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Maldives Crown dive boat review
If you have been carefully reading our liveaboard reviews on these pages you’ve probably noticed that liveaboard safari boats can differ greatly between them. Not simply in price, but also with regards of layout, facilities, style and philosophy.
For example, if you take a look at the MV Maldives Aggressor it is very much about the yacht experience. Then there is the incredibly luxurious Maldives Mosaique boat – a floating 5 star hotel, with scuba diving on the side.
Refreshingly though, the Maldives Crown (owned by ‘Submaldives’), while luxurious, has the focus very much towards scuba diving. Which is, after all, why you’re going there in the first place.
You can check the MV Maldives Crown boat schedule out here.
The owners, Hussan Shareef and Judith de la Rosa, take a hands-on approach and are very clear in their philosophy. They state “The sea in Maldives is a paradise. Discovering it day after day is our passion, especially when we can share this experience with other divers.” The company has been running successfully for over 7 years.
The vessel itself, while looking like a steel-hulled vessel, is actually wooden and a whopping 47m/154ft long. It has one single engine but the MV Maldives Crown is capable of cruising at 14 knots. It also has all of the necessary safety features you would expect on board.
Boat Layout
Despite this size, the Maldives Crown is limited to 20 guests over 3 decks. This is to ensure you have plenty of space onboard and a more personal service.
On the sun deck of Maldives Crown
In fact, one of the stand-out features of this particular dive operation is it’s ability to cater to customer needs; offering bespoke trips for singles, families, night diving or photographers.
The cabins are one of either 3 master rooms of 18-23sq.m or, alternatively, 6 superior cabins of between 13-16sq.m. Each cabin has it’s own en-suite bathroom, TV and air-conditioning facilities for your comfort on board.
On the main deck there is a restaurant serving beautiful food and wine for you to enjoy. At meal times there is also a cocktail bar for when you’ve finished your days diving and want to relax and unwind.
If that’s not quite enough to tempt you, upstairs there is also a ‘main bar’ which serves cocktails, wines and other alcoholic drinks throughout the day for non-divers. Or, if you’re hungry in-between meals, snacks are also available too.
Also, when you aren’t under water, there is a private movie saloon onboard and a spa. Sun loungers and an ample sun deck are there for the sun-worshippers wanting to chill out with a book in the sun.
Another stand-out feature of this boat is that there are PADI Instructors onboard as opposed to ‘Dive Guides’ – meaning that should you wish to continue your scuba diving education (and there is always something new to learn!) you can also undertake further training on board.
Prices vary depending on requirements but expect to pay between USD1300-1400 for a typical ‘4 Atolls’ itinerary.
In summary, this is a boat by divers for divers.
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
Great Drift Dives, amazing place for underwater photography. Good chance of spotting Manta Rays and Whale Sharks!
- 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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Other Liveaboard Reviews in Maldives
I and a group of friends decided to go on a diving trip late last year. We decided we wanted to brave the waters of Maldives and see what was in store for us. While checking online for the best live aboard operating the waters off Maldives, I came across the MV Crown. Having seen the great reviews and the countless recommendations, I signed up myself and my friends for a four day cruise, and boy I was not disappointed at all.
First, the boat itself was a beauty, with its flooring made of teak and its lower exterior painted in gold; it was a total eye candy. The rooms we were set in the lower decks were all fitted with a flat screen TV, an en-suite bathroom that included a bath tub, his and her sinks and a separate shower area. The rooms had air conditioning and wireless service, and in the duration of the trip, It didn’t feel like we were in the middle of the Arabian sea at all!
The boat, had a private cinema/karaoke area where guests could spend their time if they were non-divers. It also included a spa that offered the best Balinese massage I ever had. The dining area was located on the main deck and the food included a variety of Asian and western cuisine. I love the fact that you can request the chef to customise your food if it didn’t match your taste. I short, it was one of the best experience all round.
Last but not the least, the diving was superb. The dive masters were very professional and knew exactly what they were doing. I have to say that as an experienced diver myself; I still learned something new from them. By the way, the crew offers diving lessons for those first timers too, it’s definitely something you might want to try out if you’re the adventurous kind.
Last year, I was given a chance to go on a four day diving trip aboard one the Maldives Crown. I had reserved a superior room in the lower decks of the vessel. The room had all the features of a deluxe hotel room. A flat screen TV, a queen-sized bed, air conditioning and an en-suite bathroom (with a bath tub!!!). The rooms were always kept clean. The linens were changed daily or upon request. The wireless system was reliable and I had no issues with the connection when I was skyping my family back home. Entertainment on board included a private cinema and a spa to name a few.
Now let me talk about the food. The dining experience was one of the best I’ve had in a long while. Their dining area was located on the main deck and they served inter-continental cuisine that always made my mouth water. They held theme dinner nights that included a BBQ on a deserted island (which I enjoyed immensely). The service was impeccable; their chef customised dishes according to the customer’s (my) preference. In all, the food was nothing short of amazing!!
Lastly, I want to commend the experienced instructors and guides on board. They were very professional and very expert when it came to the different diving spots. They also gave out lessons to those first time divers on board, and I just have to say that I learned a new thing or two in those sessions.
My time on board the MV Crown is one of, if not the best trip I’ve had in a long time and I can’t wait to relive the memory. But for now I would have to contend myself in recommending it to those who are thrill seekers and to those who are looking forward to their own piece of paradise.