SharksAreFriends
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After combing through dozens of reviews on Undercurrent, Scubaboard, and the far reaches of the interwebs, I've narrowed down my Raja Ampat liveaboard choices to these 3 fantastic vessels — Arenui, Damai II, and Mermaid I — all well loved by members of this board. According to the rave reviews, any of these boats will provide a great experience. The big question is, how well do each of them do on the little things?
If you only had one chance to dive in Raja Ampat, which of these liveaboards would you choose? Is the extra $2K on Arenui/Damai II truly "worth it"? (Highly subjective of course, but I wanna know!) Prices include full board, diving, all fees, and Nitrox:
Another great liveaboard to consider: Blue Manta, which offers a slightly shorter itinerary than the Arenui, Damai II, and Mermaid I, but received equally high marks from my unscientific and highly biased research.
If you only had one chance to dive in Raja Ampat, which of these liveaboards would you choose? Is the extra $2K on Arenui/Damai II truly "worth it"? (Highly subjective of course, but I wanna know!) Prices include full board, diving, all fees, and Nitrox:
- Arenui: ~$635/night
- Damai II: ~$620/night
- Mermaid I: ~$440/night
- Which boat has the best setup for gearing up, diving in, and getting back on the main boat?
- Which has the "best" bathrooms in its regular cabins (i.e. not the master cabin)? Arenui, Damai II, or Mermaid I?
Which liveaboard has the most comfortable shower heads, sinks, and well thought out bathroom layout/design? This is as much a question about form as it is about function! Do the bathrooms smell clean? Does water spill into the room when you shower? Does the flush work properly? Is it easy to wash your face at the sink? Does the bathroom have hooks to hang stuff? How's the ventilation? Do the drains work well? How's the water pressure? - Which liveaboard has the better sheets and towels? Arenui, Damai II, or Mermaid I?
- Which operation runs most seamlessly, efficiently, and at the highest level of hospitality? Where does Arenui, Damai II, and Mermaid I fall on this spectrum?
1 = What hospitality?
3 = "Island time" hospitality, where service is offered with a smile, but not necessarily through the most efficient way. Things may break and take awhile to get fixed. But it gets fixed with a smile.
5 = Luxury hospitality offered at top-end properties like the Six Senses, Aman Resorts, Four Seasons, and Ritz Carlton. Guests' needs are anticipated, and problems are fixed before guests ever take notice.
- Which liveaboard feels the least crowded underwater?
- Which feels the least crowded on the sun deck?
Another great liveaboard to consider: Blue Manta, which offers a slightly shorter itinerary than the Arenui, Damai II, and Mermaid I, but received equally high marks from my unscientific and highly biased research.
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