We booked the Maya Dugong to Aldabra.
Before our trip, our queries were promptly and efficiently answered (Lara). However, although passengers met just next to the Silhouette offices prior to the departure of the cruise, the same staff showed no interest to greet, meet or welcome the pax they had communicated with over so many months.
Our cabin had a bed for two and one narrow single bed with an ensuite bathroom and toilet. The mattresses were comfortable and lighting was good. However, contrary to what the brochure depicted, the boat and our cabin were far from being luxurious. We had a broken down electrical appliance of some sort squashed in a filthy cupboard, which rattled in strong seas and ensured we had no space to store clothing, other than the top of a shelf. Mercifully, the air conditioning worked well. There was virtually no hot water unless we showered at times other than after the dives/snorkels. Other than the old, dirty carpet and closet that was out of commission, the cabin was kept clean and tidy daily by Nella, the kindly, matronly stewardess.
Bath towels were changed often as were the deck towels. However, the deck towels weren’t numbered leading to confusion about whose towel was whose.
The boat has no WIFI. You can use the very slow WIFI at the Aldabra Ranger Station for free the day that you are there.
If you wanted to sit outside, there were hard wood benches and two cushioned seats that could seat a couple on the top deck. One passenger asked the captain to arrange for some plastic chairs to be brought on board so that we could sit properly. Hopefully, they will leave these chairs on the boat for the comfort of the next round of passengers.
The food was good, although there was a constant shortage of vegetables and salads which got more acute as the trip progressed. No provision was made to give vegetarians extra protein (a standard on other cruises and necessary if you are diving 3-4 times a day) which exacerbated the situation. Vegetarians got what everyone else was eating minus the fish or meat. There was no dessert at lunch—just the cheapest biscuits and some fruit which were available all day. There was a dessert for dinner. There was no mid- morning snack served. In the afternoon, they usually served samosas.
Most dive boats do everything to encourage divers to hydrate before and after diving (to avoid decompression sickness) and serve water immediately before the divers get into the water and immediately after. On the Maya Dugong, we occasionally got an after dive juice . Also, one obtained drinking water straight from the tap (stored several weeks in the belly of the boat), so you can imagine that the taste was not very good. Most other boats use recyclable large water bottles instead. Note that soft drinks, alcohol and espresso coffee are chargeable.
The rental dive equipment was in good condition. However, the compressor interfered with the operation of the clothes dryer causing delays in filling the tanks and meant that we had to complain to get frsh bed sheets after 10 days.
The crew were friendly and willing to please. The dinghy drivers were excellent. Nella, the stewardess, was outstanding. Reggie, our Seychellois dive master was a good diver and competent DM. Soof, the Israeli Cruise Director, was a fun, hard working, enthusiastic dive instructor based in the Sinai. Flown in for this trip, she however lacked experience in her role. She quickly lost credibility in the eyes of the passengers as confusion reigned the first days. But she has a lovely sunny personality and is eager to be helpful. The South African Captain, Kevin, was also very good and was eager to address issues and request. He has been on the Maya Dugong for ten years and tried hard despite having disappointed passengers who missed 2.5 days of their itinerary due to a crane break down. (No apologies or rebate from management.)
The trip is priced to perfection and management seems to lack the skill or will to provide this to their passengers. – via 
Own or work here?
Your request has been submitted successfully.
