© Copyright 2005-2010 /  U.S. DIVE TRAVEL Network.

 

The ODYSSEY

TRUK LAGOON WRECK DIVING

Micronesian Pacific

 

 

MUST-SEE REMINDER re’ TRUK ODYSSEY PRICING & AVAILABILITY –

 

THIS TRUK DIVING YACHT is a PHENOMENON in the DIVE TRAVEL INDUSTRY, PURE & SIMPLE.  AMIGOS del MAR, PLEASE TAKE THIS as the FRIENDLIEST of CAVEATS, a HEADS-UP to all our CLIENTS:  IF YOU DO NOT BOOK THIS VESSEL 2-3 YEARS EARLY, YOU WILL HAVE VIRTUALLY ZERO OPPORTUNITY to DIVE from HER.  EVER.

 

Message to our dive shop owners, dive clubs & corporate teams:  the TRUK ODYSSEY for several years has proven to be one of the 2 or 3 fastest-selling scuba diving live-aboards in the world.   This red-hot Truk Lagoon diving market is fast-moving beyond anybody’s predictions.    All vacation plans must start VERY early to work at all. 

Bottom Line: there is precious little space available for any new divers for most of the next 2 years, we're obliged to report.  Yes, we know, it’s astonishing.   But it's true, sunseekers.   Be of good cheer, sunseekers, as there is always good news .... New openings may occur weekly, if you keep checking at 952-953-4124. We have some good space left for 10-14 weks each year in 2010, 2011 & 2012. Call us when you need to & we can reserve staterooms for you.   Now the current manifests for 2010 & 2011 may change with abrupt cancellations down the road, especially after late summer (typically) so please keep in close touch. Truk Lagoon is a moveable feast.   And here’s how that works.   Typically, the last 4 months of each year, random surprise cancellations can occur, which offer great opportunities for  ready-to-roll groups of 1-4 divers.   

You must plan 2 to 3 years in advance for this exceptional yacht, every year, due to the relentless popularity of Truk wreck diving.   We have worked this Truk Lagoon market for more than 18 years; & we see no signs of this steep demand curve abating any time soon.   So there you have it.   Now let’s go with the flow & have some fun with Truk scuba diving adventures !

Be of good cheer, mateys.   Here’s some happier news for the small groups, so take heart … From now on, due to the keen demand for Truk diving vacations, to help our singles & couples (who mean a lot to us), the ODYSSEY will offer one week per month for January through May each year – to be reserved only for solos, couples & small groups.   Please feel free to phone our Pacific live-aboard vacation experts Mon – Sat, 10 am – 4 pm CST-USA, at this dive-vacation hotline --  952-953-4124  -- for detailed info on current prices, DEMA specials, group discounts, space availability & seasonal flux in weather or air ticket pricing.   

As with all our Pacific liveaboards, telephone callers receive top priority client service.   Yes, we do offer wholesale-discount air tickets for solos, couples & groups from the USA to Truk Lagoon & other Micronesia islands.   Per FAA standards, the earliest our group leaders can secure advance air seat space would be about 330 days before departure.   But vessel space must be booked well in advance of that air ticketing timeline.   That’s the gist of planning for Truk Lagoon diving trips, amigos ….

The sea life is abundant & colorful, from tropidelic clams to ....

.... flamboyant blue-striped groupers.

What’s the SCUBA DIVING like in TRUK LAGOON, on the TRUK ODYSSEY ?

Because many dive magazines, for years, have been waxing rhapsodic about remote Pacific dive vessels barely worth their bilge pumps, we tend to understate a vessel’s merits, just to let our travel-savvy clients make up their own minds.   When customers are paying top dollar for world-class destinations & scuba liveaboards of the 4-star ilk, they want to rely on reputation, not Madison Avenue hype.

But one thing is for sure here: no need for frothing hyperbole about the many advantages of this exceptional Truk diving yacht.   Divers across the USA & Europe insist the boat’s quality speaks for itself, & the record shows it does so, resoundingly.   What Cliff Horton & his partner did, coming into Truk Lagoon a few years ago -- & in short order deposing one of the most famous scuba liveaboards in the world -- is nothing short of diving industry legend.   They proved those few folks willing to be their critics wrong, big time, & have engineered one of the most remarkable success stories in the last 20 years of the dive travel world.

U.S. Dive Travel has repped nearly every major liveaboard fleet in the world since the early 1990s, & we have never seen anything like the Odyssey’s meteoric climb to popularity.   Not in the Caribbean nor Pacific liveaboard arenas.   These guys are the Real McCoy & the quality of their dive vessel – the ODYSSEY of Chuuk – is fast becoming worthy of an MBA course in “How to Market a New Product in a Wild Area, starting as David but ending up as  Goliath.”

 

The TRUK ODYSSEY has succeeded far beyond some industry analysts early predictions for three simple reasons:

• Their vessel is a sterling 4-star Truk liveaboard with expert service & refined amenities.   Best boat ever to work the Truk Lagoon, bar none.
• Their attitude is humble, gracious, service-oriented & just plain fun to work with.   These folks love their jobs.
• The price is right for a location that will be attracting adventure divers until the Good Lord comes back through the clouds.   How can any red-blooded scuba diver NOT be fascinated by a vast lagoon that hosts more than 5 dozen coral-encrusted Japanese WWII wrecks?   This place was made-to-order for dedicated wreck enthusiasts.  About the only thing they don’t have around here are Wrecks named Oedipus.

 

Diving in Truk Lagoon is an adventure you will never forget.   Dozens of visually dazzling WWII wrecks are scattered across 77 square miles.   The wrecks are covered with marine life, stem to stern.   There are more than 300 varieties of hard & soft corals.   This Truk liveaboard will show you tons of life, amigos !

On the outer reef you'll find mountains of coral that stretch as far as the eye can see, & drops off into the abyss.   Here it is not unusual to see pelagic sharks.   This is also where we do our exciting shark dive.

The water temperature ranges from 82 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit.   Visibility ranges from 30' to 100' depending on where you are in the lagoon & there is little current.

Since each day aboard the Truk Odyssey offers new adventures, no day is really typical.   Nothing is routine & our schedule will vary depending on location.

The day aboard Truk Odyssey begins after a 7:00 a.m. hot breakfast with your first dive briefing around 7:45 a.m.   You will be able to do two dives before lunch on most calm-weather days.

During lunch we usually move to a new site.   After lunch you have the option to either do another dive, or relax on the either of the sundecks or in the privacy of your own stateroom.   A late afternoon dive is also offered.

Around 6:30 p.m. a sumptuous & delicious dinner will be waiting for you.   After dinner you may choose to do a night dive or simply hang around the salon, talking story & relaxing.

At night guests usually gather in the entertainment lounge to enjoy a movie, or review what was captured that day in video.

Since most of the dive sites in Truk Lagoon are fairly close to each other, it is easy for us to move around.   The best part about diving aboard Odyssey is that we don't require everyone to dive at the same time.

So it is not unusual for you & your buddy to be the only divers on a 500' wreck.   For photographers, this offers more opportunities to shoot those popular scenes without having to wait for others to move out of the way.

 

 

( U.S. Dive Travel owners would like to thank Cliff Horton & esteemed colleagues at the Truk Odyssey for their help in offering the most exciting dive vessel ever to ply the waters of Truk Lagoon.  This live-aboard experience is world-class in every sense of the phrase, stem to stern.  All photos, the logo, the maps & most text blocks below here are courtesy of Odyssey Adventures & are copyrighted by Odyssey. )

 

 

Map of TRUK LAGOON, aka Ckuuk Atoll in Micronesia.

The ODYSSEY offers spacious holds to explore ....

.... & cool WW II relics to view (not touch) !

CLASSIC WRECKS & REEF SITES that TRUK ODYSSEY will likely visit:

 

View of the warmly cheerful dining room on the ODYSSEY.

Another view of the ODYSSEY's spacious mealtime area.

 

On board the Odyssey, Truk’s finest liveaboard vessel,

you’ll find amenities equal to the world’s top liveaboards:

• Six staterooms (14’ x 8 ’) with either king size or 2 twin beds
• Two private single staterooms (11’ x 6’)
• One stateroom (10 ’ x 9 ’) with a double/twin bunk
• ALL staterooms have private ensuite facilities, air-conditioning controls, DVD player, & are carpeted.
• Carpeted floors & air-conditioning throughout the vessel
• Large dining area with full commercial galley
• A separate entertainment lounge with TV, VCR (PAL & NTSC), DVD, stereo, library, large slide table, & bar

 

TRUK ODYSSESY’s DIVE DECK FACILITIES INCLUDE:

• Personal dive lockers
• Two gear rinse tanks
• Large, convenient dive platform
• Two dive ladders
• Fixed safety/deco bar
• Tanks filled at your seat
• Freshwater shower
• Warm deck towels
• Nitrox, for certified Nitrox divers
• DIN or yoke valves
• Tanks (alum 80 & steel 112), weights, & belts
• Certifications available

Aft diving deck of the ODYSSEY offers room to don, & move freely.

The sun deck is a happy place indeed, in this sunny atoll !

 

TRUK TECHNICAL DIVING FACILITIES INCLUDE:

• Double aluminum 80 tank systems
• Dual valve isolation manifolds, DIN or yoke
• Aluminum 30’s for deco gases
• Fixed deco bar

 

PHOTOGRAPHER-SUPPORT SYSTEMS INCLUDE:

• Large 3-tier camera table
• Two camera rinse tanks
• Large slide table
• Battery charging station
• Photo & video courses available

 

ODYSSEY deck plans: "Thar she be, mateys!"

Master Stateroom with Queen Bed -- perfect for couples.

Two twin beds side-by-side -- ideal for dive buddies.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS of TRUK ODYSSEY:

• Length: 132 feet Beam: 24 feet (7.31 m) Draft: 6 feet (1.8 m)
• Type: All welded steel, twin screw
• Engines: 2 x Detroit Diesel 330 h.p. each
• Cruise range: 1200 nautical miles Speed: 9 knots
• Fresh water storage: 7,700 gallons (29,520 liters)
• Water maker: 2 x SK Systems – 1 at 800 gallons/day; 1 at 1000 gallons/day
• Fuel capacity: 2,500 gallons Generators: 2 x Stamford 80 kw & 1 Stamford 40 kw
• Compressors: 2 x Mako 13.1 CFM 5000 PSI
• Electronics: 2 x Furuno Radar (24 nautical miles), GMDSS equipped for Sea Area A3, 2 x VHF Radio, 2 x Single side band radio Magellan GPS, Furuno GPS, Furuno Depth Sounder, Compass, Furuno Weatherfax,  Comnav Autopilot
• Year originally built: 1978
• Last refit: 2005
• Tenders: 25-foot custom aluminum craft w/ twin 115 Yamaha four-stroke outboard motors  +  20 foot aluminum w/ 40 hp Yamaha outboard motor

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• Scuba diving support: 40 x 80 cubic foot aluminum scuba & Nitrox cylinders, DIN or yoke valves, 10 x OMS 112 cubic foot steel tanks
• Storage banks for 7100 cubic feet Nitrox Membrane System
• Technical diving Equipment: Dual valve isolation manifolds, DIN or yoke 16 x 30 cubic foot aluminum pony bottles, Deco bar
• Life Saving & Fire Fighting Equipment: Life rings, life jackets, fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, fire alarms, & fire fighting suit.
• Life rafts: 1 x 25 persons -- RFD Survive inflatable

 

ODYSSEY OFFERS all TRUK LAGOON WRECK DIVING CLIENTS these SERVICES:

• Wreck diving of course, big time wrecks, arguably the best in the Pacific; many say the entire world !!
• Shark diving; in fact  -- sharks galore on good days
• Pristine reef diving (over 300 varieties of hard & soft corals located in over 100 miles of fringing coral reef)
• Outer reef diving to explore more than just the world-class wrecks
• Shallow diving & also mellower dive sites for less-experienced scuba divers
• Night diving when the weather & currents permit
• Camera tables & camera rinse tanks
• Battery charging station for your cameras & electronic gear
• Free Nitrox for certified Nitrox divers
• Variety of classes including technical classes
• Spacious - 132’ – for only 12-16 passengers – provides better photo & video opportunities with fewer people finning about underwater
• Large portholes or windows in each cabin
• Fully air conditioned – all salons & staterooms
• Private ensuite bathrooms & showers in each stateroom
• Large entertainment lounge with TV, DVD & VCR
• Technical diving (double setups & DIN & YOKE systems available)
• Diving off mother ship, rather than only small chase boats
• Large, convenient, easy entry dive platform
• Fixed deco/safety bar at 15 feet
• Gear rinse tanks, with fresh water always ready for you
• TVs & DVD players in all cabins
• Movies to use as you wish
• Library of books & magazines
• Airport transfers (for those arriving & departing on charter schedule)
• Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner & all snacks)
• Beer, wine & other alcoholic beverages

 

One sweet peek at the Odyssey's salon area....

....& another view of the same comfy lounging area.

Length of Truk Diving Vacation:  Seven nights on board the Odyssey. Sunday to Sunday. Up to 5 dives daily off the mother ship.

 

Arrival & Departure Information:   Guests are greeted at the airport by an Odyssey crew member. Transfers to & from the airport are included in the price at the beginning & end of the scheduled charter for those arriving & departing on charter schedule.   Boarding time on Sunday begins at 5 PM & continues through the evening.

 

Number of Passengers:   The maximum number of passengers the Odyssey will accommodate is 16.   There are nine cabins; two single cabins, six king or twins & one double/twin bunk.   All cabins have private head & shower.

 

Crew-to-Client Ratio:   As a rule, the crew members to passenger ratio will be 1:2.

 

Vessel Departs From:   Weno, Chuuk Island, Micronesia

 

 

BRIEF HISTORY of TRUK LAGOON, aka CHUUK ISLAND:

Also known as Truk Lagoon, but was changed to it’s original name in 1986 when the Compact of Free Association went into effect.   The compact is a 15-year political relationship with the United States that started in October, 1986.

Chuuk State consists of seven major island groups lying within the Eastern Caroline Islands, about 617 miles (1028 km) southeast of Guam & 3,262 miles (5,436 km) southwest of Hawaii.   The total land mass of Chuuk State, including the outer islands, is approximately 77 square miles (128 km)

 

ESSENTIAL GEOGRAPHIC & CULTURAL INFO:

• Location: 7 degrees North, 149 degrees East.
• Native Inhabitants: Chuukese.
• Official Language: Chuukese & English.
• Currency: US Dollar, Traveler’s checks can be changed at banks & some hotels.
• Time: Greenwich Mean Time +10 hours.
• Telecommunications: International telephone, telex & facsimile service is available through the larger hotels & the FSM Telecommunications Center.   The country code for telephone & facsimile service is 691 & the telex code is 729.
• Postal System: U.S. Postal Service.
• Electricity: 110 volts/60 cycles.
• Climate: Between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit (26-30 degrees Celsius); averaging 81 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius).
• Water temperature: 82-84 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Seasons: Dry season between December & April; Rainy season, April to December.
• Rainfall: Annual average is approximately 115 inches.
• Getting there: Continental Airlines with routings through Guam & Honolulu.
• Flying time: 5 hours from Los Angeles to Honolulu, 7 hours from Honolulu to Guam, 2 hours from Guam to Chuuk – all figures are approximate.
• Airport departure tax: $15 US cash collected at airport prior to departure.
• Entry requirements: US citizens, proof of citizenship is required.   Citizens of other countries must have a valid passport & a return or onward ticket. However, please verify requirements with the appropriate embassy.
• Medical: The government operated hospital on Weno is adequate to take care of all normal needs.   Please remember to bring enough prescription medication you may need for the entire length of your stay.
• Clothing: Summer clothing is worn throughout the year.   On island, women favor cotton dresses, mu’umu’us, Bermuda shorts, loafers or sandals.   Short shorts & mini skirts are inappropriate attire, especially in more traditional areas.   Men wear lightweight slacks or shorts, sport shirts, comfortable shoes or sandals.  Sunglasses are recommended.
• Car rental: Several rental car agencies operate on Weno.

 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION or RESERVATIONS:

 

To make a reservation, or for more info please contact: 

 

Susan & John Hessburg, Mgrs

U.S. DIVE TRAVEL Network

PMB 307  /  Suite # 116

15050 Cedar Avenue South

St. Paul, MN, USA   55124-7047

 

Voice Mail:  952-953-4124

E-mail:  divetrip@bitstream.net

Website:  www.usdivetravel.com

 

Gracious staffers, Cara & Lenny, will meet all your
Truk diving needs with efficient good cheer, mates.

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IMPORTANT NOTE about PRICES & TARIFFS:

All package prices listed here are subject to possible change in this steadily evolving Truk Lagoon vacation market.  Truk liveaboard prices are traditionally stable, while air prices can fluctuate a little bit daily.  Until air tickets are issued, all airlines reserve the right to change airfares without notice -- an industry standard with Truk live-aboards.  We at U.S. Dive Travel will price-protect you to the utmost of our professional ability on this Truk live-aboard vacation; & that has been our pledge for one decade now.  We normally secure excellent discount air tickets for our Truk diving clients.  But please feel free to handle your own air tickets if you like – never a worry if you have beaucoup air miles accumulated.  Remember please, the federal government has deregulated airlines, so only they control their pricing -- not any travel professionals. 

Unless specifically noted, these above Truk diving packages are prices for only the vessel-based portion of your vacation, in most cases reflecting double-occupancy staterooms.  At most dive resorts & on this Truk live-aboard vessel, there will be no triple-occupancy rooms offered.

International & commuter "island-hopper" airfares are always extra above these Truk diving costs.  Nominal service fees are also extra for air tickets & the lodging + Indonesia scuba diving components.  The baseline tariffs for all clients start at $55 per person for the Truk liveaboard + $45 pp for the international air tickets.  Late-booking clients may receive slightly higher tariffs on the Truk scuba diving vacation package.  Solo clients on our Truk liveaboards will always pay a single supplement to secure a private stateroom -- normally 50%.

Even though this Truk liveaboard does offer scuba diving gear for rent, just to be on the safe side, we warmly recommend that all clients, all seasons, bring their own scuba diving equipment, & in the top state of repair.  Be sure to have your local dive shop perform a thorough pre-trip safety check of your reg & BC.  ALWAYS a good idea for scuba diving vacations, not just Indonesia liveaboards.

Remember, all clients to all foreign destinations 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 - $45 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 travel plans for this Truk live-aboard.  We hope your vacation is a safe & satisfying adventure.  Blessings & best wishes for all clients enjoying our Truk liveaboard.

Best fishes too!

 

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Susan & John Hessburg

Managers  /  Founding Partners

U.S. Dive Travel Network.