MV Celebes Explorer 9

Risk it for the biscuit and get on the new boat?

  • yes

    Votes: 10 90.9%
  • no

    Votes: 1 9.1%

  • Total voters
    11

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tomasharris

Registered
Messages
6
Reaction score
1
Location
Australia
# of dives
25 - 49
Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone has been on the new MV Celebes Explorer 9.

Apparently they have a new boat as of last year. The old boat got quite bad reviews.


Cheers,

Jake
 
Hi Jake,

My wife and I are actually going in 4 weeks.

We are living in China and I have contemplated with a combined Sipadan and Orang-Utan safari trip since we arrived in China 3 years ago. However, we did always prioritize other places (Indonesia, Palau, Philippines) due to the annoying Permit topic in Sipadan. As our time in Asia will be coming to an end in 2020, and we planned to finally do the trip over the upcoming Chinese New Year.

I was more or less locked-in already with Scuba Junkies when Ksenia from diveandcruise.com recommended the new Celebes Explorer 9 allowing us to dive Sipadan every day while providing the flexibility of a resort as it is "hop-on hop-off".

However, I have to admit that the cabins look a bit more basic than the standard we have enjoyed on most liveaboards in the past (and no double beds). Moreover, there is no afternoon / evening program (I specifically asked as it is "only" 3 dives a day) and you only get a rate including rental equipment.

Nevertheless, it seems to be the only Sipadan option with a guarantee to dive the hotspot every day and the hotels with permits also don't look super nice or are packed with Chinese. You can expect my detailed review with a video in late Feb.


Cheers
 
and btw. they charge 53MYR equaling 13USD for a tank of Nitrox which is hilarious
 
Pity that Jan is not the right time(rainy season) to visit Sangalaki as SJ also has operation over there.
A combined Sipadan + Sangalaki trip is being offered by SJ.
 
Pity that Jan is not the right time(rainy season) to visit Sangalaki as SJ also has operation over there.
A combined Sipadan + Sangalaki trip is being offered by SJ.

Yeah, but getting from Sipadan to Sangalaki seems quite a hazzle
 
Yeah, but getting from Sipadan to Sangalaki seems quite a hazzle
Sangalaki is never easy to get to from any available route.
Kill two birds with one stone?
 
Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone has been on the new MV Celebes Explorer 9.

Apparently they have a new boat as of last year. The old boat got quite bad reviews.


Cheers,

Jake
Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone has been on the new MV Celebes Explorer 9.

Apparently they have a new boat as of last year. The old boat got quite bad reviews.


Cheers,

Jake
I’m curious as to whether they actually got a new boat too! They’ve been talking about a new boat for years. I went on this liveaboard boat and it was horrible - constant breathing boat fumes, our air conditioning unit was dismantled and spread out on our bed, the shower had absolutely NO water coming from it all week and we had to shower using the sprayer next to the toilet! Oh and the real kicker - - after choosing the LOB option over a land-based options, the Celebes Explorer stayed moored the entire week next to the oil rig platform SeaVentures and we had to commute via the little dingy everyday out to Sipidan because supposedly the weather was too rough for the big boat to stay out there. Wow, what memories! I do want to know about this new boat....
 
Just boarded the liveaboard a few hours ago. Definitely a different boat (see attached drone shot with new and apparently old boat)

Very nice and modern boat, spacey cabins, especially the bathrooms.

Seems like we are just 4-6 guests, let's see how the diving is organized...

Will keep you posted
 

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Just boarded the liveaboard a few hours ago. Definitely a different boat (see attached drone shot with new and apparently old boat)

Very nice and modern boat, spacey cabins, especially the bathrooms.

Seems like we are just 4-6 guests, let's see how the diving is organized...

Will keep you posted


Any updates on how the boat is? Am considering going in August and any sort of review would really help!
 
Just boarded the liveaboard a few hours ago. Definitely a different boat (see attached drone shot with new and apparently old boat)

Very nice and modern boat, spacey cabins, especially the bathrooms.

Seems like we are just 4-6 guests, let's see how the diving is organized...

Will keep you posted

Lucky that you got there when you did! Where are you now? Quarantined anywhere or have you made it home safely?
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

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