Best Value Raja Ampat Liveaboard - Max 12 Guests, 17 Crew

[photog]

2015 - Small Group Raja Ampat Liveaboard Trip
by City Seahorse (17th year in Raja Ampat!)
Information in this post is specific to the Nov 17-29, 2015 Trip.

Great opportunity to maximize your underwater vacation time. Biggest BANG for your buck!

Best recommendations for these trips are provided on Facebook, Vimeo, and YouTube
by previous guests. I've shared as much as I can on the
:grouphug:Raja Ampat Trip City Seahorse Facebook page.
(You can view this page without a Facebook account.)




This is a City Seahorse Raja Ampat Charter Trip organized and
escorted by Deb Fugitt.

You'll get more time underwater (unlimited bottom time + we offer 4-5 dives every day); be
guaranteed to have guides who know the area and the dive sites; start your trip at 9AM on
departure day (so that you'll get in an extra day of diving); enjoy an additional early light
breakfast; and get help with your photography. There is more - you can contact me directly
to discover the rest.

This Value-Added trip is similar to a "standard" liveaboard trip,
with these exceptions (just some of the value that is added):

• 
  [*=1]12 guest divers instead of the 16 a normal full charter or scheduled trip would take
  [*=1]17 crew including a hand-picked team to supplement (or replace) the ship's
  normal crew
  [*=1]More dives - board 9AM departure day; diving 1st and last days of the trip (most
  other trips board late afternoon on departure day)
  [*=1]Over 50 hours underwater
  [*=1]Unlimited bottom time.
  [*=1]Guaranteed dive team, all experienced in diving Raja Ampat (cruise director,
  dive guides, photo pro, trip leader)
  [*=1]Guests vetted to insure their skills are appropriate for the trip, and that they will
  enjoy the style of diving we do.

​

The goal of this trip is to experience the best Raja Ampat has to offer during the trip dates. We use
data from the previous trip plus share info with other top liveaboard ships both to get to the best
sites of the moment, and to be the only ship on a site.

You will see amazing reefs teeming with life, manta rays soaring above your head, odd critters
discovered in their hiding places in the algae and rubble. Rock islands, pinnacles, narrow passages,
deep bays - every dive site is unique - we know them well and can show you the best of everything.

Not a photographer, that's fine. About 30% of my guests are not.

You will join a dive "team" of 3 or 4 guests with others who are compatible with your style of diving.
Not interested in photography, or are only a casual photographer? - you'll dive with others who are
the same. Serious about your underwater photography? - your team will also be photographers.
Prefer to dive solo? - no problem (once you are checked out).

Bring 3-4 divers - you'll have your own dive tender and own dive guide!

Great trip for underwater photography or video - any level from beginner to professional.

Underwater Photography Assistance Included - formal or one-on-one will depend on number of
divers who want instruction. Buying a new camera or just starting? - get help choosing equipment
before the trip. Want to learn or improve image editing skills? Sit down with Don during surface
intervals for help. Don will also work with you individually underwater if you like.

Our ship is the SMY Ondina - Indonesia Liveaboard - a very comfortable ship, experienced
in Raja Ampat, and our favorite for these special trips. Now with major updates and improvements
in June 2014 this ship is in top form. Fluent Spanish, English & Bahasa always spoken.

Nov 17 - 29, 2015 (12 diving days trip)
12 Diving Days & 12 Nights on Board

Can promise same gender cabin mate if you travel solo, no single supplement.
Guaranteed single cabins (2) available @ extra cost - but much less than on a "normal" trip.

​

Trip price: Ask me to explain why this trip is less expensive than a comparable "normal" liveaboard trip.

Route: Sorong - Sorong: see Sample Itinerary for Raja Ampat Dive Trip

Please read about it:

Dive Trip Schedule Inclusions / Exclusions / Prices / Fees

Raja Ampat Dive Trip Website

City Seahorse Dive Support Team

Diving Newsletter + Subscription Form

Facebook Diving News, Photos from Dive Trips
​

Travel Dates: This trip departs Sorong Nov 17, 9AM, diving first (Nov 17) and last (Nov 28) days.
Return to port Nov 28 approx. 9PM (overnight on the ship), depart Nov 29. Plan to arrive in
Sorong on Nov 16. Total 12 days of diving and 12 nights aboard the liveaboard ship.

Arrange your International travel - we'll organize the rest. Happy to provide assistance with your
International itinerary to/from Indonesia and book your domestic Indonesia flights, hotels and side trips.

For more information, to ask about availability, or to book -
PM, email the address on my sig file, or call for details.
It will be helpful if you include some info about your diving experience & goals for your trip.
Please note that a call or email will get immediate attention.
​

 

[photog]

Please note that the fuel surcharge for all trips after 11JAN 2015 has increased. This is updated on my website, but not in old newsletters or forum posts.. can't update old forum posts!

 

[mikeycanuk]

Increase?

In fuel costs?

 

[jake11]

Yes! Seems a bit confusing given the cheap price of gas these days????

Increase?

In fuel costs?

View attachment 202181

 

[charlier]

Indonesia has subsided petroleum and fuel prices for many years. This has led to large deficits and other problems. One election promise from thenewly elected President Joko Widodo was to eliminate the country’s subsidies for fuel. This raised domestic gasoline and diesel prices, even with declining global fuel prices. I found that costs for renting minivans in Bali have substantially increased.

 

[mikeycanuk]

Interesting. Nice that the OP gives the option of paying in Euro's. If it's a fixed amount that doesn't change you could save 15%-20% depending how low the Euro is projected to go. 1:1 is predicted.

 

[jake11]

Makes more sense now!

Indonesia has subsided petroleum and fuel prices for many years. This has led to large deficits and other problems. One election promise from thenewly elected President Joko Widodo was to eliminate the country’s subsidies for fuel. This raised domestic gasoline and diesel prices, even with declining global fuel prices.

 

[photog]

Interesting. Nice that the OP gives the option of paying in Euro's. If it's a fixed amount that doesn't change you could save 15%-20% depending how low the Euro is projected to go. 1:1 is predicted.

EUR rates are fixed for trips on these schedule tables:

2016 Trip Schedule
2015 Trip Schedule

However I would not be surprised, actually expect, to see these trips change to be priced in USD very soon. If you have USD to pay for a dive trip, check the schedules, choose a trip, pay 100% now. These trips are super bargains if you have USD.

The 11 day Komodo trips are discounted by 485EUR. If you are paying in EUR that is a 19% discount including the price discount and free Nitrox.

There are also 2 Raja Ampat trips even more attractively priced.

USD prices also display on those schedules. The USD rates change daily and are the price one would pay in USD if 100% paid on that day. They will vary with the EUR/USD rate.

If you book the same 11 day Komodo trip that is discounted by 485EUR include the free Nitrox, and pay the full amount today to fix the price in USD, the discounted trip will be 32% less than it was if paid on the the same date last year (Feb 2, 2014).

Various ways to look at these numbers but however you do it, these are incredible bargains.

(Sort of... the USD has been very low for years and now it it getting back to 90's and early 2000 levels. Big shock for people in some other countries.)

Those trips mentioned above are not my Value-Added trips with only 12 divers, all the super experienced dive guides I hire, the extra diving, etc. But they are good trips on an experienced ship, that was revamped in 2014.

There was also a EUR rate for the Value-Added charters. I've pulled it off temporarily while I make it more clear. The EUR price will apply only to divers who are citizens of European Union countries.

Anyone needing a better explanation or who would like to take advantage of these prices and exchange rate now, please contact me at the phone/email on my signature below.

 

[photog]

Increase?

In fuel costs?

Also note that "fees" often include things other than fuel. The fees on many dive trips also include port & park fees which may not be separated - depends on the operator.

Check this petition on change.org for what is happening in Komodo. (Not the same in Raja Ampat, but also some concerns there).

https://www.change.org/p/ministry-o...rrent-system-and-come-up-with-a-better-system