[KimH]

With all due respect to anyone I may have dived with in the past I treat any new bud as a muppet until I've done a couple of dives with them, same as while driving a car - everyone else on the road's an idiot.
Personally I would never sign up for a liveaboard unless I was either buddied with someone I know and trust or could dive solo, it's too much of a risk and IMHO likely to be a waste of a good weeks diving.
Even at best you've got to do a couple of dives to find out what your new buddy's like and you're miles from anywhere with limited choice for a different buddy.
Respect to anyone who takes a chance but it's not for me.