Hi Everyone,
My wife and I participated in the MV Stella Maris trip to Tubbataha Reef from 9-15 April. This is our trip report. To start with, we have never been on a live aboard before so deliberately chose one that seemed comfortable and were prepared to spend the money to get it right. We had been planning to dive Tubbataha for at least four years and the opportunity for us arose at the same time that MV Stella Maris was re-launched for this dive season after a full re-fit. To start with, our booking and pre-trip administration were handled very professionally and helpfully, all by e-mail from their office. No problem was too big and every question we put to them was answered quickly and politely. They were a pleasure to deal with. On arrival in Puerto Princesa we were greeted by the crew at the airport and taken to the vessel where we got the bad news - we were prevented from departing that evening as the Coast Guard had banned all departures due to a low pressure system on the other side of the country. No judgement here about the Coast Guard - it was non-negotiable. The boat manager offered all of us (9 passenger divers) the option of waiting another day to see if the weather dropped and the ban was lifted or pulling out and exercising a credit later for the unused diving days. One pulled out and the rest of us stayed on. The boat manager arranged a tour for the next day to see the underground river which was a great way to pass the day and better than feeling sorry for ourselves aboard a moored vessel. During our tour the great news came through that we would sail that night; one day later than planned. So, some diving is better than no diving, non? The boat manager briefed us on the passage out and offered us the opportunity to dive a more intense four dives/day program to make up for the lost day and we all voted to do that so lost no dives. It was intense and fantastic. The boat manager and crew did a great job. The food was good and plentiful, the cabins were newly re-furbished, the gear was in good condition, the crew were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful with information and hard work. My wife had her birthday aboard and the crew managed to help me surprise her by providing flowers and a cake in the middle of the Sulu Sea. She couldn't believe it when the whole ship's complement surprised her on the top deck after dinner with the cake and sang happy birthday to her. Thanks not only to the crew but the truly wonderful company of the other divers who were a pleasure to sail and dive with. My view was that the trip could not have been better and I can't recommend this trip highly enough. I can't comment on the past but the new owner's investment in the re-fit and the boat manager's commitment to providing excellent diving deserve a serious commendation. Among other things, we saw sharks every day including in my case an oceanic white tip of around 3.5 m and a whale shark of about 12-15 m. I hope that helps answer some of the questions above about MV Stella Maris' new lease of life.
My wife and I participated in the MV Stella Maris trip to Tubbataha Reef from 9-15 April. This is our trip report. To start with, we have never been on a live aboard before so deliberately chose one that seemed comfortable and were prepared to spend the money to get it right. We had been planning to dive Tubbataha for at least four years and the opportunity for us arose at the same time that MV Stella Maris was re-launched for this dive season after a full re-fit. To start with, our booking and pre-trip administration were handled very professionally and helpfully, all by e-mail from their office. No problem was too big and every question we put to them was answered quickly and politely. They were a pleasure to deal with. On arrival in Puerto Princesa we were greeted by the crew at the airport and taken to the vessel where we got the bad news - we were prevented from departing that evening as the Coast Guard had banned all departures due to a low pressure system on the other side of the country. No judgement here about the Coast Guard - it was non-negotiable. The boat manager offered all of us (9 passenger divers) the option of waiting another day to see if the weather dropped and the ban was lifted or pulling out and exercising a credit later for the unused diving days. One pulled out and the rest of us stayed on. The boat manager arranged a tour for the next day to see the underground river which was a great way to pass the day and better than feeling sorry for ourselves aboard a moored vessel. During our tour the great news came through that we would sail that night; one day later than planned. So, some diving is better than no diving, non? The boat manager briefed us on the passage out and offered us the opportunity to dive a more intense four dives/day program to make up for the lost day and we all voted to do that so lost no dives. It was intense and fantastic. The boat manager and crew did a great job. The food was good and plentiful, the cabins were newly re-furbished, the gear was in good condition, the crew were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful with information and hard work. My wife had her birthday aboard and the crew managed to help me surprise her by providing flowers and a cake in the middle of the Sulu Sea. She couldn't believe it when the whole ship's complement surprised her on the top deck after dinner with the cake and sang happy birthday to her. Thanks not only to the crew but the truly wonderful company of the other divers who were a pleasure to sail and dive with. My view was that the trip could not have been better and I can't recommend this trip highly enough. I can't comment on the past but the new owner's investment in the re-fit and the boat manager's commitment to providing excellent diving deserve a serious commendation. Among other things, we saw sharks every day including in my case an oceanic white tip of around 3.5 m and a whale shark of about 12-15 m. I hope that helps answer some of the questions above about MV Stella Maris' new lease of life.
