Archives: Testimonials

Stephen

My wife injured her knee (torn ACL) two weeks before the trip. This was no trouble underwater but the crew accommodated her disability providing assistance and ice and bringing her gear to her so that she did not have to hobble around. his was above and beyond the exceptional attention to detail given to all of us anyway. From help getting in and out of wetsuits to hot towels and cocoa after the night dives. Altogether the service was excellent. The service and staff were excellent. We will have to learn again how to be self sufficient.

Anon

It is wonderful to dive in a location where the reefs and ocean life are so healthy. The crew and staff are so helpful and friendly, sharing in our excitement with genuine enthusiasm. This was a great trip!

Sharon

When my luggage failed to arrive in Sorong, the crew didn’t miss a beat getting me clothes and gear and tracking my bag for five days. It arrived in perfect shape, thanks to many watchful eyes. My diving and trip were not interrupted one bit. Excellent!!! Thank you.

Stacy

At 30+ minutes into Manta Sandy I was certain we were going to have more bad luck, but out of nowhere there was a shadow off to the right behind us and a single black reef manta entered the cleaning station. As we were the ‘lazy’ group we were alone there and we watched as the manta circled the station over and over for the next 12 minutes. On its final pass through the station it seemed to come toward us across the corals, then turn its wings and body up then down, swaying forward as if to bow and wave us goodbye. Then it left as silently as it came: an awe-inspiring experience. Thank you. Everyone did a wonderful job. We had a great time and were lucky to have a good dive group and an outstanding crew. Despite being on a liveaboard for over a week, we never felt cramped, on top of one another or overwhelmed. The crew struck the right balance of helpful or ‘present’ but not smothering!! The boat – good size, comfortable and well maintained. The diving – great sites: it was frustrating to delay due to other boats but understandable: it’s too bad other boats and their crew/guests do not follow common acceptable PADI rules! The crew – everyone did a fabulous job: Wawan in particular was a wonderful divemaster! The tender drivers were always helpful and friendly, the stewards were very polite and helpful and the therapists became my local language tutors!! Cruise directors are very enthusiastic about both Arenui and Raja Ampat! Terima kasih!! The food – chefs did a fabulous job: especially dealing with special requests!!

Rene

At the recommendation of the Cruise Directors, we would like to explore Sorong to Ambon for 2015 (with Jerry and Debbie). The crew – outstanding all! The food – fantastic!

Steve

This trip aboard the Arenui has been my best diving experience to date. I celebrated my 200th dive on this trip, while seeing a huge variety of marine life, from a newborn baby pygmy seahorse no bigger than a grain of rice, to seven metre giant mantas. And a pod of dolphins even escorted us back into Sorong harbour at the end of the trip. Well done! You offer a very high level of service for your guests. Stacey and I have been on several different liveaboards and dive operations with different procedures and set ups. Your service level is a point of differentiation for the Arenui. I suppose at the same time it’s possible that some guests become forgetful or complacent and don’t really take responsibility to get themselves prepared to dive. We shared a tender with divers who forgot their dive computers three different times, dive booties, lights and pointer sticks several times. So I offer only constructive criticism and/or something to consider: divers still need to act and be responsible for themselves, even with a high level of service. (Too much of a good thing I suppose!) The boat – very responsive to repair a small maintenance item in our cabin. Thanks again.

Francoise

This is a repeat trip for me. As enchanting as the first, and one of many more. Arenui’s distinction is the quality of the vessel, the diving, but most of all a serendipitous bringing together of all divers into a fun, memorable and rewarding experience thanks to its superb crew.

Steve and Ann

Number 1 liveaboard: after 14 months of waiting we have just experienced Raja Ampat diving and liveaboard of our dreams. You’ve seen the pictures, then you truly see the mind blowing creature of see the mind blowing creature of the shallow and deep for real. We were awestruck at the amount of fishes, octopuses, crabs, etc!!! The Mantas were here for Andrea Marshall and us all. Majestic special mantas. Let’s not forget teeny tiny seahorses, so small. Wobbegongs, my new all-time favourite. The Arenui made this possible. The most gorgeous ship. Lovely crew and dive staff. Debbie and Jerry are awesome. Great guests. Forever memories and lots of pics! Awesome cabin Shinta. Thank you all, so much!! The boat – wow if I built a boat this would be my cabin.

Andrea

I have been researching giant mantas all over the globe for the last decade. Our dives at Blue Magic rate in my top 10 sites and certainly are some of my most memorable ever. It is wonderful to see such a healthy population of giant mantas in Indonesia and a team that is so keen to protect them! The boat – by far the best dive boat I have ever been on in my 22 year diving career. Wonderful and top class. The diving – lovely to have seen so many areas of Raja Ampat. The crew – marvelous crew. Real attention to detail and friendly smiling faces every day! The food – going home fat! ☺ –