THE CHENG HO LIVEABOARD OVERVIEW
The Cheng Ho is a modified Pinisi
(Bugis) Schooner constructed in 2002. Blending in perfectly with the
environment, these boats are the most impressive fleet of wooden
sailing vessels still in regular commercial work.
Constructed with three decks the Cheng Ho gives you plenty of space
to lose oneself; whether it is in the air-conditioned comfort of the
large saloon or on the decks under the shade of one of the ship's
huge sails.
Very importantly the liveaboard is comprehensively refitted during
an annual dry docking at the beginning of the year plus regular
maintainance is carried out throughout the year to ensure that the
vessel is always seaworthy.
Facilities & services
The Cheng Ho is our newest and biggest vessel. With a length of 49
meters, a beam of 11 meters and three decks this liveaboard offers
total comfort and plenty of room to lose yourself between dives.
the cabins & state rooms
All cabins and staterooms are equipped with private bathrooms, ample
hot water, individual air-condition units and wireless email access.
The cabins are cleaned twice a day with a turn down service at
night.
There are 13 cabins and staterooms catering for a maximum of 20
divers.
On-board facilities
The main salon is fully air conditioned and features a comfortable
lounge area, shop and library corner. Also equipped with sound
system, TV, Video and DVD player and wireless email access. The
Cheng Ho has her own cinema room featuring a wide selection of
movies and comfortable seating arrangements as well as DVD projector
for slide show enthusiasts.
There are equipment service areas, a private library and a lounge
area with a wide selection of fish and wildlife books, novels,
travel guidebooks, a music collection plus current movies and
documentaries relevant to the area.
A sample of the onboard facilities:
* TV, Video Cassette, DVD and Video CD player
* Video, CD, DVD and music CD library
* Slide and digital projectors
* Wireless email access
* Camera battery charging stations, 220/110 volt
* Satellite phones and e-mail access
* Laptop power points
Dive facilities
T he
Cheng Ho is expertly equipped to suit long range liveaboard scuba
diving and underwater photography. Nitrox and rental equipment is
available on board and all diving is from tenders.
* 24 individual tank and camera stations with lockers
* 2 x fibreglass dive tenders -10 pax - 2 x 40 Hp
* 1 x Viking dive tender - 6 pax - 1 x 60 hp
* 3 x 450 E L & W Compressors
* NITROX Membrane System
* 6-cylinder air-bank system
* On deck shower and toilet
* Camera workstations
Onboard services
Much like a
luxury hotel, you can expect first class personalised service, both
on the water and underneath. With a very high staff to guest ratio
on board service is excellent. Languages spoken include German,
French, Spanish, Italian, Indonesian and English.
main deck bunk bed cabin
* Laundry and pressing service
* Massage & Spa service
* First Class food and beverage
* Vegetarian menu upon request
* E6 slide processing
* Scuba and snorkeling equipment for hire
* Onboard equipment servicing and spare parts
* PADI/SDI/TDI & NITROX courses
A typical day on board
A typical day on one of the Cheng Ho Dive Voyages liveaboards offers a
simple and relaxing lifestyle on a spacious and luxurious dive
vessel while visiting and diving some of Indonesia's most
interesting and beautiful locations.
the morning
The day begins at around 6:30 am with a pre dive snack of fresh
croissants, tea or coffee, assorted fruits and cereals. Before the
first dive the dining room steward will take your order for the main
fully cooked breakfast. We gear up for the first dive of the day
about 7:30.
the day
The entire day is dedicated to scuba diving unless we are steaming
to a new dive site or have a shore expedition planned. There is
often a chance to go ashore if the tender boats are available, just
ask the live aboard crew to take you.
Daily activities on the live aboard are signaled by a bell, as a
rule of thumb when the bell rings and your hair is dry it's time to
dive and if your hair is wet it's time to eat.
 Lunch
is usually served around 12:30 after the second dive. It usually
consists of a combination of cold cuts, cheeses, fresh rolls, and
warm Indonesian dishes.
About 2:30 it is time for the third dive of the day, which is
followed by afternoon tea served on the rear lounge deck. Depending
on our location we may have time for a fourth day dive for those
with the extra energy.
Between dives you can enjoy a massage or just relax on the sundecks,
the shady rear lounge deck or in the air conditioned salon.
the evening
The last dive of the
day is usually a night dive and should not be missed as it offers a
chance to see some of the most unusual reef critters in the world.
About 8:00 the bell rings for dinner which is served by the stewards
in the main salon. Two nights during the cruise we move our tables
and serve dinner under the stars on the bridge deck.
After dinner you can relax in the main salon and watch a video on
the modern entertainment system, read a book from the extensive
library, relax under the stars on the top teck or just retire to
your cabin.
During the cruise there is a talk and slide show about the marine
biodiversity of the region given by one of the knowledgeable Cheng
Ho dive staff. |
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RAJA AMPAT DIVE
LIVEABOARDS |
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