Fiji-based selections, while army lock Leone Nakarawa was not selected, and will instead feature in the two-test series against Tonga.

The Flying Fijians ended their Pacific Nations Cup campaign with a disappointing loss to Japan last week, in a match where they conceded an international record two red and three yellow cards.

Head coach, Samu Domoni, says a test against the best team in the world compliments their Rugby World Cup preparations perfectly, with just three matches before they open their world cup campaign against Namibia in September.

The last time the two sides met was six years ago, with the All Blacks winning 91-0.

The test is a fundraiser for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

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Daniel Carter wants to start but all indications are pointing to
him getting a run from the bench against Fiji in Dunedin on Friday
night.

Carter and a host of the Crusaders players, who just completed a
draining Super Rugby campaign together, are likely to see little
game time against Fiji and will then be rotated throughout the Tri
Nations.

“We’ll have to wait and see the team that’s named (tomorrow
morning at 7am) but I’d be pretty keen to get some game time
whether it’s starting or off the bench – I’m not too sure,” Carter
said today when asked if he would play against Fiji.

If Carter is named on the bench, Canterbury number 10 Colin
Slade, who impressed against Auckland on Sunday, will start in his
second Test.

Who will partner him at halfback again comes back to recent game
time with the Highlanders’ Jimmy Cowan and the Hurricanes’ Piri
Weepu likely to be named in the 22 ahead of the Crusaders’ Andy
Ellis.

The same applies to the rest of the starting XV. Look for
94-Test veteran Mils Muliana, who had an injury disrupted Super
Rugby campaign with the Chiefs, to start at fullback and for
Hurricanes’ pair Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith to reignite their
centre partnership.

Out wide the wing options are limited with Israel Dagg, Hosea
Gear, Richard Kahui, Isaia Toeava and squad replacements Cory Jane
and Sitiveni Sivivatu all battling injury.

The Crusaders’ Zac Guildford is almost certain to start on one
wing with Sivivatu, who took a knock while playing for Waikato
against Southland on Friday but ran on the wing at training today,
in a head-to-battle with the Highlanders’ Ben Smith to play on the
other flank.

Smith, who played his one and only Test against Italy in Milan
on the 2009 end of year tour, remained coy at training today when
asked whether he would add to his one cap.

“I couldn’t tell you that, I can’t tell you that apparently, so
I’ll just wait till the team comes out”, Smith said.

One player assured of a starting XV spot is captain Richie
McCaw. While he played for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final
against the Reds and the week before against the Stormers, he will
be keen for more game time after missing much of the season with a
foot injury.

The selectors may look to start him at number eight and give one
of the supposed open-side back-ups, Adam Thomson and Liam Messam, a
run at number seven.

Whatever the loose forward mix ends up being, it appears likely
that Crusaders’ number eight Kieran Read and Blues’ flanker Jerome
Kaino, who both had a heavy workload throughout the Super Rugby
season, will only see time from the bench.

The Crusaders’ second row of Brad Thorn and Sam Whitelock would
fall into the same category, which means that rookie Jarrad Hoeata
will make his Test debut alongside comeback kid Ali Williams.

Up front, expect the Franks brothers, Corey Flynn and Blues
captain Keven Mealamu to be rested, opening the door for fringe
props John Afoa and Wyatt Crockett to impress along with veteran
hooker Andrew Hore.

Fiji named their team yesterday, with France-based Seremaia Bai
named at first five-eighth in place of the injured Nicky Little,
who bruised his ribs last week in the Pacific Nations Cup.

Fiji will also be without flanker Sisa Koyamaibole, who was
suspended for two weeks, and reserve pivot Waisea Luveniyali, who
was banned for four weeks, after being sent off in last week’s
24-13 loss to Japan.

Vice-captain Gabriel Lovobalavu, Kini Murimurivalu and
Talemaitoga Tuapati are unavailable because of injury.

Lock Leone Nakarawa, who is ineligible to enter New Zealand
because he is a private in the Fiji army, was not included in the
24-man squad for the match at Carisbrook.

New Zealand has imposed travel sanctions against Fiji, refusing
visas to members of the military and their families, since
Commodore Frank Bainimarama seized power in a 2006 coup.

Carter, after watching Samoa’s shock 32-23 win over the
Wallabies on Sunday, is expecting a tough challenge against a Fiji
side who beat a second string Samoan team 36-18 in Suva 10 days
ago.

“It’s going to be a tough match because they’re always a pretty
unpredictable side to come up against and always extremely
physical, Carter said.

“Just watching them in the Pacific Nations, some of their games
they’re extremely physical and like I said with them being so
unpredictable they can score tries from the length of the
field.”

Possible All Blacks team: 15- Mils Muliaina, 14- Sitiveni
Sivivatu/Ben Smith, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma’a Nonu, 11-Zac
Guildford, 10-Colin Slade, 9-Jimmy Cowan, 8- Liam Messam, 7-Richie
McCaw, 6-Adam Thomson, 5-Ali Williams, 4- Jarrad Hoeata, 3-John
Afoa, 2-Andrew Hore, 1-Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: 16-Keven Mealamu, 17-Ben Franks, 18-Sam Whitelock,
19-Jermoe Kaino, 20-Piri Weepu, 21-Daniel Carter, 22- Ben
Smith/Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Fiji: 15-Iliesa Keresoni, 14-Vereniki Goneva, 13-Albert
Vulivuli, 12-Ravai Fatiaki, 11-Napolioni Nalaga, 10-Seremaia Bai,
9-Vitori Buatava, 8-Sakiusa Matadigo, 7-Akapusi Qera, 6-Dominiko
Waqaniburotu (captain), 5-Sekonaia Kalou, 4-Ifereimi Rawaqa,
3-Deacon Manu, 2-Sunia Koto, 1-Campese Ma’afu.

Reserves

: Setefano Samoca, Viliame Veikoso, Rupeni
Nasiga, Malakai Ravulo, Nemia Ranuku, Taniela Rawaqa, Metuisela
Talebula, Timoci Nagusa, Netani Talei (two to be omitted).

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Rugby Video

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  All Blacks prepare for Fiji (1:54) 
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  VIDEO: Lomu’s Pacific rugby mission (2:36) 
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  Wallabies youngsters outmuscled (1:53) 

“Godmother” Shirley Bassey christens the Adonia.

CUNARD plans to host an inaugural circumnavigation of New Zealand in 2013 by the popular Queen Mary 2. The ship, which carries 2620 guests, will return to Australia in the summer of 2012 to embark on the 12-night cruise, a round trip from Sydney departing on March 7, 2013.

Besides a Tasman crossing, the ship will visit Milford Sound, Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and the Bay of Islands. Bookings have just opened and if you book before December 31 you can benefit from early-bird savings, with fares starting from $3329 a person, twin share. 1300 766 537, cruiseexpress.com.au.

Otter spotter

Heritage Expeditions has released its program of voyages for the 2012-13 season, with a focus on the Russian Far East. Two new voyages, on the Spirit of Enderby, will have strong appeal for animal lovers. One is an 18-day Sea Otter Survey departing on May 9 next year offering guests the chance to be part of a research project taking place around the Kuril Islands north of Japan. Fares start from $US4900 ($4575) a person, twin share.

The other is a 17-day Sea of Okhotsk cruise, which aims to unlock the secrets of an unexplored region. The cruise departs on June 7 next year, with fares from $US7500 a person, twin share. 1800 143 585, heritage-expeditions.com.

Gault-edged

New Zealand celebrity chef Simon Gault will join a Captain Cook cruise of Fiji in November. Gault will accompany a four-night Yasawa Islands cruise departing from Nadi on November 8. Guests can participate in three cooking classes, with fares starting from $1,147 a person, twin share. 1800 804 843, www.captaincook.com.au.

In other food news, Holland America’s Culinary Council is rolling out a series of signature dishes in its fleet dining rooms from a dream team of acclaimed chefs from around the world. Notable names include the three-Michelin-star Netherlands chef Jonnie Boer, US restaurateur Charlie Trotter and pastry chef Jacques Torres.

Try before you buy

Cruise lines often hold information nights where you can get a deal. On August 2, Ecruising.travel is holding a free event at the American Club in Sydney to showcase Avalon Waterways itineraries, including Prague to Budapest packages in 2012. Interested cruisers will have the opportunity to meet Avalon’s ambassador, the former television host Steve Liebmann. The 13-night package begins in Prague with a three-night stay and post-cruise, there’s a two-night stopover in Dubai. Fares start from $5869 a person, twin share, including return flights and there are various departures between May and October next year. 1300 369 848, ecruising.travel.

Profile: Adonia

LAUNCHED Originally in 2001, then by PO in May under its new name.

PASSENGERS 710. REGULAR HAUNTS The Mediterranean, northern Europe.

BEST FOR Adults only.

THE DETAILS A 14-night cruise from Athens to Salerno, departing on November 30 next year, starts from $2589 a person, twin share. 13 24 28, pocruises.com.

Five things to know

1 Adonia, whose “godmother” is Shirley Bassey, was originally one of the Renaissance fleet and — before being snapped up by PO as its smallest, adults-only ship — also cruised under the Swan Hellenic and Princess banners.

2 Styling is traditional, with wood-panelling, a grand staircase, lavish red carpeting and traditional artworks. The ship has eight bars, an Oasis Spa and Health Club, golf nets, two pools and the library holds an impressive 4000 books.

3 Accommodation ranges from small inside staterooms with no view to balcony staterooms, suites and lavish penthouses with butler service. The decor varies by category but is generally airy, with dark wood and light or royal blue accents. An unusual feature in all staterooms is facilities to make tea and coffee.

4 Pick of the dining alternatives include the fine-dining Sorrento and the outdoor Ocean Grill by Marco Pierre White.

5 The best views from inside are from the card room or the Crow’s Nest bar.

Port watch: Tortola

Need to know This small, mountainous island, famous for powdery white beaches, is part of the British Virgin Islands. The largest of the islands in the western Caribbean south of Cuba, Tortola was founded by Christopher Columbus and taken over by the British in the 17th century. Ships dock in the harbour at Road Town, the island’s main settlement, and from here it’s easy to explore on foot, take a taxi to venture further afield, or take a ferry to a neighbouring island. Do not miss If you’re a sun seeker, head for Brewer’s Bay, which is more secluded, has decent snorkelling and is less populated than the town beach, Cane Garden. Pick of the excursions includes snorkelling at the caves at Norman Island and diving the shipwrecked RMS Rhone

Deals

OFFER OF THE WEEK Royal Caribbean Book by July 24 to save 50 per cent on the brochure price of a 17-night cruise-stay-fly package from Sydney to Singapore, departing February 16. The package includes a 17-night cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas, a three-night post-cruise stay and flights home. Fares start from $1899 a person, twin share. 1800 890 331, cruise1st.com.au.

Gap Adventures

Book by Wednesday to save 20 per cent on Antarctica cruises for the season. Fares for a 19-night cruise on the National Geographic Explorer, a round trip from Ushuaia on November 8, start from $16,416 a person, twin share, a saving of $5015 a person. 1300 320 795, adventureworld.com.au.

PO Cruises

Book a nine-night south Pacific cruise on the Pacific Pearl, a round trip from Sydney departing on September 20, and benefit from a shipboard credit of $150 a stateroom. Fares start from $999 a person, twin share. 1300 769 228, cruiseabout.com.au.

A-Rosa

Get two-for-one fares on eight-day cruises on the A-Rosa Stella, on the Rhone and Saone rivers, round trips from Lyon, until October 22. Fares start at $830 a person, twin share. 1300 503 669, www.ewaterways.com.au.

The World’s Best Family five-star Resorts? Nowhere does it better than Fiji.

As any parent can attest, holidays with children is an oxymoron. There’s the packing, the flight and often more travel at the other end before you arrive, tired and worn out, at the place where you relinquish your life savings for a week or so of rare, work-free downtime.

So when frazzled parents hear I travel with my now three-year-old, they get a certain look in their eye. Often they ask, desperation in their eyes, where in the world can they go on holiday where they’ll get a break, too?

I have but one answer. Fiji. And for time-poor families these two resorts are unrivalled.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Island Resort

This five-star eco-resort situated on the island of Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second-biggest island, is possibly my favourite spot in the world. The eco property, which offers 25 bures on a former coconut plantation, has collected a string of accolades over the years.

Frommers dubs it “the finest family resort in the South Pacific” and you only have to look at the multiple entries on tripadvisor.com to realise it offers something truly special.

It was our third time at the resort. It’s where we were married at sunset in a beachfront bure. We loved it before we had our child but with Ella in tow it really showed us how brilliant it is for families.

Here, parents can hand the children to specially trained nannies and staff, relax by the pool, go snorkelling or diving in world-renowned reefs, have lunch by the pool, and stroll hand-in-hand along the sand to a romantic candlelit dinner safe in the knowledge your children are in the best of hands.

Every child under 5 gets their own nanny from 8am to 9pm each day. Children up to the age of 13 are paired with a buddy (with a ratio of one buddy for a maximum of five children) and all children have free access to the Bula Club, considered the best kids’ club in the Pacific by many in the travel industry. Activities include spearfishing, snorkelling, Fijian basket-weaving, fishing, volleyball, hiking and kayaking. Younger children do face-painting, T-shirt painting, crab-hunting, shell-collecting, basket-weaving, visit a local village and more.

On our arrival we were greeted with a big “Welcome Home” banner and several staff members, who we’d met on previous stays, serenaded us with a welcome song. We caught up with Jope, who had been our unofficial best man, and hugged Camari, our favourite waitress. General manager Greg Taylor greeted us like long-lost friends over a welcome cocktail. Ella, however, was nowhere to be seen.

“Don’t worry,” he told us. “This is what you’ll experience pretty much most of your stay.” Ella had been scooped up in the arms of her nanny Joana and was being shown around the Bula Club. By day she was entertained, fed and kept active while we lazed by the serenity pool, went snorkelling and diving at world-class dive sites for which the area is renowned (hence the Cousteau connection), swam laps between the jetty and the pontoon, had a picnic on the resort’s private island Navivia, read books and slept like there was no tomorrow.

By night, Joana watched over Ella as she slept so we could have a romantic three-course dinner by the lantern-lit pool, while hand-sewing a Fijian outfit for Ella to wear to her birthday party at the resort. So be warned: this is the sort of holiday where you may find yourself missing your children, and where subsequent family holidays pale in comparison.

Information

The rate for two adults and two children 12 and under starts from $1081 plus 20 per cent tax a night for a garden view bure, inclusive of all meals, bottled soft drinks, Fiji water, speciality teas, ground coffee, most activities, Bula Club for children 9am-9pm, exclusive nanny for each child 5 and under, Fijian buddy for children 6-12 years and return vehicle transfers. The resort is currently offering a stay of four nights or more and receive two nights free. The Dive and Rejuvenation family package includes three days of free dives and three one-hour massages (conditions apply). Phone: +61 3 9815 0379.

Vomo Island Resort

Vomo Island does five-star, family-friendly in a similar vein to Jean Michel Cousteau. Plus, it’s the only offshore, five-star island that welcomes children year-round. Privately owned and luxurious, this 91ha atoll offers just 30 villas and is one of the closest Mamanuca Islands to the mainland – a plus when travelling with kids.

Once there you’ll discover postcard-perfect white sands and beautiful coral reefs, ideal for safe snorkelling, deep-sea fishing, scuba-diving, glass-boat expeditions and fantastic kayaking. Vomo’s beach, which runs around the island, is child-friendly and terrific for building sandcastles, collecting seashells and swimming at all tides.

There’s also a gym, hiking, jogging tracks, and a luxurious day spa, but what impresses guests the most, says general manager Wayne Milgate is the island’s incredibly, warm staff who dote on children and help busy families reconnect.

During peak season, Vomo offers the Turtle Club, an organised kids’ club that entertains children with Fijian games, fish-feeding, singing, art and crab-hunting and then provides an early dinner and babysitting service at night. They’ll learn about Vomo’s turtle awareness programme too, which helps protect the Hawkesbill turtle’s traditional breeding grounds and shows kids how these huge creatures can be saved from extinction.

Outside school holidays, Vomo can arrange for the kids to be looked after while exploring the island and learning about flora and fauna, or helping out at the turtle sanctuary.

There’s also a nanny and babysitting service so parents can enjoy arguably Fiji’s best sunset from the Rocks Bar with a cool cocktail in hand.

“All of our staff who live on the island for 10 days at a time have kids, so while they’re away from their own children, they embrace guests’ kids,” says Milgate. Vomo offers 28 luxurious, air-conditioned villas with a choice of beachfront or hillside villas and many can interconnect.

For unforgettable family luxury the Royal Villa has three en suite bedrooms and a private pool. The Residence Villa is pure decadence with four en suite bedrooms, a private pool and butler service.

Information

The rates for two adults and two children under 12 starts from $1183 a night (inclusive of taxes) in a garden villa including all meals in the main restaurant, non-alcoholic drinks with meals, daily laundry service, complimentary bottle of wine and fruit on arrival, all non-motorised watersports, sunset canapes in the Rocks Bar, traditional weekly Meke performance, manager’s cocktail party and Turtle Club during school holiday periods. Extra bedding for children is $35 per additional bed. Food and beverage for children 5-12 years is $85 a day. Children 0-4 stay and eat free. Nanny service costs $7 an hour. Phone: +679 666 7955.

By Sheriden Rhodes