OK I might be a bit biased since I work in the industry but I would like to give you a few hints on how to choose a dive operator in the Red Sea. When it comes to liveaboard diving you're kind of stuck with your decision more than what's the case when you come out here for daily diving. Therefore it's important that you know what to look for in order to get your money's worth.
First of all you should not stare yourself blind on the price in the brochure or on the website. What's more important is what is included in the price for example Marine Park Fees and Taxes plus Egyptian Entry Visa at the airport. Does the boat have a membership in HEPCA, Search and Rescue, Local Deco Camber and such?
Try to find an operator with a minimum of middlemen. Any request you have, which you inform your local agent has to go through the same Chinese Whisper as the money on the way to the Boat Handler in Egypt. This is perfect conditions for things to go wrong and messages to get misunderstood. You book a twin set with manifold and when you arrive you're handed a 3mm shorty.
Try to find an Operator that takes care of the vessels. A week in a cabin that smells of regurgitated sewer and where the air conditioner doesn't work can be trying to say the least. It doesn't have to cost more to get onto a decent boat.
Don't think that you can get a better price by going straight to the boat and book with the owner. This will more likely make the trip more expensive for you. This is how it works. The price is what the Operator advertises and then the agent gets a discounted price to work with. Then all the people that the booking is passed through get paid from the difference between what the Operator advertised and what the agent paid. It's not like the agent will add on to the Operators advertised price. If the Operator would sell the trip cheaper than the agent there would be no agents.
But also keep in mind that there is no such thing as free NITROX!
There will be a more comprehensive article on exactly this topic in a future issue of THE EQUALIZER that I'm working on right now. Have a look at
DIVING FROM LIVEABOARDS IN EGYPT for some info on Liveaboard diving in the Red Sea.
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