Cyclone vs Excel

[Mal Bridgeman]

Hi

I am organising a trip for a bunch of people and had planned to go on the Excel from Tony Backhurst.

I received a letter today saying that Excel is being taken out of service and that the bookings have been transferred to Cyclone.

Has anyone been on both boats recently and would you view this as a relief or a problem?

TIA
Mal

[BJ]

Although Excel was an excellent vessel, she is owned by a bank and only was chartered to Tornado Marine, owners of Cyclone, Hurricane and Typhoon. Consequently, as I understand it, there was no investment in maintenance so she could have been getting scruffy and unreliable. Tornado Marine now has plenty of its own boats so has no need of her. It's a pity that the bank was so intransigent on price!

[Mark Davies]

I saw the Excel in November and she was looking very tired so, as John fears, it seems very little was being spent on maintenance. I'd say you've done okay.

[Fiona]

Mal

I wouldn't worry about being transfered to Cyclone, looks OK to me.

We went on Hurricane last year and crew were excellent so if they are from the same Tornado fleet the organisation should be as good. Just checked TB's website and Cyclone was best liveaboard 2003, I think Hurricane was best in 2004 but I still think this is more to do with the Guides than anything else.

I haven't been dissapointed by any of the boats sold by TB.

[Mal Bridgeman]

Thanks for the replies....I was on Hurricane when it was new ... before the Jacuzzi was installed .... so was really spoilt and have high standards to follow!

I am sure we'll have a great time either way but thanks for putting my mind at rest.

Rgrds
Mal

[Noel Johnson]

Cyclone is a great boat Mal, you'll have nothing to worry about. I's not quite as big as the Excel, but then what is? but it seemed to be "better appointed" if that makes sense.

Although I may be biased as Cyclone was my first liveaboard and Team Bunny's honeymoon.

[Justin Owen]

we were on excel last month, and as has been said she was looking like she needed a upgrade...

hope the crew get sorted though as they were spot on, and the food was fantastic (better than hurricane according to our lot)

sure you'll have great fun on cyclone though...!

[saxon]

I too have been on a trip on Cyclone, she is a wonderful vessel and you should have a wonderful time. During the trip we moored up near the Excel and she did look a little old and worn out. Everyone on the Cyclone was glad we had made the choice of ship we did.

Only thing about the Cyclone we had trouble with is one of the RIB's Outboard broke during ourt holiday, but we coped fine with only one RIB for a day until they had it up and working again.

The staff were very friendly and the food was both excellent and plentlyful (beware of massive potential weight gain whilst on this ship).

Have a great time on your trip.

Tim

PS: I have a few photos of the Cyclone inside and on the dive deck from my trip in Dec, if you want them emailing let me know.

[davepazzer]

Been on both Cyclone and Excel Mal, both were great.
As been said when you first see Excel she looks like she needs a makeover but when you get on everthing was fine, good crew, great food.
We saw Cyclone on one of the dives and she has had a refit and she looked great, one thing when you get a cabin don't get the one on the left as you go down the stairs unless you like generator noise.
If you can get Peter Collings on board you won't have a bad trip

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by davepazzer

Been on both Cyclone and Excel Mal, both were great.
snip

Thanks Dave,

I have already been and gone though

http://www.yorkshire-divers.co.uk/fo...55&postcount=1

Rgrds
Mal