MV Carpe Diem

Overview

This beautiful and spacious 35m liveaboard accommodates up to 20 guests. The boat has 4 decks including the partially shaded sun deck, and cabins are spread over the lower, main and upper deck with a lovely sleek design.

The boat features plenty of interior, air-conditioned, and exterior relaxation areas, a flat screen TV, DVD & MP3 player, and massage area. If you’re feeling a little energetic, you can also take part in Salsa lessons for a small extra charge!

Dives are carried out from the boat’s Dhoni and the spacious dive deck has fresh water showers and toilet. Nitrox is available at extra charge (membrane filling system). Internet connection is possible on the boat at extra charge; strength of connection dependant on location.

Accommodation

20 guests are accommodated in 10 cabins. 6 twin/double cabins (double with bunk over) are on the lower deck, 2 double cabins on the main deck and the upper deck houses a double suite and king-size suite.

Specification

Built: 2008, Length: 35 metres, Beam: 10m, Engines: Doosan Daewoo Diesel 650 HP, Generators: 2 x Doosan Daewoo Marine Soundproof 50Hz / 380v / 45Kw, Sockets: UK style - Multiple plug fittings available, 2 x MCH 16 Coltri Sub & Bauer M320

Navigation / Safety

GPS 3, Radar 2, VHF radio 2, Sonar & Satellite phone 2, Life Rafts 2 self inflating, Life Jackets, Fire Extinguishers, Smoke Alarms, Emergency Long Distance Radios.

Please note: Use of a dive computer is obligatory.

Price includes: Charter flights departing Gatwick to Male (Sunday departure, board boat Monday), transfers to port, 7 nights standard twin cabin (male / male & female / female share available), full board, 1.5L water, tea, coffee & snacks, 5½ days diving (3 dives per day plus 1 night dive per week), air tanks, weights & weight belt and guide.

UK Regional departures with Emirates, Sri Lankan, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, British Airways also available, supplement may apply. Package price may fluctuate according to flight seat availability at time of booking.

Please note that all Maldives products are subject to a Government Sales tax of 6% in 2012 and 8% 2013.

Supplements

• Single cabin: £650 per person
• Double cabin upgrade, middle deck: £200 per cabin
• Suite upgrade, upper deck: £250 per cabin
• King suite upper deck: £300 per cabin
• Additional night dives (subject to logistics): $25 
• Nitrox (7days): $100
• Nitrox (10 days): $150
• Internet: $8 per hour

Guideline Equipment Rental Prices:

• Regulators: $50 per week
• BCD: $50 per week
• Computer: $50 per week 
• Wetsuit: $40 per week 
• Dive torch: $8 per dive or $40 per week 
• Fins / Mask / Snorkel: $10 per day
• 14l tank: Free of Charge
• Digital camera and CD burn: $80 per day
• Video camera: $150 per day

All items are paid for locally. Please request any items in advance to guarantee availability.

Guideline Drink Prices:

• Bottle mineral water: $2 – $4.50
• Canned fizzy drinks: $2.50 
• Beer: $3.50 (non-alcoholic beer also available)
• Spirits: $5 - $8

Local sales tax:

• 2012 - 6%
• 2013 - 8%

Schedules & prices

Date	Itinerary	Embark	Notes	Price
31 May 2013	North Male - Ari - Felidhu - South Male	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£1995
05 Jul 2013	North Male - Ari - Felidhu - Meemu - South Male	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£1995
12 Jul 2013	North Male - Rasdhoo - Ari - South Male Atoll	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£1995
02 Aug 2013	North Male - Rasdhoo - Ari - South Male Atoll	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£2195
16 Aug 2013	North Male - Rasdhoo - Ari - South Male Atoll	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£2095
30 Aug 2013	North Male - Rasdhoo - Ari - South Male Atoll	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£1995
06 Sep 2013	North Male - Rasdhoo - Ari - South Male Atoll	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£1995
13 Sep 2013	North Male - Rasdhoo - Ari - South Male Atoll	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£1995
27 Sep 2013	North Male - Rasdhoo - Ari - South Male Atoll	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£1995
18 Oct 2013	North Male - Rasdhoo - Ari - South Male Atoll	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£1995
25 Oct 2013	North Male - Rasdhoo - Ari - South Male Atoll	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£2145
22 Nov 2013	North Male - Ari - Felidhu - South Male	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£2149
29 Nov 2013	North Male - Rasdhoo - Ari - South Male Atoll	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£2149
06 Dec 2013	North Male - Rasdhoo - Ari - South Male Atoll	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£1995
13 Dec 2013	North Male - Rasdhoo - Ari - Meemu - Vaavu - South Male	Male - Maldives	40+ Logged Dives - PADI Advanced	£1995

Dive info

Diving in the Maldives is influenced by the seasons. The quality of individual dive sites and marine parks is determined by the ebb and flow of seasonal currents, which in turn affects both the underwater visibility and the marine life. Liveaboards follow these seasonal variations, taking divers to the best sites for the time of the year.

Regaldive operate a range of liveaboards throughout the Maldives. These include classic itineraries following established routes out of Male to new itineraries in remote atolls where the dive sites have only recently been established Maldivian Liveaboards are supported by a ‘dive dhoni’ where all dives are conducted from. The dhoni which carries all cylinders, equipment and compressors.

Classic Liveaboards out of Male

Over the past thirty years an incredible range of world class dive sites have been charted in the atolls surrounding the capital, Male. MY Mariana, MY Ari Queen, Blue Horizon II and MV Carpe Diem visit many of the Maldives best known dive sites following a flexible itinerary that take account of local diving conditions. The boats will generally operate in both North and South Male atoll, Felidhe and Ari atoll.

Liveaboard Itineraries Beyond Male

The last two years has seen access to some remote atolls in the Maldives improve dramatically. Regaldive feature liveaboards that cover these exciting new atolls, ranging from Haa-Alifu in the far north, to Huvadhoo in the far south. These atolls represent the new ‘frontiers’ of diving in the Maldives and lie well beyond traditional tourist maps. 

Far North Haa Alifu Atoll

Haa Alifu is the most northerly atoll in the Maldives. There is a sizeable local population in the atoll but virtually no tourism development. MY Amba is the first liveaboard to the atoll offering a mix of dives on charted dive sites alongside truly original exploratory diving. Access to the atoll is via Male and involves an internal sea plane flight to Hanimadhoo airport. Main Manta season in this area is September and October for the best sightings, but nearly every week there are Mantas on some of the dive sites. Whalesharks in this are very rarely spotted.

Far South Meemu Atoll

Meemu, Thaa and Laamu atolls are 3 of the 5 most southerly atolls and MY Sheena, under the expert management of Werner Lau, offers an exhilarating itinerary from the island of Medhufushi. Challenging drift dives make up the majority of the 3 daily dives available on MY Sheena; as many of these islands are yet to be fully dived and explored, many of the dives will be semi-exploratory, suiting divers looking to document some untouched sites in search for the unknown.

Liveaboard and Island Combinations Tailormade

Twin-centre holidays are easily arranged. Regaldive offer flights departing every day of the week on a range of schedule airlines allowing you the flexibility to determine the duration of your holiday. Charter flights are also available, but their weekly schedule may not match the liveaboards departure days.

Diving

Diving in the Maldives can be challenging, and as such it is recommended that divers have a minimum qualification of PADI Advanced or equivalent, with 40+ logged dives, although experienced Open Water divers are not precluded. M/Y Sheena requires a minimum of 60 logged dives, but exceptions may be made on request in certain cirsumstances.

Diving is encouraged to be undertaken in individual self-sufficient buddy teams and small groups, though you may of course choose to follow the guide for ease of navigation.

Flight Options

Emirates via Dubai from Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. Other regional departures may be available; supplement may apply. Regaldive's prices are currently based on Emirates. Supplements may or may not apply for other airlines dependant on seat availability.

Sri Lankan non-stop or via Colombo from Heathrow, Qatar Airways via Doha from Heathrow and Manchester, Oman Air via Muscat from Heathrow, British Airways from Gatwick.

Charter Flights: Flights are direct, once a week for 7 and 14 night durations, usually flying overnight on outbound. Charter flight days may not match all the liveaboard departure days, with the exception of Carpe Diem.

Internal Transfers to Your Island Resort from Male

Your resort/boat is reached either by sea plane, speedboat transfer or internal flight from Male airport. Transfers are organised as part of your holiday package, unless requested otherwise.

Seaplane and Boat Transfers

Most islands close to Male offer speedboat transfers.

Island resorts located in Ari atolls, Raa atoll, Baa atoll, Lhaviyani atoll, Felidhe atoll, Meemu atoll, North and South Nilande atolls and Haa Dhaaul atoll are served by seaplane services.

Islands and liveaboards located on Haa Alifu atoll are reached by internal scheduled flight.

Some more distant islands offer a boat transfer as well, although as the transfer crosses between atolls they can often be long and uncomfortable and affected by the currents, so we opt to use the most comfortable option for each island.

If you are transferring by seaplane you should be aware of the following:

• Seaplanes do not operate a fixed departure schedule, but are planned daily according to the islands and guests that must be picked up and dropped off. The planning is carried out locally 24 hours in advance.
• Seaplanes often pick up and drop off guests from a number of islands on a single transfer run.
• Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, generally 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
• You may have to wait for a short duration after arriving in Male. On departing, the islands will transfer you back to Male as late a local logistics on that day will allow.
• On departing your island resort your return seaplane transfer time will be confirmed the day before departure by your resort.
• If you have a late international flight departing home, it is highly advisable you ask Regaldive to reserve a day use package for you at the Hulhule hotel.
• Seaplanes are not pressurised flights.
• Seaplanes typically operate a strict weight policy of 20kg for hold luggage.
• Excess luggage is currently $2/kilo to the island and $4/kilo on the return.

Inter Atoll Flights - Haa Alifu

Transfers to Haa-Alifu in the North involve an internal pressurised flight from Male. This is arranged and costed as part of your travel package to the north of the Maldives, unless otherwise requested.

Hulhule Airport Hotel - Day use & overnights

International and internal flight schedules occasionally make fairly long connection times in Male Airport inevitable. The Hulehule Airport hotel offers inexpensive day packages to non-residents for use of their beach, pool, showers, left luggage and other facilities. Pre-booked packages are available with Regaldive, for day use with and without a room, and overnight stays (refer to separate webpage on Hulehule Airport hotel).

Passports

Passengers travelling to the Maldives must have six months valid on their passport from the date of return to the UK.

Visas

A free 30 day permit is given to British travellers on arrival in Male. Other nationalities should consult their consular website.

Vaccinations

Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic or local GP. Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk. There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to the Maldives, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio.

Itineraries

MV Carpe Diem will visit many of the Maldives’ best known dive sites whilst following a flexible itinerary that takes account of local diving conditions.

Best of the Northern Atolls >
Pelagic Encounters >
North Male - Rasdhoo - Ari - South Male Atoll >
North Male - South Ari - Felidhu - Meemu - South Male >
In Focus: Maldives with Saeed Rashid >
North Male - Ari - Felidhu - Meemu - South Male >
North Male - Rasdhoo - Ari - Meemu - Vaavu - South Male >
North Male - Ari - Felidhu - South Male >

Offers

Reviews

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Carpe Diem

"Hi Michaela, Happy New Year to you and all at Regaldive. Some feedback for you... We got back from the Maldives just before Christmas and had a whale of a time (literally) on board Carpe Diem. Great boat, dive guides and hospitality. The diving in the Maldives was really good but challenging with some strong currents and rough seas. So we learned how to get in and out of a pitching and yawing boat and to use a hook to prevent being swept away whilst waiting for sharks and mantas at cleaning stations. The highlights were snorkelling with Whale Sharks and watching a huge manta being groomed by wrasse. The Whale Shark just came swimming past the boat at a depth of about 5 meters. No time to get diving gear on so we jumped in just with fins, mask and snorkel. It was a juvenile about 6m in length. There were actually two sharks both about the same size and we managed to snorkel with them for about 20 mins and get down beside them about 5 or 6 times. We also had a great couple of Manta Ray experiences, the best of which was a huge specimen about 4m across which we saw coming towards us from the blue. We were at about 20m deep and it came so slowly and gracefully right over the top of us like the starship Enterprise and I went all shivery, it just needed the 'Thus Spake Zarathustra' music! Great crowd on board the boat too. A really memorable diving experience and holiday. Thanks for your excellent organisation of the trip. Cheers, Bob S."

Bob S - UK | 18 February 2013

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