Trip Report Disappointing Experience on the Turks and Caicos Explorer II

[ontdiver]

I was on the old RSA as well (prior to the fire).

I am kind of surprised with the reaction to being served meals that reflect the price being paid for certain LOB trips. I have no doubt that the chef on the RSA probably did attend culinary school and was proud to showcase his national cuisine. This is IMHO - and with respect - neither showing off. nor over the top, and really shouldn't be characterized as amusing. Our group of divers on that particular trip appreciated the varied menu and looked forward to each day's offering.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I was on the old RSA as well (prior to the fire).

I am kind of surprised with the reaction to being served meals that reflect the price being paid for certain LOB trips. I have no doubt that the chef on the RSA probably did attend culinary school and was proud to showcase his national cuisine. This is IMHO - and with respect - neither showing off. nor over the top, and really shouldn't be characterized as amusing. Our group of divers on that particular trip appreciated the varied menu and looked forward to each day's offering.

From the reactions of my fellow guests, I would say most of us found it delightful. They clapped and such when a fancifully plated dish came out of the galley. The same menu, the same dishes, could have been plated in a more utilitarian manner, but I would agree that if the cook was able to do it up as he did, then why not?--it certainly didn't detract from our enjoyment of the food. I'm glad this cook had the opportunity to work for the boat, and he was clearly pleased to put everything he had into his job.

 

[EVMarketing]

Hello @buster243, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience aboard the Turks & Caicos Explorer II. We understand your remarks about marine life and visibility—these natural elements are indeed beyond anyone's control, and as fellow divers, we empathize with the disappointment when conditions aren’t ideal. We also share your concern about the challenges facing reefs worldwide. That's why we’re deeply committed to sustainability, working closely with local organizations like Turks & Caicos Reef to monitor and support these vital ecosystems. Despite these challenges, there are still many areas of stunning marine life on all of our itineraries.

Regarding the linens and towels, in line with our sustainability efforts we typically change these items once a week. However, guests are always welcome to request fresh towels more frequently if needed. We also have dedicated maintenance on staff to address any issues that may arise during and after each trip.

We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the food on your trip. We understand that personal preferences can vary widely, so we offer a variety of menu options throughout the itinerary. We’re also happy to accommodate special requests and dietary needs when notified ahead of time.

We strive to be transparent about any additional fees, which is why we disclose them upfront when booking, include them in the trip paperwork, and make them available in our FAQ section on our website, including customary gratuities for crew this service industry.

Once again, we appreciate your feedback and value the input of every guest. Our team works tirelessly to ensure everyone receives exceptional care and service, while upholding our commitments to safety, authenticity, and sustainability. If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us at info@explorerventures.com. Thank you again, and happy diving!

 

[rongoodman]

I'm confused by the comments about carrying large amounts of cash. I was there in June on the Aggressor boat and the only cash I used was to pay for the Friday night dinner, just like on every other liveaboard that I've been on. The only time I've ever seen a request for cash was for occasional cab fares and the park fees out at Cocos Island. I did feel somewhat guilty about not appreciating the work the chef put in on the meals she prepared as I'm sort of a meat and potatoes guy, but I certainly wouldn't fault her for her hard work or nudging me out of my comfort zone.

 

[Beth3141]

I'm confused by the comments about carrying large amounts of cash. I was there in June on the Aggressor boat and the only cash I used was to pay for the Friday night dinner, just like on every other liveaboard that I've been on. The only time I've ever seen a request for cash was for occasional cab fares and the park fees out at Cocos Island. I did feel somewhat guilty about not appreciating the work the chef put in on the meals she prepared as I'm sort of a meat and potatoes guy, but I certainly wouldn't fault her for her hard work or nudging me out of my comfort zone.

I always tip in cash. Depending on the liveaboard and additional fees, it can add up.

 

[Brodydog]

It’s been more than a few years since we did this trip with EV, but is Stan still the cook? We loved his meals. He was there for many years, but think I remember reading that he had finally retired.

 

[buster243]

Why do you think you weren't at the best sites available?
What reason would there be to not bring you to better sites if available?
Why do you think there were an "abundance of options available" ?

We weren't sure if there were better dive sites, but the Dive Masters mentioned, the first day, that the Caicos site locations we were going to visit, weren't as impressive as they used to be. It seemed like they didn't take us to the best spots, possibly due to the cost of fuel. All the Caicos sites were within a quarter-mile of each other, and we visited five of them.

There is a dive site map online showing nearly 100 locations around Turks and Caicos. While I can't confirm if there are better sites, the first site we visited off Turks was significantly better than any of the Caicos sites.

 

[buster243]

It’s been more than a few years since we did this trip with EV, but is Stan still the cook? We loved his meals. He was there for many years, but think I remember reading that he had finally retired.

We did not meet a Stan.

 

[buster243]

Hi @buster243

My son and I did a land-based trip to Providenciales several years and had many very good dives off West Caicos. In our week visit, we visited 11 different dive sites off West Caicos and did 2 of the better ones twice. We did not dive off Northwest Point and did not make it to French Cay during our visit. We saw Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Southern Rays on most dives as well as the usual reef fish. I have been thinking of returning to T&C and taking one of the two liveaboards to significantly increase the number of dives. The long trip out to West Caicos from Providenciales generally limits dives to 2 per day.

Your description of the diving is depressing. Did you make it to French Cay on your trip? SCTD and coral bleaching have affected many Caribbean locations. In addition, T&C had Hurricane Fiona in Sept. 2022

We did make it to French Cay and it was not that exciting. We do think the Hurricane has decimated the reefs, at least what we could see. As I said our visibility for the Caribbean was horrible (we dive the Caribbean often).

 

[buster243]

@buster243 I was on this boat several years ago and had a great time. The crew was engaged, the meals were very good and the diving was memorable. I do not recall any maintenance issues with the boat.

But things change, of course, and I hope you have provided the same feedback to the company. Do update us if you get a response.

They did respond on another site, they blew past several things and of course blaming that they can't say the marine life is going to be great. They did not comment on looking for other sites. They do the same reefs every week. Had we not seen better on other EV ships, in the Caribbean, maybe it would have been fine. They also said that the ship was always in repair, which we could see, but still they did not fix everything. They said nothing about hand writing the credit card number...we own a business and we are not allowed to do that...ever. We could loose our processor if they caught us doing that.