Darnold9999
Contributor
Have done 4 trips to RA at different price points. The dive locations were the same the difference was the level of personal service, the space available both in your room and on the boat in general. Quality of the guides is a difference. I found the lower price boats had fewer local guides and more expats guiding. Prefer the locals. Food is another significant difference - plated - buffet and more options as you go up the scale
Pre and post trip support I.e. Getting to and from the international airport Damai made sure there was someone at all the stops to make sure everything worked. Others just met you at Sorong airport
Quality of rental gear on board.
How fast is the boat - makes a difference when traveling a long way between dive sites. Slower boats will have you diving at a site midway that may not be a prime site
Space in the camera room tends to be larger on the larger boats. Upscale have individual rinse tanks.
Worth it to pay more??? Depends on your budget and how much value you put on the "extras". The actual diving will be similar
Pre and post trip support I.e. Getting to and from the international airport Damai made sure there was someone at all the stops to make sure everything worked. Others just met you at Sorong airport
Quality of rental gear on board.
How fast is the boat - makes a difference when traveling a long way between dive sites. Slower boats will have you diving at a site midway that may not be a prime site
Space in the camera room tends to be larger on the larger boats. Upscale have individual rinse tanks.
Worth it to pay more??? Depends on your budget and how much value you put on the "extras". The actual diving will be similar
