Frequently asked Questions
The following are frequently asked questions about live aboard trips and Amaya Explorer, we hope by reading the following, we are able to provide some clarity and certainty about choosing us as the live aboard for your trip of a lifetime.
1. How many cabins on board?
We have 8 cabins.
- 2 Master cabin “ARUN” Double bed located in the upper deck with seaview
- 4 Deluxe cabin “ANILA” combination of bunk bed (upper bed single bed size, lower bed double bed size )
- 2 smaller cabin bunk bed “AMBAR” (single bed– single bed). wethead bathroom
- all rooms have Ensuite bathroom. Hot & cold water available.
2. How many guest can fit on board?
16 pax.
3. How many crew on board?
18 personnel in total.
4. How many dive guides on board?
4 professional dive guides ready to engage with you during your stay.
Safety and enjoyment take priority! Our 4:1 guest-to-guide ratio empowers our guides to closely monitor divers, ensuring a safe and exhilarating experience for everyone.
5. Can I request a private dive guide?
It is required for several destinations to reach certain level of confidence in diving such as in Komodo, Alor & Banda as these places requires advance certification. However, we can also accommodate if you need a private dive master guide to be your buddy for the whole trip. please check the details of the pricing below.
Price for private dive master buddy with ratio 1: 1 is USD60/day
exclude: Flight tickets, transportation, antigen test, tips
Please let us know maximum D-7 before the trip date to organize the transportation for the dive guide.
6. Where is Amaya based?
Well, because it is a liveaboard we can move around! Usually our route travels in the East, which are Ambon – Maluku – Raja Ampat – Labuan Bajo – Alor.
In general, Amaya Explorer is based in:
Komodo National Park : Labuan bajo Flores / June – August
Alor – PorT: Kalabahi, NTT / September
Banda Sea – Port: Ambon, Maluku / End of September – November
Raja Ampat – Port: Sorong, West Papua / December – mid April
If there is a private charter request outside the scheduled sailing location, there will be a relocation fee on which the price of the fee will be dependent on the location(s) of the charter and will be communicated prior to confirmation of booking.
7. Boat specification?
Length: 35 Meter
Width: 7.5 meter
Year built: 2018
Flag: Indonesia
Owned by: Indonesian
Engine: CAT3406C, 400HP
Cruising speed: 8-10 Knot
Tender: 2x Yahama 40HP
Number of cabins : 8
Max guest : 16 pax
Acitivites: Diving 3-4x a day, Snorkelling, PADI Diving course additional charge based on request, Kayak, and Stand Up Paddle
8. Price for children?
FREE of charge (FOC) for children until 5 years old. However, there will be additional cost for local contribution and National Park Fee according to the destination’s regulation. Normal price applies for children 6 years old and above.
10. Insurance needed?
It is required to have Diving Insurance for scuba diving activities, yet we also provide DAN Insurance. Please contact our team for further details.
11. Why are liveaboard expensive?
Sometimes when looking only at the prices it's quite staggering. Nonetheless we provide luxury accommodation, professional crews, 3-4 dives a day and take you to remote location where it will take more effort to get by land, or other types of boat. Gourmet meals are available on board from Asian, Indonesian, and Western cuisine. We ask to compare and consider the cost on a land based diving holiday complete with meals, transport and the dive sites that you can reach. Liveaboard experience probably would be seen as an equal, but satisfyingly will be able to reach further dive sites.
11. Are there any extra expenses?
Yes. Extra expenses are possible such as National Park Fee according to destinations rules and regulations. Indonesian and Foreign citizen might possibly have different rates. Other charges are alcohol, extra request for food and beverages such as coconuts on shore, tickets to museums not listed on itinerary, dive and snorkel gear rental, private dive guide, PADI courses, single occupancy 50% of price. Please communicate with our team to prevent confusion during the trip for extra charges.
Payment for the trip can be made by transfer, Wise or credit card link (however, there is a surcharge of 4% for credit card).
Payment for on board expenses can be made by cash (preferably IDR or USD currency) or by credit card link (surcharge 4%).
12. Inclusive & Exclusive?
Trip cost includes: All on board meals, snacks, tea, coffee, mineral water & refreshments (excluding alcohol), shore excursions as outlined on the itinerary; transfers to/from shore to the ship during check in date and check out date; services of English-speaking cruise director; service of the crew; use of all onboard water sports equipment including sea kayaks, stand-up paddle boards (where permissible by local regulation); Sensatia organic amenities; in room aromatic diffuser and organic essential oils.
Trip cost does not include: National park and retribution fee (each destinations fee are different, please check with the marketing team for update price) , En-route accommodations at stopover cities at the beginning and end of your trip; aircraft charter fees; international airfare; domestic airfare; excess baggage fees; passport, visas or airport departure fees; entry permits, ports and handling fees outside our seasonal bases, alcoholic beverages; land expedition and cultural program costs outside itinerary; TRANSPORTATION COST FOR REQUIRING REQUESTED ITEMS; PADI dive certification courses; Dive / Snorkeling gear rental, private dive master with ratio 1:1; Nitrox NOT AVAILABLE at the moment; SIDEMOUNT EXTRA TANK (limited 3 pax in a group), BIG TANK 15L (limited 2 pax), medical care; any special requests, telecommunication costs for satellite phone & internet charges; repositioning fees; crew gratuity; all government taxes; cancellation, dive or medical insurance.
Extra note: In rare circumstances, it is possible that prices may be increased. While all efforts will be made to minimize the implementation of surcharges, circumstances under which this may occur include:
o High sudden increase in fuel cost.
o Increase in local taxes and duties.
o Significant government or park permit price changes.
13. How to tip the crew?
Although services will be performed wholeheartedly with or without tips, it is somehow expected in the local custom regarding gratuity. We like to advise our guests to join a trip with a potential tip amount in mind (around 10% of price), and then during the trip see if it’s warranted by better than average service. Tips will be compiled in a box and distributed evenly amongst 18 crews. It is not advised to give personal tips to a particular crew directly on board.