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Paradise dancer● Schedules ● Cabins ● Specs ● Photos ● Prices ● Raja Ampat ● North Sulawesi ● Contact ● Rss feed ● |
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Paradise dancer's  interior style is that of a “floating boutique resort” featuring the high end amenities guests expect from one of the Dancer Fleet!
Catering to a maximum of 18 divers all of the state rooms are larger than traditional liveaboard state rooms (at 180 sq. ft. each, more than 60% larger than an average liveaboard cabin) each cabin has private ensuite facilities and air conditioning . There is also a 470 square foot "Master and Commander Suite " at the stern of the main deck that features a king size bed, separate sitting area with a sofa, and table with chairs that reminds guests of the "captains quarters" from the schooner design that inspired her.
Charters are 11 nights with 3-4 dives per day. Fro m April through the September, Paradise Dancer will cruise out of North Sulawesi (Bunaken Marine Park, Bangka Straight, Sangihe Islands, and Lembeh Straight, a top critter destination).From September to April Paradise dancer will be exploring the Raja Ampat archipelago one of the world's newest top destinations. According to the vessel's managing partner, Guido Brink, "Our goal is to build the finest liveaboard yacht in the region and then put it in the best diving locations during the best diving season for that area." - Raja Ampat diving photos |
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Paradise Dancer schedules● Schedules ● Cabins ● Specs ● Photos ● Prices ● Raja Ampat ● North Sulawesi ● Contact ● Rss feed ● |
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Paradise dancer cabins● Schedules ● Cabins ● Specs ● Photos ● Prices ● Raja Ampat ● North Sulawesi ● Contact ● Rss feed ● |
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Paradise dancer specifications● Schedules ● Cabins ● Specs ● Photos ● Prices ● Raja Ampat ● North Sulawesi ● Contact ● Rss feed ● |
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Paradise Dancer - photos● Schedules ● Cabins ● Specs ● Photos ● Prices ● Raja Ampat ● North Sulawesi ● Contact ● Rss feed ● |
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Paradise dancer prices● Schedules ● Cabins ● Specs ● Photos ● Prices ● Raja Ampat ● North Sulawesi ● Contact ● Rss feed ● |
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North Sulawesi
Nitrox $200 for the trip Please note that you must have a minimum of 6 months left on your passport and one full clean page for your visa on arrival. Price for the 13 Night Relocation Trips: Raja Ampat to North Sulawesi Mar. 31 - Apr. 13, 2009 Deluxe $5,000 and Suite $6,250. and Apr. 23 - May 6, 2010 , Deluxe $5,300 and Suite $6,630. Raja Ampat Packages Includes: 11 nights on board the Paradise Dancer, All meals and beverages (not including alcohol). Transfers between airport and yacht. 9 and 1/2 days of diving with up to four dives per day. Shore visit on Misool, Other standard Dancer Fleet services and amenities. Price does not include: Up to May 2010 Port and National Park Fee Raja $175, and $200 Fuel Surcharge, Nitrox $200, alcoholic beverages, Hotel in Bali, Sorong or Manado, or domestic air travel to Sorong. from May 2010 Port and National Park Fee Raja $175, Nitrox, alcoholic beverages, Hotel in Bali, Sorong or Manado, or domestic air travel to Sorong airport - No fuel surcharge! Don't forget to check for our special cheap Raja Ampat liveaboard trips Equipment rental costs
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Paradise dancer North Sulawesi● Schedules ● Cabins ● Specs ● Photos ● Prices ● Raja Ampat ● North Sulawesi ● Contact ● Rss feed ● |
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Using the size a  nd range of this newly constructed, luxury live-aboard dive yacht, the Paradise Dancer takes divers on a 320 nautical mile voyage that “Goes Beyond” the Lembeh Strait and explores Bangka Island, the Sangihe Island chain and Bunaken National Marine Park before spending several days exploring the world famous Lembeh Strait. Located off the northern ti p of Sulawesi, Bangka and its surrounding islands are quite exposed and often get strong currents which come from all directions. Big pelagics come in to feed here and the reefs are alive with color. Sites closer to shore feature steep pinnacles and boulders dressed in colorful corals that provide shelter to schooling fish such as snappers, fusiliers, and surgeon fish. The Sangihe Archipelago is a chain of 40 steep and lush volcanic islands that lie 136 miles  (220 km) off Sulawesi and connects Indonesia with the Philippines. The area’s best feature is its natural seclusion and untamed nature. Here from deep oceanic trenches rise towering volcanic islands including the still active Siau volcano. This rainforest island rises to over 4,600 ft (1400m) above sea level. Nights can be a special effects spectacle as red-hot lava spews from the vent at the cone’s summit. One of the most amazing geological features of this archipelago is a dive at Mahangetang—an active underwater volcano near Siau. Rising 1,300 ft (400m) from the sea floor, it’s vent lies just below the surface. The surrounding area is desolate and strewn with huge boulders while hundreds of tiny bubbles race to the surfac e as gasses escape from deep inside the volcano. Close inspection reveals tiny sea stars, algae, small worms and sprouting corals - all signs of a new coral reef in the making. In the Sangihe Islands the diving is incredibly rich and varied. Here plankton and nutrients from the up welling deep-water currents create the food chain for the coral reef fringed islands which in  turn attracts massive schools of fish. The waters surrounding the islands are frequented by numerous species of cetaceans such as sperm whales, pilot whales, melon-headed whales and numerous species of dolphins are often seen travelling in pods. Established in 1991, the Bunaken National Marine Park covers 343 square miles (89,065 hectares), 97% of which is clear, warm tropical waters. Nearly everything can be found at Bunaken. Reef inhabitants include white and black tip reef sharks, giant sea turtles, napoleon fish and dugongs. You may also run into dolphins, and occasionally schools of whales. There are 22 official dive sites within the park. Diving in an  d around Bunaken is mostly wall and drift diving. Here schools of barracudas and jacks, green sea turtles and reef sharks, sea snakes and napoleon wrasses are found. The area also has beautiful coral slopes where coral fish in all shapes, sizes and colors can be found, as divers drift by the huge sea fans and sponges. The area offers superb opportunities for both macro and wide angle ph otography. Located near the port town of Bitung, the Lembeh Strait delivers "close encounters" of the macro type where bizarre and beautiful critters are the norm. So what do you see at the Lembeh Straits? There are the "shy critters" such as pygmy seahorses, mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, harlequin shrimp, skeleton shrimps, candy crabs, pegasus sea moths, and bobbit worms. Along with the usual reef fish there are also more unusual ones such as ambon scorpionfish, hairy frogfish, snake eels, stonefish, devilfish, sea robins, stargazers, devil fish and even the weedy scorpionfish. There are also beautiful seahorses including pygmies, pegasus, mandarinfish, ghost pipefish and the endemic banggai cardinalfish. The incredible arrays of nudibranchs come in all shapes and colors. This is the one location where you will likely encounter a new species on every dive! This is a unique itinerary that will deliver amazing beauty above and below the surface. Only the Paradise Dancer can combine modern conveniences, comfort, and world class service in the remote and undeveloped areas visited to make this a truly once in a lifetime experience. |
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Paradise dancer North Sulawesi itinerary● Schedules ● Cabins ● Specs ● Photos ● Prices ● Raja Ampat ● North Sulawesi ● Contact ● Rss feed ● |
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Paradise dancer North Sulawesi getting there● Schedules ● Cabins ● Specs ● Photos ● Prices ● Raja Ampat ● North Sulawesi ● Contact ● Rss feed ● |
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Getting to North S
1—Prices are correct at the time of printing. Domestic air rates are subject to change without notice until the time the airline ticket is purchased. 2—We recommend two hotel nights be built into your travels. One upon arrival between the international and domestic legs, and one on your journey home between the domestic and international legs. Should a flight delay (or baggage delay) be encountered in either direction, your domestic and international airline tickets are not “linked”, and as such, no compensation or assistance would be offered by the airline. The only financial protection available would be Trip Interruption and Cancellation insurance. 3—PHD and its local agents will schedule domestic flights and purchase a tickets on behalf of guests as a service, however, in doing so, PHD / Paradise Dancer is only acting as an agent for the airline and is not responsible for, and can accept no responsibility for, cancellations, delays, schedule changes, or problems caused by the air carrier.
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Paradise dancer North Sulawesi Faqs● Schedules ● Cabins ● Specs ● Photos ● Prices ● Raja Ampat ● North Sulawesi ● Contact ● Rss feed ● |
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WHERE IS NORTH SULAWESI? North Sulawesi is one of the 32 provinces in the Republic of Indonesia, with its capital city being Manado. To the North this region borders on the Republic of the Philippines, Sulawesi Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The Eastern part is on the Maluku Sea and on the Southern side is the Tomini Gulf. The western part borders Gorontalo Province. WHAT KIND OF DIVING IS FOUND IN NORTH SULAWESI? Paradise Dancer will conduct its diving in Bangka Island, the Sangihe Island Chain, Bunaken National Marine Park and the Lembeh Strait. In the northern tip of the mainland between Bunaken and Lembeh lies Bangka Island, a group of tropical islands with white sandy beaches and beautiful coral reefs, covered with amazing soft corals and even more critters. The remoteness of the Sangihe Islands has helped to preserve the diversity of marine life there and its clear blue water offers visibility of 35 to 45 meters (on average), sometimes more. The whole archipelago has breathtaking scenery including volcanoes above and below the water. Huge walls, crystal blue warm water, beautiful soft and hard corals, big sponges, and amazing colorful tropical fishes inhabit the Bunaken National Marine Park. The waters of Lembeh Strait, known for some of the world’s best black sand diving and is full of extraordinary marine critters, many of which are masters of camouflage. Dramatic drop offs, big pelagics, small critters, whales and dolphins make North Sulawesi a paradise for both beginner and experienced divers and photographers. IN WHAT TIME ZONE IS NORTH SULAWESI LOCATED? Both North Sulawesi and Bali are covered by Central Indonesia Standard Time and is 8 hours ahead of GMT. WHAT LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN ON BOARD? Bahasa Indonesia is the national language. In all tourist destination areas English is the number one foreign language. Our crew will converse in English with the guests. WHAT WEATHER CONDITIONS CAN I EXPECT IN NORTH SULAWESI Like other regions in Indonesia, North Sulawesi has a typical equatorial climate with two seasons: rainy and dry. Dry season is from April to November when the wind blows from southeast and the sea stays relatively calm. This is the best time to guarantee blue skies and sun, and it offers the best visibility. Wet/rainy season is from December to March with cooler winds from the northwest. This can bring heavier rains and rougher seas in Feb. The wind and rain can reduce visibility slightly. Please don’t let rainy days deter your plans. The norm is for blue skies and sun in the morning, cloudy in the afternoon, and rain at night ending by early morning. Occasionally it may rain in the afternoon but typically it does not last long. When rain falls – it is considered a “rainy” day. The presence of rain will not deter any diving operations. A light wetsuit is necessary, though some people choose more thermal protection (a 3mm suit) to ensure continued core temperature warmth throughout their visit. WHAT CURRENCY IS USED? Rupiah (IDR) is the official currency. Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at local banks. It is advisable to exchange currency at banks, as the most favorable exchange rates may not be obtained elsewhere. Most banks are open Monday to Friday. It is recommended that you exchange enough for island tipping and small pocket change. Major credit cards are accepted by most restaurants, hotels, car rental companies, and shops. Travelers checks are accepted everywhere. WHAT DOES MY PARADISE DANCER PACKAGE INCLUDE? All staterooms are air-conditioned and fitted with private toilets, showers and sinks. Breakfast (cooked to order), buffet lunch and an elegant meal at dinner with table side service are served daily in addition to fresh mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks. Beverages (non-alcoholic) are complimentary while onboard. Bathrobes and some toiletries are available for your use onboard. The yacht is equipped with hairdryers in each stateroom. Linens are changed mid-week and fresh towels are placed in each stateroom daily as needed. Filled tanks, weights and weight belts are included. Ground transfers are also included, from Manado Airport to Paradise Dancer and from Paradise Dancer back to the airport on embarkations and disembarkation days. FOR WHAT ADDITIONAL EXPENSES WILL I BE RESPONSIBLE? No air transportation is included in the Dancer package. An airport departure tax must be paid at the airport when leaving. Please see the latest rate schedule for departure tax amount. Alcoholic beverages, Dive instruction, dive and photo equipment rentals and “Boatique” purchases must be settled onboard prior to departure. Acceptable methods of payment include: US Dollars, local currency, Traveler’s Checks, or Credit Cards (AMEX, Visa or MasterCard). Personal checks are not accepted. Crew gratuities are not included. A BRIEF HISTORY OF INDONESIA The name Indonesia has its roots in two Greek words: "Indos" meaning Indian and "Nesos" which means islands. It is an appropriate description of the archipelago as there are estimated to be a total of 17,508 islands, of which only about 6,000 are inhabited. Indonesia stretches for 5,150 km between the Australian and Asian continental mainland, dividing the Pacific and Indian Oceans at the Equator. The islands and people of Indonesia constitute the fourth most populated nation in the world. As a democratic republic, Indonesia is divided into 27 provinces and special territories and classified geographically into four groups. A rich history of kingdoms, conquests, colonialism, trade and natural disasters has bequeathed this island nation with an exhilarating kaleidoscope of cultures and traditions, people, languages and religions, aspirations and problems, and the dramatic scenery of changing landscapes. It is the combination of the friendly people, the natural attractions, the great variety of things to see and do, and the year-round pleasant climate that make this such a desirable vacation destination. A BRIEF HISTORY OF NORTH SULAWESI The people of North Sulawesi can be classified into four groups; Minahasa, Bolaang Mongondow, Gorontalo and the Sangir-Talaud. The Minahasans are centered around the Provincial capital of Manado, but the entire province has a strong tradition of trade and contact with the outside world. The Sangir-Talaud Islands, to the north of the mainland, form a natural bridge to the Philippines providing a convenient route for peoples and cultures to easily move between Indonesia and the Philippines. Many traces of Filipino culture can still be found here. The Filipinos encouraged the local populations to raise coconuts, for copra, and nutmeg. Today the main industries of the province are copra and cloves. North Sulawesi has a larger concentration of coconut trees than anywhere else in Indonesia. First contacts with European traders came in the 16th century with the arrival of the Spanish and Portuguese and with them Christianity. It wasn't until the arrival of the Dutch, however, that Christianity became the predominant religion of the area. The Dutch besides establishing religious structure, introduced strong political structure. The provincial capital of Manado is one of the international gateways into Indonesia. Regular flights to and from all parts of the Indonesian archipelago service this beautiful town as well as the smaller airports of Gorontalo, Tahuna and Talaud. Manado's main attractions are off-shore. Here, truly amazing coral reefs off nearby Bunaken Island, which is now a protected Marine Park, offer some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world. TRAVEL INFORMATION HOW DO I GET TO NORTH SULAWESI? No matter where in the world our divers come from, getting to Manado, Bunaken and North Sulawesi is easy. The most direct way to reach Manado is via Singapore. Singapore Airlines offers reasonable rates from most European, North American and Asian cities. Singapore to Manado is on Silk Air, Singapore Air's regional carrier, with direct flights. Flight time from Singapore to Manado is 3 hours and 20 minutes and many of the overnight flights from Europe and North American arrive early enough in Singapore to connect with the flight to Manado, with just a short lay-over. If you'd prefer to break up the trip, you can stopover in Singapore on the way to or from Manado and take in the atmosphere of Singapore, a unique city-state. Singapore is efficient, clean and offers some excellent shopping and nightlife opportunities. For hotels in Singapore, ask for a "Singapore Stopover", which is a special rates deal offered only by Singapore Air. Note that you must book your "Stopover" at the same time that you pay for your flights. WHAT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WILL I NEED? You are required to possess a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival and have proof of return or onward ticketing. You are also required to have a Visa. You may qualify for a free Visa or a Visa on arrival depending on your citizenship. Please contact your local Indonesian Embassy or Consulate or review the requirements one of the many travel visa information websites. WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION? At the airport, customs formalities are usually quick and trouble free. Tourists are allowed articles for use during their stay. These include items of personal adornment, wearing apparel, toilet requisites and any portable articles which someone can reasonably be expected to use during their stay. WHAT ARE THE EMBARKATION AND DISEMBARKATION TIMES? You may board the Paradise Dancer around 4:00 pm on the embarkation day. On the day of disembarkation, you will depart the yacht at either 9:50 AM or 11:50 AM for the bus ride back to the Manado airport. HOW DO I GET FROM THE AIRPORT TO PARADISE DANCER? Once you have claimed your luggage and cleared customs and immigrations, please look for an agent holding a Paradise Dancer sign or a sign with your name on it. A transfer company has been hired to meet and greet our Paradise Dancer guests and provide bus transport to the yacht for the entire group. Your package includes round trip group transfers from the airport to the yacht. The Paradise Dancer departs from and returns to the port of Bitung. If you are extending your stay at a hotel nearby, our bus will take you to the Manado airport and from there you will be able to arrange your own transport to the hotel.. HOW DO I GET FROM THE HOTEL TO PARADISE DANCER IF I ARRIVE EARLY? Guests that arrive a day or more early should make their way to the airport for the group pickup on the day of embarkation. For embarkations on Monday-Wednesday-Saturday look for the bus driver outside of the Customs and Immigration area at 1:30 pm. For Thursday and Friday embarkations meet at 2:45 pm. These times are based around the arrival of the Silk Air flight on these days and will be adjusted to accommodate any flight delays. On Tuesday and Sunday there are no Silk Air flights and the meeting time for embarkations is 2:00 pm. WHAT DO WE DO ON THE DAY WE DISMEBARK? The Paradise Dancer returns to port on the morning that you disembark the yacht. Final disembarkation will occur between 8 am and 10 am at the end of the charter. Transfers are provided to the airport for guests departing this day. For those guests choosing to extend their stay in the Manado area, the group transfers will drop you at the airport. If you are extending your stay you will need to make arrangements for your hotel to provide you with transfers from the airport. DO I NEED TRIP INSURANCE? We strongly recommend that each guest purchase comprehensive accident, medical, baggage and trip cancellation and interruption insurance when space is reserved. Trip insurance will protect you from financial disappointment if you are prevented from making your scheduled trip due to illness or family illness, or in the event that unforeseen circumstances prevent the airline or yacht from making its scheduled trip. In an event where it is necessary to cancel or interrupt a charter due to weather or any matter beyond the control of Peter Hughes Diving, there will be no refund or credit issued. We also recommend diving accident insurance. ON-BOARD IF I AM TRAVELING AS A SINGLE, WILL I HAVE A ROOMMATE? All rates are quoted on a share basis; therefore, unless you require a guaranteed single room and pay an additional supplement, you will very likely be sharing your stateroom with one other guest of the same gender. WHAT TYPE OF FOOD IS PREPARED? Meals prepared by our onboard chef consist of an international mix with a local flair. If you have any special dietary requirements, please advise our US office as soon as possible so we can adequately prepare to meet your needs. Certain special dietary and beverage requests may not be available on a consistent basis due to the remote nature of this location. WHAT KINDS OF BEVERAGES ARE AVAILABLE? The Dancer’s selection includes fruit juices, soft drinks, plenty of iced water, tea and coffee and a limited selection of local beer, wine and alcoholic beverages. Fresh milk may not be available, although UHT long life milk is provided onboard. We recommend that you purchase any special brands of alcoholic beverages that you may want to consume onboard the Dancer at the Duty Free Shop at any airport. We encourage you to consume lots of non-alcoholic liquids during the week to avoid dehydration. REMEMBER: ALCOHOL AND DIVING DO NOT MIX. For your safety, we recommend that the consumption of any alcoholic beverage be delayed until your dive day is complete. WHAT ELECTRICAL CURRENT IS AVAILABLE? The electrical current on Paradise Dancer is 220 volts. Guests may wish to bring a converter for the use of small appliances in your stateroom. There is a charging station in the Dive Center at the front of the yacht which offers access to both 110V and 220V power along with outlets for US, European and UK sockets. In all of Indonesia 220 volts is the standard. HOW MUCH SHALL I PACK? Please plan to travel light, as on all live-aboard dive yachts, space is limited. We recommend that you pack your gear in soft luggage such as duffel bags for easy stowage and to add to your comfort in your cabin, leave those large, rigid suitcases at home. Clothing should be lightweight, comfortable sportswear and bathing suits are a must. A light sweater or jacket is ideal for the evenings. Dress aboard is always casual. Light clothing that reflects the sun is best, and a hat is a recommended. Evening dress is informal. Additional items you may want to bring are sunscreen, sunglasses, walking shoes for your time on shore. Hairdryers are provided in each cabin. We recommend you pack your regulator, dive computer, mask, bathing suit and change of clothes and essential items in your carry-on bag. This will make it easier in the event your luggage is delayed. Please check with your airline as to what weight restrictions will apply to your carry-on and checked luggage. WILL THERE BE ANY OPPORTUNITIES TO GO ASHORE DURING THE CRUISE? When the location is suitable, there is swimming, snorkeling and beach combing. WHAT IF I AM PRONE TO SEA SICKNESS? Currents and winds may cause moderate movement of the yacht at times. If you have a tendency toward seasickness we strongly urge you to bring some over-the-counter motion sickness medication or consult your doctor about prescription brands, such as the trans-dermal patch or Scopace tablets. Chewable ginger tablets or capsules of powdered ginger have also proved to be effective. WHAT IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY ON BOARD? All Dancer crews are trained in first aid and diving accident management. Each yacht is equipped with a complete first aid kit and a high capacity oxygen system. Each yacht also has direct contact with the closest hyperbaric chamber. Since emergency transportation and treatment cost is the responsibility of each guest, we strongly recommend that you dive conservatively and obtain special insurance for divers from Divers Alert Network, Dive Assure or similarly ranked company. HOW CAN MY FAMILY CONTACT ME IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY AT HOME? Your family may contact you in the case of a medical emergency by calling our Miami office at 1-800-932-6237 or 305-669-9391 during business hours (8 am – 6 pm EST weekdays and 9 am – 5 pm EST on Saturdays). If outside of our operating hours, you may call our emergency cell phone number, 305-778-8004. Please reserve calling this number for emergencies only. TELECOMMUNICATIONS, MAIL, AND E-MAIL Check with your local cell phone provider for service while visiting the Dancer yacht and it’s destination. Each Dancer is equipped with Satellite based phone and email for emergency communications. IS SMOKING PERMITTED? A designated area on the back of the outdoor lido deck is available for smoking. Smoking is not permitted in any other area for any reason. IS THERE ENTERTAINMENT ONBOARD? The Dancer has a multi-system TV/VCR unit for videotape and video camera playback, a compact disc player, a DVD player and stereo in the main salon. If you have a favorite movie, slide show or a video to share, we encourage you to bring it along! You may also bring your own favorite music CD’s or DVD’s. A small library of “books for exchange” is maintained onboard, as well as fish identification books for reference. HOW CAN I CELEBRATE A SPECIAL OCCASION? Our crew is delighted to help you celebrate any special occasion onboard including birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons or weddings. Kindly advise our US office at least 30 days prior to departure so that we can adequately prepare. IS IT CUSTOMARY TO OFFER A GRATUITY TO THE CREW? Aboard Dancer Fleet yachts, gratuities are not included. We prefer that our guests reward our crew based on performance. If the crew performs to your expectations, we suggest that a gratuity of approximately 10%-15% of the published package price be considered normal aboard a live aboard dive yacht. Payment of gratuities is entirely at the discretion of the guest. It is policy on all Dancer Fleet yachts to equally divide all collected gratuities among the crew. Payment of gratuities can be by cash, traveler’s checks, or credit card (AMEX, MasterCard or Visa). HOW CAN I PAY FOR MY EXPENSES AND PURCHASES ONBOARD? Each Dancer yacht has a small, onboard “Boatique” which sells a selection of logo clothing, custom jewelry, sundries, diving accessories, batteries, logbooks, etc. A crew member will gladly assist you with your purchases at any time during the week. The US Dollar, Traveler’s Checks or credit cards (MasterCard, AMEX, or Visa) are accepted onboard. Personal checks are not accepted. DIVING OPERATIONS HOW MANY DIVES WILL WE DO EACH DAY? We will typically offer up to four dives per day, including a night dive. On the first and last dive days there will 2-3 dives (weather and sea conditions permitting). WHAT PAPERWORK WILL I NEED FOR DIVING? Please bring your Application form, dive certification card and log book for verification of your dive training and experience. You will be required to complete and sign a standard release and waiver form prior to your arrival. Please remember that you alone are responsible for determining your medical and physical fitness to dive or to take part in any other activities during this trip. DIVING ACTIVITIES ARE CONDUCTED AT YOUR OWN RISK. We take no responsibility with respect to your determination. If you have any questions concerning your medical or physical fitness to dive or take part in any such activities, please consult your personal physician. HOW WILL WE DIVE FROM THE PARADISE DANCER ? TENDER DIVING IS THE RULE RATHER THAN THE EXCEPTION. All dives will be made from 2 dive tenders . The trips aboard the dive tender from the yacht to the dive sites run between 5 and 10 minutes. Our experienced crew will be available to assist with the boarding and disembarking process to and from the dive tenders. Our Crew will load your dive gear on the tender along with cameras and other equipment you would like to bring to the dive site. Guests will then don gear at the dive site. For divers who require special assistance we will happily provide it. Backward roll entry from the tender is the most convenient way to enter the water. To re-board the tenders, guests may remove their gear in the water and hand it up to our staff and simply climb onboard by way of a ladder secured to the gunwale of the tender. For your safety, it is mandatory for each diver to carry a Safety Sausage, mini-strobe, and Dive Alert (personal air horn). If you do not bring any one of these devices with you, they are available for rent while onboard the Dancer, however, quantities may be limited. If you do not possess these items, please notify our office at least 3 weeks prior to departure. ARE THERE ANY LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS ON THE DIVING? All diving on board the Paradise Dancer should be within the limits and standards of the training agency you received your certification from. All dives should be planned no-decompression dives. Solo diving and Rebreather diving is not permitted. CAN I EARN ADVANCED DIVING CERTIFICATIONS OR SPECIALTIES ON BOARD? Several diving specialty courses are offered on the every Dancer yacht, but it is necessary to give at least one month notice to Peter Hughes Diving in advance of your charter date to ensure that an instructor will have the time available and that all required paperwork is complete. IMPORTANT: If you intend to receive diving instruction onboard, you must complete a medical statement in advance and return it to Peter Hughes Diving prior to he departure date. A doctor’s note will be required if you answer yes to any of the questions on the medical statement. A list of available courses and prices is located on our website. ARE NITROX FILLS AVAILABLE? Every Dancer is equipped with Nitrox facilities. Nitrox fills of up to 32% are normally available to all certified Nitrox divers for an additional charge. Nitrox Dive Profiles must be planned and executed with a Nitrox compatible computer. It is recommended that the planned PO2 level be set within the limits of your certifying agency. All Nitrox fills must be analyzed by the divers using the mix and logged prior to each and every dive. Oxygen analyzers available for use by guests while onboard will be calibrated a minimum of one time per day by a crew member. Nitrox certifications are usually available onboard to all certified open water divers for an additional charge. WHAT DIVING EQUIPMENT WILL I NEED TO BRING? Equipment provided aboard the Paradise Dancer includes tanks (80 cu. ft. aluminum with yoke style "K" valves), weights and weight belts. Divers will also need the following equipment: Basic Required Diving Equipment For Each Diver • Regulator with alternate air source • Depth and Pressure Gauge • Dive Computer • Buoyancy Compensation Device (BCD) • Mask / Fins / Snorkel • Wetsuit / Light Skin • Night Dives: We require at least two light sources on a night dive. Recommended (Additional) Dive Equipment • Chemical (Cyalume) light sticks • Dive Light with extra batteries or charging source WHAT SAFETY EQUPMENT DO I NEED TO HAVE? We suggest that you bring your own to ensure compatibility with your personal equipment. The Paradise Dancer has a limited supply available for rental by our guests. Mandatory surface equipmernt for each diver • Dive Alert (Air Horn) • Inflatable Safety Sausage (redundant)* • Personal Mini-Strobe Additional recommended surface safety equipment • Whistle • Signaling Mirror ARE DIVE GEAR AND PHOTO/VIDEO GEAR AVAILABLE FOR RENT? Every Dancer has a limited amount of diving equipment available for rent, so it is critical that you advise our US office staff in advance if you decide you want to rent gear. We offer ScubaPro BCD's with Dive Alerts and ScubaPro regulators. The photo shop offers digital cameras housed in an underwater housing. I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER – WHAT CAN I EXPECT Photo opportunities are abundant and no matter what system you have. Guests who are shooting digital photography may view their images on either of the two computers, a PC and a MAC, we provide in the salon for your use. Camera Tables: Every Dancer has a camera table built into the dive deck for your use. Charging Stations: There is a charging station for your use with 110V power available. Rinse Buckets: There is a “cameras only” rinse bucket for the exclusive use of photographers onboard. All divers are required to have a buddy with them at all times. When on a drift dive, photographers are expected to stay with the body of the group on their tender. You may move away from the group within reason – providing that the divemaster leading the dive is kept in sight at all times. You will not be permitted to separate from the group or carry your own drift line. CAN I FISH OR SPEARFISH? Fishing and spear fishing are not available. Spear fishing equipment is prohibited onboard the diving yacht. |
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Paradise dancer Raja Ampat● Schedules ● Cabins ● Specs ● Photos ● Prices ● Raja Ampat ● North Sulawesi ● Contact ● Rss feed ● |
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The area known as Raja Ampat(or the Four Kings) is an archipelago consisting  of the islands of Misoool, Salawati, Batanta, and Wiageo which are surrounded by over 1,500 smallislands and cays. Formerly known as Irian Jaya, this area is now part of the newly named West Papua province of Indonesia and is located on the northwest tip of Bird's Head Peninsula, on the island of New Guinea.
Put simply, Raja Ampat could quite possibly be the best diving in the world. It certainly is the world's most biodiverse marine region with more recorded fish, coral and mollusk species than anywhere else on Earth.
According to the Conservation International Rapid Assessment Bulletin the marine life diversity for diving in Irian Jaya is considerably greater than all other areas sampled in the Coral Triangle. The Raja Ampat area is considered home to more than 1,000 fish species, 101 of which were previously unknown in Raja Ampat and four that are new to all of Indonesia. A world record 284 sightings on one single dive was set at Kofiau Island. A benchmark figure for an excellent dive site is 200 fish species sightings, this was surpassed on 51% of Raja Ampat dives! There were 537 coral species and 699 mollusk species - again another world high.
The variety of marine life can be staggering. Some areas boast enormous schools of fish and regular sightings of sharks, such as wobbegong s. In Mansuar, you may encounter large groups of manta rays and turtles. From the boat and often close to shore you may get the chance to don your snorkeling gear for some unforgettable interaction with resident pods of dolphins or even some passing whales. Other highlights include the innumerable war wrecks, both ships and planes (with new wrecks being discovered constantly),
The reefs of Raja Ampat are just as varied as the marine life. There are vertical walls, reef flats, slopes, sea mounts, mucky mangroves, lagoons and pinnacles. The reefs are in pristine condition with miles of perfect hard corals and many varied colorful species of soft corals.
The diving is predominantly drift dives due to the moderate prevalent currents in the area which provide nutrients for the myriad fish and coral. Currents average moderate and vary from none to very strong. Due to these currents and the number of wrecks, Irian Jaya is not really considered a  destination for absolute beginners, rather for divers with a few dives under their weightbelts looking to get away from the crowds. Visibility is normally very good but can vary and is normally at its best earlier in the day so your pre-breakfast dives are not to be slept through!
The pristine beauty of the area, both above and below the water is truly unrivalled. This success of area's staggering abundance of marine life can also be attributed to the areas incredibly low human population density. Its remote location and lack of infrastructure have inhibited the growth of tourism.
This is truly "Frontier Diving". Topside the beautiful islands stretch as far  as you can see and are largely uninhabited. At night the lights of local fishing boats twinkle in the dark along the few inhabited shorelines while in more remote areas you may only see a distant spec of light over the entire horizon.
Not many liveaboards dive the Raja Ampat area, making this adventure even more unique and special. The newly constructed Paradise Dancer is the perfect platform that delivers modern comforts and outstanding service to adventurers exploring this remote outpost of civilization - Raja Ampat diving photos |
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Paradise dancer Raja Ampat itinerary● Schedules ● Cabins ● Specs ● Photos ● Prices ● Raja Ampat ● North Sulawesi ● Contact ● Rss feed ● |
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• 11 nights on board the Paradise Dancer, • All meals and beverages (not including alcohol). • Transfers between airport and yacht. • 9 and 1/2 days of diving with up to four dives per day. • Shore visit on Misool, • Other standard Dancer Fleet services and amenities. |
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Paradise dancer Raja Ampat getting there● Schedules ● Cabins ● Specs ● Photos ● Prices ● Raja Ampat ● North Sulawesi ● Contact ● Rss feed ● |
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 Getting to Raja Ampat is a two step process.
Step 1: Arrange your international air transportation to one of three Indonesian Gateway cities—Manado, Bali, or Jakarta. Step 2: Purchase a domestic air ticket from your Indonesian Gateway city to Jefman Airport in Sorong (city code SOQ) on Papua Island (formerly known is Irian Jaya). This is the starting point for your Raja Ampat voyage.(Please note that without an Indonesian crecit card you will be unable to purchase Indonesian domestic flights - we can arrange these for you at a nominal charge)
Bali Gateway: Using this routing you would fly to Denpasar Airport  in Bali (DPS) usingyour international carrier. This route to Raja Ampat requires two legs. First is a 75 minute flight from Bali (DPS) to Ujung Pangdang (UPG - also called Makassar), a city on the island of South Sulawesi. An overnight hotel stay will be required in Ujung Padang as the onward flight does not depart until the following morning (We recommend the Imperial Aryaduta Hotel) for your overnight stay. The two hour and ten minute flight to Sorong (SOQ) the following day is operated daily with early morning departures. On the return guests can route through either Ujung Pandang or Ambon (AMQ) to return to Bali. The return to Bali can be accomplished in a single day.
Manado Gateway: No matter which gateway city guests choose to utilize, we recommend two hotel nights be built into your travels. One upon arrival between the international and domestic legs, and one on your journey home between the domestic and international legs. Should a flight delay (or baggage delay) be encountered in either direction, your domestic and international airline tickets are not “linked”, and as such, no compensation or assistance would be offered by the airline. The only protection available would be Trip Interruption and Cancellation insurance. Domestic Air Carrier Notes:
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WHERE IS RAJA AMPAT IN INDONESIA?
Located west of Sorong on the peninsula of New Guinea Island, Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays and shoals. The four main islands-Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo and their satellite islands cover an areas some 23,630 square miles (61,200 sq. kilometers). Raja Ampat is a part of the newly named West Papua province of Indonesia which was formerly Irian Jaya. WHAT KIND OF DIVING IS FOUND IN RAJA AMPAT? Put simply, Raja Ampat could quite possibly be the best diving in the world. The pristine beauty of the area, both above and below the water is truly unrivalled. This area's staggering abundance of marine life is a result of its incredibly low human population density. According to the Conservation International Rapid Assessment Bulletin the marine life diversity for diving in Raja Ampat is considerably greater than all other areas sampled in the coral triangle of Indonesia. The Raja Ampat area is considered home to more than 1,000 fish species, 101 of which were previously unknown in Raja Ampat and four that are new to all of Indonesia. The reefs of Raja Ampat are just as varied as the marine life. There are vertical walls, reef flats, slopes, sea mounts, mucky mangroves, lagoons and pinnacles. The reefs are in pristine condition with miles of perfect hard corals and many varied colorful species of soft corals. IN WHAT TIME ZONE IS RAJA AMPAT LOCATED? Raja Ampat is covered by Eastern Indonesia Standard Time and is 9 hours ahead of GMT. WHAT LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN ON BOARD? There are about 583 languages and dialects spoken in the archipelago. Bahasa Indonesia is the national language. In all tourist destination areas English is the number one foreign language. Our crew will converse in English with the guests. WHAT WEATHER CONDITIONS CAN I EXPECT IN RAJA AMPAT Raja Ampat is a year round diving destination. There is no real rainy season like that found in other areas of Indonesia. A light wetsuit is necessary, though some people choose more thermal protection (a 3mm suit) to ensure continued core temperature warmth throughout their visit. WHAT CURRENCY IS USED? Rupiah (IDR) is the official currency. It is advisable to exchange currency at banks, as the most favorable exchange rates may not be obtained elsewhere. Most banks are open Monday to Friday. It is recommended that you exchange enough for island tipping and small pocket change. Major credit cards are accepted by most restaurants, hotels, car rental companies, and shops. Travelers checks are accepted everywhere. WHAT DOES MY PARADISE DANCER PACKAGE INCLUDE? All staterooms are air-conditioned and fitted with private toilets, showers and sinks. Breakfast (cooked to order), buffet lunch and an elegant meal at dinner with table side service are served daily in addition to fresh midmorning and mid-afternoon snacks. Beverages (non-alcoholic) are complimentary while onboard. Bathrobes and some toiletries are available for your use onboard. The yacht is equipped with hairdryers in each stateroom. Linens are changed mid-week and fresh towels are placed in each stateroom daily as needed. Filled tanks, weights and weight belts are included. Ground transfers are also included, from the Sorong Airport to Paradise Dancer and from Paradise Dancer back to the Sorong Airport. FOR WHAT ADDITIONAL EXPENSES WILL I BE RESPONSIBLE? No air transportation is included in the Dancer package. An airport departure tax must be paid at the airport when leaving. Please see the latest rate schedule for departure tax amount. Dive instruction, dive and photo equipment rentals and “Boatique” purchases must be settled onboard prior to departure. Acceptable methods of payment include: US Dollars, local currency, Traveler’s Checks, or Credit Cards (AMEX, Visa or MasterCard). Personal checks are not accepted. Crew gratuities are not included. A BRIEF HISTORY OF INDONESIA The name Indonesia has its roots in two Greek words: "Indos" meaning Indian and "Nesos" which means islands. It is an appropriate description of the archipelago as there are estimated to be a total of 17,508 islands, of which only about 6,000 are inhabited, stretching for 5,150 km between the Australian and Asian continental mainland and dividing the Pacific and Indian Oceans at the Equator. The islands and people of Indonesia constitute the fourth most populated nation in the world. As a democratic republic, Indonesia is divided into 27 provinces and special territories and classified geographically into four groups. It is a part of the newly named West Papua (province) of Indonesia which was formerly Irian Jaya. A rich history of kingdoms, conquests, colonialism, trade and natural disasters has bequeathed Indonesia with an exhilarating kaleidoscope of cultures and traditions, people, languages and religions, aspirations and problems, and the dramatic scenery of changing landscapes. It is the combination of the friendly people, the natural attractions, the great variety of things to see and do, and the year-round pleasant climate that make this such a desirable vacation destination. And then there is Raja Ampat's special "magic” as the epicenter of marine biodiversity in the “Coral Triangle”. A BRIEF HISTORY OF RAJA AMPAT Prior to the 16th century and the arrival of the Portuguese, very little was known in the west about this region, but trade with the Moluccan Islands, Timor and perhaps Java existed long before this. After a few years of unsuccessful attempts to discover this fabled island of gold, Ynigo Ortiz de Retes finally landed in 1545, naming New Guinea and claiming it for the King of Spain. Several failed gold explorations followed, but it was only in 1714 that Spain was forced to relinquish control to Holland and England. The Dutch and English had long been interested in Irian Jaya's trade commodities of nutmeg, massio bark, trepang (dried sea cucumbers), tortoise shells, pearls, birds of paradise skins and slaves. The British finally proclaimed a Protectorate in the east in 1884 and the Dutch established two permanent posts in the west in 1899. The boundaries were settled in 1895 and 1910. It was World War II that finally put New Guinea on the map in western history, when it became a fierce battleground between the Japanese and Allied forces. When the end of World War II came the Dutch handed over the territories to Indonesia. TRAVEL INFORMATION HOW DO I GET TO THE RAJA AMPAT ISLANDS? Getting to Raja Ampat is through one of three Indonesian Gateway cities: Manado, Bali, or Jakarta. No matter which gateway city guests choose to utilize, we recommend two hotel nights be built into your travels. One upon arrival between the international and domestic legs, and one on your journey home between the domestic and international legs. WHAT LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS DO I NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT? For international flights, please check with your carrier about weight restrictions and any other restrictions on the content of your luggage. No matter which gateway you are using, you will also be flying on a domestic Indonesian air carrier to reach Sorong. Guests are encouraged to pack as light as possible as these aircraft do have strict weight restrictions. The individual luggage allowance on these flights are 44lb (20kg) per person. Luggage in excess of this weight is charged at a per kilogram rate determined by the particular airline being used. (A connecting flight would have two segments.) However, please be advised there is no guarantee that any excess luggage (especially that above 45kg) will actually travel on the same flight as the guest. This in turn could result in luggage not making it to the guest in time for the charters departure or an international flight home. WHAT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WILL I NEED? You are required to posses a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival and have proof of return or onward ticketing. You may also require a Visa. You may qualify for a free Visa or a Visa on arrival depending on your citizenship. Please contact your local Embassy or Consulate for your destination or review the requirements one of the many travel visa information websites. WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION? At the airport, customs formalities are usually quick and trouble free. Tourists are allowed articles for use during their stay. These include items of personal adornment, wearing apparel, toilet requisites and any portable articles which someone can reasonably be expected to use during their stay. WHAT ARE THE EMBARKATION AND DISEMBARKATION TIMES? You may board the Paradise Dancer at 4:00 pm on the embarkation day. Once all guests are onboard, the Paradise Dancer will depart. On the day of disembarkation, you will be transferred to the airport between 6:00 am and 1:00 pm. HOW DO I GET FROM THE AIRPORT TO PARADISE DANCER? The Paradise Dancer package includes a transfer from the Sorong Airport to the yacht. Once you have claimed your luggage, please look for an agent holding a Paradise Dancer sign or a sign with your name on it. A transfer company has been hired to meet and greet our Paradise Dancer guests and transport you to the yacht. It is approximately a 20 minute drive from the airport to the harbor where the yacht is. HOW DO I GET FROM THE HOTEL TO PARADISE DANCER IF I ARRIVE EARLY? If you arrive early into Sorong you will be responsible for making your way to the Paradise Dancer docks, or you may join up with other guests arriving at the airport for transport to the yacht. WHAT DO WE DO ON THE DAY WE DISEMBARK? The Paradise Dancer returns to port on the morning that you disembark the yacht. Final disembarkation will occur between 6 am – 1 pm at the end of the charter. Transfers are provided to the airport for guests departing this day. For those guests with an afternoon flight to Manado, Bali, or Jakarta our crew can attempt to make arrangements for an island tour in Sorong in the morning to give you time to off gas and enjoy the land sites that Indonesia has to offer, prior to boarding a domestic flight. HOW DO I ARRANGE FOR PRE AND POST CHARTER HOTELS AND TRANSFERS? Your Peter Hughes Diving® reservationists can arrange packages for those Paradise Dancer guests who wish to extend their stay in Indonesia. Please inquire with us if your schedule will permit. DO I NEED TRIP INSURANCE? We strongly recommend that each guest purchase comprehensive accident, medical, baggage and trip cancellation and interruption insurance when space is reserved. Trip insurance will protect you from financial disappointment if you are prevented from making your scheduled trip due to illness or family illness, or in the event that unforeseen circumstances prevent the airline or yacht from making its scheduled trip. In an event where it is necessary to cancel or interrupt a charter due to weather or any matter beyond the control of Peter Hughes Diving, there will be no refund or credit issued. We also recommend diving accident insurance. ON-BOARD IF I AM TRAVELING AS A SINGLE, WILL I HAVE A ROOMMATE? All rates are quoted on a share basis; therefore, unless you require a guaranteed single room and pay an additional supplement, you will very likely be sharing your stateroom with one other guest of the same gender. WHAT TYPE OF FOOD IS PREPARED? Meals prepared by our onboard chef consist of an international mix with a local flair. If you have any special dietary requirements, please advise our office as soon as possible so we can adequately prepare to meet your needs. Certain special dietary and beverage requests may not be available on a consistent basis due to the remote nature of this location. WHAT KINDS OF BEVERAGES ARE AVAILABLE? The Dancer’s selection includes fruit juices, soft drinks, plenty of iced water, tea and coffee and a limited selection of local beer, wine and alcoholic beverages. Fresh milk may not be available, although UHT long life milk is provided onboard. We recommend that you purchase any special brands of alcoholic beverages that you may want to consume onboard the Dancer at the Duty Free Shop at any airport. We encourage you to consume lots of non-alcoholic liquids during the week to avoid dehydration. REMEMBER: ALCOHOL AND DIVING DO NOT MIX. For your safety, we recommend that the consumption of any alcoholic beverage be delayed until your dive day is complete. WHAT ELECTRICAL CURRENT IS AVAILABLE? The electrical current on Paradise Dancer is 220 volts. Guests may wish to bring a converter for the use of small appliances in your stateroom. There is a charging station in the Salon which offers access to both 110V and 220V power. HOW MUCH SHALL I PACK? Please plan to travel light, as on all live-aboard dive yachts, space is limited. We recommend that you pack your gear in soft luggage such as duffel bags for easy stowage and to add to your comfort in your cabin, leave those large, rigid suitcases at home. Clothing should be lightweight, comfortable sportswear and bathing suits are a must. A light sweater or jacket is ideal for the evenings. Dress aboard is always casual. Light clothing that reflects the sun is best, and a hat is a recommended. Evening dress is informal. Additional items you may want to bring are sunscreen, sunglasses, walking shoes for your time on shore. Hairdryers are provided in each cabin. We recommend you pack your regulator, dive computer, mask, bathing suit and change of clothes and essential items in your carry-on bag. This will make it easier in the event your luggage is delayed. Please check with your airline as to what weight restrictions will apply to your carry-on and checked luggage. WILL THERE BE ANY OPPORTUNITIES TO GO ASHORE DURING THE CRUISE? There is often an opportunity to visit a local village during the cruise. WHAT IF I AM PRONE TO SEA SICKNESS? Currents and winds may cause moderate movement of the yacht at times. If you have a tendency toward seasickness we strongly urge you to bring some over-the-counter motion sickness medication or consult your doctor about prescription brands, such as the trans-dermal patch or Scopace tablets. Chewable ginger tablets or capsules of powdered ginger have also proved to be effective. WHAT IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY ONBOARD? All Dancer crews are trained in first aid and diving accident management. Each yacht is equipped with a complete first aid kit and a high capacity oxygen system. Each yacht also has direct contact with the closest hyperbaric chamber. Since emergency transportation and treatment cost is the responsibility of each guest, we strongly recommend that you dive conservatively and obtain special insurance for divers from Divers Alert Network, Dive Assure or similarly ranked company. HOW CAN MY FAMILY CONTACT ME IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY AT HOME? Your family may contact you in the case of a medical emergency by calling our Miami office at 1-800-932-6237 or 305-669-9391 during business hours (8 am – 6 pm EST weekdays and 9 am – 5 pm EST on Saturdays). If outside of our operating hours, you may call our emergency cell phone number, 305-778-8004. Please reserve calling this number for emergencies only. TELECOMMUNICATIONS, MAIL, AND E-MAIL Check with your local cell phone provider for service while visiting the Dancer yacht and it’s destination. Each Dancer is equipped with Satellite based phone and email for emergency communications. IS SMOKING PERMITTED? A designated area on the back of the outdoor lido deck is available for smoking. Smoking is not permitted in any other area for any reason. IS THERE ENTERTAINMENT ONBOARD? The Dancer has a multi-system TV/VCR unit for videotape and video camera playback, a compact disc player, a DVD player and stereo in the main salon. If you have a favorite movie, slide show or a video to share, we encourage you to bring it along! You may also bring your own favorite music CD’s or DVD’s. A small library of “books for exchange” is maintained onboard, as well as fish identification books for reference. HOW CAN I CELEBRATE A SPECIAL OCCASION? Our crew is delighted to help you celebrate any special occasion onboard including birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons or weddings. Kindly advise our office at least 30 days prior to departure so that we can adequately prepare. IS IT CUSTOMARY TO OFFER A GRATUITY TO THE CREW? Aboard Dancer Fleet yachts, gratuities are not included. We prefer that our guests reward our crew based on performance. If the crew performs to your expectations, we suggest that a gratuity of approximately 10%-15% of the published package price be considered normal aboard a live aboard dive yacht. Payment of gratuities is entirely at the discretion of the guest. It is policy on all Dancer Fleet yachts to equally divide all collected gratuities among the crew. Payment of gratuities can be by cash, traveler’s checks, or credit card (AMEX, MasterCard or Visa). HOW CAN I PAY FOR MY EXPENSES AND PURCHASES ONBOARD? Each Dancer yacht has a small, onboard “Boatique” which sells a selection of logo clothing, custom jewelry, sundries, diving accessories, batteries, logbooks, etc. A crew member will gladly assist you with your purchases at any time during the week. The US Dollar, local currency, Traveler’s Checks or credit cards (MasterCard, AMEX, or Visa) are accepted onboard. Personal checks are not accepted. DIVING OPERATIONS HOW MANY DIVES WILL WE DO EACH DAY? We will offer up to four dives per day, including a night dive. On the first and last dive days there will be 2-3 dives (weather and sea conditions permitting). WHAT PAPERWORK WILL I NEED FOR DIVING? Please bring your application form, certification card and log book for verification of your dive training and experience. You will be required to complete and sign a standard release and waiver form prior to your arrival. Please remember that you alone are responsible for determining your medical and physical fitness to dive or to take part in any other activities during this trip. DIVING ACTIVITIES ARE CONDUCTED AT YOUR OWN RISK. We take no responsibility with respect to your determination. If you have any questions concerning your medical or physical fitness to dive or take part in any such activities, please consult your personal physician. HOW WILL WE DIVE FROM THE PARADISE DANCER? TENDER DIVING IS THE RULE RATHER THAN THE EXCEPTION. All dives will be made from 2 dive tenders. Guests get on board without full dive gear. Guests will then don their gear at the dive site. For divers who require special assistance we will happily to provide it. Backward roll entry from the tender is the most convenient way to enter the water. Our crew will hand down cameras and other equipment. To re-board the tenders, guests may remove their gear in the water and hand it up to our staff and simply climb aboard by way of a ladder secured to the gunwale of the tender. For your safety, it is mandatory for each diver to carry an emergency SMB (safety sausage), Dive Alert (personal air horn), and mini-strobe light on all dives. If you do not bring any one of these devices with you they are available for rent on board, however, quantities may be limited. If you do not possess these items, please notify our office prior to departure. ARE THERE ANY LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS ON THE DIVING? All diving on board the Paradise Dancer should be within the limits and standards your certification agency. All dives should be planned no-decompression dives. Solo diving and re-breather diving is not permitted. CAN I EARN ADVANCED DIVING CERTIFICATIONS OR SPECIALTIES ON BOARD? Several diving specialty courses are offered on the every Dancer yacht, but it is necessary to give at least one month notice to Peter Hughes Diving in advance of your charter date to ensure that an instructor will have the time available and that all required paperwork is complete. IMPORTANT: If you intend to receive diving instruction onboard, you must complete a medical statement in advance and return it to Peter Hughes Diving prior to he departure date. A doctor’s note will be required if you answer yes to any of the questions on the medical statement. A list of available courses and prices is located on our website. ARE NITROX FILLS AVAILABLE? Every Dancer is equipped with Nitrox facilities. Nitrox fills of up to 32% are normally available to all certified Nitrox divers for an additional charge. Nitrox Dive Profiles must be planned and executed with a Nitrox compatible computer. It is recommended that the planned PO2 level be set within the limits of your certifying agency. All Nitrox fills must be analyzed by the divers using the mix and logged prior to each and every dive. Oxygen analyzers available for use by guests while onboard will be calibrated a minimum of one time per day by a crew member. Nitrox certifications are usually available onboard to all certified open water divers for an additional charge. WHAT DIVING EQUIPMENT WILL I NEED TO BRING? Equipment provided aboard the Paradise Dancer includes tanks (80 cu. ft. aluminum with yoke style "K" valves), weights and weight belts. Divers will also need the following equipment: WHAT SAFETY EQUPMENT DO I NEED TO HAVE? We suggest that you bring your own to ensure compatibility with your personal equipment. The Paradise Dancer has a limited supply available for rental by our guests. ARE DIVE GEAR AND PHOTO/VIDEO GEAR AVAILABLE FOR RENT? Every Dancer has a limited amount of diving equipment available for rent, so it is critical that you advise our office staff in advance if you decide you want to rent gear. We offer ScubaPro BCD's with Dive Alerts and ScubaPro regulators. The photo shop offers digital cameras housed in an underwater housing. I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER – WHAT CAN I EXPECT Photo opportunities are abundant and no matter what system you have. Guests who are shooting digital photography may view their images on either of the two computers, a PC and a MAC, we provide in the salon for your use. Camera Tables: Every Dancer has a camera table built into the dive deck for your use. Charging Stations: There is a charging station for your use with 110V power available. Rinse Buckets: There is a “cameras only” rinse bucket for the exclusive use of photographers onboard. All divers are required to have a buddy with them at all times. When on a drift dive, photographers are expected to stay with the body of the group on their tender. You may move away from the group within reason – providing that the divemaster leading the dive is kept in sight at all times. You will not be permitted to separate from the group or carry your own drift line. CAN I FISH OR SPEARFISH? Fishing and spear fishing are not available. Spear fishing equipment is prohibited onboard the diving yacht. |
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