Empress II or Mikumba

[acidrush]

One good thing about the Blue Manta is even on a full charter, there lots of personal space for everyone.

 

[Dan]

One good thing about the Blue Manta is even on a full charter, there lots of personal space for everyone.

True, 200cf (20m2) cabin that’s massive.

I’ll be going to Ring of Fire trip with Blue Manta in September 2019.

Check this out: Blue Manta info

Since OP considering Blue Manta, might as well look into Mermaid Liveaboards too. Mermaid I still the best one out of 9 liveaboards that I’ve been in. I heard that Mermaid II still have some spaces available. At least inquire about it & you may have a good last minute discount.

 

[Satto95]

True, 200cf (20m2) cabin that’s massive.

I’ll be going to Ring of Fire trip with Blue Manta in September 2019.

Check this out: Blue Manta info

Since OP considering Blue Manta, might as well look into Mermaid Liveaboards too. Mermaid I still the best one out of 9 liveaboards that I’ve been in. I heard that Mermaid II still have some spaces available. At least inquire about it & you may have a good last minute discount.

Still considering it but Empress is a lot more likely right now.

Blue Manta seems to cater towards more creature comforts and that's fine. I just don't know if it's worth triple the price...
I'm in the Navy, so basically anything is nice to me that isn't a rusty old ship.

Blue Manta looks so good but I don't know if the price is justified. At least maybe not for my budget. I could do A LOT with an extra 2k.

 

[Satto95]

One good thing about the Blue Manta is even on a full charter, there lots of personal space for everyone.

Yeah, I noticed. I don't know if it's worth triple the price though compared to Empress....

 

[highdesert]

Ahhh. That's good news I guess. I really want to get as many dives as possible since I'm flying for 40 hours. My only concern would be 4 dives a day for 7 days.. wouldn't my bottom time be extremely low by the end?

We've done 7-10 day LOBs on air numerous times in Indonesia. The day is long enough to do this IF the first dive is early, and the dive guides watch the depth carefully. This also gives you some good blocks of nap time, which you may find a requirement for getting through the trip comfortably. Eat, sleep, dive ... rinse and repeat.

 

[Erica Watson]

Can you please elaborate what you mean about the two boats? Have you heard or experienced something negative about or with them? What type of cancellation are you worried about? For what it’s worth, we know through @Erica Watson that trip cancellation isn’t covered with some companies if the cancellation is because the Liveaboard boat chooses not to sail out of business reasons or not meeting minimum guest requirements.

I look forward to your response and clarification. Thanks!

I actually am getting some coverage now! But I don't know to what extent yet- and they really are not explaining why yet either. So I am submitting as much information as I can to see what gets covered! I will keep you up to date. I have Dive Assure and while their explanation of benefits does not cover my situation, they seem to have decided I am covered somewhat. I am thankful for that!

 

[Satto95]

I actually am getting some coverage now! But I don't know to what extent yet- and they really are not explaining why yet either. So I am submitting as much information as I can to see what gets covered! I will keep you up to date. I have Dive Assure and while their explanation of benefits does not cover my situation, they seem to have decided I am covered somewhat. I am thankful for that!

Erica, you got cancelled on my Mikumba?

 

[Satto95]

We've done 7-10 day LOBs on air numerous times in Indonesia. The day is long enough to do this IF the first dive is early, and the dive guides watch the depth carefully. This also gives you some good blocks of nap time, which you may find a requirement for getting through the trip comfortably. Eat, sleep, dive ... rinse and repeat.

Haha what do you mean by getting through the trip comfortably? This may be a meme but I swear on the fact if I dive air I feel wiped out. Nitrox I feel better.

I think it's worth the extra money, you should get significant better bottom times at the end of the trip...

 

[outofofficebrb]

Erica, you got cancelled on my Mikumba?

No, separate boat, but her case would be relevant to what might happen if they did cancel on a guest for not meeting minimum number of divers.

When a liveaboard trip is cancelled the day you arrive....

I actually am getting some coverage now! But I don't know to what extent yet- and they really are not explaining why yet either. So I am submitting as much information as I can to see what gets covered! I will keep you up to date. I have Dive Assure and while their explanation of benefits does not cover my situation, they seem to have decided I am covered somewhat. I am thankful for that!

Please keep us posted here (in case other affected divers search for the Indonesian boat names and have been cancelled on) as well as in the original post for Aggressor. I’m so thrilled for you, especially because it is definitely a premium insurance product.

 

[Satto95]

No, separate boat, but her case would be relevant to what might happen if they did cancel on a guest for not meeting minimum number of divers.

When a liveaboard trip is cancelled the day you arrive....



Please keep us posted here (in case other affected divers search for the Indonesian boat names and have been cancelled on) as well as in the original post for Aggressor. I’m so thrilled for you, especially because it is definitely a premium insurance product.

That really sucks. I would be furious since
my job makes us save up vacation days. And only 30 days a year, no getting them back.

All this makes me scared to book a smaller one like the Empress since it doesn't seem very popular and a very small group.

I don't think blue manta would have that issue.