“Survivor” nearly welcomed an all-new group of unexpected castaways when a cruise ship ran aground off the coast of Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands – the archipelago where the long-running reality competition series has filmed since 2019 – on Saturday, April 4.
More specifically, the Blue Lagoon Cruises vessel – the Fiji Princess – was grounded on a coral reef near Monuriki Island. All 30 passengers, as well as 17 of the ship’s 31 crew members were removed from the ship later the same day, with no injuries reported.
While Monuriki is uninhabited, the island has a rich history in film and television, acting as the filming location for the 2000 Robert Zemeckis film “Cast Away”, starring Tom Hanks, as well as serving as the so-called “Edge of Extinction” on several past seasons of “Survivor.”
The news of the Fiji Princess’ crash comes just days before CBS is scheduled to begin filming the series’ 51st season, with filming for Season 52 set to begin later this summer.
Passengers Safe & Sound After Crashing on ‘Edge of Extinction’ Island
The Princess Fiji cruise liner – a vessel of Blue Lagoon Cruises – was evacuated off the coast of Monuriki Island by Fiji’s maritime rescue agency on Saturday, April 4. The organization reported that no one onboard the stricken ship was injured.
“Initial checks confirmed that the vessel has suffered serious damage to its rear left side, including the area where the steering equipment is located. Part of the vessel underneath has also been damaged,” a spokesperson for the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (Msaf) relayed.
“The vessel also experienced engine failure and was reported to be taking in water following the grounding. Due to rough seas and strong waves, officers were unable to safely inspect the vessel underwater at the time.”
While the majority of the passengers and crew were rescued from the damaged ship, Msaf said that its main priority now is to reduce the risk of pollution from the 20,000 liters of diesel fuel onboard the luxury cruise liner.
The spokesperson added that Msaf and local authorities had attempted to deploy oil spill equipment to the area “as a precaution,” but that the sea conditions were too rough for it to be used.
“At the time of inspection, there were no signs that the fuel tanks had been damaged,” the spokesperson continued, adding that, “Msaf’s main concern at this time is the safety of all personnel, the protection of Fiji’s marine environment, and ensuring that response efforts continue safely.”
Will the Grounded Cruise Liner Affect ‘Survivor 51’ Filming?
CBS/GettyIt does not appear that the Princess Fiji shipwreck will affect the forthcoming filming schedule for “Survivor” Season 51, set to take place between mid-April and mid-May.
That being said, there’s still no word – not even from on-the-ball Reddit sleuths – about a new set of castaways jetting off to the Mamanuca Islands to film yet another installment of the Emmy-winning reality competition series.
We do know, however, that “Survivor” will return to its typical “New Era” trend of casting so-called “newbie” contestants for the follow-up to the show’s currently-airing 50th season, which featured the franchise’s largest-ever cast of returning players.
Assuming that CBS follows its tried-and-true release schedule, “Survivor 51” will likely hit TV screens nationwide this September, though a teaser trailer for the as-yet unfilmed season will undoubtedly follow the live finale of Season 50 on May 20, 2026.
Stay tuned for further “Survivor” seasons 51 and 52 filming updates, as well as continued coverage of the currently-airing “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.”
And be sure to catch a brand-new episode of the milestone golden anniversary season on CBS this Wednesday, April 15 at 8:00pm ET to catch what CBS is calling the “biggest twist” in franchise history.
