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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 Songserm Pier located at Koh Sire
Island at the (Fishing Harbor) in Phuket town at 1.30AM and
from the Singhsenghrat Pier Phuket town at 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. Next to our shop are Fatty's restaurant,
good food & German beers. The Ferry ticket's from Phuket
cost about 250 to 300 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 Chaofa Pier in Krabi town, a taxi is about 200 to 300
Baht, the ferry ticket to Phi Phi Island is about 200 to 250
Baht. Ferries depart from Chaofa Pier at 10.30AM and 2PM &
3PM 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 612092. 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 200 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.
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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.
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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.
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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 VCDs 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 612092 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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