Red Sea Liveaboards

[dogmael]

Hello divey types.

I am kind of new on here as my sister referred me here when I was asking her about diving in Hawai'i and Baja California.

Anyway, since last week I have sold myself a trip to Brothers in Red Sea on board SUZANNA ONE which, after looking at the iste for almost a day I thought DAMN I WANT THAT BOAT. It looked like a millionaires yacht.

Anyway, I rang up to book (3 spots left yesterday) and they told me that it was FULL.

I was sad.

Then they said "Join theMV EXCEL, going out of Marsa Alam down to St Johns reef" ...so I did. I was a bit panicked thinking AARGH i cant miss this as well ...(you see I'd told everyone about it.

Anyway.

I think the Suzanna looks nicer.

I guess I will have sold the Excel to myself by tomorrow, and this is what you get for being a cheapskate who waits till the last minute to get 20% off a trip.

)

I guess my questions are :-

What are the BEST red sea boats ?
Has anyone been on these ?
ditto the sites (deep south) ?

etc.

cheers
x

 

[Louie]

Look in:

Tony Backhurst Scuba:
http://www.scuba.co.uk/

or

Regal Diving Holidays
http://www.redseadivingholidays.co.uk/

I've used both of them to book trips.

I personally wouldn't let appearance in brochures be the deciding factor. Comfort, safety, crew and quality of dives would be more important.

I did the route on Ghazala Voyager last summer (out of Marsa Alam). It wasn't luxury but it was comfortable and staffed by very professional crew and guides. If you can get a flight straight to Marsa, it would make things a lot easier as I did the long lonely road trip from Hurghada to Marsa (nearly five hours).

Also, if you ask for the "Deep South", the itiniraries may not include the Brothers (unless you do one of those longer trips).

Have fun

 

[spottydog]

I have not been on the Excel since, I believe, it only started in the Red Sea this year taking over from Royal Emperor.

The reports on the Excel are excellent and the guides are definitely very good (they are the ones that were perviously on the Royal Emperor).

The Deep South expeditions are well worth it and normally cover Elphinstone, Daedelus, Zargabad, Rocky and St. Johns reef. This can be done because the Excel can travel at night.

Go for Excel, I don't think you'll regret it.

Anne

 

[saltwater taffy]

I have done the Wildcat. First class operation.

 

[Sylvie]

dogmael once bubbled...
Hello divey types.


I think the Suzanna looks nicer.

I guess I will have sold the Excel to myself by tomorrow, and this is what you get for being a cheapskate who waits till the last minute to get 20% off a trip.

Hi Dogmael

I wouldn't fret too much about going on the Excel. I think it looks great. In fact, I like the lobby/ restaurant and rooms better than on the Suzanna, because they offer windows. I was so impressed by the boat and some comments that I've read about it, that I even looked into it myself. Unfortunately it's all booked out in October when I have time off.

I've tentatively reserved a place on German based SubAqua 1 (newly refurbished as at 1 September 2003) for mid October, but it's high season and I can't find a flight! I've been anxiously waiting for a response from SubAqua for ten days now, and I’ve also contacting numerous other travel agents who can’t seem to help me either. Ugh.

You were lucky to get such as nice boat and a flight at last minute. They are really hard to come by even when you are not travelling last minute.

Enjoy your diving

Sylvie

 

[SubMariner]

We have done Royal Emperor's Northern twice before and were looking into doing the South next year when we were informed that the guides that were there are now on Excel.

Basically, Excel appears to be a sister ship of the RE. Huge, and spacious.

Add in the BEST dive guides I have ever seen (Sonya & Grant) and I don't think you'll be disappointed. Esp since both RE & Excel are large steel hulled vessels.

Why is this important? Well, the other fiberglass cruisers may LOOK prettier, but they bob around like rubber ducks in the bathtub with the slightest bit of waves.

Tell Grant & Sonia "hello" from their favourite Canadians!

~SubMariner~

 

[Sylvie]

Hi submariner

I agree with you about the large boats. I’d much rather be on a large spacious and sturdy vessel, than a pretty fibreglass boat that bounces around at the slightest waves. I did my first live a board on the Coral Sea / great barrier reef last year and was on a large hydroplane for specifically that reason. The “Diversity” was only six weeks old and was fabulous, as was the staff and the food. I did another live a board in Australia a few weeks later and it didn’t compare, in fact it put a damper on the trip. Since then I’m pretty finiky about what boat I go on. The problem is, I’m a student and can’t afford to be too choosy. Oh well.

Cheers

Sylvie

PS: What part of Canada do you come from? I used to live in the great white north too.

 

[SubMariner]

The problem is, I’m a student and can’t afford to be too choosy. Oh well.

Hey, we ALL want to get the best value for our dive dollar, so don't be so down on frugal.

Don't forget to let us know all about your dive vacation!

~SubMariner~

 

[nettlebum]

Hi, Just thought I'd rub it in - I've been on Suzanna twice! She is an awesome boat. You even get your own bathrobe for the week. On one trip we were shadowed by Excel - and it looks fine. They were partying hard anyway...! If you're heading South, you'll have a fantastic time, whichever boat you're on. The diving is superb. Enjoy.