@Mermaid Stacy How was KLM Mari? We’re booked for December but I’m hearing some mixed reviews...
@emanyueru my apologies for the super delayed response. I enjoyed my time on the KLM Mari. I will give you a quick rundown. I went on the Mari in mid April 2018, to Central R4.
Pick up from the hotel in Sorong was right on schedule and transfer to the boat was easy and safe. I was welcomed to my cabin (the bunk bed budget) by Holger. After everyone arrived we started our departure from Sorong, over night to the first dive spot. There was no briefing really, just get to know everyone and relax. The bunk was comfortable and there were hot water showers, an amazing luxury on a budget boat. Every cabin had a shower, so great! The crew cleaned the cabin every day.
The dive briefings were short and sweet. There was plenty of room in back of the boat for everyone's dive equipment, plenty of room to hang wetsuits, etc. The only thing that was lacking was a dedicated camera station/charging station. We had two serious photographers on the boat and they had some troubles regarding where to keep there rigs, think they kept them in their rooms. Minimal fresh water in rinse tanks, but sufficient. After the last dive of the trip, the crew did a good job of properly rinsing all equipment.
The dives were generally an hour, groups of 3 - 5 divers per guide. Guides were good, relaxed, they would point out what people requested, 3-4 dives a day. Night dives were awesome, lots of wobbegongs and epaulette sharks at night, not to be missed, hot shower afterwards was ace!
The guides were careful with our dive gear and cameras, and patient with divers always forgetting stuff. You will be diving from two little tenders. Current did rip hard on several dives, reef hook is a must have, make sure to bring a surface marker as well. Some divers were separated from our group due to strong current and had to end the dive and surface. They did not have surface markers but were picked up fine by the tender drivers.
On night dives, our guides warned us to be especially careful of local fisherman in and around the islands and docks. Some locals have no regard for divers, be careful when surfacing.
I thought the quality and quantity of the food was great for such a budget boat. I never went hungry, loads of fresh fruit every day.
The boat was spacious with a limit of 8-9 divers, so plenty of space for everyone, tons of fish id books, sun deck, can't think of anything that was lacking tbh.
I would absolutely book another trip on the KLM Mari. It was spacious, safe, fun and with a smaller number of divers, it was just right for me.
Holger is very nice and no nonsense. The crew were all smiles and respectful. The food was good, always a nice rotation of proteins and plenty of fruits. Beer and soda were not included.
Drop off back in Sorong with transfer to the airport was included and very well organized.
If you have any more specific questions, please feel free to ask, I will get back right away.
Have a wonderful trip, it should be manta time when you are there, we just missed them mid April at the end of their season.