Hintermann
Contributor
- Messages
- 1,049
- Reaction score
- 317
- Location
- Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, UK
- # of dives
- 500 - 999
Having made the decision (thanks to forum friends here) to shift from the Bay Islands of Honduras to Dumaguete & Tubbataha in the Philippines for my last diving trip in March-April 2016, I made enquiries. My first option was Atlantis Resort & Atlantis-Azores Liveaboard, but unfortunately the boat is fully booked-up for the April 2nd to 9th 2016 trip, which is when my wife and I can both get away together. I did not want to consider MSY Philippine Siren for the Tubuttaha trip; we went on it a few years ago on a Borocay-Apo Reef-Coron Bay trip and while the diving was great, I felt that the crew were really geared-up for large professional and semi-pro groups and not really individual diver friendly.
I therefore have settled for El Dorado Beach Resort / Dive Society for the Dumaguete leg and MY Stella Maris Explorer (Expedition Fleet) for the Tubbataha cruise. I sent them both e-mails and have had positive responses, including confirmation of availability and provisional booking. The Stella Maris Explorer may not be as upmarket as the other two but I understand that it has been fully refurbished recently. Any comments from those who have been on it?
I therefore have settled for El Dorado Beach Resort / Dive Society for the Dumaguete leg and MY Stella Maris Explorer (Expedition Fleet) for the Tubbataha cruise. I sent them both e-mails and have had positive responses, including confirmation of availability and provisional booking. The Stella Maris Explorer may not be as upmarket as the other two but I understand that it has been fully refurbished recently. Any comments from those who have been on it?
