Princess Rani is a deluxe standard liveaboard, offering scuba diving trips around the Maldives according to the seasons, It can accommodate 22 guests.

Sharon

22/12/2015

We had a great trip! Already our second time there and planned a third time! Great value for your money! Visit https://underwaterlotus.wordpress.com/2015/12/22/throwback-maldives-diving-trip/ for...

Description

Boat

Princess Rani is a welcoming modern, spacious high standard dive liveaboard, it was built in 2008, on the island of Velidhoo in Noonu atoll. Measures 33.87 meters in length and 10 meters in breadth, with Doosan Daewoo engine, it cruises at 11 knots, it also has 220-volt power on board. This is an an ideal boat for both individual and groups.

On the main deck, there is a beautiful spacious air-conditioned lounge/indoor dining area with TV, vide recorder, DVD player, stereo player, and an assortment of movies, CDs and books. There is a bar in the lounge area as well, it can offer guests various refreshments during the cruise.

Princess Rani will provide local delights and the freshest food onboard, breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard are a mix of Maldivian, continental and Italian cuisine. All meals are served buffet style. In the cooling atmosphere of the lounge, our resident bartender will serve up speciality drinks for all tastes.

There arae 4 ourdoor relaxing decks for guests to chat or enjoy the view during the dives: one located on the back of main deck, one on the back of the upper deck, one on the front of the main deck, and finally the top sundeck.

The upper deck provides stunning views of paradise for those working on their tan, there are many chaise chairs and mattresses for use, as well as an outdoor jacuzzi for those who looking for a special treatment.

In addition, all diving is done from the dive dhoni boat, which provide comfort and function at the same time. All the equipment stay in the dive dhoni (compressors, tanks etc.) in order to keep the noise away from the main boat when filling the tanks and cruising.


Cabin

Princess Rani has 11 guest cabins, it can welcome up to 22 guests :

All cabins are air-conditioned and equipped with ensuite bathroom/shower, wardrobe and storage.

4 Deluxe Cabins:
Located on the upper deck, each cabin comes with a double bed, seaview windows.

5 Standard Cabins:
Located on the lower deck, each cabin comes with a double bed and a single bed side by side, portholes.

2 Standard Cabins:
Located on the lower deck, each cabin comes with two single beds side by side, portholes.


Diving

  • 17 dives per week (1 night dive is included per week).
  • No dive on the embarkation and disembarkation day.
  • Only 1 - 2 dives will be provided on the last diving day.
  • All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.

Other Informations

  • Nitrox:Available with additional charge
  • 15L Tanks:Available with additional charge
  • REBREATHER Dive:Not available at the moment
  • Technical Dive:Not available at the moment yet
  • Dive Equipment Rental:Available with additional charge
  • Dive insurance:Divers must have valid dive insurance
  • Wi-Fi Internet :Available with additional cost
  • Laundry Service:Not available at the moment
  • Massage Service:Not available at the moment
  • Payment on board:Cash only (USD/EUR/MVR)
  • Crew Number:13, include 2 dive guides

Itineraries

Best of Maldives

MALE NORTH-MALE SOUTH-ARI-RASDHOO
The itinerary takes place amongst the most famous Atolls of the Maldives where most of the holiday villages can be found. Therefore, it’s sometimes possible to organise a dinner on the beach of a resort or an evening at the disco. The cruise also stops at splendid desert islands and enchanting sandbanks. During the journey you will encounter many fishing islands with local cultures and you can go shopping for souvenirs. The submerged part of the Ari Atolls is now at its best for over 20 years. The reef is healthy and rich with hard and soft corals which have re-grown after the bleaching in 1998.


CENTRE Atolls

Male North-Male South-Felidu – Wattaru – Mulak – Ari - Rasdhoo This itinerary is really beautiful and visits some of the most beautiful and famous places and areas for scuba-diving in the Maldives. There are a few desert islands but they are well organised for tourists and holiday villages consenting exciting evenings in the disco, dinner on a beach, or maybe candle-lit dinner with lobster. The reef is beautiful and offers a very interesting snorkelling experience. It’s also possible to spend the afternoon shopping for a pareu (sarong) or other souvenirs in the little shops on these fishing islands.


North Atolls

Male North-Ari North-Rasdhoo-Goidhoo-Baa-Raa-Noonu-Lhaviyani-Gaafaru
An itinerary which unites one of the more explored and well known areas, but which has made the Maldives famous. An area which has only recently been opened to tourism and is largely unexplored and unknown. There are splendid desert islands and sandbanks surrounded by turquoise blue lagoons and beautiful coral barrier reef rich in multi-coloured fish. It’s ideal for snorkelling. Some of the islands are just rings of sand with little vegetation and internal areas of salty water which filters through the coral and exists towards the surface. Here big amphibian crabs and pagurian crabs live. Scuba-diving here is really great and particular and snorkelling is interesting and varied.


EXTREME SOUTH

Male North-Male South-Felidu-Wattaru-Mulak-Thaa-Laamu-Suvadiva (Gaaf Alifu and Gaaf Dhaal)

MALE – LAAMU (weekly with 1 transfer by plan)
LAAMU and SUVADIVA (weekly with 2 transfers by plane)
The itinerary is so called because it moves away from the more frequented route and requires a minimum spirit of adventure and the will to learn. The Atolls to the south have been opened up to tourism over the last few years and there are very few holiday villages (some are still being built). The only way to really enjoy the beauty and magic of this area is on a cruise. Emerald coloured islands with thick vegetation of coconut palms set in a turquoise colour sea alternate with circular lagoons. Natural swimming pools of tepid and enticing waters where you can lazily spend hours being cradled by movements of the water. Fisherman live on these islands which can be a kilometre long. Sometimes the islands are so close to one another linked with a small road that you can travel by bike or pick-up lorry. The vegetation is different to that of the rest of the Maldives. It is farmed (for personal use) with fruit trees and vegetables. There are cows which produce milk for the village.


EXTREME North:

North Male – Ari-Rasdhoo-Baa-Lhavyiani-Noonu-Shavyiani-Haa Dhaal-Haa Alifu
This itinerary leaves the most remarkable and famous area of the Maldives and reaches unknown and unexplored areas. The environment in the northern Atolls is very different to that we are used to. The islands become bigger, the reef becomes deeper and it has a conformation which slopes softly down towards the ocean. There are many desert islands and beautiful sandbanks. A splendid reef for snorkelling. A holiday village has recently been opened and another is under construction. There are many fishing villages far from the tourist areas and they have maintained their local cultures.

More

Destinations Central Maldives, North Maldives, South Maldives
Facilities Nitrox support, Sidemount Friendly, Camera Station, Fishing gear, Wi-Fi
Languages spoken English, French, Italian, Spanish

Schedules & routes

Prices & conditions

Included

  • Transfers from airport and/or hotel to the yacht
  • VAT and local taxes
  • Maldivian GST Tax 16%
  • Full-board meal plan (including snacks)
  • Complimentary beverages (water, tea, coffee)
  • Diving activity (incl. tanks, weights, weight belts)
  • Dive guide service
  • Land excursions and activities throughout the trip
  • Boat accident insurance
  • Cabin towels and complimentary toiletries
  • Cabin cleaning service

Not included

  • Domestic flights in destination country
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Maldives Green Tax - $6 per night
  • Alcoholic beverage
  • Soft drinks
  • Dive equipment rentals
  • Larger tank (15 L)
  • Nitrox fills
  • Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
  • Travel insurance (trip cancellation insurance)
  • Wi-Fi
  • Crew gratuity

Useful information

Central Maldives

Best time for diving
December to April, Central Maldives is suitable for diving year-round, these months are the Northeast dry season, and it's the time for best visibility and weather condition.
The visibility range between 20 - 40 meters year-round. And the currents are usually mild to intermediate. Diving depth range from 10 - 40 meters.

About temperatures
Air : range between 27°C - 32°C year-round.
Sea : very stable and warm, range from 28°C - 30°C year-round.

Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a dive Skin or 3 mm wetsuit throughout the year.

Diver requirement
Suitable for all levels, but to enjoy the best out of it, we recommend an AOW level with 30 dives.
You can find out more informations about diving in Central Maldives here : Central Maldives

Embarkation / Disembarkation
The embarkation / disembarkation for Central Maldives cruise will be in Malé, guests need to fly in/out to Velana International Airport (MLE).

Visa Requirements
A 30 days tourist visa is granted for all nationalities on arrival to Maldives. This period of stay is not for the visitor to claim, but lies at the discretion of the Maldives Immigration to grant any number of days less than or equal to 30. Please refer to Maldives Tourist Visa for details.

Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Money Matters
The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (Rf), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD or EUR.
Most travel-related costs will be billed in the major global currencies such as USD, EUR, as well as credit cards. The ATMs will only provide cash in Maldivian Rufiyaa.

Drones
Flying a drone is legal in the Maldives, but we recommend being aware of and compliant with the drone regulations. Please check Maldives Civil Aviation Authority for details.

Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.


North Maldives

Best time for diving
June to November, North Maldives offers great diving all year, especially in the Far North Atolls, you can expect sunny skies most of the year. And in Hanifaru Bay, each year during June to November is the famous cyclone feeding, which is a rare and spectacular event where over 100 manta rays can feed together and create a chain which the head of each manta ray touches the tail of the manta in front. This creates a huge spiral of up to 200 mantas along with their fellow plankton feeders the Whale Shark.

About temperatures
Air : range between 27°C - 32°C year-round.
Sea : very stable and warm, range from 27°C - 29°C year-round.

Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a dive Skin or 3 mm wetsuit throughout the year.

Diver requirement
Suitable for all levels, but to enjoy the best out of it, we recommend an AOW level with 30 dives. For the Far North Atolls, currents can be strong with choppy wave action, we recommend only for experienced divers.
You can find out more informations about diving in North Maldives here : North Maldives

Embarkation / Disembarkation
Most of the embarkation / disembarkation for North Maldives cruise (Baa atoll, Raa atoll, Lhaviyani, Noonu atoll) will be in Malé, guests need to fly in/out to Velana International Airport (MLE).

For the Far North Atolls (Shaviyani atoll, Haa Dhaalu atoll, Haa Alifu atoll), domestic flights / seaplane transfers are required for Haa Alif Atoll (HRF) or KHaa Dhaalu Atoll (HDK).

Visa Requirements
A 30 days tourist visa is granted for all nationalities on arrival to Maldives. This period of stay is not for the visitor to claim, but lies at the discretion of the Maldives Immigration to grant any number of days less than or equal to 30. Please refer to Maldives Tourist Visa for details.

Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Money Matters
The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (Rf), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD or EUR.
Most travel-related costs will be billed in the major global currencies such as USD, EUR, as well as credit cards. The ATMs will only provide cash in Maldivian Rufiyaa.

Drones
Flying a drone is legal in the Maldives, but we recommend being aware of and compliant with the drone regulations. Please check Maldives Civil Aviation Authority for details.

Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.


South Maldives

Best time for diving
December to April offers the best visibility and sea conditions. Although short spells of heavy rainfall can be experienced during the summer months, but this region do offer good diving all year round.

About temperatures
Air : range between 28°C - 32°C year-round.
Sea : very stable and warm, range from 27°C - 29°C year-round.

Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a dive Skin or 3 mm wetsuit throughout the year.

Diver requirement
Suitable for divers have AOW level with good drift diving experience, as there can be strong currents in the channels surrounding the islands.
You can find out more informations about diving in South Maldives here : South Maldives

Embarkation / Disembarkation
Most of the embarkation / disembarkation for South Maldives cruise (Meemu atoll, Thaa atoll, Felidhoo atoll) will be in Malé, guests need to fly in/out to Velana International Airport (MLE).

For the Deep South Atolls (Laamu atoll, Gaafu Alifu atoll, Huvadhoo atoll, Fuvahmulah, Addu atoll), domestic flights are usually required to Addu atoll (GAN), Gaafu Alifu atoll (GKK), Huvadhoo atoll (KDM) or Fuvahmulah (FVM). Longer trips like 2 weeks might depart or return to Male.

Visa Requirements
A 30 days tourist visa is granted for all nationalities on arrival to Maldives. This period of stay is not for the visitor to claim, but lies at the discretion of the Maldives Immigration to grant any number of days less than or equal to 30. Please refer to Maldives Tourist Visa for details.

Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Money Matters
The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (Rf), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD or EUR.
Most travel-related costs will be billed in the major global currencies such as USD, EUR, as well as credit cards. The ATMs will only provide cash in Maldivian Rufiyaa.

Drones
Flying a drone is legal in the Maldives, but we recommend being aware of and compliant with the drone regulations. Please check Maldives Civil Aviation Authority for details.

Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.

Diver's reviews (2)

Sharon, 22/12/2015

We had a great trip! Already our second time there and planned a third time! Great value for your money! Visit https://underwaterlotus.wordpress.com/2015/12/22/throwback-maldives-diving-trip/ for more review on this liveaboard and a link to a movie of this boat!

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Luiz, 14/08/2014

Me and my wife booked a week trip on this liveaboard via Dive and Cruise back in 2012, nothing can complain, all good! And Without question, that was the most spacious and well appointed liveaboard that we have experienced. Their dive tender was just as amazing, It was a very fine dive boat that I have ever experienced in 25 years of diving! And for the diving from what i can recall, was very good visibility, we had 3mm wetsuit, still remember that we saw lots of manta rays. Was very good trip!

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