PALAU FEEDBACK FROM LAST WEEK'S TRIP

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Dom@DiveAdvice

Contributor
Messages
626
Reaction score
182
Location
South of France
# of dives
2500 - 4999
I thought that some of you planning or considering planning a trip to Palau in coming weeks or months might benefit from this feedback that I received from a client just back from a trip aboard the PALAU AGGRESSOR.

Dom, Have recovered from the jet lag enough to give you a cogent update. All in all I would rate the trip a success… lots of tight connections outbound (I would recommend client minimize this by going non stop to HON (the gateway to Guan and Palau and avoid an interim additional stop on West coast – LAX or SFO if possible.. we were ok but it was close), on return less critical.

Per crew conversations Aggressor has run all trips save one a few weeks back (likely the source of the not operating rumor) where a guest or crew had a positive test which by their/Palau rules prohibits the entire crew from going out. Other than that appears normal operations (though they were the only live aboard operating and very few day boats out), indeed they had (and we saw) additional work staff in harbor readying the Rock Island Aggressor soon to become the Palau Dancer I believe (local Aggressor franchise owner bought in and is moving older boat to Dancer name) and they had an additional chef in training on board our boat.

That said the crew covered multiple roles with the captain even serving as a DM on occasion (and he was VERY good). In fact I thought that the crew was one of the best we have encountered on any boat/liveaboard… all long term employees, no bickering, incredibly customer focused (some of the DM’s even had local hospitality training), anticipate your needs, friendly, knew names and preferences within a day, etc.

Other observations:
  • Pre trip information, reservation, guest info gathering etc. was very comprehensive and smooth; good know before you go info. Was offered travel assistance but we did our own and they coordinated with it. Boat was very clean, hygienic, well maintained, rooms were sufficient in size, storage, decoration, outside views, lots of high pressure hot water, goo ac, beds ok, good soundproofing, serviced several times a day. Salon large, good ac, ample covered outside seating on top deck for between dives if desired.
  • Food was outstanding and excessive in amounts. Good quality, variety, presentation (breakfast and lunch buffets, breakfast custom, dinner serviced, beer, wine and soft drinks included.. nice touch. Cold or (at night) hot drinks as you exited the dive boat, snacks between dives unless lunch or dinner was next on schedule.
  • Wet head on dive deck, warm towels on deck every dive, two on deck showers and two gear hoses/ two rinse tanks.. whatever gear left on small boat (all but cameras, computers, etc.) were hosed off by crew every night. Ample individual storage on dive deck and individual cubbies on dive boat.
  • All dives from small boat which was raised/lowered by hydraulic lift to main deck so easy on off.
  • Very through and illustrated dive and safety briefings, small groups or independent as desired; two or three DMs in water depending on site, through knowledge of sites, always checked currents and provided alternative plans both pre and during dives as needed. Most on nitrox but those on air were always accompanied to surface by a DM when they left early.
  • Skiff driver excellent at tracking and pickups, good platform/ladder to exit; helped lift tanks or BC’s for those who needed it.
  • Cruise director briefed us nightly on plans/schedules, which were also posted.
  • Company adjusted schedule to allow for Palau’s mandatory day 5 testing (there is also pre boarding test requirement and test on landing before going to the boat.. even at 130am). Testing was well organized. Until last week the day 5 test was also the 72 hr. pre departure to US test. When this shifted to 24 hrs. company arranged transport to testing on Sun disembarking and onward to hotel (for day usage and fly out early Monday am… only one flight in/out per week at the moment). If clients go into Palau early (I would discourage) they will have to remain at their hotel until day 5 test .. so anyone extending their holiday either stayed on after (as they now had the 5 day test), or stopped off in Guam or Hawaii. Note that you do not need to meet Hawaiian or Guam visiting rules if you are transiting (there was some confusion over this by some passengers), but will if extending holiday.. as you are tested for us entry not an issue, but may need additional paperwork at either site.
  • Most resteraunts and shops fully operational with masks worn except by seashore or if eating/drinking. High vax rate.
  • No undisclosed or unanticipated fees at billing closeout; collected for testing and transit (at cost) which expedited logistics considerably; took visa/MC without any surcharge, could do tips on ccard if desired (unusual in our experience so we usually do cash)
  • Little has changed in Koror since last there 15 yrs. ago save another general store type shopping center; Neco has added a nice bar right next to their operation where boat docks; Cove hotel was very impressive as a day room venue (about 180) but beautiful poolside rooms, Wi-Fi, bar, walkable to Neco bar if desired.. would recommend (had looked at others and this was best and actually most reasonable/convenient.
  • We walked to town on Sunday (by choice) about 1.5 miles, 30 min and ate Thai along the way. Safe and partially along the waterfront. There would have been time to add various tours if desired due to late plane, but we did all that earlier.
  • Diving was generally good. With the signature dives of course excellent. Variety of reef, wall, wreck, calm, drift, hook in, Water 84f and good (but not excellent viz) most sites save those near harbor, Would recommend clients be aow/ean as some dives or portions thereof were out of OW limits so they would have to miss some or modify some dives. All dives were max 60 min (and you could do that on most depending on your profile, though some who stayed deep longer timed out at around 45mn. Should be comfortable surfacing independently (though usually not needed) and with current (limited drift diving but lots of current on hook ins. Some shark and manta action (but WAY less sharks than Fakarava or less mantas than Maldives), limited but adequate macro (mot most peoples focus nor sites design). Fish life varied by site but wasn’t massive (better than Carib, less than Indo/Phil).Jellyfish lake was of course unique (and we had it to ourselves). Only itinerary critique is that the itinerary didn’t allow a tour of Peleliu battlefields/caves. Since we did this when day tripping many years ago it was no issue, but other divers didn’t know what they were missing. Was nice that we were always the only one at any dive site!!
  • In all a good and generally relaxing dive environment and holiday. Would be impressive to Carib divers, adequate but fun to Asian divers. Since this was a discounted week it was a good value (though air is costly). Usually we would have added Yap or Guam or Hawaii to optimize, but Yap not open and we didn’t have the time to spare.
Dominick Macan
Dive Advice Travel
dom@diveadvice.com
www.diveadvice.com
Tel: +33 492 94 02 99 (France)
SKYPE: adventuredom

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