MUREX & Thalassa liveaboards

[Rickg]

Hi,

Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of the following liveaboards?

MUREX - Symphony and/or Serenade

Thalassa - Mimpi

We are trying to put together a combination shore dive resort and liveaboard trip for July and it seems like both MUREX and Thalassa might have what we are looking for.

Right now I am leaning towards a MUREX Dive Resort / MUREX liveaboard / Bangka Islands (Gangga Island Resort) trip.

Thanks for the help.

Rickg

 

[scubashooter]

Symphony is a smallish boat suitable for 3-4 people but definitely not super-comfy or luxurious, the dive deck in very small and uncomfortable for anymore than 3 serious photographers. Worse is the Serenade, the throttle system is not in the bridge but at the back in the kitchen. The captain would tell the engineer what throttle settings via a horn, which is irritating enough in the dining area but since 2 cabins are situated in the rear and a lot of the travelling is done at night, the people who get those cabins will be in for a nasty treat. Furthermore, because of the delay in throttle control, the captain is unable to control the boat over high waves and the ride can be very rough in inclement weather. The crew is great however but the food is bland since the cook is also the engineer. They are very flexible on itineraries but I would not recommend chartering the Serenade at all.
The Mimpi is an even smaller boat with very basic rooms and facilities. It is bearable for 4-5 persons but anymore would be a tight squeeze, esp if you are photographers. Crew is good and I'd say the food is on par with the Murex ops.
I'd save your money and wait for a real dive boat like the Ocean Rover to go over during the high season.

 

[Rickg]

scubashooter,

Thanks for the info. I appreciate the first hand knowledge.

Rickg

 

[DontLieToMe]

I chartered Mimpi last year. The boat was in very poor condition. While it has four cabins two are just about unusable when the engine is operating.

As another wrote - go on the Ocean Rover. It will do six trips there this year. I was just on this boat and it was one of the best live-a-aboards.

 

[Rickg]

DontLieToMe,

Thanks for the info. I had found similar comments about the Mimpi during my internet searches. We know a Brit photographer who has been on MUREX LOBs (Symphony & Serenade once each) over the past couple of years. In fact he chartered the Serenade for a private group for 1 week last year.

He said both boats were "basic" but that the diving and crews were great on both. "Basic" is OK as long as the diving is good and I can get a cold beer at the end of the dive day or night. Having been in the Navy for 26 years I can sleep almost anywhere.

Rickg