Question Seeking itinerary advice.

[uncfnp]

With Bali/Komodo planned for August 2024 I am looking for a Raja Ampat for Spring 2025, ideally February or March. Because of circumstances I am limited to just a few boat options so right now it looks like it will be the Mermaid I (same boat for Bali). I have a choice between a 9/10 day trip Sorong to Sorong or a 11/12 day trip from Lembeh to Sorong (or reversed). Obviously more logistics involved in the one way trip but ignoring that does anyone have an opinion on the two choices?

 

[uncfnp]

I think this option 1 is the best one, @uncfnp

This was my first thought but when I look this up on Google travel I am getting some outrageous prices.
NC to Jakarta seems reasonable. Is there a reason not to use Jakarta both ways and then local flights CGK to MDC to SOQ to CGK?

 

[Dan]

This was my first thought but when I look this up on Google travel I am getting some outrageous prices.
NC to Jakarta seems reasonable. Is there a reason not to use Jakarta both ways and then local flights CGK to MDC to SOQ to CGK?

If the cost is bad, then roundtrip to CGK is your next best option. You can get nonstop flight early in the morning from SOQ to CGK and continue to overseas. Therefore you can leave Raja Ampat to overseas in one day (no overnight in Jakarta).

 

[Darnold9999]

This was my first thought but when I look this up on Google travel I am getting some outrageous prices.
NC to Jakarta seems reasonable. Is there a reason e never not to use Jakarta both ways and then local flights CGK to MDC to SOQ to CGK?

This is what I typically find so have never done the SIN route. CGK is always significantly less $ whenever I want to fly.

 

[outofofficebrb]

This was my first thought but when I look this up on Google travel I am getting some outrageous prices.
NC to Jakarta seems reasonable. Is there a reason not to use Jakarta both ways and then local flights CGK to MDC to SOQ to CGK?

It may be cheaper to do a ticket from JFK/EWR to Singapore... get your own separate ticket from North Carolina into JFK/EWR. An alternative is to price it out to Jakarta (CGK). You can compare it direct from NC on one ticket or you can see what it is if you connected in JFK/EWR or any of the major hubs that fly out to Asia. This is a perfect example of pricing and comparing everything. It's a game. It's worth the effort because you can sometimes save a lot.

Also, if you are looking at air tickets extremely early they are usually priced pretty high.

Remember, I'm here to help.... Just PM me!

 

[uncfnp]

Also, if you are looking at air tickets extremely early they are usually priced pretty high.

Very true. In fact it is too early to even check my actual dates but at least I can get an idea of my options.

 

[living4experiences]

I have been to NAD 2-3 times

What is "NAD"?

and they are very good. They guarantee 2 divers to 1 guide max (sometimes you even get your own!) and if you have photographic equipment, their facilities for rinsing/soaking/cleaning/preparing are incredible. The food is also very good there. The only downside is there isn't a great pool area if you want that. Rooms are very clean and comfortable. Wifi is reliable, even for VPN and remote work.

If you like muck diving, do not miss the dive site "Sapokren" while on the liveaboard in Raja Ampat. It might be a day or night dive but it's great for muck diving.

 

[outofofficebrb]

What is "NAD"?

It is a resort in Lembeh. NAD-Lembeh Resort - Premium Diving in the Lembeh Strait

 

[uncfnp]

Update.

I am booked for the Mermaid LOB and now finalizing NAD-Lembeh.

Two questions for those of you with experience. As mentioned, looks like Manado to Sorong is a 7 am flight so I assume I need to plan to spend an extra day iand overnight in Manado to catch that flight.

Second question, is the 7 am flight from Manado to Sorong reasonable for a same day as LOB departure or should I also plan to arrive a day early and overnight in Sorong before the LOB.

 

[Darnold9999]

Update.

I am booked for the Mermaid LOB and now finalizing NAD-Lembeh.

Two questions for those of you with experience. As mentioned, looks like Manado to Sorong is a 7 am flight so I assume I need to plan to spend an extra day iand overnight in Manado to catch that flight.

Second question, is the 7 am flight from Manado to Sorong reasonable for a same day as LOB departure or should I also plan to arrive a day early and overnight in Sorong before the LOB.

I am assuming you are diving before the liveaboard so you have two options. Stay the night at NAD and get transport early in the AM or leave NAD in the afternoon the day before and overnight in Manado. Both work. As you won't be diving in the afternoon before the flight no real need to stay at NAD, just more convenient to not unpack and unpack.

The 7AM flight is reasonable to make the LOB the next day. Until it isn't. I have been burned by cancelled or delayed domestic flights within Indo more than once so I would probably stay the extra day in Sorong to be safe. However this is an early morning flight so less likely to have issues than one later in the day. Tough call - almost certainly you would be just fine to leave on the day your LOB leaves, but it is the "almost" that would worry me and catching up to a liveaboard is not cheap or easy.

 

[uncfnp]

Ok, update. Posting here instead of continuing to hijack another thread.

I have narrowed it down to 2 options.

By far the cheapest is Qatar and the flight there and back would all be booked through Qatar. For Singapore I would have to book all of it separately to avoid an outrageous charge from Singapore for the connections.

Option 1
Qatar Airways. more stops but all included in the single fare. Raleigh to JFK (4 hour layover), JFK to Doha (2.5 layover), Doha to CGK (option of 4 hour or 11 hour layover) and then on to MDC.

Option 2
Singapore Airlines, I would fly Delta to JFK (6 hour layover) then book Singapore to SIN and Scoot (3 hour layover) to MDC but I would need to arrange flights and luggage separately to get to JFK and SIN to MDC (3.5 hour layover). And total would be about 1000 more than Qatar. Even more if I miss the JFK connect and so the Scoot connection.

I don’t travel well, especially given my last 3 travel experiences, so do not want to spend a day or 2 in Singapore, although I don’t mind the longer layover in Jakarta if advised to do so since I will just stay in a hotel.

But honestly it is not the cost between Qatar and Singapore as much as possibly missing the Singapore connection and instead of getting to Lembeh a day early I will be a day late. My recent Bali trip with a missed JFK connection was a nightmare.

Trip back from Jakarta is easier on Qatar since on Singapore I would have to overnight in New York before catching flight home.

So I guess unless someone says “no don’t do it” I will book Qatar.