Nautilus Explorer vs. Solmar V

[BDSC]

Howdy Everyone!

There is a group of us who are thinking about going to the Socorro Islands in the November/December time frame. We are looking at two different liveaboards, the Solmar V or the Nautilus Explorer. I was just wondering if anyone has been on one or both and could give me some feedback on either. If anyone has been on both and could go back, which one would you choose and why. I guess the one big difference I have noticed is there are more cabin options on the Nautilus Explorer.

Thanks!

BDSC

 

[Manuel Sam]

This is one of those cat-lovers vs. dog-lovers or motorboat lovers vs. sailboat lovers type of discussion.

I'm sure that both boats are great.

I've only been on the Solmar (5 times) and will be going back to the Socorros with them in 2014. Even tho they lost their lead dive guide last year to the Rocio del Mar, much of the crew has been there for a long time and the service is always outstanding. The food is also outstanding, well above average in my opinion among liveaboards, altho food is a very subjective thing.

The biggest drawback with the Solmar, as you well noted, are the cabins, and more specifically, cabin size. The bathrooms are also quite small and at least in the standard cabins (I've never been in one of their Superior cabins) there is no separate shower stall. So when you shower, the toilet also gets wet. I suppose if you wanna kill two birds at a time, then that feature - not having a separate shower stall - could be deemed a plus rather than a minus.

 

[memoran]

If you are looking for the best boat going to the Socorro Islands, go with the Rocio Del Mar. They have the newest ship, largest cabins with private bathrooms and the most stable boat making the pacific passage as comfortable as possible. I was on the RDM in March 2011 and it was fantastic. The trip and crew spoiled me and my friends as to ruin diving anywhere else for us. We loved it so much that we are going on their Sea of Cortez trip in September and going back to Socorro in January 2013!

Mark

 

[BDSC]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'll certainly check into the Rocio Del Mar. How was the food on the RDM?

 

[BobDeFeo]

Had many a trip on the Rocio Del Mar...the food is great! They accomodate all dietary needs...hard to believe but I've seen some meals where gluten free, vegan, nut allergies, and meat eaters were all accomodated during the same meal. On one cruise a diver needed a special brand of mineral water. Crew jumped ship before leaving port and brought three case onboard for her. Who else does that? They even bring out full size birthday cakes with candles for birthdays...and they're great tasting. They get my vote...I loved the food.

 

[covediver]

I have not been on Solmar V, but have been on Nautilus twice, once in Alaska and on a trip to Socorro in Decebmer 2010. I found the service on Nautilus to be great. The boat was comfortable, the crew was gracious, and the diving in Socorro was fantastic. The after dive service when they arranged transfers from the hotel to the ship and back to the airport was great.

A piece of advice, arrange the transfer from the airport with the transfer company Nautilus uses. In any case, as you leave the airport you will be pressured to buy a ticket that you are promised will be accepted by any shuttle driver (it isn't). If you rely on the local shuttle bus transportation network, you will stop at every one horse hotel between the airport and cabo and be pressured to buy a timeshare which will make the hours long trip seem like days. I know people are just trying to make a living, but its not what people want at the start of the vacation, unless of course you like the perks of timeshare pitches (which some people do).

 

[BDSC]

I have not been on Solmar V, but have been on Nautilus twice, once in Alaska and on a trip to Socorro in Decebmer 2010. I found the service on Nautilus to be great. The boat was comfortable, the crew was gracious, and the diving in Socorro was fantastic. The after dive service when they arranged transfers from the hotel to the ship and back to the airport was great.

A piece of advice, arrange the transfer from the airport with the transfer company Nautilus uses. In any case, as you leave the airport you will be pressured to buy a ticket that you are promised will be accepted by any shuttle driver (it isn't). If you rely on the local shuttle bus transportation network, you will stop at every one horse hotel between the airport and cabo and be pressured to buy a timeshare which will make the hours long trip seem like days. I know people are just trying to make a living, but its not what people want at the start of the vacation, unless of course you like the perks of timeshare pitches (which some people do).

Thanks! That's good to know.

---------- Post added April 18th, 2012 at 12:25 PM ----------

I've been reading up more on the Rocio Del Mar and the reviews have been great. It also appears that the guy who partly owns and captains the boat was the head DM for Solmar so he would really know the area and best spots. But I'm still looking at all of them.

 

[ThisFishee]

I would definately look into the Rocio Del Mar. Went to the Soccorro's with them March of this year. The rooms are spacious, the food is fantastic and the crew is top notch. And the diving... Phenomenal. We could hear humpbacks singing, it was impossible to tell what direction the sounds were coming from but somehow Captain Ray lead us out to find a baby humpback. Trip of a lifetime! So excited for you and your group... you are in for an amazing experience.

 

[BDSC]

In case any of you folks would be interested down the road on going to the Socorro Islands (again), when I book at boat, we all share equally in the free spots so that can lower the cost by about $300 each. No one goes for free!

Thanks again for all the feedback.

 

[ThisFishee]

In case any of you folks would be interested down the road on going to the Socorro Islands (again), when I book at boat, we all share equally in the free spots so that can lower the cost by about $300 each. No one goes for free!

Thanks again for all the feedback.

I'd love to go back.. Let me know.