By: Torben Lonne
Experience a luxurious Maldivian cruise with Princess Dhonkamana! The beautiful boat was specifically designed for divers as it has all of the diving facilities installed on board, yet non-divers will surely enjoy the trip as well due to all of the entertainment and other facilities installed. The 31 meters (101.7 feet) by 10 meters (32.8 feet) luxurious boat features a total of 10 spacious cabins, each is equipped with an air-conditioning unit, dresser, safe box for storage, and en-suite bathroom facilities. The indoor saloon is also fully air-conditioned and is equipped with entertainment systems and luxurious sofas. Divers or snorkelers will surely enjoy the convenience of the spacious dive deck with the platform as it has all the facilities necessary – storage boxes for equipment, charging port for cameras, hanging area for wet suits, and freshwater showers! The boat is also equipped with internationally accredited safety facilities such as life rafts, life vests, oxygen, first aid equipment, alarm systems, firefighting systems, and fire extinguishers. The perfectly planned itineraries will surely maximize your trip to one of the best waters in the world!
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Several divers commended the tight ship that Marco & Valter ran. -
Some divers said they were pleased to see the manta, white tip shark, nurse shark and the frog fish.
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Many people were happy with the diving master for locating the best dive spots.
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Everyone onboard the Princess Dhonkamana said that they had a wonderful experience and would return.
Things we don't like:
People stated the crew was very one sided and didn't engage in any conversations with the passengers.- Some people noted that in the evenings after dinner there was a lack in entertainment options.
People stated the crew was very one sided and didn't engage in any conversations with the passengers.
Diving on the Princess Dhonkamana in the Maldives
Vessel Features
Princess Dhonkamana was built in the year 2008 as part of the fleet Macana Maldives, which is renowned for their luxurious service and top-notch facilities! The boat runs on first-rate engines. It has a cruising speed of 10 knots and is equipped with a desalinization system and generator that is stabilized and super silent.
The indoor saloon is fully air-conditioned and is equipped with modern entertainment facilities, which are all upgraded on a regular basis. It includes a flat screen television, a mini library, comfortable and large sofas, chairs and tables, a computer, a DVD player, and speakers. Guests will surely enjoy the place for chit-chat, a movie, or a read in between dives.
For those who love to spend time in an open area, they may choose from three sun decks – one is located on the lower deck, one on the main deck and the other one is on the upper deck, all of which have shaded areas. The former is equipped with entertainment systems, sun loungers, tables, and chairs; while the latter is also equipped with the mentioned amenities plus the bar that is located on the site. For guests who love to feel the breeze or simply want to achieve an amazing tan, the sun decks are the place to be!
The dive deck is superb as it provides enough space for divers to prepare their equipment or maintain them afterward. It has charging ports for cameras, large storage boxes for equipment, hanging area for wet suits, and freshwater showers! There are 3 dive experts to assist divers to up to 3 dives a day! Nitrox and equipment rentals are also offered for a fee.
The Cabins
Princess Dhonkamana houses a total of 9 spacious cabins, enabling it to accommodate a total of 20 guests. There are large doubles, twin cabins for friends and solo guests and there are also cabins with a double bed and another single bed, perfect for families.
The spectacular cabins are all equipped with comfortable beds, en suite bathroom facilities, dresser, an air conditioning unit, safe box for valuables, and a fire extinguisher as part of the boat’s safety measurements.
Itinerary
Princess Dhonkamana offers a range of itineraries traversing the different Maldivian atolls including the renowned dive sites in Rasdhoo, North and South Ari Atolls, Vaavu and Male Atolls. Rich marine life, schools of fishes, majestic reefs and corals are popular in the diving sites mentioned. Nitrox, as well as equipment rentals, are also available for a surcharge.
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