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Peter Hughes OCEAN DANCER --

Luxury Dive Cruises in the Magnificent MALDIVES

PETER HUGHES DIVING  /  DANCER FLEET

Sleek chic new Peter Hughes Diving, OCEAN DANCER -- finest scuba live-aboard in the Maldives Islands.
© All photos on web page are copyrighted by our travel partners at Peter Hughes Diving / Dancer Fleet

*** SUNSEEKERS, CHECK OUT THIS AMAZING NEW MALDIVES LIVE-ABOARD ! She is a beauty, pure & simple .... ***

OCEAN DANCER DIVE PACKAGE PRICES, per diver:

Please call our dive trip experts at 952-953-4124 for single-occupancy & double-occupancy rates, for any season. 

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Ocean Dancer's constant sidekick
the 55' tender "Diving Dhoni."

U.S. DIVE TRAVEL Network  presents  these  PETER HUGHES OCEAN DANCER  Package  Inclusions:  Seven nights on board the M/V Ocean Dancer, all meals & most beverages (including wine with meals), airport transfers in Male, 5 1/2 days of diving up to three dives per day plus two night dives weekly (depending upon itinerary), other standard Dancer Fleet services & amenities.  Nitrox fills (based on availability) are not included in the basic package.  Nitrox divers will be charged $150 / 7-night charter or $10 / fill.   

***  FOR RESERVATIONS or PRE-TRIP PLANNING INFORMATION,

call U.S. DIVE TRAVEL’s vacation experts at:  952-953-4124.

***  All Maldives live-aboard packages are plus Gov’t Port Charges of $65

***  Fuel surcharges are dependent on price of fuel & are subject to change, or may be added, in any destination up until date of travel.  Here is your cruise itinerary in a nutshell, amigos del mar …

·         Classic Maldives Diving Cruise:  7 Nights/ 5.5 Dive Days

·         North Male Atoll:  Lion's Head - Wattaru Kandu - Lankanfinolhu Faru (Manta Point)

·         South Male Atoll:  Cocoa Thila - Guraidhoo Kandu South

·         Ari Atoll:  Kudarah Thila - Hukrueli Faru (Madivaru)

Vibrant U/W colors abound in the Maldives.

The Peter Hughes Diving / Dancer Fleet Ocean Dancer

in the Maldives Islands – an intro to this wonderful new yacht:

Odd thing; please ponder this.  Some respected maritime scientists & climatologists – now these are not cable TV kooks -- predict that if global warming continues at its currently steady pace, it’s possible that within several decades there are a few ocean nations worldwide that actually might start sliding beneath the high tides, bit by bit, starting at the low coastal rims & progressing inexorably to inland sectors.   This might seem like science fiction, but oceanic experts are watching this glacially-paced trend with an eagle eye today.  They are worried.  Scientists have earmarked tropical islands such as the Tuamotus in the South Pacific & the Maldives Islands in the Indian Ocean.  That’s because these islands are so low to the ocean water level, with virtually no high hills, that their coastal lands might get gradually worn away by rising sea levels when storm surges pound away. If melting polar ice masses cause ocean levels to rise dramatically, some scientists theorize that beautiful isles like the Maldives actually might become engulfed someday. Drowned for lack of mountains. Imagine that. Whoa, a country is here today, gone tomorrow, swept away by the very sea that sustained its good people all these centuries ...   While this is still an unproven theory, it holds water for some. That certainly encourages us to wonder if perhaps we should all visit the Maldives soon, & “get it while you can”  as rock singer Janis Joplin once belted out. We are getting this persistently prodding feeling about a lot of the vulnerable coral reefs on our shrinking planet. There's never a better time than NOW to do all the things we love with all the people we love -- don't you think ?

OK fast forward to more entertaining stuff !  Here’s an easy way to find these magically remote Maldives on a world map.  First off, spin your globe over to India & move down to the far southern tip of the Indian sub-continent.   Then focus on the sweeping expanse of the Indian Ocean.  Now trace one line about 500 miles southwest of India’s Cape Comorin & another line about 1,800 miles due east of Somalia -- & where these lines intersect, there you have it, dive buddies !  That’s where Ocean Dancer will be plying the visually hypnotic blue waters of the Maldives. 

Not exactly a ho-hum tourist trap, eh?  Indeed not.  This Indian Ocean island nation is actually one of the most excitingly remote sectors of our planet’s ocean realm, in the sense of being removed by easy-breezy air travel from the USA’s coastal air travel hubs of LAX (Los Angeles),  IAH (Houston),  EWR (Newark)  &  MIA (Miami).  That’s why the Maldives never have been inundated by hordes of beach-stomping tourists, like Cozumel, the Northern Bahamas or Jamaica.  This is one of our crowded planet’s most precious & elusive marine resources.  The Maldives still offer peace & quiet, plus surreal cerulean blue waters that are literally teeming with lush corals & exotic fish species, nearly everywhere you point your mask.  This is Eye Candy Central, folks, no two ways about it.  Eye Candy & Soul Candy too.  Only the most jaded of human hearts would not beat faster here in the remote islets of the Maldives Islands diving sectors.

Now imagine for a bit, here’s an isolated, mysterious island nation which is blessed with hundreds of square miles of crystal clear blue water, & dotted with nearly 1,200 different magical islands spread lazily over 26 separate atolls.  Here is one way to gauge just how pristine & unique the Maldives Islands are.  Only 200 of these colorful islands are inhabited, & 87 more have only one single resort on each of them.  In general, the Maldives Islands are small, flat, & ringed along their coastlines with gorgeous white sand.  The atolls are complex island groups separated by deep water, covering hundreds of square miles.  The Maldives seem created with divers & snorkelers in mind, it's apparent to any dedicated reg puffer or breath holder.

Grinning apologies to Mr. Paladin of Old West TV days;  it’s time to let our imaginations roll freely now.   We all can adopt a maritime motto of HAVE WETSUIT, WILL TRAVEL. Ready for that ?   A moderately light wetsuit will work for most divers here, since the waters are so warm.  And here is what you will find …

Visiting even one isolated atoll in the Maldives can be an oceanic adventure all by itself.   You may be boggled by the sheer abundance of drift dives through cuts in the atoll, deep & steep walls on the outside of the atoll, plus pristine hard corals within the protected lagoons.   If that's not enough, there's scads of pinnacle dive sites too (pinnacles are called "Thila" in the Maldives).  These inspiring oceanic pinnacles reach up from profound Indian Ocean depths to soar within several feet of the surface.  In fact, a better fishlife magnet has seldom been found on planet Earth, the locals maintain.

Now back to the Maldives scuba diving ship, mates.  This brand new, 110 foot, Peter Hughes Diving / Dancer Fleet Ocean Dancer will cruise not just one, but three of the best & brightest atolls in the general region of the capital city (and international airport) of Male. These expansive atolls (North Male, South Male, & Ari Atoll), encompass hundreds of square miles of ocean & offer excellent diving on nearly all points of the compass.   And the Ocean Dancer will explore the atolls of the Maldives in an adventuresome yet safe & uniquely efficient manner.  Here is how the new Peter Hughes Diving / Maldives scuba diving system works.   

Not only will 16 guests enjoy fine luxury accommodations on board this new vessel, but all of the diving will be done from a custom-built, 55 ft. dive tender called the “Diving Dhoni.” that shadows the mother ship every day.  This second vessel will accompany Ocean Dancer on all of its Maldives scuba diving voyages, & features a very spacious dive deck, sun protection, & easy entry/exit.  The luxury "tender" will cruise at 12 knots & will have all of the tanks, compressors, Nitrox station, camera tables, & diving amenities on board.  Truly an efficient boat combo for a one-of-a-kind destination.   Maldives scuba diving has never been this streamlined & hassle-free, funseekers !  We are feeling stoked just thinking about it from afar.  Can you feel your inner adrenal teen re-emerging yet ?

OK back to comfy reality.  Ocean Dancer offers accommodations for 16 guests in air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms.  Scuba diving is offered from a separate, dive support vessel to maximize comfort & safety. We offer good facilities for photographers & videographers including some video processing services.   Ocean Dancer has been built to meet the highest standard of service for the Maldives scuba diving market & is proudly part of the world class live-aboards in the respected “Peter Hughes Dancer Fleet”, our longtime friends & travel planning partners.

This new Maldives scuba diving yacht is a joint venture of Peter Hughes Diving & new partner/owner Ocean Stripe Pvt Ltd, presenting the Ocean Dancer to a diving public rarin’ to go for a new overseas treat.  Ocean Stripe Pvt Ltd was established 15 years ago by David Mesnard, a resident of the Maldives.  David is a capable & experienced diver plus a PADI instructor with extensive knowledge of local marine life.  After many years of renting boats to accommodate his growing dive business, David decided to build his own in order to provide first class service to his customers.

The Ocean Dancer & Diving Dhoni were built by Mr. Mesnard, specifically with the guests of Peter Hughes Diving, Inc. in mind.  David & Peter Hughes met in 2003, started planning the new vessels, & the result is a stunning new live-aboard yacht + tender combination that will provide new levels of guest satisfaction in addition to great diving adventures for those lucky enough to secure staterooms.

David Mesnard has been diving the Maldives professionally for the last 15 years, & he truly knows the waters of this world-renowned archipelago intimately.  Ocean Dancer & Diving Dhoni will transport our guests to the very best scuba diving delights that the Maldives Islands have to offer.   The construction of Ocean Dancer began in Feb. of 2004 & this vessel is now ready to cruise the pristine waters of the Maldives.    Dig in, sunseekers, your day is at hand.  It’s ripe & ready for the plucking, this fresh fruit of the Indian Ocean -- the Maldives scuba diving delights of Peter Hughes Ocean Dancer.   Say, just reporting this, we are jazzed 2 D max ...

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When you choose to cruise with Peter Hughes, you’ll shed your shoes

then lose your blues, while diving down to pelagic zoos. 

So John & Sooz say tip the crews  & … spread the scuba diving news!

( All photos & text on this OCEAN DANCER web page are edited by U.S. Dive Travel

&  provided courtesy of our longtime friends at Peter Hughes Diving / Dancer Fleet. )

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This VESSEL ONLY CRUISES during PRIME DIVING SEASON in the MALDIVES --

David's expert crew will only be operating the M/V Ocean Dancer for the 6 PRIME DIVING MONTHS of the year (November thru April is peak season) when the weather is dry, seas are calm, & the visibility is heart-startingly pristine.   The Maldives are an unforgettable, & amazing, part of the world, & a very special place for divers, for any people who cherish the ocean life.  The first voyage of Ocean Dancer takes place on November 6, 2005, & regular service kicks off at that time with standard 7-night voyages planned.  Your expert dive vacation planners at U.S. Dive Travel also can arrange land based accommodations for those who wish to arrive early or depart later & see various other parts of the Maldives as well. Feel free to give us a ring at 952-953-4124.

WHAT is this CELEBRATED MALDIVES DIVING LIKE ?

To experience the best of scuba diving in the Maldives Islands, you need to move strategically with the seasons & the currents.  Diving from the “Ocean Dancer” allows this & gives you the optimum chance of seeing thrilling animals such as many species of large sharks & swift swooping manta rays.   Your cruise will take you through the atolls to the very best of the dive sites & you can enjoy three dives a day as well as excursions to fishing islands plus a range of resort islands along the way.  Our partners at Peter Hughes Diving / Dancer Fleet know all the best dives in these three Maldives sectors, & we plan the itinerary for each trip based on how best to flow with local weather conditions.  There's no doubt that it's a safe & comfortable way to visit dive the amazing archipelago of the Maldives Islands.

So what’s at the heart of these storied Maldives; how did they get their geologic start?  About 65 million years ago the islands of the Maldives were part of a huge volcanic mountain range under the Indian Ocean.  When the volcanoes ceased to be active they submerged, sinking at a rate slow enough that coral formations grew gradually on their rims.  This coral growth eventually became the fringing reefs of the atolls.  Recent surveys have discovered that the depth of coral on the fringing reef is as deep as 2,100 m (6,400 ft), an astonishing statistic when you consider that a typical coral formation grows just 2 mm (0. 08 in) annually.

As continuous oceanic currents eroded the atolls' rims they carved some cool channels, & today these channels provide extraordinary diving.  The tides of the Indian Ocean flow in & out through the channels, & in so doing concentrate millions & millions of microscopic plant cells, tiny marine animals & larvae, collectively called plankton.  This rich sea soup provides food for many of the reef’s inhabitants.  In turn, creatures further up the food chain are attracted from the ocean by the prospect of a good meal, & a rich & diverse marine community builds, layer by layer.

Inside most of the atolls is a complex formation of reefs.  A number of these reefs are circular, enclosing a shallow lagoon, others irregular & shallowly submerged.  All offer interesting & usually easy diving & excellent snorkeling.  Some of the best diving is on submerged reefs called thilas; usually located in the middle of a channels, these rise from the atoll floor to within 10 m (33 ft) of the surface.

Reef life is prolific, with over 700 common fish species & many more still to be discovered & classified; invertebrate species are reckoned to be in their tens of thousands.  For the sharp-eyed diver there are encounters with species like frogfish, leaf fish, ghost pipefish & a multitude of nudibranchs.  Whether it’s the sight of the awesome manta ray, being face to face with a grey reef shark or spotting a tiny brightly colored flatworm, the Maldives has it all.

Most dive sites in the Maldives can be grouped according to the geological formation of the reef & are either Channels, Farus, Thilas or Giris.  The Channel or “Kandu” as it is called in Dhivehi, is the deep cut in the atoll rim that connects the waters of the atoll with the open ocean.  This is usually the first dive of the day as it tends to be the deepest with some channels being narrow enough to cross from one side to the other.  The channel is home to the larger species such as grey shark that feed on the smaller reef life which, in turn, feeds on the plankton being carried into the atoll by the ocean currents.

Key Maldives scuba diving / underwater geography terms:

• A  “Faru”  is a circular reef rising up from the ocean floor usually lying in the ocean channels.
• A  “Giri”  is a small area of coral, smaller than a thila that is found inside the atoll.
• A  “Thila”  is an underwater reef that has formed inside the atoll. Thilas are oblong or circular in shape with the reef top at 6-10m.  Sometimes you can swim around the whole thila in one dive but, as with all diving in the Maldives, the most action will be taking place on the point of the current.

The Southwest Diving Season in the Maldives Islands –

The diving on the west side of the atoll in the southwest season is spectacular.  You will regularly encounter large schools of pelagic fish like sharks, eagle rays & tuna.   Another noticeable feature of the southwest season is that the water temperature is usually one or two degrees lower that the usual 28 degrees C (82 degrees F).  This has an effect on both the behavior & sightings of marine life, particularly the grey reef sharks & hammerheads , which seem to congregate in larger numbers & in shallower water at this time of year.   On the eastern side of the atolls, the southwest season is the best time to see manta rays & whale sharks. Here your visibility is not so good, but this is compensated for by the wonderful experience of diving with these huge plankton feeders.

The Northeast Diving Season in the Maldives Islands --

This is the Maldivian summer.  The effect of the season change on diving is dramatic.  From November onwards the currents begin to flow from the northeast, visibility is superb & there is lots of action in the channels & thilas on the eastern side of the atolls from the sharks & other pelagic species.   Currents tend to be stronger in January & then ease as we move into February.  From February the waters calm down & the surface of the sea is undisturbed by any major wind or wave action.  The doldrums continue through March & April with easy diving & slack currents.  The end of May generally sees the change of monsoon season back to the southwest.  Throughout the northeast season, pelagic species such as shark & jacks are to be found on the current points on the eastern side of the atoll.  In addition, there is usually a cornucopia of reef life.  Manta rays & whale sharks, however, will only really be found on the west side during the northeast season.

The Dolphin Deck, or water-level sector, of the Peter Hughes Diving / Dancer Fleet's OCEAN DANCER dive yacht.

Main Deck of the Peter Hughes Diving / Dancer Fleet OCEAN DANCER -- Maldives liveaboard.

The Sun Deck (uppermost) of the Peter Hughes Diving / Dancer Fleet -- OCEAN DANCER Maldives live-aboard.

PETER HUGHES OCEAN DANCER – MALDIVES – VESSEL SPECS

DETAILS on MALDIVES SCUBA DIVING SITES:

***  NORTH MALE ATOLL  ***

Lion’s Head --
This is a thrilling dive.  You can see schooling grey reef sharks as well as some superb soft corals & a mass of colorful reef life. The overhang, shaped like a lion’s head, is the pinnacle of a natural break in the reef which interrupts the tidal flow & causes upwellings.   The reef top is at 3 m (10 ft) & shelves off steeply to 40 m (130 ft), before plunging into the depths. There are caves & overhangs in the first 25 m (80 ft).  From the point of entry, where most of the sharks are seen, you can follow the reef either east or west depending on the direction of the current.  On the reef wall, you find a huge variety of invertebrates & fishes.  Look out for the unusual leaf fish & the false stone fish.  Hawksbill turtles are common.  Resorts used to shark feed here.  The site is now a Protected Marine Area as designated by the Maldivian Government.

Wattaru Kandu --
This site is best dived when the tide is flowing into the atoll.  The reef is marked by a small sandbank, & the shallow reef top is clearly visible.  You descend on the ocean side of the channel towards the atoll bed at 30m (100 ft), keeping the reef on your right.  The best part of the dive is a section of large, broken rocks that form a crevice running up the reef at an angle of 45 degrees.  Here you can see stingrays in the sand on the channel floor, white tip reef sharks & a meadow of garden eels.

Lankanfinolhu Faru (Manta Point) --
In the southwest season as astonishing number of manta rays can be seen here when they come in to be cleaned.  The top of the reef is at 12 m (40 ft); the reef then slopes gently down to 40 m (130 ft).  It is interspersed with massive porites corals that are home to the colonies of cleaner fish.   The manta rays come in from the deep water & hover over the coral heads while the wrasse set to work.  To ensure the best sighting you need to be patient & position yourself close to, but not on top of, the coral heads.  If you do not crowd the mantas they will perform their cleaning ritual in front of your eyes. It is common for encounters to last half an hour or more, but if you try to touch the mantas you will scare them away.  Should you be unlucky enough not to see mantas, this is still a tremendous dive site: huge schools of bulls eye fish, oriental sweet lips & napoleon wrasse, plus scads  of turtles & many cool species of moray eels.

***  SOUTH MALE ATOLL  ***

Cocoa Thila --
This can be a very rewarding dive, although challenging.  As with many thila dives, it is best done when there is a moderate current; if the current is too strong it becomes difficult to stay on the dive site; conversely, if there is no current there are few fish.  The western end of this thila, which is 400 m long, has steeply sloping sides undercut down to 30 m (100 ft) by large caves & overhangs.  This is where you see the main action, principally trevallies, tuna & eagle rays.  Lying off this point are three huge coral rocks & smaller coral outcrops.  The current flowing around these rocks creates a cauldron of activity, with a mass of rock cod, oriental sweet lips & just about every other reef fish you can imagine.  There are caves & overhangs along both north & south sides of the thila.  At another big coral outcrop on the northern side, 200 m (220 yd) from the point, grey reef shark are often seen.

Guraidhoo Kandu South --
This site is well known for sightings of grey reef sharks & eagle rays.  The break in the atoll rim south of Guraidhoo is a complex structure of two channels with a large reef in the middle.  The southern channel, Guraidhoo kandu, is 300 m (330 yd) across, & has sheer sides; its sea bed meets the ocean drop of at 35 m (115 ft).  Jump in on the outer reef of the south corner & drift with the current into the atoll.  Most of the pelagic action can be observed on the ocean drop off, where the oceanic water enters the channel.  Inside the channel, all along the reef wall, are overhangs with plenty of sea fans & black coral bushes.  Keep an eye open for the family of friendly & curios napoleon wrasse that patrols the reef.

***  ARI ATOLL  ***

Kudarah Thila --
The topography here is quite complex.  The thila is divided into four large coral heads, of varying sizes, that sit on a plateau rising from 40 m (130 ft) to 12 m (40 ft).  The thila is no more than 100m (110 yd) in diameter, & you can swim around the whole site in a single dive.  Each of the blocks is undercut from 15m (50 ft) to 25 m (80 ft) with superb caves jammed full of soft corals, gorgonians & whip corals.   On the southwest corner is an archway swim-through, & between all four pinnacles there are deep ravines that harbor a stunning amount of marine life.  The centre of the thila is hollowed out, with a base at 20 m (65 ft), & thousands of blue-lined snapper school in the gullies that have been created.  Watch out for yellow trumpet fish shadowing the snappers while hunting on the reef.  Grey & white tip sharks can be seen on the current points.  This is a Protected Marine Area.

Hukrueli Faru (Madivaru) --
Madi means ‘ray’ in Dhivehi.  In the northeast season this is a superb manta ray cleaning station.  As with many good manta points, the reef slopes down gently from its top at 8m (25 ft) to the atoll floor at 30m (100 ft).  Although there are many cleaning stations along this 1 km reef, the area where the mantas are most active is midway along the northern side.  A deep basin, almost 100m (110 yd) across has formed in the coral, and, as the currents flow out of the atoll, the waters eddy in the basin.  This attracts the mantas, which hover like great spaceships in the current.  To the east of the basin the reef forms a wall which drops steeply down to the sand floor at 30 m (100 ft).   At a depth of 25 m (80 ft) there is a large cave running along the reef for 200 m (220 yd).

Maaya Thila --
A Protected Marine Area, this offers one of the best-known dives in the Maldives.  There is a remarkable variety of marine life on the thila, including grey reef sharks, white tip sharks, turtles, stonefish, frogfish, zebra morays, batfish & many, many more species.  The thila is small enough –- 30 m (33 yd) in diameter –- that you can swim around it easily in a single dive but, as always, it is the point of the current that concentrates the underwater activity.   Jumping onto the top of the thila at 8m (25 ft), & swimming due north you come to the edge of the thila, where there is a large coral overhang full of bright orange Tubastrea corals.  At this point, looking out into the blue, you will see a satellite rock which is worth exploring.  The top of the rock, at 15 m (50 ft), is covered in colorful soft corals.  The vertical sides of the rock drop down to the atoll plate at 40 m (130 ft).  In this channel between the satellite rock & the thila, grey reef sharks often patrol & we have seen guitar shark here on a number of occasions.

Flock o' seagulls taking wing.

PLANNING GUIDE for the MALDIVES –

All your mission-critical F.A.Q.s answered here, sunseekers:

Where exactly are the Maldives Islands ?
The Republic of the Maldives is a chain of around 1,200 islands stretching 750 km across the Indian Ocean with the northernmost island at 7° 06" N & the southernmost island just crossing the Equator at 04° 42" S.  The exact number of islands varies according to the season & method of classification – these super low-lying islands come & go with the wind, waves & currents!

How do I make airline connections to the Maldives ?

Nearly all divers arrive into the Maldives by air & Male International Airport on Hulhule Island is served by a small number of international scheduled & charter airlines.  From North America, there are no direct services & therefore U.S. DIVE TRAVEL passengers would need to fly to Singapore for daily flights to the Maldives or to the UK to connect from there.  So please contact U.S. Dive Travel for more detailed information at  952-953-4124.  As a rule of thumb, the flight time is four hours from Singapore, three hours from Dubai, thirteen hours from London & forty five minutes from Columbo. The airport island, called Hulhule, is just ten minutes boat ride from the capital, Male.  Just one more word to the wise.  Please be prepared for one of the longest multi-leg flights possible to take from the west coast of the USA.  This is a jetlag honker, but well worth it ! 

What travel documents will I need for this Maldives diving vacation ?
Visas are not required in advance but are issued on arrival. Most travelers are issued with 30 day visas.  If you wish to extend your stay, we can apply for a visa extension on your behalf.  All tourists are required to have a passport with a minimum of thirty days validity from the date of departure, onward or return airline tickets or funds to purchase tickets & sufficient funds to cover their expenses during their stay.

What is the most efficient procedure once I arrive in Male city ?
Customs formalities are usually quick & trouble free in the Maldives.  There are strict laws forbidding the import of pornography of any kind, alcohol, pork & all products containing pork, narcotic drugs, poisons & hazardous chemicals, firearms & all explosives, even firecrackers.   Once you have collected your luggage, you will be met at the airport by a representative of Peter Hughes Diving who will help you to find the transfer to your live-aboard Ocean Dancer.   Our representative will also ask for your airline ticket so that your return flight details can be reconfirmed.   Our team will transfer you by Dhoni vessel directly to the boat (15 - 20 minutes).

Do I need trip insurance for the Maldives Islands & OCEAN DANCER ?
YES.  We strongly recommend that each guest purchase comprehensive accident, medical, baggage & trip cancellation & interruption insurance when space is reserved.  Trip insurance will protect you from financial disappointment in the event that unforeseen circumstances prevent the vessel from making its scheduled trip.  In an event where it is necessary to cancel or interrupt a charter due to weather or any matter beyond the control of Peter Hughes Diving, Inc., there will be no refund or credit issued.  We also recommend diving accident insurance.  Please inquire with U.S. Dive Travel & our reservation staffers will show you how to secure this trip cancellation insurance efficiently & cheaply, on your own.

What kind of diving is in Maldives & when’s the best scuba season ?
Most diving trips take place in North & South Male Atolls, Felidu & in Ari Atoll.  The water temperature remains warm & comfortable (27-30 degrees C) throughout the year. though with minor variations locally & seasonally.  A wetsuit is not necessary for many men, though some people wear a thin wetsuit until acclimatized to Maldives waters.  Since many women tend to get a diving chill more quickly than their male dive buddies (MDs say due to metabolic rate differences & other bio-variables) we warmly recommend that the ladies bring a lycra skin, a 2 mm or a 3 mm wetsuit just in case.  Visibility is also clear all year round, though plankton blooming around early May can reduce visibility on the outer reef from about 40 meters (130 feet) down to about 20 meters (65 feet).  The richest concentrations of plankton are usually on the eastern side of an atoll, which is where you will find the most fish.   The northeast monsoon which arrives in January, brings clearer water to most parts of the atoll.  In the clearest conditions you can see up to 70 meters (230 feet) below as you float over the reef edge, giving a sensation of vertigo when one looks out into the open ocean.  Tidal movements are also very important in determining visibility levels.  Incoming tides bring clear water but outgoing ones carry sediment & can sometimes decrease visibility on the fringing reef & lagoon, & reef outlets nearby.  Rougher weather, usually in the southwest monsoon from May to October, sometimes restricts boat dives but resorts still provide opportunities to explore the house reef.

What weather can I expect in the Maldives on OCEAN DANCER ?

Because the Good Lord created them smack dab in the middle of the monsoon belt, in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives experience a complex series of annual weather patterns, although the temperature remains fairly constant all year long.  Many people think of monsoons as periods of only high rainfall, but in reality the wind is also a key factor here.

There are two primary seasons in the Maldives: a dry northeast monsoon (called  “Iruvai”  by the Maldivians) & a wet southwest monsoon (called  “Hulhagu” ).  From May to November the prevailing winds are from the southwest & bring an average of 215 mm of rainfall & 208 hours of sunshine per month.  Around mid-December the winds veer to the northeast and, with the change in direction, bring a much drier climate.   Rainfall averages 75 mm (3 in) per month in this season, the average monthly sunshine is 256 hours.

Maldivian days are hot & humid throughout the year, with temperatures of about 25-30 degrees C  (72-80 degrees F)  & humidity levels of 60 – 80 %.  There is not much difference in terms of sunshine between the seasons but a huge difference in the amount of rainfall – just as in any tropical country. When it rains in the Maldives it rains hard & usually for just a short time.

The Maldives are sometimes affected by cyclones passing through the Bay of Bengal; the most likely times for these are April/May & again in October & November.   However, these storms seldom pass close to the Maldives and, when they do, the effects are generally short-lived.   The area either side of the equator is well known to mariners as the Doldrums on account of its weak winds.

The weather pattern has a strong influence on the currents.   During the northeast monsoon, ocean currents are driven through the atoll channels from the northeast; conversely, during the southwest monsoon, they flow into the atolls from the southwest.   These monsoon wind patterns have enormous significance for Maldives scuba diving live-aboards.

What does my Peter Hughes OCEAN DANCER package include ?
All staterooms are air-conditioned & fitted with private heads & showers, sinks, & porthole views.  Breakfast cooked-to-order, buffet lunch & a fine plated meal at dinner are served daily in addition to fresh mid-morning & mid-afternoon snacks.  Beverages (beer & wine & non-alcoholic) are complimentary while on board.  Bathrobes & some toiletries are available for your use on board.  The M/V Ocean Dancer is equipped with hairdryers in each stateroom.  Linens are changed mid-week & fresh towels are placed in each stateroom daily as needed.  Guests have the opportunity to dive up to three or four times per day.  Filled tanks, weights & weight belts are included.

For what additional expenses am I responsible on OCEAN DANCER ?
No air transportation is included in the M/V Ocean Dancer package.   Departure tax is paid when you purchase your airline ticket & is no longer payable on your departure.  Dive instruction, dive & photo equipment rentals &  “Boatique”  purchases must be settled on board prior to departure.  The method of payment for these items may be in US dollars or Rufiyaa, Traveler's Checks or credit cards (MasterCard or Visa are accepted).  We must advise that  NO PERSONAL CHECKS ARE ACCEPTED.  No additional meals or beverages on shore.  Crew tips are not included.

How does tipping work on the Peter Hughes OCEAN DANCER ?
Aboard the M/V Ocean Dancer gratuities are not included.  We prefer that our guests reward our crew based on performance.  If the crew performs to your expectations, we suggest that a gratuity of approximately 10% of the published package price be considered normal aboard a liveaboard dive boat.  Payment of gratuities is entirely at the discretion of the guest.  It is the policy on Dancer Fleet (SM) vessels to pool any collected gratuities & divide these among the crew, since we believe no one crew member has the opportunity to give exceptional service without the assistance & support of all other crew members.  Payment of tips can be by cash or credit card.

Will there be any opportunities to go ashore for photo opp’s or cultural excursions during the OCEAN DANCER charter, on my Maldives dive vacation ?
You will have an opportunity to go ashore for possible excursions on Fishing Island, a barbecue+beach party on an uninhabited island, & there will also be extemporaneous visits to some resorts.

How do I arrange pre- & post-charter hotels & transfers for my Maldives vacation adventure?
Your Peter Hughes Diving™ reservation associate at U.S. Dive Travel (952-953-4124) can arrange Maldives dive vacation packages for those M/V Ocean Dancer guests who wish to extend their stay in the Maldives.   Please inquire with us if your schedule will permit any après vessel side tours.

If I am a single will I have a randomly matched roommate, same gender, in my cabin ?
All rates are quoted on a twin-share pricing basis for all staterooms, therefore, unless you require a guaranteed single room & pay an additional 65% supplement, you will very likely be sharing your stateroom with one other guest of the same gender.

Please list all the items of required paperwork – for U.S. DIVE TRAVEL & for Peter Hughes Diving – that I will need to submit for this Maldives diving vacation on OCEAN DANCER ?
A few minutes of paperwork, yes, but no big problem.  First you will need to sign three simple forms for your U.S. Dive Travel rep (a registration + travel insurance advisory + notarized liability release.)  Then there will be two “skipper’s forms” for the owners & franchise associates of Ocean Dancer.  Please bring your certification card & log book(s) for verification of your dive training & experience.  You cannot board this boat without a current C card, folks.  Please remember that you alone are responsible for determining your medical & physical fitness to dive or to take part in any other activities during this trip.  DIVING ACTIVITIES ARE CONDUCTED AT YOUR OWN RISK.   “We take no responsibility with respect to your determination,” the Peter Hughes Diving / Dancer Fleet officials explain in their pre-trip paperwork.  If you have any questions concerning your medical or physical fitness to dive or take part in any such activities, please consult your personal physician.

What type of gear should I pack for this Maldives liveaboard vacation ?
Please plan to travel light, as on all Maldives liveaboards space is limited.   We recommend that you pack your gear in soft luggage such as duffel bags for easy stowage & leave those large, rigid suitcases at home to add to your comfort in your cabin.   For guests who plan an extended stay on land, it is advised to pack separately the gear you will require on board. Clothing should be lightweight, comfortable sportswear & bathing suits are a must. A light sweater or jacket is ideal for evening.   Dress aboard M/V Ocean Dancer is always casual, however, it should be noted that when traveling abroad, certain customs of dress should be respected, so please bring a sarong or other cover up to wear when on shore or in sight of shore.   Additional items you may want to bring are sunscreen, sunglasses, GOOD WALKING SHOES, a HAT or VISOR & BUG SPRAY or LOTION is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for YOUR TIME on SHORE.   Hairdryers are conveniently provided in each cabin.   You may wish to pack your regulator, dive computer, mask, bathing suit, & change of clothes & essential items in your carry-on bag, just in case.   This will make it easier in the event your luggage is delayed.  Please check with your airline as to what weight restrictions will apply to your carry-on & checked luggage.

What if I am prone to seasickness on the OCEAN DANCER ?
Strong currents & winds may cause moderate movement of the vessel at times.  If you have a tendency toward seasickness we strongly urge you to bring some sort of over-the-counter motion sickness medication or consult your doctor about prescription brands, such as the trans-dermal patch.  Chewable ginger tablets or capsules of powdered ginger have also proved to be very effective.

What if there’s an emergency on PETER HUGHES OCEAN DANCER ?
The M/V Ocean Dancer crew is trained in first aid & diving accident management.  The boat is equipped with a complete first aid kit & a high capacity oxygen system.  The nearest decompression chamber is under the management of Bandos Resort & is close to Male, with monitoring by DAN network.  We highly recommend that all guests carry valid DAN insurance, purchased prior to the trip.

What about telecommunications & mail on OCEAN DANCER ?
The telephone system in the Maldives is very efficient with international telephone communications available from the boat.  Mail can be sent also from the boat.

Are any immunizations required for the Maldives Islands ?
Immunizations against typhoid, hepatitis A, tetanus & polio are highly  recommended.   Precautions should be taken to avoid sunburn & dehydration, as well.  There is a good private hospital on Male & first aid facilities are available on all the resort islands.  In the event of diving emergencies, a decompression chamber is available.  Food & water at resort hotels is generally risk-free. Medical insurance is advised ALWAYS.

What kind of food is prepared on PETER HUGHES OCEAN DANCER ?
Meals prepared by your on-board chef consist of both Asian & Western influenced cuisine.   If you have any special dietary requirements, please advise our US office as soon as possible so we can adequately prepare to meet your needs.   Please understand that certain special dietary & beverage requests may not be available on a consistent basis in the Maldives due to the remote nature of this location & its Muslim people.

What sorts of drinks are available on the PETER HUGHES OCEAN DANCER ?
M/V Ocean Dancer's selection includes fruit juices, soft drinks, plenty of iced water, tea & coffee, & a limited selection of beer & wine (no other alcoholic beverages).  Fresh milk may not be available, although UHT long life milk is provided on board.  Herbal teas are not always available.   REMEMBER: Alcohol & diving DO NOT MIX.  For your safety, we recommend that the consumption of any alcoholic beverage be delayed until your dive day is complete.   FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS DRINK & DIVE!

Is smoking permitted on the PETER HUGHES OCEAN DANCER ?
NOPE !!!  No cigarette, cigar or smoking of any kind is permitted on the M/V Ocean Dancer at any time, except in the designated outdoor smoking area of the Lido Deck.   Smoking is not permitted in any area where all guests must be assembled for any reason, for example, at dive briefings.  Be thoughtful please, your non-smoking passengers will bless you.

Is there any alternate entertainment on board the OCEAN DANCER ?
M/V Ocean Dancer has a multi-system TV/video unit for videotape & video camera playback, a compact disc player, & cassette deck.  There is a slide projector & viewer on board.  If you have a favorite movie, a slide show or a video to share, we encourage you to bring it along!   You may also bring your own favorite music tapes, CD’s, etc.   A small library of “books for exchange” is maintained on board, as well as fish identification books for reference.

How do I pay for my purchases on board OCEAN DANCER ?
The M/V Ocean Dancer has a small on-board 'Boatique' which sells a selection of logo clothing, custom jewelry, sundries, diving accessories, film, batteries, logbooks, etc.   A crew member will gladly assist you with your purchases at any time during the week.   The Maldivian currency is called a  “Rufiyaa”   & it is divided into 100  laari  but it is rarely used on tourist resorts.  Most transactions for tourists on the resorts, fishing islands & in Male take place in US dollars.  Ocean Dancer will cash travelers checks & will accept major credit cards.  There are a number of banks in Male where you can cash your travelers checks into US Dollars & also purchase Rufiyaa using US Dollars.   NO PERSONAL CHECKS ARE ACCEPTED.

In what time zone are the Maldives Islands located?
The time zone is Standard Time Zone, GMT+5hours with no daylight savings time.

What languages are spoken on PETER HUGHES OCEAN DANCER ?
In all tourist destination areas in the Maldives, English is the number one foreign language.   The crew will converse in English with the guests.

What electrical voltage is on PETER HUGHES OCEAN DANCER ?
The Ocean Dancer use 220 / 240 volt AC at 50 cycles but there is no standard socket type & it is worth carrying an international adapter.  Plugs are usually the two pin European style.  If you are used to a 110 volt supply you will need a small transformer to convert from 240 V to 110 V.

Are my valuables safe on this Maldives live-aboard ?
Here is the straight skinny, dive buddies.  We recommend that you leave all ultra-valuables at home as they are not appropriate for an adventure cruise.   Stateroom keys are available if you choose to use one, but there is no safety box.

How do I celebrate a special occasion on this Maldives liveaboard ?
The Ocean Dancer crew is glad to help you celebrate any special occasion on board including birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons or weddings.  Please  advise our U.S. Dive Travel booking office at least 75 days prior to departure so that we can adequately prepare.  Call 952-953-4124.

Can I earn advanced diving certification or specialties on board?
Several diving specialty courses are offered on the M/V Ocean Dancer, but it is necessary to give at least one month notice to Peter Hughes Diving, Inc.® in advance of your charter date to ensure that an instructor will have the time available & that all required paperwork is complete.  VERY IMPORTANT: IF YOU INTEND to RECEIVE DIVING INSTRUCTION on BOARD, YOU MUST COMPLETE a MEDICAL STATEMENT in ADVANCE & RETURN IT to PETER HUGHES DIVING, INC.®  PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.  A doctor’s note may be required if you answer yes to any of the questions on the medical statement.  A list of available courses & prices is located on our website.  Guest (Non-Crew) Instructors are permitted to give instruction on board if they are in current teaching status with their certifying agency & if they maintain underwater liability insurance.  They must obtain a list of companies from Peter Hughes Diving, Inc.® to be additionally insured on their Certificate of Insurance.  Payment for instruction will only be accepted on board, not in advance.

Are NITROX fills available on the PETER HUGHES OCEAN DANCER ?
The M/V Ocean Dancer is equipped with Enriched Air facilities. Nitrox fills of 32% are normally available to all CERTIFIED Nitrox divers.  What’s more, Nitrox certifications are also available on board to all certified divers.  Our purpose in providing enriched air Nitrox for the use of our guests is to give those who are unfamiliar with this new technology an opportunity to become certified Nitrox divers & to give those already certified an enhanced safety factor in the face of extensive, repetitive dive profiles in remote regions of the world.  Nitrox is not offered for extended range diving.

What dive gear will I need to bring on this Maldives diving yacht ?
Equipment provided aboard the M/V Ocean Dancer includes tanks (80 or 63 psi aluminum with yoke style "K" valves), weights & weight belts.  The basic diving equipment required is a regulator, depth & pressure gauge, watch or bottom timer, buoyancy compensation device (BCD), mask, fins, snorkel & wetsuit.  An SMB (inflatable signaling tube),  DIVE ALERT (air horn), & MINI-STROBE ARE MANDATORY EQUIPMENT FOR EACH DIVER.  A Mini-B (personal locator beacon) is also highly recommended.  We suggest that you bring your own, although the M/V Ocean Dancer does stock a limited supply available for the use of our guests.   BE ADVISED THAT WE REQUIRE AT LEAST TWO LIGHT SOURCES FOR ALL NIGHT DIVES.   We strongly recommend the use of chemical (Cyalume) light sticks.  You may bring your own or purchase them on board.  Additional recommended equipment: dive computer, dive light (with extra batteries or charging unit). Water temperatures can range from approx. 22°C (72 degrees F) to 28°C (83 degrees F), with this in mind a 3 mm or 5 mm wetsuit is recommended.  Dive skins will not be sufficient for most divers.

Are dive gear & photo/video equipment ready to rent on board?
M/V Ocean Dancer has a limited amount of diving equipment available for rent, so it is critical that you advise our US office staff in advance if you decide you want to rent gear.  We offer ScubaPro BCD's with Dive Alerts & ScubaPro regulators.  The Photo Shop offers Sea & Sea MX-10 cameras, Nikonos V bodies, SB-105 strobes, & lenses from 15 - 35 mm, macro tube close-up kits, as well as digital video cameras & housings.  Photo opportunities are abundant.  No matter what system you have, you will probably experience excellent results.  Be sure to pack your photo equipment carefully in a durable carrying case & bring any unique spare parts & back-up equipment with you.

May I fish or spearfish on the PETER HUGHES OCEAN DANCER ?
Absolutely not, friends.  Spear fishing is  NOT ALLOWED  from the Ocean Dancer at any time, by any client.  Period.  Some fishing from the dive boat can be organized at nominal extra cost but not at the dive sites!  Guests are prohibited from bringing spear fishing equipment on board the M/V Ocean Dancer, but may bring other fishing equipment.

Might I be refused service on the PETER HUGHES OCEAN DANCER ?
Possibly yes, very unlikely, unless you behave like a true idiot, which is exceptionally rare.  Peter Hughes Diving, Inc.®, M/V Ocean Dancer, it's owners, employees & wholesale reps stateside reserve the right to refuse service to any guest whose behavior is determined by the Captain to be a danger to the safe operation of the vessel (such as causing a fire hazard by smoking in prohibited areas).  Divers who exhibit objectionable personal conduct, drug use or lack of sufficient diving skills can be refused air fills or put ashore at the Captain’s discretion.

What other important info should I know about Maldives diving ?
Controlled substances & illegal drugs are strictly prohibited aboard M/V Ocean Dancer.   Do not even  dream  of sneaking pot, illicit pills or any controlled substance onto this boat.  That would be the worst mistake of your sorry life, Buster.  You might end up a prisoner – stranger in a strange land -- for a very long time, in a jail of unmentionably wretched conditions.  Penalties for the sale, use or possession of controlled substances in the Maldives are  extremely  severe  & M/V Ocean Dancer, Ocean Stripe Pvt Ltd., Peter Hughes Diving, Inc., its officers, agents or staff can accept NO responsibility for any person(s) encountering difficulties with local authorities due to that person(s) involvement with the sale, use or possession of such illegal drugs.  M/V Ocean Dancer's crew & Peter Hughes Diving, Inc. subscribe to the ZERO TOLERANCE policy of the US Coast Guard.   Prior to any diving from the M/V Komodo Dancer, you will be required to provide us with acceptable evidence of your diving certification & your level of experience.  You will also be required to execute a legally binding release of M/V Ocean Dancer, Ocean Stripe Pvt Ltd., Peter Hughes Diving, Inc., their officers, directors, employees & agents from any claims, causes of action, damages or liabilities which may arise from or in connection with your diving activities & to acknowledge that you understand the risks attendant with diving & to personally assume all such risks.   While we provide dive briefings prior to dives & limit our diving to no-decompression sport diving, each diver is responsible for his or her individual profile consistent with the standards & limitations of his or her certifying organization.

An U/W pot of gold for all divers here ...

GEOGRAPHIC FACTS about the MALDIVES ISLANDS

The Republic of the Maldives is a chain of about 1,200 separate tropical islands -- stretching 750 km across the Indian Ocean -- with the northernmost island at 7° 06" N & the southernmost island just crossing the Equator at 04° 42" S.  The exact number of islands varies according to the season & method of classification - islands come & go with the wind, waves & currents!

These tiny islands are geographically grouped into ring shaped reefs called "atolls" & there are 26 of these atoll formations.  An atoll encloses a central lagoon with a flat, sandy bottom at a relatively shallow depth of 40-100m. The outer reef, which forms many of the islands, is often broken by deep channels that allow oceanic water to flow into & out of the central lagoon. Inside the atoll there are numerous smaller ring shaped reefs & tillas.

Of the 1,200 islands only 200 are inhabited by local Maldivian people, 88 islands have been developed as tourist resorts & the remaining islands are uninhabited.  Inhabited islands are either tourist resorts or inhabited by locals & it is a Government ruling that there can be no combination of the two.

While there are 26 geographical atolls, tourists are most likely to see just 11 of these as the Maldivian Government has taken steps to restrict the impact of tourism on the local community.  Tourists can only be accommodated on registered tourist islands with quite strict regulations governing tourist visits to uninhabited & fishing islands.  The tourist development area has been restricted to the seven atolls of North Male, South Male, Ari, Felidhu, Baa, Lhaviyani & Addu Atoll. In 1997 the Government announced the proposed development of 14 new islands opening the atolls of Meemu, Faafu, Dhaalu & Raa to foreign tourism.

The ATTRACTIVE & GENTLE PEOPLE of the MALDIVES ISLANDS

The Maldives has been a crossroads for sea traders for many centuries & the origin of the people of the country is mixed.  Not much is known of the early history of the island people but the language & some archaeological finds of Buddhist relics indicate that the early settlers were from the southern Indian continent & the Buddhist Singalese from Sri Lanka.  Now, of course, the Maldives population of 240,000 is entirely Muslim.

Today, the Maldives is a democratic republic with President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom at the helm.  There is no party political system in the Maldives: the citizens Majlis (parliament) comprises 48 members, two elected from each atoll & eight nominated by the President.  The president himself is nominated by the citizens' Majlis & elected by public referendum for a renewable five year period; the president then appoints his own cabinet.

A THUMBNAIL HISTORY of the MALDIVES ISLANDS

Year 1153: Islam was adopted after the visit of a Muslim holy man.

1513:  Male attacked by the Portuguese from their colony in Goa, India.  They built a fort in 1518. The Portuguese were thrown out shortly afterwards.

1558:  Male captured again by the Portuguese who remained there until they were all killed by the Maldivian Hero, Muhammad Takurufanu.

 
1609:  Male was attacked by pirates who killed the Sultan & caused considerable damage.

1631:  The Portuguese attempted to storm Male but failed & were driven off with great losses.

1649:  Further attempt to take Male by Portuguese, driven off by heavy cannon fire from the fort.

1752:  Male attacked by the Ali Raja of Malabar in a fleet of ships.  After setting fire to many of the buildings & ransacking the palace, the pirates stayed for a few months until the Maldivians under the leadership of Hassan Manikufanu threw them out.  The Ali Raja continued to lay siege to Male until eventually driven away with the help of a fleet of French Men O'War under the command of Monsieur Termellier.  He was known with affection by the Maldivians as Moustri Mili & is buried on Male.

 
1761:  A further assault by the fleet of Ali Raja which was beaten off by a brave attack using "dhonis".

1818-1819:  A great famine occurred all over the islands & a massive tornado struck, devastating many islands, homes & boats.

1835:  The first survey of the islands was undertaken by the British Admiralty under the command of Robert Moresby.

1887:  The Maldives & Great Britain signed an agreement which gave the country the status of a protected state.

1932:  The first written constitution of the Maldives was proclaimed.

1953:  First Republic of the Maldives is declared.

1953:  Republic dissolved & the Sultanate re-established.

1965:  End of British agreement.  Independence & entry into the United Nations.

1968:  Declaration of Second Republic.

1976:  British complete withdrawal of all forces from the south of the country.

CLIMATE FACTS of the MALDIVES ISLANDS

Being in the monsoon belt of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives experience quite a complex weather pattern although the temperature remains fairly constant.  Many people think of monsoons are periods of only high rainfall, but in fact the wind is the key factor down here.

There are two seasons in the Maldives: a dry northeast monsoon (called Iruvai by the Maldivians) & a wet southwest monsoon (called the Hulhagu). From May to November the prevailing winds are from the southwest & bring an average of 215 mm of rainfall & 208 hours of sunshine per month.   Around mid December the winds veer to the northeast and, with the change in direction, bring a much drier climate.  Rainfall averages 75 mm (3 in) per month in this season, the average monthly sunshine is 256 hours.

Maldivian days are hot & humid throughout the year, with temperatures of about 25 - 30 degrees C (72 - 80 degrees F) & humidity that varies from 60 – 80 %.   There is not much difference in terms of sunshine between the seasons but a huge difference in the amount of rainfall – just as in any tropical country with maritime climate.  When it rains in the Maldives it rains hard & usually for just a short time.

The Maldives Islands are sometimes affected by cyclones passing through the Bay of Bengal; the most likely times for these are April & May & again in October & November.  However, these storms seldom pass close to the Maldives and, when they do, the effects are generally short-lived.  The area either side of the equator is well known to mariners as the Doldrums on account of its weak winds.

The weather pattern has a strong influence on the currents. During the northeast monsoon, ocean currents are driven through the atoll channels from the northeast; conversely, during the southwest monsoon, they flow into the atolls from the southwest.  These patterns have enormous significance for the diving …

DO  YOU  QUALIFY  for  SPECIAL  DANCER  FLEET  DISCOUNTS?

ALWAYS  PAYS  to  CHECK  this  LIST  BEFORE  CALLING 

our Maldives live-aboard vacation planners at  952-953-4124 !

Frequent Peter Hughes Dancer Fleet Diver *

Price reductions will be awarded according to point accumulation.   Each trip on a Caribbean liveaboard earns 10 points.   Each 7-night trip on a Pacific liveaboard earns 20 points & each 10-night or longer trip earns 30 points (for travel after Dec. 1, ‘02).   Points are deducted from a guest’s account when taking advantage of the points as indicated below.   Points can be accumulated systematically up to a maximum of 130 for a 50% discount.   No points can be earned or used on Febrina.   Frequent Peter Hughes Dancer Fleet Diver points are not transferable.   Frequent Dancer Fleet Diver points greater than 10% reduction can not be used on group or full boat charter bookings.

Senior Divers *
Divers of age 65 & over are eligible for a 10% reduction with proof of age (passport, driver’s license).

Student Divers *
Divers who are actively enrolled in secondary school or earning a higher education degree from a college or university are eligible for a 10% reduction with proof of enrollment (student ID).

Airline, Travel or Dive Industry *
Airline Employees, Professional Travel Agents & Dive Instructors who are active members of a nationally recognized dive certification agency are eligible for a 10% reduction with proof of employment or membership (IATA or C-Card).

Active Military Personnel *
USA Military Personnel on active duty are eligible for a 10% reduction off the charter rate if they present valid identification prior to making final payment.

Fire Fighters & Law Enforcement Personnel *
Volunteer or full-time fire fighters as well as active duty full time law enforcement personnel are eligible for a 10% reduction off the charter rate if they present valid identification prior to making final payment.

Consecutive Charters *
Guests who wish to book back to back trips either on the same vessel (two charters in a row) or on two different Dancer Fleet vessels within a one month period (two charters in a row) will receive a 10% reduction on both weeks.

Last Minute Bookings *
From time to time, reductions may be applied for bookings confirmed within a short period of time prior to the cruise date at the discretion of Peter Hughes Diving, Inc. management.

Non-Diver Guests *
A non-diver traveling on a liveaboard with a diver is eligible for a 10% reduction.

PADI Diving Society Members *
PADI Diving Society Members are eligible for a 10% reduction off the charter rate if they present valid proof of membership.

All of the privileges above will apply to bookings from any source & MUST be requested prior to final payment. When two or more reductions would seem to apply, only the greater discount will be honored. Discounts do not apply to single supplements, port charges, permit fees, park fees, etc.

*************************************************************

For MORE INFORMATION or to BEGIN a BOOKING

please feel free to contact:

John Hessburg & Susan Hessburg,

Founding Partners, Mgrs

U.S. DIVE TRAVEL NETWORK

PMB 307 – Suite #116

15050 Cedar Ave. S.

St. Paul, MN, USA   55124-7047

Voice Mail:  952-953-4124

E-mail:  divetrip@bitstream.net

Website:  www.usdivetravel.com

IMPORTANT NOTE:

All Maldives diving package prices listed here are subject to possible change in this rapidly evolving travel market.  Maldives liveaboard vessel & lodging prices are traditionally more stable within a posted season, while air prices can fluctuate daily.  Until air tickets are issued for Maldives live-aboard diving packages, all airlines reserve the right to change airfares without notice -- an industry standard allowed by the FAA.  We at U.S. Dive Travel will price-protect you to the utmost of our professional ability; & that has been our pledge for one decade now.  We normally secure excellent discount air tickets for Maldives live-aboards, through industry partners who specialize in this exotic route. 

Remember please, the federal government has deregulated airlines, so only they control their pricing -- not any travel professionals.  This is one immutable challenge of dive vacations featuring Maldives live-aboards.  Always a good idea to get a good price handle on the challenging air tickets first, for Maldives live-aboard vacations, so that you can plan in proper sequence.  It’s always good to remember that a Maldives live-aboard dive vacation will need to be started 10-12 months out, no later, to ensure all variables are planned accurately.

Unless specifically noted, these above Maldives liveaboard vacation packages are prices for only the vessel + land-based portion of your Maldives vacation, in most cases reflecting double-occupancy staterooms or hotel rooms.  At most Maldives resorts & on most Maldives liveaboards, there will be no triple-occupancy rooms offered.  Some exceptions will be noted. 

International & commuter "island-hopper" airfares are always extra above these land costs for a Maldives live-aboard dive vacation package.  Nominal service fees are also extra for air tickets & the lodging + diving components.  The baseline tariffs for all Maldives diving clients start at $55 per person for the vessel portion + $55 pp for the air tickets.  Late-booking clients for vacations on Maldives live-aboards may receive slightly higher tariffs on the lodging + diving.  Solo clients on a Maldives liveaboard dive package will always pay a single supplement to secure a private stateroom -- normally 65% more than each person in a normal double-occupancy stateroom on Ocean Dancer.

The preferred payment mode for all Maldives diving vacations – for lodging, diving & side tours -- is by cashier's check or wire transfer in U.S. dollars.  All clients living outside the USA or Canada will need to pay only via direct wire transfer in U.S. dollars for these Maldives diving packages.  No personal checks or credit cards will be accepted for the land portion or vessel portion of any Maldives vacation reservation, please.  Thank you for your gracious understanding.  Our service level for this Maldives liveaboard package is the highest & our prices the lowest in this industry, & thus we need to preserve a reasonable margin.  For published-fare air ticket bookings on any Maldives dive vacation, USDT always accepts Visa & MasterCard.  For discount wholesale air tickets on all Maldives dive vacations aboard Maldives live-aboards, however, USDT accepts only cashier's checks, please.

Remember, all clients to all foreign destinations (including Maldives live-aboards) will be asked by local officials overseas, upon departing the airport on your final day, to pay a nominal government departure tax, usually between USD $35 - $50 per client.  USDT cannot collect this tax beforehand, so you simply pay it down there, in your host country.  Be sure to stash away a little cash for this final moment at the airport, so you'll get your exit visa stamped quickly with no fuss; & away you go.  Best of luck with your Maldives Islands live-aboard travel plans.  We hope all your vacations on Maldives live-aboards are safe & satisfying adventures. Please do not hesitate to call our expert travel planners any time for detailed questions regarding any of these themes: Ocean Dancer, Peter Hughes Ocean Dancer, Maldives scuba diving, Maldives diving, Maldives liveaboard, Maldives live-aboard, Maldives live-aboards, Maldives liveaboards, U.S. Dive Travel, Peter Hughes, Peter Hughes Diving, Dancer Fleet. Thank you for your interest, friends.   Blessings & best wishes.

Best fishes too, on your Maldives liveaboard adventure !

>////*>    <*\\\\<

John & Susan Hessburg

Mgrs,  Founding Partners

U.S. Dive Travel Network.   

© Copyright 2005 - 2009  /  U.S. Dive Travel Network.