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The Arenui is as good as they claim. Most boats are so over-hyped you can't believe anything they say. We have been on several liveaboards in Indonesia, plus plenty of others. The Arenui is the best we have experienced so far. We have not been on the Damai, but are scheduled for the Damai II next year. I don't believe it is possible for the Damai to be any better, other than having fewer guest cabins.
All Indonesian Phinisis are not alike. This one is built a cut above. Not a creak or a leak. Rooms are as spacious as one needs. Best kitchen I've seen on a liveaboard and they picked up the chef from the ill-fated AA II. Best food ever. Maybe the old Thai version of the Ocean Rover was better, but that's now history. The layout of the boat is fantastic. It has everything you could ask for. I won't list the small details here, but it truly is a remarkable setup with great attention to detail.
Debbie and Jerry are great cruise directors. I'd go on any boat they managed. The crew is awesome.
With all due respect to the Seven Seas, whose people and boat I dearly love, the Arenui has the edge.
Here were the three things I noted on my response card:
1) A/C inadequate for main level aft suites. I was told these were being replaced during the forthcoming dry dock.
2) Plain old coffee maker. Coffee choices were: 1) Balinese style (kind of a press w/ grounds in the coffee) 2) Instant or 3) Espresso/Cappuccino/Latte with a surcharge. Most of drank Nescafe, which kind of sucked. I prefer the SS pot on the Seven Seas that remained fresh throughout the day.
3) They have a magnificent lounge deck on top. There are chaise lounges for those seeking melanoma. There is a section covered by tarp, but the tarp doesn't stretch across completely and the built in lounges are on the outer edge of the deck, so they are never all fully shaded. Need a wider tarp to provide more shaded area.
So, bottom line, this is a boat you want to be on if you can afford it. I hope to be on this boat again.
Don't let anyone else know how good it is. It will be our little secret. OK?