Frequently Asked Questions

Make sure your passport is in good order, has minimum 2 empty pages, valid for at least 6 months (180 days) and that you are able to enter Indonesia. Check with your local Indonesia Embassy if unsure.

• Most visitors outside of ASEAN countries must apply for Visa on Arrival at the airport; the cost is currently IDR 500,000/person (Oct 2023). Please check the information on this link if your country are accepted. The information on the link is applicable globally.
  
• ASEAN passport holders may be exempt. Please check the information on the above link for more details.
• If your country is not on the list, you must apply for a visa offshore. You can find more information from the government’s official website here.

You can extend the Visa on Arrival stay permit one time for another 30 days.

• If you are an e-VoA holder (applying online), you can extend your stay permit online via evisa.imigrasi.go.id.
• If you are a non-electronic VoA holder (obtained at the airport/seaport/land border), you can extend your stay permit at the nearest immigration office from your domicile.

• Bali Departures:
  Boarding time at Benoa Passenger Pier at Benoa Harbour Bali is between 13:00-15:00 hours for our 16:00 hour departure. Final cruise departure time is subject to guest arrival times. Please liaise with Mermaid Liveaboards if your flight times cannot fit this schedule. Transfers from/to the airport or hotels in the south are free of charge. From destinations in central and northern Bali, there is a small charge. Please refer to the price list.

– Guests arriving before 12 noon on departure day will be transferred to Mermaid Liveaboards guest lounge at All 4 Diving Bali at Sanur Beach where you can leave your luggage in safety till boarding transfer at 14:00 hours. After meeting the friendly crew at All 4 Diving you can relax on the beach, enjoy a massage, and go sight-seeing or shopping till 14:00 hours when you will be transferred to the vessel.

– Guests flying in same day as departure are required to arrive in time to board by/ before 15:00 hours.

– If you are making your own way to the port – please let us know at least 2 weeks prior to the cruise. Boarding time for “own transport” guests is 13:00-14:00 hours.

Bali Transfer Times:
12:30 – Nusa Dua, Ullawatu, Canggu, Kerobokan
13:00 Jimbaran, Seminyak
13:30 Kuta Beach, Legian
14:00 Sanur Beach
11:00 Tulamben
12:00 Candi Desa, Padangbai, Ubud
– The time is to be advised for other locations in Bali

• Maumere Flores Transfer Times:
  We will meet all flights and bring you straight to the vessel on cruise departure day or from your hotel by approx. 12 noon. Guests are recommended to arrive one day prior, to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area and to be sure you can make your cruise connection. Why not visit the Three Colour Lakes in the craters of Kelimutu volcano! Please contact us on info@mermaid-liveaboards.com to assist you with hotel, flight, and transfers.
• Lembeh – Manado Transfer Times:
  This cruise does not focus on Lembeh so it is a great idea to combine a Lembeh land based dive trip with your cruise for the best of the best! We will meet you at the airport or your hotel in Manado City area by 12 pm to transfer to the vessel on cruise departure date. Or if you are staying in Lembeh, we will coordinate the best method to collect you and advise. If you arrive early why not dive Bunaken or Bangka islands or Lembeh or take a highland tour to visit local flower market and lunch in a restaurant located above Tondano Lake. Feel free to contact us at info@mermaid-liveaboards.com for any assistance. Transfers from/to the airport and within Manado city are free of charge. Price on application for other locations.
• Ambon Transfer Times:
  Check-in time in Ambon is between 10:00 and 14:00. Guests will be collected from their city hotels for transfer to the boat. Guests arriving on the same day as departure will be collected from the airport and taken to the boat. In remote areas with limited flights, we always encourage guests to arrive the day before to allow a safe time for delays and luggage issues.
• Sorong Raja Ampat Transfer Times:
  Sorong Raja Ampat Transfer Times: Transfers: Please note guests will be collected from their hotels at 12 noon for transfer to the boat. Guests flying in the same day as boat departure days will be collected from the airport and taken directly to the boat. However, we encourage guests to arrive the day prior. This is a good safety buffer for delays/luggage issues. There are several reasonable hotels in Sorong plus there are some wonderful island retreats around and about that you may wish to stay at before or after your cruise. We are happy to assist with ground transport, accommodations, resort stays/local diving, airfares etc. Please contact info@mermaid-liveaboards.com

Based on DAN WORLDWIDE recommendation, the Suggested Minimum Surface Interval before flying is:-
– Single Day – no deco dive: 12 + hours
– Multi-day or repetitive no deco dives: 18+ hours
– Mandatory Deco dives: 24+ hours

And from DAN EUROPE:
At least 12 hours after a single dive and at least 24 hours after repetitive dives and/or deco diving.

Yes we can! We only add a nominal service fee to cover admin fees. There are a number of operators who offer domestic flights in Indonesia: Garuda Indonesia, Sriwijaya, Batik Air and Lion Air.

If your checked baggage exceeds the luggage allowance then you will have to pay for excess baggage. You can do this at check-in and usually the cost is only EURO 2-5 per extra kilo.

We endeavour to put same-sex guests together for cabin sharing. However, this is not guaranteed. It solely depends on the final mix of guests who book on board for that particular trip. Private use of a twin share or double cabin is available for a + 90% of a diver price premium.

We welcome everyone on board whether you are a diver, free diver or snorkeller.

• Certification:
  Divers need to be a minimum of Open Water Diver with at least of 4 completed dives or higher diving certification to join the vessel for diving.
• No. of dives:
  – A minimum of 4 completed training dives to join as a recreational diver
  – We have instructors on board if you’d like to take your Padi Advanced Open Water Course, Rescue Course, EFR or speciality courses while on board
  – Our instructors are also ready to take you on Discover Scuba diving if you joined as a snorkeller and want to try diving or wish to do/complete your Scuba Diver/Open Water dive course

We have 4 to 5 different dive guides on board, and we divide the diving group based on divers skills and experience.

Dive groups and site selection will be chosen to meet your safety, comfort and diving ability – and is subject to the discretion of the Cruise Director. Our professional dive crew will take you on the easy route or to another site if you don’t like currents.

Our ratio is 4 divers per dive master.