Frequently Asked Questions

Our Boat and Dive Crews will try very hard to deliver a high level of service, safety and professionalism tempered with lots of fun to optimize your holiday. Many of our guests use 5-10% of the cruise price as a tipping guideline. Tipping is voluntary and most appreciated!

No, during the days in between trips there is so much to do that all the crew will be extremely busy and restocking the boat for your next trip.

You need 2 types of insurance when planning your dive holiday – 1) Dive insurance is mandatory for all guests in Indonesia due to Government regulation. If you don’t have your own, you can purchase trip dive insurance on board. There are several diving insurance companies around the world, we suggest Dan Insurance www.diversalertnetwork.org and DiveAssure

2) General travel/cancellation insurance. There are several companies around the world that can assist and one we can suggest is World Nomads for reliable and professional service recommended by The Lonely Planet.

Dive Assure offer a liveaboard friendly Diving and Travel Insurance plan worth reviewing DiveAssure

Please note: If you are unable to make your dive trip and the date has passed our cancellation terms and conditions we are very sorry but regardless of the circumstances we cannot refund or transfer you to another date.

We cruise to remote areas: however, we are prepared to handle most accident or medical emergencies. Mermaid’s management team is available 24 hours a day via our satellite communications to expedite tried and tested emergency evacuation plans to the nearest recompression chamber and/or hospital in Bali or Makassar or the nearest available chamber. Our dive crews are first aid trained and we have an extensive first aid kit on board plus loads of emergency oxygen. Please bring any of your own medications that you may need. You can help as well by making sure you are in good condition for diving – prevention is always better than cure. Please remember to dive safely and to make sure your Dan Diver’s Alert Network or other dive insurance is up to date.
Guests over the age of 75 are required to provide medical clearance to dive, assessed within 1 month prior to the set cancellation terms if any refund will be required.

• Malaria: Raja Ampat area
  There is malaria in the region for the Raja Ampat cruise – this area is around the equator and we recommend you discuss this with your doctor. Certainly when we walk in the jungle early mornings you will need to cover up well and also use mosquito repellant. We have a supply on board but suggest you bring your preferred brands. And from the Raja Ampat Tourism Association: Papua is a malaria area and you are advised to take precautions and follow the advice from your local health centre. Note that the medication Lariam has limited effectiveness in this area due to a resistant strain of Malaria and is not recommended. Alternatives could be Malarone or doxicycline.

• Malaria – Komodo area
  Generally speaking basic precautions such as covering at dawn/dusk and using mosquito repellant for land tours is satisfactory. If you are in doubt whatsoever, please liaise with your doctor.

Both our vessels are equipped with state of the art satellite phone systems. The numbers are Mermaid I – IDD code +870 773 274646 and for Mermaid II IDD code + 870 773 274308. Guests can keep in touch with families and loved ones throughout their cruises via mobile phone . For added security, please note the satellite number and share with families and friends as the phones are on 24/7. Incoming calls and outgoing calls are available for a nominal fee If there is any difficulty getting through, please don’t hesitate to call our Hotline Number English +62 81 337 778 077 and or Indonesia + 62 811 386 940 and we will assist you

We welcome children aged 8 years and older on Mermaid Liveaboards . Diving child 10 years or older – pays full diver price. Non diving child 10 years or older – pays full non diver rate. Child 8/9 years – non diving – pays 50% of diver rate if sharing with 2 parents/guardians. Child 9/8 years and under – non diving – pays full non diver rate if sharing with only 1 parent/guardian. Parents/guardians have to be with the child at all times. If both parents want to dive and the child remains on board, we will hire an additional crew and charge a fee per day x total no. cruise days at the parents cost. Please ask about current fee details. This crew member will supervise the child’s activities only while the parents/guardians are in the water. Please note this service is available for Komodo and subject to confirmation for Raja Ampat and other areas. Please note in extraordinary circumstances determined by the company other age children will be permitted on board. Please also note a minimum of 4 weeks’ notice is required to arrange this service. In case of Full Boat charter – guest’s age is up to the organizer of the charter but supervision conditions are as per the above.

We require a medical certificate if you are 75 years or older. All divers diving in Indonesia are required to provide proof of diving medical insurance.

• The medical certificate must be valid within 3 months of the cruise date.
• DAN US offers a new policy for Senior Divers 70+ years old  If insured with DAN US you may ask them for “letter confirming insured” given to divers requesting for their “peace of mind” once they sign up or renew
• DAN Europe states if your are 75 years or older, to complete your application for DAN Insurance toy need to submit a medical certificate stating :-
  • your fitness to dive
  • your current health condition/s (if any)
  • any medications you take and its dosage
• DAN Australia covers 12-79 years of age
• DAN Latin America & Caribbean and Worldwide age limit is 8-70 years of age

This is not to say you cannot show insurance from another insurer…

In addition, if you are over 80, we require a copy of a valid dive or in-water activities insurance prior to joining our trip.

Please contact info@mermaid-liveaboards.com to find out about any last minute offers, special programmes and repeat guest discounts for direct guests.

Please check our terms & conditions here.

Any new bookings for back-to-back trips offer a 10% discount off the lower-value cruise. 

Effective from Oct 25, 2023.