LAUTOKA businesses celebrated the arrival of another cruise ship on Friday when they hosted MV Seabourn Quest and her 400 passengers.
Registered in the Bahamas, the ship departed the US on January 16 and will complete its world tour cruise in Italy on April.
Crew member John Papaelias said most passengers were looking forward to their Fiji tour.
Originally from Sydney in Australia, Mr Papaelias said he was captivated by the hospitality of the locals once setting foot in Lautoka.
"This is my first trip to Fiji and I really love the welcoming and smiling faces of the locals that greeted us at the wharf," he said.
"We have stopped at many ports in the pacific during this vacation and Fiji is definitely one of the best destinations.
"I had the opportunity to visit the city and managed to buy a club for souvenir," he added.
Barrie and Brenda Long from the United Kingdom said they last visited Fiji 15 years ago.
Mrs Long said she still had some unforgettable experiences of her first Fiji visit and was excited to again meet the locals.
"My first trip 15 years ago, I stayed for a week and I had wanted to come back to this part of the world," she said.
"I always love talking to the locals because of their good sense of humour and hospitality. I would love to visit Fiji again."
And from Wales, couple Howard and Veronica Lewis echoed similar sentiments.
"We are so happy to visit Fiji. I could only wish to stay here for a bit longer so that we can have the chance to explore the country."
The vessel departed Lautoka yesterday for New Caledonia.