Booking First Liveaboard - Considering Blue O Two in August

[phelan583]

Just had an email from back from blue o two and it's bad news. Unfortunately the 50 logged dives is an Egyptian regulation and therefore the is no flexibility. The only option for me to do the 'Simply the Best' itineray is to hire a private guide at a cost of £256.

Therefore i only have 2 choices if i wish to dive a liveaboard this year and they are:

1. Hire the guide
2. Book onto the Northern wrecks and reefs liveaboard.

If i'm honest, i'm disappointed, but there is nothing i can really do. Just going to have to think about it and decide what to do.

Is 'Simply the best' really worth an extra £300 to the northern wrecks and reefs??????

 

[ocdiver1]

If you're saying the extra 300 is all due to the private guide cost then personally I'd say no...as a traveller on a budget I know I could I could never justify to myself paying that much more just because of a rule. If that were just the price of the two trips side by side, without considering the private guide cost, I know if I'd already done the Northern tour I'd say it would probably be worth it as STB is far superior. I'm guessing it's the first statement rather than the second as it's a moot point as they apparently won't let you go without the private guide. But either paying that cost and going or just doing the same trip again of course are just a matter of personal choice. Another alternative might be a Southern/St Johns route..gave a quick glance to the Blueotwo site and it looks like they only ask for 30 dives minimum for that. You may want to call and ask them.

I know cost might be an issue, but if you are able to go further afield doing a liveaboard in the Maldives or Indonesia, for example gets you around that, and any trip you'd do additionally would likely be better diving that anything the Red Sea has to offer.

 

[phelan583]

Finally made my mind up and booked onto the northern wrecks and reef liveaboard (17-14 Aug 12). Although i am a little disappointed that i couldn't do 'simply the best' intinery i'm really looking forward to the trip and am sure i will have a really good time.I am now wondering what wetsuit i should take along with me. I have a mares 2.5mm shorty but i am not sure if this will be totally suitable for multiple dives, deep dives, night dives and wreck dives. I'm therefore considering grabbing a new full length suit but i can't decide between a 3mm and a 5mm.Any advice or opinions??????

 

[Red Sea Leonfish]

I think you would be very hot in a 5mm full length suit in the northern Red Sea in August.

You might well cook in the midday sun! :redhot:

 

[phelan583]

thats what i was thinking!!!!!!I think a 3mm full would be better and then use the shorty on top if needed for other dives