1st Time Liveaboard - What to Expect

[bracko]

for ~$300 i think the extra of having a flight over the reef, awesome food and open diving is a winner.

so how long are you at the sites? are you able to do 2 dives at each site? considering that if you're using nitrox and there's no need to do all deep dives if you're there for 2 or 3 hours it's quite possible to fit in 3-4 dives a day.

 

[Unterberg]

for ~$300 i think the extra of having a flight over the reef, awesome food and open diving is a winner.

so how long are you at the sites? are you able to do 2 dives at each site? considering that if you're using nitrox and there's no need to do all deep dives if you're there for 2 or 3 hours it's quite possible to fit in 3-4 dives a day.

Yep as I said its worth the extra money in my opinion.
But you will be able to do 4 dives a day on both Mike Ball and Taka...
So with regards to the underwater experience there wont be a big difference.
Only that if you are at spots like Steves Bommie where the dive site is rather small (around a bommie ;-) ) you will notice that it can get rather packed when everyone is in the water at the same time.

 

[jc63_]

I just got back from a 3 day trip on Mike Ball. (14 dives total). It was my 1st liveaboard, and it was awesome!

To answer OP's questions (in regards to the MB experience). Normal air is included, Nitrox is extra.

Tipping, is what YOU think they deserve. Between my dive buddy and I we tipped them 500 AUD at the end of the trip. They definately deserved it. (The chef made a special cake for my buddies 29th birthday), and all the fun we had at the sites.