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MARCH MADNESS IN THE MALDIVES on EV's Luxurious Carpe Vita liveaboard...MAR. 16 to MAR 23, 2014. (Fly in & out MLE)
PRICING:
- This trip has 3 levels of cabins: Lower Level: $2,505 p/p d/o Main Level: $2,705 p/p d/o and VIP Suite $2,905 p/p d/o (room has 1 king bed)
- Price includes cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via any non-cash form of payment.
DISCOUNTS:
• EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT #1: Sign up and pay for this trip in full by
• EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT #2: Deposit by Dec 31st and get $150 off a main cabin or $100 off a lower cabin.
• EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT #3: $50 off if you are a repeat SD.com Maldives client and book before Dec 31st
• EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT #4: Deposit by Dec 31st AND Bring/or book a non-SD.com friend and EACH of you will get $50 off the trip price on any level of room if you both deposit by Dec 31st.
• EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT #5: EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO YOURSELF...20% discount on any one purchase from Diver's Supply Marietta, GA Store (a few restrictions apply i.e does not apply to scubatanks or scubapro gear) if you are deposited by Dec 31st. (20% discount must be used by March 15, 2014)
• 1 chance to win a FREE DIVER'S GPS for signing up on our Facebook Trip Event for this trip AND for liking SD.com if you haven't already AND for sharing the FB Trip booking on your page or in another diving group you belong too!
• $25 rebate eligible after trip for SD premier and above membership levels if you file for it (See my signature for link to the forms forum. If you are new to the site send an email to trips@singledivers.com to get the password.)
• Add'l $50 Active Duty Military Discount for any active duty military of any country that fights for freedom with the USA.
• Deposit is a $1500 per person non-refundable deposit. (Deposit can be refunded via claims on your trip insurance if you have to cancel or by selling your spot to a non-SD.com member. Ask SD for help.)
• Price includes cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via any non-cash methods including paypal or credit card
• SAVE $75 by submitting your Documents within 21 days of booking this trip or if signing up within 45 days send your docs within 3 days. Otherwise the $75 document processing fee will be added to your final invoice.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 7 nights/ 8 days aboard the vessel MV Carpe Vita
- 5 days with up to 4 tank boat dives per day
- Breakfast,lunch & Dinner & Snacks between dives (served buffet style)
- Non-alcoholic beverages and 2 glasses of beer or wine with dinner
- Air fills, tanks, lead and weight belt
- Personal Gear Lockers for your gear and LOTS of hanging space for your wetsuits/skins
- Welcome Beverage upon arrival & group orientation meeting after last group of divers arrive
- Towels, linens, etc.
- Airport transfers (for same day arrival and departure)
- Good & services tax (local GST taxes)
NOT INCLUDED:
- Bed taxes (currently $8 pp/per day) / $56
- Alcohol other than that listed above. All other alcohol beverages are extra
- Specialty espresso and other specialty beverages
- Optional island tours(can purchase from explorer ventures during trip at your expense)
- Rental gear,instruction, nitrox and retail charges
- Crew gratuities
- Trip cancellation insurance REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP
- Dive accident insurance REQUIED FOR THIS TRIP
- Fuel surcharge currently $125 payable on board (subject to change but locked in 30 days prior to trip)
OPTIONAL: * Note - All optional add-ons must be paid for in advance for these prices. Additional costs may apply if you sign up on the boat if still available at all.
- Nitrox $150 (Unlimited)
- Possible Land Tours before or after the trip (Price TBA)
- Rental Gear - (Let us know in advance as gear may be limited in some sizes)
- Overnight room in Male the day before the trip or day room in Male upon return. Pricing approx $120 s/o or $65 d/o
QUALIFICATIONS TO MAKE THIS TRIP:
1. All skill levels are acceptable for this trip however keep in mind that diving the currents in the
Maldives Atolls are most comfortable for divers AOW or equivalent and above. Most starting depths are
past 60 ft which is the depth limit of OW (open water divers)
2. If you have ANY questions about making this trip safely and comfortably please email
kamala@singledivers.com or call 864-557-6079 and I'll be happy to talk to you about our trip this past Feb.
3. All trip participants will need to complete the "BOOKING TEMPLATE" that specifies what you are booking on this trip, includes your “trip insurance agreement/waiver”, and agrees to the trip payment schedule.
The BOAT:
The M/V Carpe Vita Explorer is a very luxurious addition to the Explorer Ventures Fleet! This new 20 passenger, 125 foot wooden hull safari yacht, along with her 61 foot custom matching dhoni (dive tender), was built by one of the Maldive's most accomplished boat builders. It provides guests with an exceptional and luxurious yachting experience, large, hotel style staterooms, hot tub and unmatched open air comfort! When you board the vessel you’ll be on the main deck where you’ll find an indoor saloon/restaurant that includes a lounge and TV area. This inviting area features a large flat screen TV, DVD/MP3 player, sound system, sitting/library area including a buffet table and refrigerators.
Just forward of the salon area there is an outdoor shaded sitting area complete with comfortable cushioned benches. The main deck also includes a galley equipped with spacious commercial refrigerators/freezers, the office, common restroom, dive equipment rental/storage area and the swim platform at the back of the main deck (with two fresh water showers). There is also a specialized camera table in the outdoor area and a power charging station at the entrance. Staterooms 3 & 4 are found on this deck as well. From the main deck, you can access the upper deck via indoor or outdoor staircases. The upper deck includes staterooms 1 & 2 (the VIP Suites), the bridge and an aft al fresco dining area with a fully equipped main bar offering you a wide variety of spirits, wines, liquors, cocktails and beer. In the restaurant you will
be served semi buffet meals prepared by our fine dining chef. There is a stairway from the upper deck to the beautiful Sun deck where you can choose a chaise in the sun or in the ample shaded area or to take a relaxing soak in the Jacuzzi. Also from the main deck, you can take a stairway downstairs to access the large lower deck staterooms (numbers 5-10).
ROOM CONFIGURATIONS:
All 10 cabins offer a private bath and shower, separately controlled air-conditioning and plenty of storage space. The 2 upper deck cabins are very large with a king bed or double beds and study area; the 2 main deck cabins can accommodate 2 individuals with 2 double beds or a couple in 1 queen; the 6 lower deck cabins offer a queen bed and a twin bed.
AIR & WATER TEMPS:
Month: March
Water: a constant 80-85degrees F (26-29C)
Air Temperature During Day: high 70's degrees F
The vessel’s itineraries are designed to take advantage of the changing conditions and to take divers to the best diving areas for the different seasons. Mantas can be seen throughout the year with the best feeding-station encounters typically during the May to November timeframe. Whale sharks are also seen most every month of the year, with the highest concentration seen in the monsoon transition months of April, May, October and November. The water temperatures remain a toasty 80-85º F (27-29°C) throughout the year. Most divers are comfortable with a 3mm wetsuit.
The DIVING:
Staffed by a crew of 13, the Carpe Vita Explorer is ideally sized and equipped for divers. Four dives are conducted daily directly from a 61-foot dhoni, which is fully equipped with a bathroom, hot water showers and air and nitrox compressors. The dhoni is well stocked with quality diving gear for each guest for those passing through the area as part of a longer trip; nonetheless, the crew's experience and qualifications are well suited for those traveling specifically to experience one of the most amazing diving destinations in the world!
All dives in the Maldives are less than 100 feet in depth. A number of the dives are on sea mounts which rise from a bottom to a coral encrusted, somewhat flat top which is usually between 10 and 50 feet. Dives, which are done from a large, well equipped tender called a dhoni, are similar to wall dives as they are done around the circumference of the sea mount. All dives are led by a guide and often start between 70-80 feet.You then work your way up the wall of the sea mount until reaching the top. Often the safety stop is done at the top of these sea mounts, which allows the divers to continue diving during the safety stop.
The reefs of the Maldives are teeming with life and divers encounter many different species found in few other places. There are lion fish, anemone fish, octopus as well as many species of moray eels. The
Maldives are also known for the big animals. Whale sharks, mantas, and dolphins are often seen and sea
turtles are seen on almost every dive. It's not unusual to find sleeping white tip reef sharks during the day dives and then see them hunting at night. The dive guides are very good at finding rare creatures like blue ribbon eels, frog fish and scorpion fish. The coral reefs in the Maldives are healthy and colorful with schools of beautiful tropical fish in abundance.
Diving with Mantas, wreck dives and very exciting channel dives are also offered during the week. The
Manta cleaning stations tend to be over a flat, sandy bottom with small patches of coral. There are several wreck dives offered which are quite different from the reef dives. The wrecks of the Maldives are small, yet covered with life. In addition to the coral growth divers may find colorful nudibranchs, lion fish, leaf fish and mantis shrimps on the wrecks. The channel dives are in a current where divers “fly” over the reef as the tide goes through a channel, a truly exhilarating experience!
Join us for this unique opportunity to dive the Maldives Islands, with over 26 atolls spread over 90,000 square kilometers in the Indian Ocean!
PAYMENT TERMS & PROGRESS PAYMENTS:
ASAP: $1500 non-refundable deposit (except via trip insurance) due at booking in order to secure a spot. No spot will be secured until payment is rec'd. Please add 3% non-cash convenience fee if paying via credit card. (NOTE IF YOU ARE A REPEAT CUSTOMER ASK ABOUT OUR SPECIAL TERMS FOR YOU IF YOU WANT TO DO THIS TRIP!!!) />/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>
11-18-13 $1500 non-refundable dep except on trip insurance or by selling post due or when sign up
11-26-13 Pay in FULL by
12-16-13 $500 progress payment due
12-31-13: Deposit by this date for $150
off main and $100 off lower cabin spot
12-31-13: Deposit by this date for $50 REPEAT SD MALDIVES CLIENT Discount
12-31-13: Deposit by Dec 31st AND Bring/or book a non-SD.com friend and EACH of you will get $50 off the trip price on any level of room if you both deposit by Dec 31st.
12-31-13: EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO YOURSELF...20% discount on any one purchase from Diver's Supply Marietta, GA Store (a few restrictions apply i.e does not apply to scubatanks or scubapro gear) if you are deposited by Dec 31st. (20% discount must be used by March 15, 2014)
1-16-14 $505, 705 or FINAL TRIP PAYMENTS DUE
1-16-14 ALL OPTIONAL ADD-ONS DUE such as nitrox, extra days etc so final arrangements can be made properly for you.
• 1 chance to win a FREE DIVER'S GPS for signing up on our Facebook Trip Event for this trip AND for liking SD.com if you haven't already AND for sharing the FB Trip booking on your page!
• $25 rebate eligible after trip for SD premier and above membership levels if you file for it (See my signature for link to the forms forum. If you are new to the site send an email to trips@singledivers.com to get the password.)
• Add'l $50 Active Duty Military Discount for any active duty military of any country that fights for freedom with the USA.
• Price includes cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via any non-cash methods including paypal or credit card
• SAVE $75 by submitting your Documents within 21 days of booking this trip or if signing up within 45 days send your docs within 3 days. Otherwise the $75 document processing fee will be added to your final invoice.
Note: Trip must be paid in full 60 days prior to departure. Missing payments can forfeit your spot to the next person on the waiting list.
All information is subject to change without notice. All transportation and on-board services are provided by foreign affiliates. Explorer Ventures (USA) Ltd. acts only as booking agent.
INSURANCE:
DIVE Insurance is MANDATORY! DIVE insurance is VERY inexpensive. Even if you have insurance that you think covers DIVING ACCIDENTS and air lifts…it is CHEAP (less than $100) to get a supplemental policy to ensure you are covered for an entire year of diving.
We recommend:
Diver's Alert Network please use reference #1603080 Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID1603080.
Dive Assure please reference SingleDivers.com via the drop down menu under GLOBAL PARTNERS. Click here for Dive Assure for either a 'one time' policy OR an annual policy that is BOTH Dive & Trip Insurance providing PRIMARY COVERAGE with excellent rates and coverage!
TRIP INSURANCE IS MANDATORY. If you miss any Flights to (MAL) Male unless you have several days cushion built in…you WILL have missed the trip! If you choose to self-insure that is fine but you also choose to accept all losses accordingly as Diver’s Supply nor any vendors will be responsible for losses due to non-insurance.
SAMPLE TRIP ITINERARY:
While OUR personal Magical Maldives Week Experience may vary due to weather and conditions, the outline below will give you a good feel for the exciting week in store for us! KEEP CHECKING AS MANY ACTIVITIES ARE STILL BEING LINED UP FOR OUR AMAZING WEEK OF FUN IN THE SUN & CRITTERS IN THE SEA!!!
Days Prior to start of our trip: If you wish to arrive early or want to combine other diving or touring adventures in conjunction with this one let us know. We can add days to the FRONT or the END of your week as well as several days of local site seeing if you like or just one extra night to be sure you catch the boat! – STRONGLY RECOMMENDED ONE NITE STAY IN MALE BEFORE CATCHING THE BOAT. Our consolidator will help set up overnight rooms in Male as well as Air if needed.
Saturday March 15, 2014: This is the day we RECOMMEND everyone arrive to ensure that their bags arrive ok and/or themselves and to start getting acclimated to the time zone changes. You will be free to do some sightseeing, rest or whatever you wish to do. You can arrive ANY TIME THIS DAY!
Sunday March16, 2014: This will be the LAST POSSIBLE ARRIVAL date in Male, Maldives (MLE). You can arrive up til 2:30pm. You can board around 3pm. There will be a Captain’s Briefing, document check, check out dive and approx. 1.5 hr crossing from port to North Male
Monday March 17, 2014: North Male, 1 dive; North Ari, 3 dives. Approximately 3 hrs. crossing from North Male to North Ari and approximately a 2 hr crossing time between site in North Ari. Night spent anchored. The first dive starts at 7:45am and the boat will return after each dive allowing you the luxury of sleeping in or skipping a dive. Breakfast, lunch and dinner along with non-alcoholic drinks and 2 glasses of wine or beer with dinner are included daily and are available on the boat. REMEMBER...your first drink is your last dive! (Add’l alcohol may be purchased on board. YOU CAN NOT BRING DUTY FREE ALCOHOL IN YOUR LUGGAGE…IT WILL BE CONFISCATED BY THE MALDIVIAN TSA)
Tuesday March 18, 2014: North Ari, 4 dives. Night spent anchored.
Wednesday March 19, 2014: North Ari, 1 dive; South Ari , 3 dives. Night spent anchored.
Thursday March 20, 2014: South Ari, 4 dives. Nighttime crossing to South Male, approximately 4 ½ hr (as weather permits).
Friday March 21, 2014: South Male, 4 dives. Night spent anchored.
Saturday March 22, 2014: South Male, 1 dive. Dry out gear, relax and enjoy our last day at sea.
Sunday March 23, 2014: Depart the vessel by 8 am. Due to the necessity of readying the vessel for our next cruise, we must strictly enforce the 8 am departure.We will then get an optional but strongly recommended “dayroom” for those who have varying international flights. Our consolidator will help with this once we know our flight arrangements.
AIRFARE & LOGISTICS:
You will fly INTO MALE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (Airport Code MLE)
Airport transfers on the day of embarkation and disembarkation are included in your package. Pickup at the airport for transfer to the dhoni and then to the Carpe Vita Explorer is at 3:00 pm (15:00). Please meet at the airport information counter at 2:30 pm for the 3 o'clock transfer. All guests arriving on embarkation day will be met at the airport by a crew member. If you are arriving early, arrangements can be made for you to spend time at a local hotel for a small fee. You can also walk around Male or wait at the airport until pickup. The dhoni ride from the airport to the vessel is about 15 minutes.
IF YOU ARE DELAYED
• Call 1.800.322.3577 (US/Canada) or 011.96.0793.7790 (local cell)
If you miss any of your flights and are not able to make it to the Carpe Vita Explorer on schedule, please call the USA booking office at 1.800.322.3577 or the local contact’s cell 011.96.0793.7790. Notify the crew of your updated arrival time should you have that information, and where you may be reached in the meantime. The Carpe Vita Explorer will not leave port until after the last arrival on the day of departure.
Listed below are some of the options for flying to Male, Republic of Maldives. Please check online or with your travel agent for pricing and schedule information.
Singapore Airlines:
San Francisco via Hong Kong or Seoul and then Singapore to Male
Los Angeles via Singapore to Male
Emirates Airlines:
New York to Dubai then to Male
Houston to Dubai then Male
Toronto to Dubai then Male
Los Angeles to Dubai then Male
San Francisco to Dubai then Male
Sao Paulo, Brazil to Dubai then Male
Connections from many European cities (London, Frankfurt, Paris, Madrid, Rome and many more via Dubai)
Turkish Airlines:
New York to Istanbul then to Male
Houston to Istanbul then Male
Toronto to Istanbul then Male
Los Angeles to Istanbul then Male
Washington DC to Istanbul then Male
Chicago to Istanbul then Male
Malaysian Airlines:
Los Angeles to Kuala Lumpur then Male
Others:
British Airways from Gatwick
Swiss Air from Zurich
Condor from Frankfurt (1-2 times weekly)
Bangkok airways from Bangkok
Sri Lankan Airlines from many Asian and European cities (good connections)
Eurofly from Milan
Qatar airways from Doha, Qatar- many connections
Oman Air via Oman and Colombo
XL charter flight from Paris (1-2 times weekly)
Air France Charter flights from Paris
TransAero from Moscow (2 times weekly)
Monarch from Gatwick (1-2 times weekly)
Indian Airlines from Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram
Neos from Milan and Rome
There are no real restrictions upon arrival or departure times EXCEPT you can not board the boat until 3pm and you must leave the boat by 8am. Most divers choose to book their own air so they can use miles, their preferred carrier or because they have more time to search out deals. If you wish for SingleDivers.com to research and/or book your airfare ticket for you they are happy to do so for a $30 research & booking fee.
VISA/PASSPORT INFORMATION:
Please note that a passport is required of all visitors arriving in the Maldives. A valid return or onward airline ticket is also required. All visitors to the Maldives are issued a free 30-day visa. Americans, Canadians and most other countries’ citizens do not need an advance visa. If in doubt, please contact the nearest consulate. We encourage you to arrive at least a day early so you have a “cushion” if there are flight or luggage delays, and so that you arrive aboard refreshed.
IMPORTANT TRIP UPDATES:
Trip updates can be found in several places:
- The Trip PM that will sent to everyone on the trip
- This trip thread
- The special discussion forums that will be set up for this trip to provide specific and private informatio
HOW TO BOOK A SPOT ON THIS TRIP:
1) Post in this thread that you plan to join us and advise your check or credit card payment is on its way via our SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY. (SEE PAYMENT LINK IN MY SIGNATURE LINE OR AT THE TOP OF THIS TRIP POST/TOPIC.) We'll then put your name on the 'check's in the mail' list. (Please send your pymt asap as we can NOT hold any spots on this trip. Your spot will ONLY BE CONFIRMED when we receive your $500 non-refundable deposit or get the early payment deals with payment in full by Oct 17, 2013.)To join an SD trip you must be a premier membership which is $35 a year and you can get $25 back after the trip as a member rebate if you file for it.
2) Fill out the Trip Rooming & Diving Survey.
3) Fill out the SingleDivers.com Medical Liability Release. - DON'T FORGET YOUR MEDICAL ENVELOPE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (details at the bottom of the Med Waiver)
4) Fill out the Insurance Summary form (All Forms can be found under "Stuff you need to know for ALL SingleDivers.com trips & activities!" or click here to link to it. (Send a PM or an email to trips@singledivers.com for the password.)
5) Send your deposit for the trip and/or monies due based upon the payment schedule posted below and payment options. If you need to make special arrangements about payments, please contact me and I'll gladly try to work with you.
6) PLEASE USE THE BOOKING TEMPLATE IN POST #2. We need to know if you need rental gear, will be diving nitrox and if you want d/o or s/o for the trip. You MUST include as much of this information as possible with your initial reservation or the type of room you want may no longer be available when you finally clarify for us.
7) You will also need to verify if you have trip insurance or will be procuring trip insurance or conversely not procuring trip insurance. All participants must have Current Dive Insurance and state one of the following:
a. I have trip insurance that covers this trip already.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip.
c. I will not purchase trip insurance and will accept all losses accordingly. - THIS TRIP DOES REQUIRE TRIP INSURANCE.
8) Only requests posted in this trip topic/thread are considered official especially for limited options such as use of a computer, orgoing on a tour, etc.
9) Please note that while you may send pm and email requests for availability, the "official" availability is only accurate in the main trip post. For more information on SingleDivers.com, booking policies, etc please read here.
10) Also note that for FASTER service pls email trips@singledivers.com for all general questions and kamala@singledivers.com for custom questions or special requests.
11) PLEASE EMAIL ALL DOCUMENTS TO TRIPS@SINGLEDIVERS.COM ONLY as I do not check trip documentation emails, rather leaving it to our awesome volunteers who help me with our trips. />/>/>/>/>/>/>/>
PAYMENT INFORMATION:
SingleDivers.com uses a secure online payment gateway that allows you to pay for trips or merchandise using either an e-check which debits your checking account directly without having to mail in a check or debits your credit card without having to fill out a SD.com credit card authorization form. [i](Please note that any non-US bank originating credit card MAY still have to use the paper credit card authorization form as different processing procedures may be followed to process international/non-US credit cards. You'll find this form in the Forms Forum link in my signature. - NOTE: For the State us AA if using an international credit card. SingleDivers.com provides its members with pricing that reflects all possible cash discounts so any payments via credit card or paypal will still incur a 3% non-cash convenience fee. Our SECURE payment gateway which you can access by clicking the PAY HERE LINK along the top, in my signature line and on the homepage of SingleDivers.com.
This trip may sell out quickly due to the great pricing we have so in order to ensure timely & accurate processing of payment receipts and therefore timely & accurate acceptance of members onto the trip, [i]ONLY PAYMENTS RECEIVED VIA OUR SECURE PAYMENT GATEWAY WILL BE ACCEPTED
If you are unable to use the gateway please provide a complete description of the problem/error you are encountering and contact kamala@singledivers.com immediately to manually process your payment for you.
The gateway will add a 3% non-cash convenience fee if paying via credit card or any non-cash option. Checks, money orders and real cash are discounted already.
International/ Non-US Clients: Please use the traditional written credit authorization form to submit credit card payments IF the payment system does not work for you. (Remember use AA as the state and it should work). Click the DOCUMENT LINK in my signature line below for the form and ask trips@singledivers.com for the password. OR WAIT for the TRIP PM that you will be sent shortly after signing up.
Edited by WreckWench, 27 November 2013 - 11:11 AM.