221 replies to this topic

[Divegirl412]

HOW can any of you be packed already???? Two weeks before. My goodness. I packed for my conference this Friday after work and right before hitting the road. There really is something wrong with me!!!

[Sqbagal]

Rosa, I tell my gear it'stime to go diving and it just jumps right in the bag. And as far as clothes, since we are only allowed 15lbs as a carryon, that's a couple of swimsuits, cover ups and shorts - not warm enough here for them yet - so in the bag and done.

[Elias]

I'm trying to figure out what to do after the liveaboard and having a bit of difficulty -- can anyone who is familiar with the islands make a recommendation?

I've got until the end of the month and want to get off the big island(s) and away from the tourist hoards. The resort experience is not generally for me and I'd be perfectly happy living in a traditional hut on the beach for a week... A hammock would be a bonus, as would a coconut tree. Smaller islands with a comfortable relaxed vibe, nice waterfalls, interesting animals and maybe I'd be interested in some good diving after I have a chance to dry out from the boat for a few days.

Please send any recommendations or advice to me privately, so this board doesn't get clogged up with stuff that nobody else except me cares about. Thanks!!  

[SeaLassie]

I'm trying to figure out what to do after the liveaboard and having a bit of difficulty -- can anyone who is familiar with the islands make a recommendation?

I've got until the end of the month and want to get off the big island(s) and away from the tourist hoards. The resort experience is not generally for me and I'd be perfectly happy living in a traditional hut on the beach for a week... A hammock would be a bonus, as would a coconut tree. Smaller islands with a comfortable relaxed vibe, nice waterfalls, interesting animals and maybe I'd be interested in some good diving after I have a chance to dry out from the boat for a few days.

Please send any recommendations or advice to me privately, so this board doesn't get clogged up with stuff that nobody else except me cares about. Thanks!!  

Elias, contact Jon Piepkorn - Taveuni Dive Resort - he's the manager.  My first trip to Fiji several years ago was to Taveuini -   Jon was the dive-master/cruise director - awesome guy, from the Midwest - loves Fiji - knows the waters and dive sites.  Recently was the cruise director on the Fiji Siren and now is the manager of the newly built Taveuini Dive Resort - my next trip to Fiji will be here. Highly recommended. Totally kick back, hammock kind of thing;...they have waterfall....and the Catholic Mission...the music the natives sing is beyond belief - I've never experienced anything like this before. The Fiji village we went to and the kava ceremony by the locals was not to be forgotten. If you have the time...DO IT.

Edited by SeaLassie, 24 February 2015 - 11:59 PM.

[WreckWench]

Hey gang...I'll be posting some tours and activities available from the resort MOST OF WHICH ARE FREE!  One of the main reasons to choose this resort is that they provide a lot of cultural activities for FREE!!!

[gasdoc]

I'm mostly packed.  Thanks for the tips.  Sounds like a rash guard and shorty will work.  I'm still bringing my 3 mil though, just in case I get cold or water temps change.

 

I tried finding some info on the Siren webpage, but couldn't answer the following questions:

 

1)  If there is an emergency back home, how do they contact the boat?

2)  Is there 110 or 220 on the boat?

 

I'd be interested in a daytrip after getting off the boat.  The dayroom will be great to wash up, but then I have a whole day to explore.  I've never been to Fiji before, so I'm up for anything.

 

On a similar note, I'm getting in a day early and will be at Voli Monday the 9th.  Is there anything near there to see?   Is anyone planning a trip that day that I could tag-along on?

[WreckWench]

UPDATES:

I will be sending the Voli Voli (1) day clients an email with hotel info and how to get to the hotel and meet us on the boat etc. along with your final pricing for room and transfers today.

 

I am posting more updates in the Helpful Fiji post and will keep adding to it. I am sorry for the delay...have had lousy to no internet the past few weeks due to bad weather.

[aquapacific]

Pls. add me to your Day Rm Lists for both 3/9  &  3/20.    THANKS!

[Cajun Diver]

My flight was canceled and there is no way I can get to LAX today.

I can get there tomorrow so need to know what to do for the Fiji air flight.

[WreckWench]

My flight was canceled and there is no way I can get to LAX today.

I can get there tomorrow so need to know what to do for the Fiji air flight.

 

Bruce aka gobie has also had a delayed flight that will force him to overnight in LAX and fly tomorrow. Call Fiji air and tell the what has happened and what you have to do to get on the next flight. They may chg a fee or they may make you buy another ticket. Since your ticket is for tonight you'll have the most options. Let me know what they tell you. GET A PRINT OUT FROM YOUR CARRIER SHOWING YOUR FLIGHT WAS CANCELLED SO YOU CAN USE THAT FOR INS PURPOSES. Then call your trip ins company and see what they tell you that you need to start the claim process. MOSTLY YOU NEED PROOF YOUR FLIGHT WAS CANCELLED.

[aquapacific]

I am so sorry to hear about your Domestic Flts!

Wish I knew what caused you such problems;   the weather where you live?

 

I just changed my Amer. Air flt from SFO to # 5756 arriving @ LAX 4:26 PM on 3/7/15.

[Resqdew]

Are there "on board charges" we are require to pay before we get off of Siren?

I have re-read this thread from page one, all related Fiji threads, and the Siren website, and I can't find anything mentioned about onboard fees. If I missed/overlooked the information somewhere, then I would appreciate the help to find it.  (Yes, I understand that personal purchases made on the boat are optional and we pay for what we buy).

 

Nitox on the boat is free; Siren website does not mention a fuel charge, which is unusual but nice. Is there a fuel charge? How much?

 

Didn't someone mention a possible park fee that may or may not be required to pay? How much?

 

Electricity on the boat is what voltage? Is there a battery charging station on Siren that we have easy access to when we are wet?

 

Yes, I realize they are at the resort this week and enjoying warm sunny weather and great diving, so it's no problem if WW  might take a day or two to reply.

[Sqbagal]

Payments Onboard:
The S/Y Fiji Siren has credit card facilities for any incidental expenses and Marine Park & Port fees (200Euro). I don't see a fuel charge listed anywhere.  However there is a 5% levy against any payments and we advise guest to carry enough cash with them just in case. At the Nadi Airport you will find ATM facilities to make cash withdrawals. We accept all major currencies aboard and the Fijian Dollar.

Tipping:
Tipping is a matter of personal choice. You may wish to leave a tip if you feel the crew has made your holiday extra special. Tips are divided equally amongst all the crew including dive guides.

 

Rental Equipment:
Underwater Torch - 5 Euro/day

Dive computer - 5 Euro/day

 

Laundry Service - our housekeeper will launder your clothes and return to you the same day (0.50 euro per item)

Massage Service - available for 3 hours daily* for 25 Euro/ hour

Yacht Boutique, which includes a range of Siren Fleet clothing, reef hooks and nudi-pointers

 

Specialised features for Underwater Photographers & Videographers include:

• Indoor & outdoor workstations for the preparation and maintenance of cameras and equipment
• Large storage drawers for your peripheral items
• Numerous charging points, adapters available (sockets are 2-pin European style at 220v or 110v)
• Large rinse tanks with fresh water solely for camera and video equipment.

[Resqdew]

So you are confirming that we will be required to pay the marine & park fee of 100 Euros (about $112.00USD +/'-). This is helpful information since I'm asking about the specific fees in advance so we will know about how much cash we will need to carry for this trip. Note that the thread was very clear about the credit card fees and mentioned the ATM at the airport.

 

Never doubted that the Siren has a place for cameras and charging batteries; however my question was do we have access to this camera area when we are still wearing our wet wetsuit? 

The Siren Maldives had a small camera charging station, but in was INSIDE the main part of the boat where no wetsuits were permitted. There were so many of us with cameras that after the first day they put towels on the floor so we could at least walk over to get our freshly charged batteries while still in wetsuits. Yes, I emailed the Siren office directly and no reply yet.

 

Thank you for your help with this!

Edited by Resqdew, 02 March 2015 - 01:47 PM.

[Sqbagal]

It's actually 200 Euro for the Marine Park Fee and I've asked Kamala to double check since I don't remember it being mentioned when we first booked the trip, but now it's listed, so don't know for sure - but probably not going to get out of it...

 

The bullet point says indoor AND outdoor, so I'm thinking that it's accessible with wetsuits on..

 

I'm sure Kamala will chime in with extra info that's she's verified with the Siren... I've also asked her to check with the Siren about bringing our own alcohol - according to a friend who was on the Siren in November, they don't have a problem with bringing your own..