Dewi Nusantara. Last I checked it was about $5K for 12 nights. Time to go is pretty well governed by where they are at what time of year because boats leave RA for Komodo area when appropriate. With the major boats, the long trip time will pretty well cover a good/great itinerary. Only thing is really just deciding whether to go through Manado or Jakarta and then getting a hotel in Sorong. I went through Jakarta so I was already on the plane in Makassar rather than meeting the plane in Makassar (if I miss the plane in Makassar due to connection, I'm screwed for a day). I just stayed overnight in Jakarta transit hotel and never left the airport and it was fine and easy due to early morning flight to Sorong. Re-confirm domestic flights in Indonesia because despite local travel agent, I found I had no seat at like 4 AM for 5:30 AM flight. Only the hotel service I paid to check me in got me on the plane because I didn't speak the language and was pretty screwed.
There is plenty of food there to get you by. To avoid potential gastric distress additional task loading, I brought oatmeal packets to have something to survive on for Sorong breakfast. If you like spicy noodle breakfast (which I did), then you are all set for breakfast in Indonesia. Dinner in Sorong I thought would be good spicy chicken turned out to be beaks and toes or something so it is possible to go off the rails though good food is out there. Food on the boat was very good to excellent when I went with Western and local food and fruit.
Plan schedules to handle delays going into and out of Sorong and they are frequent. If you can handle going outside for more than transiting to the next air conditioner in the summer in Chicago area, then I don't have to warn you about the potential heat in Sorong airport. Leaving at the airport was tough as we were stuck in big lines with no aircon, so a couple people almost passed out despite being reasonably hydrated. Certainly surviveable by many but be prepared as the transit lounge itself has fans only and no aircon. While there marvel at the local folks standing around with coats on while you are dying in shorts.
If you have never been on this length trip, note that it can turn into a bit of a marathon if you want to dive all 30+ dives (which I would recommend trying) Pace yourself early as the diving just keeps getting better. It's about keeping your ears healthy to take up and down and equalizing. If you use a camera and like to decompress after exciting dives, the SI can get pretty short, and many days of getting up early. Always do the first morning dive as viz is best.
