FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO I BOOK WITH YOU GUYS?
If you've already got your info via email and you wish to make a
reservation with us for diving, trips, live aboard, courses or what-so-ever,
fill in the reservation booking form from our online reservation
booking form with all your details including equipment items and
sizes. Tell us also what equipment you already have. If it's a MV
Excalibur cruise, mention any special diet and vegetarian requirements.
We will confirm your reservation within 24 hours and reply with
a booking code which you submit in the yellow field on our secure
online payment form. Ensure that your information is completed submit
presto, you have booked yourself an unforgettable diving holiday.
If you have any other questions to which you cannot find answers,
email us.
HOW TO FIND MY WAY TO PHI PHI ISLAND?
The boats to the island depart from Phuket in the morning
from the Rasada Pier in Phuket town at 8.30AM sharp. The afternoon
Ferry's depart from the same pier at 1.30AM and 2.30PM
All of these Ferry's arrive in Phi Phi Island on the main Pier Ao
Ton Sai Bay. Coming from the Pier turn right on to the main
road, take the second turn left, about 70 meters from the
pier, just before Mamas Resto and walk on to the road. After
30 meters on the left is the Post Office, and 10 meters further
down on the right hand side is Moskito
Diving Center. The Ferry ticket's from Phuket
cost about 350 to 400 Thai Baht, a taxi from the airport is
about 400 to 500 Thai Baht and 100 Baht per person on a mini
bus.
FROM KRABI AIRPORT:To the Pier in Krabi town, a taxi is about 200 to 300
Baht, the ferry ticket to Phi Phi Island is about 450 to 500
Baht. Ferries depart from Krabi Pier at 10.00AM and 3.00PM sharp.
Arrival in Phi Phi is at the same Pier as the Phuket
Ferry's dock on. If you are already in Phi Phi you can contact
us by tel. 075 601 154. Note all times are listed above
are local times and all prices are approximate prices only.
Ferry ticket's can be purchased direct on the Pier (boat).
WHAT IS INCLUDING THE MV EXCALIBUR CRUISE?
Price include transfers - hotel - boat - hotel, full-board, a selection
of breakfast, western & Thai food - lunch - dinner - desserts
- snacks - coffee - tea - hot chocolate - fruit juice - drinking
water - tanks - weights - weight - belts - torches - three to four
dives per day, and always two help full experienced E.F.R trained
Instructors guiding you on the cruise. We also have a book library
- games - VCD player & stereo on board MV Excalibur.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDING THE MV EXCALIBUR
CRUISE?
Price does not include pick up from & to the airport - beers
- soft drinks - personal diving equipment or Marine park fees. Marine
park fees are 400 Baht per person entry, plus 200 Baht per day.
This is payable in Thai Baht on the cruise & is an additional
charge imposed by the Thai Government as of November 15th 2001.
A four - day trip will cost 1,200 THB, a five - day safari 1,400
THB. Please in cash Thai Baht upon boarding the boat.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Your passport and passport photos if you are planning to do a diving
course or a visa. Your diver certification card and logbook, insurance
details, important telephone numbers or contacts in case of an emergency,
and email addresses. The atmosphere in our shop and on board MV
Excalibur is relaxed and casual. Just bring bathing suits, shorts,
T-shirts, sunscreen and perhaps a light pullover or a jumper. For
dive cruises bring Basic toiletries and towels, hairdryer if needed
and local currency for marine park fees (4 days 1000 baht - 5 days
1200 baht), Film & batteries. Please make sure all your bags
have name tags and are limited to a minimum of size and amount of
bags.
WHAT DIVING EQUIPMENT DO I NEED?
Bring all the basic gear, except tanks and weights. For those who
prefer to travel light, we have a complete range of quality rental
equipment. Tell us your equipment sizes prior to arrival via email.
We have wet suits, regulator, BCD's, fins, masks, dive computers,
torches and underwater camera equipment for rent.
ARE DIVE COMPUTERS RECOMMENDED?
Due to the multi-level type of diving on our cruises diving without
a computer (only using Dive Tables) will restrict your opportunities
to see certain special features and creatures. No sharing; divers
must have their own computer.
ARE WETSUITS NEEDED?
The average water temperature is 27C to 29C but doing multiple dives
each day may make you chillier than you anticipated. We recommend
at least a thin 3mm shorty or skin but bring a thicker full wetsuit
if you get cold easily. If you are not sure, bring both kinds.
WHAT NOT TO BRING?
Big suitcases, sleeping bags, stereos other than walkman, spear
guns, game bags, any drugs except medication etc. Our experience
is that the less stuff you bring, the more comfortable your stay
on board. Any excess luggage can be stored at your hotel during
the trip.
HOW ABOUT FLYING?
There are numerous flights to Phuket each day from all major cities
in the region. We strongly recommend that you arrive at least one
day before MV Excalibur departs. This way you have time to rest
and acclimatize. If you plan to arrive on departure day, please
book flights that arrive at Phuket Airport not later than 4pm. Excalibur
departs & returns between 5pm to 7pm local time. Dinner is provided
on all MV Excalibur night departures. Remember the no flying time
recommendation following the live aboard cruise is 24 hours!
HOW DO I GET TO THE BOAT?
With prior arrangements for MV Excalibur cruises we provide complimentary
hotel transfers from & to the boat. However, airport transfers
are not included in the trip price. If needed we can arrange airport
transfers on request.
WHAT HAPPENS ON DEPARTURE DAY?
Departure time is not later then 7pm sharp (local - time).
LUGGAGE: We prefer to store all
bags on board well before departure time.
WHAT PAPERWORK TO DO?
There are some forms to be filled out before departure and it is
best not to leave this until the last moment. Also the Marine Park
Fee, cash in Thai baht, must be paid at this stage. Be sure to reconfirm
your onward flights & times.
WHAT IS THE ITINERARY?
Arrival in the Similan Islands is at night. The first morning we
have fruit then breakfast, an extensive pre-dive orientation and
the first of many dives. The following days we cruise from island
to island, dive-site to dive-site. Detailed itineraries and maps
can be found on other pages on this website.
HOW MANY DIVES PER DAY?
Diving on MV Excalibur is more or less 3 to 4 dives a day (including
a night dive) when the location is suitable, advanced & specialty
courses also available.
WILL THE DIVEMASTERS GUIDE ME?
Each dive is preceded by a detailed briefing, including charts &
maps. Divemasters available for every dive if requested.
WHAT ARE THE MEALS LIKE?
Included on our MV Excalibur cruise we serve a selection of different
breakfasts to chose from, and three meals a day, buffet style, as
well as snacks and fresh fruit. We try to please many different
palates so most meals are a combination of Thai and western cuisine.
With prior notice we can cater for certain diets & vegetarian
as well.
WHAT ABOUT DRINKS?
We carry a selection of soft drinks and beer for sale. If you prefer
hard liquor please bring your own. Included on the MV Excalibur
cruise is the refreshments corner, stocked with tea, hot chocolate,
instant coffee, snacks and cookies, drinking water & fruit juice.
WHAT IS INCLUDED ON A DAY TRIP?
On all day trip diving (1 to 3 dives); trips are with one of the
best dive vessels on the island - MV Moskito or MV Nautica - a fast
speedboat or one of the traditional longtail boats if you wish so.
We include lunch, fruit, drinking water, boat, divemaster, equipment,
insurance, good service and helpful staff. Oxygen, first aid kits
& radio equipment on board in case of emergencies.
WHAT ARE THE CABINS AND SHOWERS LIKE?
There are eight cabins, all on the main or upper deck. All cabins
have air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms and showers. There
is an additional toilet and shower on the dive deck.
WHERE CAN I WORK ON MY CAMERAS?
MV Excalibur has a camera work table, as well as safe places to
put your cameras just before or after the dive. There is one large
rinse tank.
CAN I TAKE DIVING COURSES ON BOARD?
PADI Courses offered on board include the Advanced Open Water, Underwater
Photographer and several other Specialty courses.
ANY OTHER ACTIVITIES?
While diving is the priority, there are many other possibilities.
When the location is suitable, there are swimming, snorkeling and
beach combing & land excursions. We also have a good selection
of music, movies, books, and games. Please bring your own CDs or
DVDs if you wish.
CAN I BE CONTACTED IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY?
MV Excalibur can be contacted from overseas tel: 0066 (0)1 2292802
or office contact on tel/fax: 0066 (0) 75 601 154. Please leave our
contact details and email info@thailand-liveaboard.com with your
relatives and office.
DO I NEED INSURANCE?
Absolutely! We strongly recommend that you obtain suitable diving
holiday insurance, such as DAN. All passengers are required to sign
a liability waiver before departure and are on board at their own
risk. Be sure to get travel & cancellation insurance as well!
WHAT IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT DURING THE
CRUISE?
MV Excalibur operates in remote locations; passengers need not worry
about lack of medical facilities in case of an accident or serious
illness. MV Excalibur's management can be contacted by her crew
24 hours a day via telephone or on 1 of 3 different radios, to ensure
rapid evacuation from the boat to the nearest recompression chamber
or one of Phuket's several modern hospitals. We are affiliated with
Phuket's Recompression Chambers and we have made prior arrangements
with local hospitals and ambulance services as well. Our divers
will receive prompt attention from all of these services. Please
do your part by making sure your DAN insurance (or other) is up
to date. Extensive medical supplies, including plenty of emergency
oxygen, are of course on board. The crew is trained in first aid
techniques and very experienced. However, do bring any special medications
you may need is may be useful.
HOW MUCH SPENDING MONEY DO I NEED?
Bring enough cash to cover the Marine Park Fee, shopping, drinks,
souvenirs and crew tips. We regret that we are unable to accept
Travelers Cheques as payment because our bank will no longer accept
"third party" TCs due to fraud. To obtain cash you can
exchange your TCs at any exchange booth or bank. You can also withdraw
cash from local ATM machines using your credit card and PIN code
to a maximum of US$500 per card per day.
WHAT HAPPENS ON THE LAST DAY?
We depart the Similan Islands after the morning dives around noon
arriving back between 5pm to 7pm that evening. Please do not book
flights that depart Phuket before noon the following day.
WHAT IS THE CREW TIPPING POLICY?
We believe tips should be given voluntary and based upon the quality
of the service provided. Once you board MV Excalibur, you'll notice
how hard the crew work and how your safety and enjoyment relies
heavily on their professionalism and attitude. Many of our guests
give a gratuity of up to 10% of the cruise price. Tips can only
be in cash.
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