Mermaid Liveaboards: Schedule, Deals, Reviews

This was my first time on a liveaboard cruise. I was a little nervous before boarding, but once on board, all my worries were gone. The kind and friendly boat crew and dive staff took away all my stress. Furthermore, the itinerary and meals were well thought out, so the 10-day cruise was never boring. If you're considering your first liveaboard cruise, this is one to consider.

The trip on Mermaid I was nice, but there were slight deficiencies all around: Cabins - a bit dated Service - a bit lacking attentiveness Guides - sometimes not able to read currents correctly Safety - annoying Nitrox policy where guests cannot analyze tanks on their own, and hence the majority of divers just trusted their guides to do that (which is a safety concern) Food - pretty boring with not enough emphasis on local (Indonesian) cuisine All of this would be totally OK on a cheap liveaboard, but since Mermaid I is supposed to be on a more luxurious side, it didn't quite meet my expectations.

I enjoyed the Komodo dive trip on the Mermaid II. Most of the dives were 60min or longer, with abundant marine life and vibrant corals. I thoroughly enjoyed most buffet dishes served on board, with a good variety of fruits and snacks. All the staff are friendly and helpful. The cabin size is a bit small, especially given the high price of the trip.