Trip Report Velocean 1/8-1/16/2025

[Centrals]

250 dives is NOTHING.
You ain't see/experience nothing yet!
What you do not know you do not know!

 

[Cali_diver]

What I said was management told the dive shop owner (who chartered the yacht) there was an outbreak of Norovirus on our cruise. Then that same management personnel denied that to me. 6 of the 18 of us got severely ill-that is 1/3 of us! I well understand that viral breakouts occur, and that people get sick. What I don't appreciate is management lying to me.

That's what I was asking... so you just want them to confirm your diagnosis? I highly doubt there is anyone on board the Velocean or in their management that can diagnose an illness with qualification. Maybe the first person misspoke. And if they do finally agree with you that it was some Norovirus.. then you will be happy? What else are you looking for? A free trip? Money off? What difference does it make to know what you had... sick is sick and it sucks no matter what.

You said the dive guide wasn't in their regular line up so they can't really do anything but not hire him the next time they need an extra, but finding guides in Indonesia is quite hard. Did the others in your group enjoy him? I don't think you are unfit, I just think it was a mismatch of groups and for this you need to take it up with your trip leader. Find out why your concerns weren't addressed. I am often matched with divers that dive differently than I so I have adapted my diving style to cope... sometimes I find myself alone sometimes I find myself leading other divers who like my vibe. Guide /diver mismatches happen all the time. Like I said earlier there are many singles looking for travel buddies so hopefully you find someone who floats your boat so you don't have these experiences again. Happy diving...

 

[JonnieB]

On the ship, there were 21 of us. 6 of us got sick. And when I say sick, extremely sick. Everyone who got sick missed an entire day of diving. Symptoms included vomiting , diarrhea, stomach cramps, dizziness, dry heaves, stomach bloating, stomach gas, stomach doing backflips, and fever. I got sick on the 4th day. Most everyone was better in two days. I remained sick the entire rest of the trip and ate only toast, rice, and bananas. One of the hghlights of the cruise was the fancy meals. The bar would also make fruit smoothies, which were great! Most of those were the second half of the trip. Those had sushi, meals where you could choose an entree, and it was specially prepared for you, and the most expensive entrees. There was a very fancy BBQ the last night with steak, fish, shrimp, etc. The staff knew I was only eating a limited diet. Yet they didn't bring anything for me to eat at the BBQ. Worse for me is that my illness kept reoccuring during my entire trip in Indonesia, and started again with a vengeance February 3 and didn't stop until February 11. I ended up losing 27 pounds. I am still very weak, and I need to sleep a great deal. I am on a bland diet for at least 2 weeks, and I have no appetite.

I had to ask multiple times to get my Marine Park card as I was going to a land resort afterward, and did not need to pay twice for a second one. I wrote a review about my experience on February 1st. No one got back to me. I did get a stock response thanking me for writing a review and asking me to tell about my experiences on Facebook, etc. I wrote back and said it was apparent no one read my review. Again, no one wrote bacl. I never heard from anyone until the dive shop owner told them about my experience. The dive shop owner told me the Velocean contact told him that there had been a noro outbreak on our cruise, and that many other liveaboards were having problems as well.

Finally, the Velocean contact got in touch and called me today. However, he denied there was a noro outbreak to me. Then he said if there was one, that us (the guests brought it on board.) I told him the diving was unsafe. He asked how so. I detailed the three incidents. He then wrote in an email that he would talk to the crew, but that those incidents were "potentially unsafe." I wrote back and said no, they were definately unsafe. I expected an apology about how my experience on the ship was. I did not get one at all. I thought possibly they might offer me a bit of a refund. That obviously didn't happen either. Adding insult to injury was that I got yet another email today asking me to review the ship.

My experience on the Velocean was not great. The diving safety (at least with the first DM) was dreadful. The team takes great care of your gear, and getting you in and out of the Zodiacs. They have hot and cold showers on the dive deck, and you always get greeted with warm or a cold drink after a dive. The ship was beautiful, and the crew very nice. The food was mostly good, but sometimes lukewarm or even cold. The food the second half of the week looked amazing-but I can't tell you what it tasted like. They do make amazing ginger tea! But having a Noro outbreak and covering it up is pure negligence!!!! What I find the most insulting is the attitude of management. I've stayed at many 5 star places such at Conrads, Waldorf Astorias, Hyatts, Hiltons, the St. Regis, Fairmonts, etc as well as top cruise lines like Holland America, Celebrity and Princess. I've had problems before, And all those hotels and cruise lines always make it right, and they always, always apologize, and usually right away. Here, the Velocean managment couldn't care less. I got no apology. The person lied to me about the Noro-flat out denied telling me what he told the dive shop manager. I have never, ever gotten so sick from something for so long in my life (and I've been on at least 5 cruises with Noro and NEVER GOT IT!) and never got an apology! Making matters worse was that I came so far, spending over $2000 in airfare, and over $8000 for the Velocean, and who knows how much for the rest of my vacation (10 days at the dive resort in Raja, 5 nights at a top hotel in Ubud, and 4 nights at a lovely hotel in Sanur!) and I was sick for that. Even worse, I got far better diving at the land resort-that I will cover in another post.

Me- I wouldn't waste my money on the Velocean. The managment has a horrific attitude. I got far better diving at Dive Into Raja Ampat at 1/4 the cost. There, every 1-2 people have their own DM. First rate diving! And the best three dives I had the entire trip were in Bali with Zero Gravity Diving at Panang Bay. And just for perspective, I now have 242 dives. I do have current experience-I've dove 5 different times in Cozumel. But I didn't have very much experience swimming directly into strong current, and it isn't one of my strengths. I swim at a triangle across bad current.

Sorry about your negative RA LOB experience. When people ask me, I always advise shore based diving over liveaboards. The cost of LOBs vs. shore doesn't make sense to me. My sleep on shore is always better than a small room on a rocking noisy boat. Finally, if the resort isn't what was advertised or you have a bad experience, you can usually pack up one's bags and move down the street. I'm glad you enjoyed the diving in Padang Bai...the diving there is almost as good as RA (there are wobegongs) at a fraction of the expense and hassle of diving boat or shore in Raja. If you ever return to Indonesia, try a dive safari around Bali, with stops in Nusa Penida, PB, Amed, Tulamben, and even Permuteran with one of the many quality local shops (no need to book with an agency or consolidator). Indonesia is too far to come from the States for the bad experience you had.

 

[JonnieB]

One thing I forgot to mention was this was A) the first time I did a liveaboard, and B) the first time I dove with a group. I wasn't certain I would like a liveaboard, and I am not certain now if I do. Perhaps with the right liveaboard, I would. But I like being able to meet the local people. I like being able to lie on a beach and swim in the ocean. I don't need to think diving 24 hours a day. I don't need to dive 5 times a day. 2-3 is fine. I didn't do any of the night dives. I've done 5 night dives in my life. 3 were great, and two were awful.

Being with a group, was for the most part, great. I didn't feel like a part of my particular group on the boat. I did meet some really cool people on the boat. Everyone was far more experienced than me, and I learned a great deal about diving. I made one really good friend that I think I will stay in contact with. there was a group of 6-8 people who I hung out with, and it was very enjoyable hearing about their dive stories.

I was convinced to sign up for another trip with my dive shop to Belize. But I am supposed to be sharing a private DM with another woman. So I already will be a step ahead. The shp is planning a trip to the Phillipines, but I won't go with them. They are doing a liveaboard, and staying at a very expensive land resort. I want to go longer and cheaper. I have no issue traveling alone.

You sound like me in your diving. I have over 20 years experience diving in SE Asia and have lived here all the time as well. DM me if you have questions or need some general advice. I've also put a lot of content on SB so look those up if you're interested. And I certainly second your feeling about LOBS, I would also add it's better to book everything directly with the dive shops and resorts here than a dive shop in USA for best prices. Happy diving.

 

[Centrals]

LOL.
Padangbai is nearly as good as R4!! That is from someone who had never dived R4 before. What a JOKE.
LoB is always more expensive than land based operation for obvious reasons.