Raja Ampat on the Samambaia?

[Pillpusher]

Relatively new and absolutely gorgeous boat. After much deliberation, I think I have sold myself on it for March of next year. Anyone here ever been out with them? Any feedback would be appreciated.

http://www.samambaia-liveaboard.com

 

[Cali_diver]

I haven't been ..but I know the Cruise Director and he loves the boat and owner. We are going to look into going on it in the next couple years!

 

[Haleyeah]

I'm glad you started a new thread. We are very interested to hear if anyone has an opinion. I mentioned it in the other post, but we are signed up for the Nov. 27 trip. If nothing else, we will let you know how that goes. Looks amazing.

 

[Pillpusher]

I haven't been ..but I know the Cruise Director and he loves the boat and owner. We are going to look into going on it in the next couple years!

Well, that's definitely a start! While trying to find as much info as possible on Facebook, I came across a profile for the cruise manager (not sure if that's the same thing), and he's got quite the resume. As long as the guides have a good deal of experience diving RA, I think it'll be an outstanding trip. From my limited communication with them, they seem to know what they're doing.

I'm glad you started a new thread. We are very interested to hear if anyone has an opinion. I mentioned it in the other post, but we are signed up for the Nov. 27 trip. If nothing else, we will let you know how that goes. Looks amazing.

Great! I somehow didn't see the notification on the other thread, so I'm glad you mentioned it here.

 

[Pillpusher]

Oh, and when you're booking your island hopper flights to and from SOQ, try Cheapflights. You can search for business class seats and it's usually only around $100 more than economy. Well worth it for a 4 hour flight, IMO, and you may get some of that $ back in extra luggage allowance.

 

[BDSC]

I'll see if they make an appearance at DEMA this year. I'm looking to book a boat for the year 2020.

 

[BDSC]

After doing hours and hours of research I had narrowed my choice down to two boats, the Samambaia and the Damai II. I was about to pull the trigger on the Damai II but they won't let you book their DEMA special until the actual DEMA event. Since then I have looked more into the Samambaia and now I'm back on the fence. The Samambaia is running an even better DEMA special. I'll decide when I go to DEMA but the price point I can get the Samambaia down to is almost too good to pass up.

 

[bcaderunr]

Oh, and when you're booking your island hopper flights to and from SOQ, try Cheapflights. You can search for business class seats and it's usually only around $100 more than economy. Well worth it for a 4 hour flight, IMO, and you may get some of that $ back in extra luggage allowance.

What's the best place to fly to from the western US?

 

[Pillpusher]

What's the best place to fly to from the western US?

I'm going through Jakarta. Direct flights to/from Sorong.

 

[BDSC]

I'm going through Jakarta. Direct flights to/from Sorong.

That seems to be the best route for the Raja Ampat itinerary from what I can tell. Maybe do an overnight there to rest up.