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MY Emperor Serenity dive boat review
Step aboard Emperor Serenity
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MALDIVES LIVEABOARD GUIDE
Emperor Serenity: More space, suites and a separate dive dhoni
26 guests · 13 cabins · 40 m
Choose Serenity for its cabin choice and spacious social areas. The current operator specifications describe the replacement vessel, so the older photos and the previous 8/2/3 cabin split have been replaced in this guide.
Check dates & cabin availability →
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Emperor Serenity: vessel profile
The current Emperor Serenity is the 2024-built, 40 m replacement vessel, with a 13 m beam, a fibreglass hull and space for 26 guests in 13 cabins. Older reviews of Serenity may describe the previous boat. Emperor specifies a separate 24 m diving dhoni; use its current specification when comparing tenders.
Which cabin should you book?
| Deck | Cabin choice | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Lower deck | 7 cabins | 5 double + single layouts; 2 double-only cabins. |
| Main deck | 2 suites | King bed plus single bed. |
| Upper deck | 4 cabins | 2 suites; 1 double + single; 1 double-only. |
Cabins have air-conditioning and private bathrooms. Specify whether you need separate beds, a double, a view or sole occupancy; a category name alone does not settle those details.
Life aboard Emperor Serenity
The impressive size of the dive boat allows many social areas to enjoy. The main deck has a dining, lounge and bar area. There are outdoor seating areas and a spacious sundeck with cushioned loungers: useful places to unwind or compare the day’s photographs.
Let the operator know about dietary needs before booking. Ask which drinks and internet package are included; connectivity at sea should not be treated as a reliable work connection.
Travelling with a non-diver on Emperor Serenity?
Acceptance and activities: Emperor Maldives welcomes non-diving guests. Choose Serenity’s cabin and deck for the time your companion will spend aboard, as well as the diving route. Snorkeling requires an available guide and suitable conditions, with a flotation aid worn. Private snorkeling guidance can be arranged at extra cost. Confirm any island visits separately.
Non-diver price: the non-diver fare and any discount need to be confirmed for your departure. Request a written quote for your dates, cruise length, cabin and occupancy, stating currency, taxes, transfers and activity extras. Do not assume that unused dives are refunded.
Diving, routes and experience
The 24 m dhoni keeps dive preparation away from the main living spaces. Nitrox is included for certified divers. A camera table, charging points, rinse facilities and air gun support photographers. Emperor requires a computer, SMB and reef hook on every dive.
Check the itinerary attached to your departure. Malé–Malé routes avoid the domestic-flight logistics of many southern trips. Currents can change the site order and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. See the Maldives diving guide for seasons and atolls.
Emperor recommends allowing at least 24 hours between the final dive and flying. Its Deep South trips require at least 100 logged dives and the appropriate advanced/deep qualification; do not apply a central-atoll entry requirement to those routes.
Emperor Serenity itinerary map
Best of Maldives is a flexible central-atoll cruise. The loop below illustrates how the regions fit together; arrows do not promise a daily order. The captain chooses the route for weather and conditions. Malé is the joining area, not a guaranteed marina berth.
Emperor Serenity itinerary map
Select the documented route example below. Zoom to inspect the islands and reefs, and select a numbered stop for its name. The actual sailing programme must be confirmed with the operator.
Lines show indicative connections between regions, not navigation tracks. Arrows show the example direction; departures can run in reverse, and stops vary with weather, currents and the chosen cruise.
Routes at a glance
- Central Atolls: Malé / North Malé → Rasdhoo → Maaya Thila / North Ari → South Ari / Maamigili → Vaavu / Alimatha → South Malé area → Malé / North Malé. Indicative regional connections from the route described on this page. Confirm the actual departure, direction and stops; this is not a navigation track.
Confirm ports, transfers and any domestic flights before booking.
Geographic references and route sources
Regional markers use the references below. See the boat-specific itinerary sources accompanying this map; no extra route is implied by the destination guide.
Malé / North Malé · Rasdhoo · Maaya Thila / North Ari · South Ari / Maamigili · Vaavu / Alimatha · South Malé area ·
Route areas: Malé → Rasdhoo → North Ari → South Ari → Vaavu → South Malé → Malé, in a variable order. Atoll markers are approximate reference areas. Maaya Thila is plotted from its mapped reef location; Alimatha uses the island position, not an exact entry point.
- Maaya Thila, North Ari: a compact pinnacle, also known for night diving; current influences the dive plan.
- Alimatha, Vaavu: a sunset/night-dive option associated with nurse sharks.
- Fish Head, Ari: Emperor also highlights this pinnacle; it is not precisely pinned because published coordinates differ.
Route: Emperor Best of Maldives. Geography: GeoNames; Rasdhoo, Maaya Thila, South Ari reference and Alimatha via Mapcarta/OpenStreetMap. Dive context: PADI Maaya Thila. Planning illustration, not a navigation chart.
Watch: A week aboard Emperor Serenity — February 2026
Independent guest film by AROS Pro. A trip record, not a promise of the wildlife or itinerary on your departure. Video source · Watch on YouTube. Illustrative boat photograph.
Budget, inclusions and extras
Observed 6 October 2026: 22–29 November, Best of Maldives, 7 nights, Malé–Malé. Lower-deck twin sharing: EUR 2,233 per person (promotional fare); main-deck suite twin EUR 2,478; upper-deck suite twin EUR 2,541. The cheaper EUR 2,128 double was full and is not presented as bookable. Availability can change.
| Budget line | Before paying |
|---|---|
| Cruise | Match dates, nights, cabin, currency and occupancy. |
| Mandatory extras | Ask for taxes, fuel/service charges, park fees and compulsory transfers as a written total. |
| Diving extras | Check Nitrox, rentals, larger tanks, courses and private guiding. |
| Travel | Add international flights, any domestic flights, hotels, insurance and optional spending. |
The observed departure quoted a 50% private-occupancy supplement. Confirm the current amount; Emperor also offers a same-sex share arrangement.
Is this the right boat for you?
Serenity suits guests who prioritise a larger boat and above-water suites. Compare the current 2024 vessel, choose the actual bed layout, and settle dietary requirements before booking.
What guests say about Emperor Serenity
The reviewed accounts favour the shared spaces and crew. Dietary choice is a useful question to settle before booking. Only post-2024 examples are used here to avoid mixing the two vessels.
- MONICA S, 27 January 2025: described the new boat as spacious and comfortable, with a welcoming crew.
- CHRIS K, 24 May 2026: praised cleanliness and food but felt the vegan selection could be broader.
- Alex C, 10 September 2026: highlighted cabin comfort, friendly guides and smooth arrangements.
Paraphrased from dated LiveAboard.com guest reviews, checked 6 October 2026. These partner accounts are separate from Divezone’s reader ratings below.
Emperor Serenity: detailed booking FAQ
Is this the same Serenity described in older reviews?
The current listing is for the 2024-built replacement. A review from before that date cannot establish the layout or condition of this vessel.
Which Serenity cabins are above the waterline?
The main deck has two suites; the upper deck has two suites and two other cabins. Compare the actual deck and bed arrangement in the table, not just the word suite.
Can friends book separate beds?
Choose a confirmed double-plus-single or twin-sharing arrangement. Two lower-deck cabins and one upper-deck cabin are double-only; do not assume every room separates into twins.
Do solo guests have to book a private room?
Emperor advertises same-sex sharing with no extra charge if it cannot match you. Choosing sole occupancy is a different booking and can carry a supplement.
What is the double-bed supplement?
Emperor lists EUR 35 per week for taking the double bed in a shared cabin. This does not buy sole use of the cabin; confirm the policy in your quote.
Is Nitrox included?
It is included for qualified divers, with the operator specifying membrane Nitrox up to 32%. Check certification and any equipment rental before arrival.
Is Serenity suitable for photographers?
The dive operation has camera preparation, charging and rinse facilities. Confirm your equipment storage needs; internet at sea is a separate practical question.
Does the map describe every Serenity departure?
No. It illustrates Best of Maldives. Northern or southern itineraries can visit different atolls and impose different experience or transfer requirements.
Find your Emperor Serenity departure
Compare the cabin and final quote for the dates you can travel.
Have you dived with Emperor Serenity?
Share your travel date, cabin, diving experience and any practical advice for the next guest. Existing reader reviews remain below.
Editorial check: 6 October 2026. This is a researched update, not a new onboard inspection. Useful original descriptions have been retained and outdated prices and specifications corrected. Sources: operator boat information, departure and cabin listings and Emperor Maldives FAQ.
Where does this liveaboard dive boat go?
Check out the fabulous places where this dive boat travels to.
Note: some destinations may not be listed below, please enquire for more details.
destination of the monthMaldives
Drift dives, reef sharks, manta rays and whale sharks: choose the right atoll, season and diving style for your Maldives adventure.
- If you have been diving on board this liveaboard dive boat in Maldives, please share your review and let us know what you thought. Please post your comments in the review section below, by doing so you will help fellow divers to plan their next diving trip
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Oh wow! This boat looks amazing! And the price is great for what it seems to offer!!! Is this a personal testimonial ? I understand the boat is quite recent but I would love any review from any one that has been on it, I’m planning my trip for about April or May… I’ll stay tuned, hoping people will share their stories! Thanks!
Best bubbles… and best dreams!
We have never been on a live aboard experience to give any reference and we went into this saying it was going to be a vacation of a lifetime so I will let you judge based on the review below to tell me if I was correct.
The website is very well explained and provides great info on your itinerary and pick-up/drop-off information so please take note of them because it will help you book your flights accordingly as there is little to do in the airport.
What NOT to expect: lots of down time. You are diving 3+ times a day so you are going to be busy.
Day one
You will be greeted promptly by a person in a blue shirt and a sign with Emperor Serenity on it so there is no mistaking them. They will take any bags you allow them and put them on the Dhoni (pronounced don ee), which is the boat you do the diving from each day. It is by far the most well equipped and most spacious dive boat I have been on. The nitrox dives are included in the price all the time. There is plenty of room to set up your gear and still walk around plus they provide a small basket under each seat to store items you wish to keep on the boat. And you will! Because you are diving 3 times a day at a minimum and lugging stuff back and forth gets old quickly. Added bonus is once you set up your gear that first day….you never have to do it again because they refill the same tank you are using each time.
Th dhoni then takes you on a short boat ride to the larger yacht to which you will be surprised. It is just as well kept and organized. You will be asked to remove you shoes as they are not permitted on the boat at any time but that is okay because you won’t need them. I believe this is the first time I have gone barefoot for 7 days since I was a kid. You will be provide a lunch and will go over the house rules, then off you go to your first dive site for the morning.
EVERY MORNING BEGINS AT 0600 so if you enjoy sleeping in, get use to not doing that because you won’t want to miss the morning dives.
Day two
You wake up for a briefing then off you go on the dhoni to your first site. You don’t travel too far for any day because you are basically island/atoll hopping but the first day teaches you what to expect from the Maldives. REEF. MARINE LIFE. CORAL. MARINE LIFE. SHARKS. MARINE LIFE. I have never been to such an amazing place. You come back to breakfast being served and have about 2 hours to eat and get ready for the next briefing.
You have four dives this day so you will need a nap in between one of the dives but I can only say you will not be disappointed on the night dive! OMG. I am afraid to say anything for fear you won’t have the same experience but the nurse sharks are huge and act like puppies that want to be petted. I had to move out of the way of several while kneeling in the sand. Hundreds of sharks. HUNDREDS
Day three
Same thing: briefing at 6:15 on the boat by 6:30:645 in the water by 7ish. You get to go to a local island this day to experience the culture and people….and get some nitrogen out of your blood.
Day four: Same thing: briefing at 6:15 on the boat by 6:30:645 in the water by 7ish.
This day we were on high alert all day because we were on the hunt to see a whale shark. It took a few times but we did see Jonah and he was spectacular! I have posted a pic so you can see how massive he was (23ft!). Amazing day and the crew for trying relentlessly to ensure we got to experience it.
Day five
Same thing: briefing at 6:15 on the boat by 6:30:645 in the water by 7ish. This day we had yet another amazing experience with a manta ray cleaning station. A couple of things to note for less experienced because the Maldivian’s take conservation seriously: DO NOT sit on the coral…use a reef hook because if you destroy the coral, it will die and then the cleaning station ceases to exist. Second one is to keep you distance from the cleaning station because if you get too close, they won’t come and you will ruin it for everyone. A picture is worth a thousand words to show how amazing it was.
We also had a beautiful dinner on a deserted island that the crew prepared. They really go out of their way to make your trip enjoyable and to show you some local culture and cuisine.
Day six
Same thing: briefing at 6:15 on the boat by 6:30:645 in the water by 7ish. Traveled about 15 minutes to the most beautiful cleaning station in hopes of seeing additional mantas and sharks. We saw plenty sharks and a couple eagle rays and octopus but no mantas today. YET. I say that because this crew is dedicated to ensuring you get to experience the best of Maldives. This night we all opted for the additional night dive on a thila (for an additional cost). I can’t even begin to explain the marine life that was alive and the best part was that you could shine a light on a small fish and watch a larger fish gobble it down! Gone!
The staff: I don’t know what else to say other than simply amazing. Yaqui, Nuria, Muaz, Tuna go out of there way to provide the best diving experience possible to mankind and they deliver! You never have to move/reassemble your equipment once it is on the tank because they refill the same one after each dive. What an experience! NEVER having to breakdown your equipment???
The last day, the crew rinses your equipment and lets it dry out.
Hands down the best live aboard experience anyone on the boat has ever had. I am sad to go.