Advice re first liveaboard

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Narced at sea level

However - I am boycotting them at the moment.

The Owner of the main hotel that TBST book for in Marsa Alam - the Kharamana - has recently illegally destroyed in the region of 7000 square metres of fringing reef in order to give his guests better access to the sea - concerns have been raised that this may set a precident for other Red Sea Hoteliers as even a hefty fine may not be enough to discourage themm from following suit as they can simply put prices up to cover their increased costs.
As a result I have contacted TBST and informed them that as a loyal and regular customer of thiers, I will no longer book any trips through them until they cease to use the Kharamana or any of the other hotels owned by them (i.e the Amaraya).

Now while I don't hold TBST responsible for this in any way, they are still supoorting the business of the owner and I can't be a party to that.

I'd urge you to consider this when booking.

http://www.divernet.com/news/stories/020905reef.shtml

They have changed their hotel, we are going in two weeks and we will be staying at Coral Beach Millennium at Port Galib.

[Jen]

A group of us have gone with TBST twice now and both times there were big problems that were fortunately resolved quickly.

First time was three years ago in Sharm, there was no diving booked for 10 of us for the week, they did manage to find spaces on the boats but we had to delay our diving by a day while they sorted it out.

Second time was a month ago in Marsa. Our group of six arrived to find our hotel fully booked with no places for us, they managed to find a lower class of hotel for us within an hour.

As you can see both problems were resolved quickly with minimum hassle on our part but its enough to put me off booking with them again.

Jen

[Narced at sea level]

Originally Posted by Fiona

They have changed their hotel, we are going in two weeks and we will be staying at Coral Beach Millennium at Port Galib.

I'd like to think that TBST are doing the right thing and withdrawing thier support for the Kharamana - but realistically this is probably more down to availability of rooms at a busy time of year than anything else.

I say probably - I could be wrong on this - and hope I am

Certainly I think that TBST are a top notch outfit and will take notice of divers concerns and, in the fullness of time, will do the right thing.

However I do feel that we have a duty to make sure that our concerns (assuming that most of us are indeed as concerned by this as I am) reach TB's ears so that he can take whatever action he deems appropriate. But if we simply take this lying down I fear that this could set a precident.

The best way to make our concerns heard is by speaking to TB's wallet.
There are other hotels in MA that he can use that are not connected with Kharamana and unconnected with the destruction of the reef - all of which I'd be happy to use and happy to book through TBST, so I fail to see how this could in any way impact negatively on his business.

However There are other good liveaboard operators out there and other hotels that I can use should he fail to take any action.

over to you Tony Backhurst before my soapbox collapses under my somehwat excessive weight.

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Narced at sea level

I'd like to think that TBST are doing the right thing and withdrawing thier support for the Kharamana - but realistically this is probably more down to availability of rooms at a busy time of year than anything else.

I say probably - I could be wrong on this - and hope I am

I have just phoned TB and spoke to Julie, they are in the process of changing hotels but as I have been told this doesn't happen overnight as they probably have contract with hotel.

So if you are considering TBST don't change your mind, phone and ask specific questions before making you decision.

[Narced at sea level]

Originally Posted by Fiona

I have just phoned TB and spoke to Julie, they are in the process of changing hotels but as I have been told this doesn't happen overnight as they probably have contract with hotel.

So if you are considering TBST don't change your mind, phone and ask specific questions before making you decision.

Thanks Fiona, that's great news - well done TBST!

although - TB being something of a publicity whore are times (nowt wrong with that) I'm surprised that he hasn't used this to his advantage by dropping a few well timed and well placed press releases.

It's what I'd do :-)

[Ding Dang Doo]

I got back from Marsa alam last week... can confirm that the new hotel is the Coral Beach Diving Hotel, it is right in the marina where the boats go from (you get taken from the boat the the hotel by Rib!)The hotel was excellent, set out in 'Nubian' style - rooms large and airy with plenty of space to put everything/ dry out your gear (still one or two problems, my air con packed in at 1.30am - but after a quick call to reception was fixed by 2am) food is okay, lots of choice. From what I was told, Emperor Divers will be moving there shortly and using it as their main base (so if you fancy a land based diving trip, you could certainly do a lot worse!)

3D

[aquayle]

Considering Liveaboard for next year, saw a message on other forum (Wreck I think) about the depth expectations - they quoted 35 -45 (and maybe 50m). I thought there was a depth limit of 30m for the red sea - so deeper is illegal & therefore any insurance would be invalid?? - I might be wrong (as usual)

Andy

[Ding Dang Doo]

Think the limit of 30metres is for day boats... If you are Tek diving in the Red Sea you can go unlimited - we regularly dived over 30metres on our Liveaboard (I'm insured to my depth qualification - Padi Deep Diver 40metres).Think the guides on Liveaboards have a bit more discretion - think about it, they would rather, if someone had a problem, know the true depth someone was diving to, than being told they hadn't dived over 30metres, when really they had dived to 40(ish).
I dived on Nitrox all week, this meant I was depth limited anyway.

HTH

3D

[Noel Johnson]

Originally Posted by simon moore

Hi Noel,

I'm on Typhoon at the end of November doing a TB northern wreck trip. Can you give me an idea of what we might visit (apart from the T'gorm and the RoMu) so I can read up in advance ?

I was on Hurricane last year, and a few gripes aside it was a pretty cracking boat. How does Typhoon compare ?

Hi Simon,
Wrecks and reef will depend on the weather but we were lucky enough to get onto a few "not so dived" attractions. Along with the Dunraven, the Thistlegorm, Kingston and the Giannis D we also managed to do the Marcus (Tile wreck) - not done before and fabulous - and the Ulysses (incredibly pretty and covered in Sgt Majors when we dived her). Reef wise, well there all beautiful.

I'm afraid I cannot compare the Typhoon to the Hurricane as I've not been on Hurricane - I really liked the Typhoon though. Simon and Barry are good guides (If needed) and take chocolate for them.

Cheers,
Noel.

[alexmaclennan]

We've just returned from a fantastic reefs and wrecks of north red sea week on MV Juliet. This was my first liveaboard experience and it was perfect. Great boat, crew, dive instructor (Rob Hunt) and good food. The last night's entertainment by the crew and guests - dancing, bar games etc was a very funnny finale to the week.

alex