INDONESIA DIVING CRUISES - FAQS

WHAT SHOULD I BRING? Your passport (with minimum 6 months validity remaining), your diver certification card and insurance details. Bathing suits, shorts, T-shirts, sunscreen and perhaps a light pullover or windbreaker. We provide basic toiletries and hair dryers in the cabins.

Fresh water showers on the dive deck

ARE DIVE COMPUTERS RECOMMENDED? Yes! Due to the multi-level type of diving on our cruises, diving without a computer (using Dive Tables) will restrict your opportunities to see certain special features and creatures. Nitrox-divers have to use a nitrox suitable dive computer. No sharing; divers must have their own computer.

ARE WETSUITS NEEDED? The average water temperature is 27C, (80F) but doing multiple dives each day may make you chillier than you anticipated. We recommend at least a thin shorty or skin but bring a thicker full wetsuit if you get cold easily. If you are not sure, bring both kinds. There is enough space on our divedeck to hang up two wetsuits per diver.

WHAT NOT TO BRING? Our experience is that the less stuff you bring, the more comfortable your stay on board. Any excess luggage can be stored at your hotel during the trip.

HOW ABOUT FLYING TO THE CRUISE DEPARTURE POINT?
North Sulawesi: Silk Air (the regional carrier of Singapore Airlines) and Garuda Air Indonesia, all offer regular flights to and from Manado. We strongly recommend that you arrive in Manado at least one day before the boat's departure. This way you have time to rest and acclimatize. An Ocean Rover (or hotel) representitive will be at the airport to greet you and assist with your transfers. If you stay  on land before your cruise we will call your hotel to arrange your pick up a few hours before the boat's departure.

Raja Ampat: Most passengers will fly from Singapore to Manado (North Sulawesi) by Silk Air. Our staff will pick you up, bring you to your hotel then pick you up from there next morning for the connecting flight to Sorong. If you are already in Manado a couple of days beforehand, we will pick you up from the resort or hotel. There are daily flights from Manado to Sorong which we can also organize for you.

WHERE DOES OCEAN ROVER DEPART FROM? Our departure point in North Sulawesi is the port of BITUNG which is located on Lembeh Strait. Our departure point in Raja Ampat is the city SORONG. We will pick you up from the airport or we will organize transport from your hotel to Ocean Rover, which will be anchored next to port of Sorong.

Double bed cabin

COMMUNICATION. We do not have official headquarters in Sorong as we do in Manado but someone from Ocean Rover’s management team will be at the scene to supervise the departure & arrival of the boat. Our Reservations Department will give you the mobile phone number of this person so you can communicate directly. Our representative will assist you with any cruise-related problem you may have while you are in Sorong.

WHAT HAPPENS ON DEPARTURE DAY?
LUGGAGE: We prefer to store all luggage on board before boarding time. If you wish, we could pick up your bags at your hotel, just give us a call. Please have nametags on all your bags.
PAPERWORK: There are some forms to be filled out before departure and it is best not to leave this until the last moment. Also the Port Fee & Park Fee, in CASH US$ only, must be paid at this stage. Be sure to reconfirm your return flights before boarding the boat.
BOARDING TIME: In most cases it is possible to board from 10:00h onwards. A light meal will be served after the welcome aboard briefing at approx 17:00h.

WHAT IS THE ITINERARY?
North Sulawesi: The cruises visit three main areas: Bunaken and Banka Islands, Lembeh Strait and the Sangihe Archipelago. We spend roughly one third of the cruise in each area but we always remain flexible to take advantage of favorable weather conditions, special marine life encounters and customer preference.

Raja Ampat: The cruises visit one of the main diving parts of this area. We depart from Sorong and cruise north to the islands of Waigeo, Gam, Kawe, Kri, Wai and Batanta. We will cross the equator several times during the itinerary between the longitudes of E130° to E132° while diving all the best sites in this region.

WHAT ARE THE CABINS AND SHOWERS LIKE? There are eight cabins, all on the main or upper deck. All cabins have individually controlled air-conditioning and private ensuite bathrooms and showers. We provide bathroom towels, as well as basic toiletries and hair dryers. The six double bed cabins have single berths over the double bed and large panoramic windows. The two twin share cabins on the main deck have upper and lower berths and twin viewing portholes. There is an additional toilet and shower on the dive deck.

Buffet style meal service in the salon

WHAT ABOUT DRINKS? We carry a selection of soft drinks, fruit juices (which are included in the price), as well as beer and wine which is available for purchase. If you prefer hard liquor please bring your own. The refreshments corner is stocked with tea, instant coffee and cookies. Real coffee lovers will appreciate our espresso machine.

HOW MANY DIVES PER DAY? You chose Ocean Rover for diving and that is what we are going to do, as often as we can. Generally, there are opportunities to do at least four dives per day, with additional night dives when the location is suitable.

WILL THE DIVE CREW GUIDE ME? Each dive is preceded by a detailed briefing, including charts. Anytime you need someone to guide you around the reef, you have but to ask. Guided dives will be in small groups (max 4 diver per guide).

CAN I DIVE SOLO? OK if you are very experienced and know what you are doing, if not, please join a buddy of your choice, or one of our dive crew. A Surface Marker Buoy is a must for in your equipment.

NON-DIVING ACTIVITIES? While diving is the priority, there are many other possibilities. When the location is suitable, there is swimming, snorkeling and beach combing. We also have a good selection of music, movies, books, and games. Please bring your own CDs or DVDs if you wish.

Electrical socket type throughout the boat

WHERE CAN I WORK ON MY CAMERAS? Ocean Rover has several camera worktables -both indoors and on deck- as well as safe places to place your cameras just before or after the dive. There are two large rinse tanks, light tables & a colour TV monitor (NTSC & PAL). NEW: For digital photographers there is a dedicated computer with appropriate software.

CAN I BE CONTACTED IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY? Ocean Rover is equipped with satellite communication equipment. Emergency faxes and e-mails can be forwarded to the boat via our office. Please leave our fax number or email address with your relatives and office.

DO I NEED INSURANCE? Absolutely! It is COMPULSORY on all Ocean Rover cruises that you have suitable holiday diving injury insurance, such as DAN or similar. All passengers are required to sign a liability waiver before departure, and are on board at their own risk. We also strongly recommend suitable cancellation insurance. Click for more details

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT DURING THE CRUISE? Although Ocean Rover operates in very remote locations, passengers do not need to worry unduly about lack of medical facilities in case of an accident or serious illness. The crew can contact Ocean Rover's management 24 hours a day via satellite communications. Detailed procedures have been drawn up (and tested!) to ensure rapid evacuation from the boat to the nearest recompression chamber. Please do your part by making sure your DAN insurance (or other) is up to date. Extensive medical supplies are on board, including plenty of emergency oxygen. The crew is trained in first aid techniques and very experienced. However, do bring any special medications you may need or think may be useful.

Oxygen analyser for Nitrox fills

HOW MUCH SPENDING MONEY DO I NEED? Bring enough cash to cover the Port & Park Fee (US$150-200), crew tips, shopping, drinks and souvenirs. On board expenses are settled after the cruise. We prefer US$ 100-notes of series F, as well as smaller notes which are new and unmarked, if possible unfolded. We will also accept Singapore Dollars, Euros and Indonesian Rupiahs.

PAYMENTS POLICY: We also regret to be unable to accept Traveller’s Cheques as payment because local banks will not accept “third party” TCs. To obtain cash Indonesian Rupiahs you can exchange your TCs at any exchange booth or bank.

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE LAST CRUISE DAY?
North Sulawesi: We arrive back in Lembeh Straits and spend the last day diving with the critters before disembarking the next morning. Passengers staying at resorts on Lembeh Strait will be taken to the respective docks before we arrive back at Bitung Port to disembark other passengers.

Raja Ampat: We depart the islands after the last afternoon dive, arriving back to Sorong in the late evening. We disembark the next morning at 05:00h for flights back to Manado. All other passengers disembark later in the morning and will be transferred to either the airport or your chosen hotel.

WHAT IS THE CREW TIPPING POLICY? We believe tips should be given voluntary and based upon the quality of the service provided. Once on board, you will notice how hard the crew works and how your safety and enjoyment relies heavily on their professionalism and attitude. Many of our guests give a gratuity based on 10% of the cruise price or more but, again, we stress that this is entirely voluntarily. Please note that tips can only be paid in cash.

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