Comments on: Guest Book http://mvcarpediem.com Seize the Day Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:09:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Helen Gordon http://mvcarpediem.com/guest-book/comment-page-7/#comment-7667 Helen Gordon Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:09:07 +0000 http://mvcarpediem.com/green/?page_id=21#comment-7667 Many thanks for a wonderful week of diving. The staff were wonderful, from captain to cook. They made our stay and our diving very comfortable.  Also, thanks for helping with our travel problems, we were relieved to get to the Maldives after a rocky start and once we were diving, all those difficulties just faded away. Particular thanks to Schoba and his dive guides for their support, passion, professionalism and friendly approach.  We need to come back! Many thanks for a wonderful week of diving. The staff were wonderful, from captain to cook. They made our stay and our diving very comfortable.  Also, thanks for helping with our travel problems, we were relieved to get to the Maldives after a rocky start and once we were diving, all those difficulties just faded away.
Particular thanks to Schoba and his dive guides for their support, passion, professionalism and friendly approach.  We need to come back!

]]> By: Peter Graham http://mvcarpediem.com/guest-book/comment-page-6/#comment-6625 Peter Graham Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:55:54 +0000 http://mvcarpediem.com/green/?page_id=21#comment-6625 Where to start?? Ten wonderful days on the Carpe Vita from 15 to 25 September 2011. 34 consistently good dives (even though we did not see any whalesharks). The crew on both the Carpe Vita and the attendant dhoni were always helpful, cheerful and ready for a laugh. It does not do the sleeping arrangements justice to call the rooms cabins. The accommodation was far better than many hotels and finished to a very high standard. The food was varied, very tasty and plentiful(I put on 2kg during the trip!)and I would like to support the suggestion made at the end of the holiday that the chef produces a receipe book. Having met two of the guides and a number of the crew on a previous trip on the Carpe Diem I felt at home straight away. One suggestion to help first time visitors settle in quickly would be to adopt the idea from the Carpe Diem of a board with a photo of each crew member with name and role in the organisation. I am looking forward to another trip. It can't come quick enough. Where to start?? Ten wonderful days on the Carpe Vita from 15 to 25 September 2011. 34 consistently good dives (even though we did not see any whalesharks). The crew on both the Carpe Vita and the attendant dhoni were always helpful, cheerful and ready for a laugh. It does not do the sleeping arrangements justice to call the rooms cabins. The accommodation was far better than many hotels and finished to a very high standard. The food was varied, very tasty and plentiful(I put on 2kg during the trip!)and I would like to support the suggestion made at the end of the holiday that the chef produces a receipe book. Having met two of the guides and a number of the crew on a previous trip on the Carpe Diem I felt at home straight away. One suggestion to help first time visitors settle in quickly would be to adopt the idea from the Carpe Diem of a board with a photo of each crew member with name and role in the organisation. I am looking forward to another trip. It can’t come quick enough.

]]> By: John Serpenti http://mvcarpediem.com/guest-book/comment-page-6/#comment-6601 John Serpenti Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:40:23 +0000 http://mvcarpediem.com/green/?page_id=21#comment-6601 We zijn hier voor 10 dagen geweest in de maand september 2011 met 20 leden van onze duikvereniging. We spreken dan ook van een echte aanrader, samengevat Super duiken, een leuke en vriendelijke bemanning, het duiken word professioneel begeleid door goede duikgidsen, het eten is gevarieerd en heerlijk met dagelijks vers gevangen vis. Complimenten aan de hele bemanning en in het bijzonder aan Agnes voor haar goede afstemming. Nogmaals bedankt voor deze geweldige TOP TOP TOP duikreis. John Serpenti We zijn hier voor 10 dagen geweest in de maand september 2011 met 20 leden van onze duikvereniging.
We spreken dan ook van een echte aanrader, samengevat
Super duiken, een leuke en vriendelijke bemanning, het duiken word professioneel begeleid door goede duikgidsen, het eten is gevarieerd en heerlijk met dagelijks vers gevangen vis.

Complimenten aan de hele bemanning en in het bijzonder aan Agnes voor haar goede afstemming.

Nogmaals bedankt voor deze geweldige TOP TOP TOP duikreis.

John Serpenti

]]> By: Jack Loder http://mvcarpediem.com/guest-book/comment-page-6/#comment-6282 Jack Loder Sat, 27 Aug 2011 14:28:22 +0000 http://mvcarpediem.com/green/?page_id=21#comment-6282 05-08-11 through 14-08-11 Beautiful Boat and excellent dive operation. I have never been on a boat as spacious and well appointed as the Carpe Vita. Every aspect the boat is well thought out and aesthetically appealing. The only negative thing I can think of is the number of times I tripped over the raised base between the bedroom and bathroom. Food was first rate and even though I am a vegetarian I had lots of delicious options. Very generous staff to guest ratio including dive masters to divers. Once dive masters were familiar with a diver, the diver was allowed to operate within their skill level without excessive interference from the dive masters On other boats, pictures were taken of all the quests and staff and posted in the common area. Really helps getting to know everyone in the beginning. Information was collected after each dive. I would be nice if this info was made available to divers at the end of the trip together with a list of all the dive sights and a map of where we had been Trying to settle up bills after dinner on the last night with an early departure looming was a bit much. Would have preferred an afternoon settlement and a leisurely last night. Still and all, I feel very spoiled. The bar has been set very high for live aboards in my future 05-08-11 through 14-08-11

Beautiful Boat and excellent dive operation.

I have never been on a boat as spacious and well appointed as the Carpe Vita. Every aspect the boat is well thought out and aesthetically appealing. The only negative thing I can think of is the number of times I tripped over the raised base between the bedroom and bathroom.

Food was first rate and even though I am a vegetarian I had lots of delicious options.

Very generous staff to guest ratio including dive masters to divers. Once dive masters were familiar with a diver, the diver was allowed to operate within their skill level without excessive interference from the dive masters

On other boats, pictures were taken of all the quests and staff and posted in the common area. Really helps getting to know everyone in the beginning.

Information was collected after each dive. I would be nice if this info was made available to divers at the end of the trip together with a list of all the dive sights and a map of where we had been

Trying to settle up bills after dinner on the last night with an early departure looming was a bit much. Would have preferred an afternoon settlement and a leisurely last night.

Still and all, I feel very spoiled. The bar has been set very high for live aboards in my future

]]> By: Tony Wain http://mvcarpediem.com/guest-book/comment-page-6/#comment-6111 Tony Wain Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:49:44 +0000 http://mvcarpediem.com/green/?page_id=21#comment-6111 24/07/11 - 04/08/11 Just had the best diving holiday of my life. I had been on three liveaboards before coming on the Carpe Vita, this was the best. The boat was fantastic with great accomodation, and plenty of space. The crew were vere helpful, with the kitchen staff doing an amazing job, the food was terriffic and plentiful and if you wanted something special all you had to do was ask, but my hat was off to the dive crew on the Dhoni and the dive guides looking after all the divers from start to finish. I almost forgot the barman who was almost overworked on our cruise. We saw everything we wanted on our trip from Mantas to a Whale shark, we also had an amazing encounter with a Fin Whale which surfaced right next to the Dhoni, Altogether a fantastic holiday. I cannot recommend this boat or the crew more highly. 24/07/11 – 04/08/11 Just had the best diving holiday of my life.
I had been on three liveaboards before coming on the Carpe Vita, this was the best.
The boat was fantastic with great accomodation, and plenty of space.
The crew were vere helpful, with the kitchen staff doing an amazing job, the food was terriffic and plentiful and if you wanted something special all you had to do was ask, but my hat was off to the dive crew on the Dhoni and the dive guides looking after all the divers from start to finish. I almost forgot the barman who was almost overworked on our cruise.
We saw everything we wanted on our trip from Mantas to a Whale shark, we also had an amazing encounter with a Fin Whale which surfaced right next to the Dhoni, Altogether a fantastic holiday.
I cannot recommend this boat or the crew more highly.

]]> By: Tony Wain http://mvcarpediem.com/guest-book/comment-page-6/#comment-6066 Tony Wain Sat, 06 Aug 2011 03:49:10 +0000 http://mvcarpediem.com/green/?page_id=21#comment-6066 Carpe Vita Explorer Maldives 24th July - 2nd August 2011. I just feel like I've completed the best diving holiday of my life. I have been on 3 other Liveaboards in Australia & New Guinea and this was by far the most enjoyable experience. The trip from start to finish was excellent. From the original booking direct with the operator through to transfer to the airport everything went smoothly and the staff were always cheerful and helpful. Diving in the Maldives, as we all know, is reputed to be some of the best in the world. On my trip I completed 35 dives and I would have to say every dive had something exceptional to offer. We dived with Manta Rays, we snorkelled and dived with a whale shark - what an experience! We had a fin whale surface right alongside the dive boat - not a guaranteed experience on any other cruises, but fantastic to see. The boat has room for 20 divers and was full during my trip, however, except at meal times, with the space available you hardly knew that there was anyone on board. There are lounge seats everywhere, plenty of space in the indoor lounge and a bit of room in the spa. The service was attentive but unobtrusive with cabins cleaned at least twice maybe three times a day depending on your diving schedule. The food was excellent and you couldn't possibly go hungry with up to 3 different choices at each sitting! I would not hesitate to recommend the Carpe Vita to anyone of any diving experience. The dive team in particular were fantastic always pointing out items of interest whilst maintaining careful watch over novice divers. Terrific, terrific, terrific! Carpe Vita Explorer Maldives 24th July – 2nd August 2011.

I just feel like I’ve completed the best diving holiday of my life. I have been on 3 other Liveaboards in Australia & New Guinea and this was by far the most enjoyable experience. The trip from start to finish was excellent. From the original booking direct with the operator through to transfer to the airport everything went smoothly and the staff were always cheerful and helpful.

Diving in the Maldives, as we all know, is reputed to be some of the best in the world. On my trip I completed 35 dives and I would have to say every dive had something exceptional to offer. We dived with Manta Rays, we snorkelled and dived with a whale shark – what an experience! We had a fin whale surface right alongside the dive boat – not a guaranteed experience on any other cruises, but fantastic to see.

The boat has room for 20 divers and was full during my trip, however, except at meal times, with the space available you hardly knew that there was anyone on board. There are lounge seats everywhere, plenty of space in the indoor lounge and a bit of room in the spa. The service was attentive but unobtrusive with cabins cleaned at least twice maybe three times a day depending on your diving schedule. The food was excellent and you couldn’t possibly go hungry with up to 3 different choices at each sitting!

I would not hesitate to recommend the Carpe Vita to anyone of any diving experience. The dive team in particular were fantastic always pointing out items of interest whilst maintaining careful watch over novice divers.

Terrific, terrific, terrific!

]]> By: Randy S http://mvcarpediem.com/guest-book/comment-page-5/#comment-6023 Randy S Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:32:43 +0000 http://mvcarpediem.com/green/?page_id=21#comment-6023 Just finished ten days of diving on the Carpe Vita. The whole holiday met and surpassed my expectations. While we were certainly lucky to find a number of Mantas and a friendly whale shark, each dive had interesting items to note. The dive guides where great...friendly, knowledgeable, and great at keeping a diverse group of divers satisfied. The briefings were excellent as were their ability to find both the very small and very large in the water. The dive boat crew was always there when needed and had tanks filled with speed and consistency I have not seen anywhere else. There were a lot of photographers on our trip and they did a great job of handling several very large camera rigs. The Carpe Vita was clean, well maintained, and served up great meals. I was even able to get a recipe away from the chef. I cannot think of a single negative thing to say about the whole experience other than it ended too soon. My thanks to Agnes and the whole crew for one of the best diving holidays I have ever had. Just finished ten days of diving on the Carpe Vita. The whole holiday met and surpassed my expectations. While we were certainly lucky to find a number of Mantas and a friendly whale shark, each dive had interesting items to note.

The dive guides where great…friendly, knowledgeable, and great at keeping a diverse group of divers satisfied. The briefings were excellent as were their ability to find both the very small and very large in the water.

The dive boat crew was always there when needed and had tanks filled with speed and consistency I have not seen anywhere else. There were a lot of photographers on our trip and they did a great job of handling several very large camera rigs.

The Carpe Vita was clean, well maintained, and served up great meals. I was even able to get a recipe away from the chef.

I cannot think of a single negative thing to say about the whole experience other than it ended too soon.

My thanks to Agnes and the whole crew for one of the best diving holidays I have ever had.

]]> By: Nick Fazah http://mvcarpediem.com/guest-book/comment-page-5/#comment-5222 Nick Fazah Thu, 02 Jun 2011 17:04:41 +0000 http://mvcarpediem.com/green/?page_id=21#comment-5222 Hands down, one of the best crews I have had the pleasure to dive with. I was on board this amazing boat for 10 days and I can tell you now you wont want to leave. The Vessel - Incredibly clean and well kept. The staff go out of their way to ensure that the common areas are kept comfortable and tidy. The bedrooms are cleaned and turned over at least 3 times a day and all of the cleaning staff are very polite and pleasant. The dining table is an open area off of the back of the boat and affords some spectacular views whilst enjoying food prepared by a chef that in my personal opinion could be a head chef at one of Bostons top restaurants. The dive team - As an instructor trainer who holds instructors to a very high standard I can openly say that the dive crew aboard the Carpe Vita were far in excess of what I expected. They were not only fun, courteous and polite but well versed on the local dives, conscientious on safety and incredibly detailed on their pre-dive briefings. The team itself is backed up by a separate boat crew dedicated to running the dive boat. These guys were filling our tanks with the on board Nitrox compressor, helping us in and out of the water, handing us our cameras and bringing us post dive snacks. This dive team should be proud of the image they project because they certainly earn it! The diving - Well, I saved the best for last! I may be slightly biased because I did get to see a whale shark for the first time in my life, but in addition to that, the diving was out of this world. You always tend to have a little more of one thing over another when you go on a dive trip. Either a lot of Pelagic, big stuff or a lot more macro stuff to look at. The dive sites we were taken to had an excellent balance of both. Reef Sharks, Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, Devil Rays, Nudibranch, Leaf Fish, Frog Fish, crazy little shrimp and crabs and so many Eels that I lost count. The List is endless and the visibility and water temperature just magnify the enjoyment of the marine life there. In closing, this boat, operation, crew and diving is some of the best I have had the pleasure to experience. I would recommend the Carpe Vita to anyone thinking about it. You want be sorry ......! Nick Fazah East Coast Divers Intructor Trainer Hands down, one of the best crews I have had the pleasure to dive with. I was on board this amazing boat for 10 days and I can tell you now you wont want to leave.

The Vessel – Incredibly clean and well kept. The staff go out of their way to ensure that the common areas are kept comfortable and tidy. The bedrooms are cleaned and turned over at least 3 times a day and all of the cleaning staff are very polite and pleasant. The dining table is an open area off of the back of the boat and affords some spectacular views whilst enjoying food prepared by a chef that in my personal opinion could be a head chef at one of Bostons top restaurants.

The dive team – As an instructor trainer who holds instructors to a very high standard I can openly say that the dive crew aboard the Carpe Vita were far in excess of what I expected. They were not only fun, courteous and polite but well versed on the local dives, conscientious on safety and incredibly detailed on their pre-dive briefings. The team itself is backed up by a separate boat crew dedicated to running the dive boat. These guys were filling our tanks with the on board Nitrox compressor, helping us in and out of the water, handing us our cameras and bringing us post dive snacks. This dive team should be proud of the image they project because they certainly earn it!

The diving – Well, I saved the best for last! I may be slightly biased because I did get to see a whale shark for the first time in my life, but in addition to that, the diving was out of this world. You always tend to have a little more of one thing over another when you go on a dive trip. Either a lot of Pelagic, big stuff or a lot more macro stuff to look at. The dive sites we were taken to had an excellent balance of both. Reef Sharks, Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, Devil Rays, Nudibranch, Leaf Fish, Frog Fish, crazy little shrimp and crabs and so many Eels that I lost count. The List is endless and the visibility and water temperature just magnify the enjoyment of the marine life there.

In closing, this boat, operation, crew and diving is some of the best I have had the pleasure to experience. I would recommend the Carpe Vita to anyone thinking about it. You want be sorry ……!

Nick Fazah
East Coast Divers
Intructor Trainer

]]> By: Jeroen http://mvcarpediem.com/guest-book/comment-page-5/#comment-4244 Jeroen Fri, 22 Apr 2011 05:57:52 +0000 http://mvcarpediem.com/green/?page_id=21#comment-4244 Joined the trip from 10 - 17 april on the Carpe Vita! Excellent experience! Well organized, fantastic boat, great crew (fun and helpful, both on the Carpe Vita, as well as the Dhoni)), good food and amazing diving: warm water, good visibility and underwater paradise! I came to see Mantarays and Whalesharks, and was lucky enough to see plenty of these great animals. It is harsh to back in the office! Love to go back! Joined the trip from 10 – 17 april on the Carpe Vita! Excellent experience! Well organized, fantastic boat, great crew (fun and helpful, both on the Carpe Vita, as well as the Dhoni)), good food and amazing diving: warm water, good visibility and underwater paradise! I came to see Mantarays and Whalesharks, and was lucky enough to see plenty of these great animals. It is harsh to back in the office! Love to go back!

]]> By: Susana Almeida http://mvcarpediem.com/guest-book/comment-page-5/#comment-4167 Susana Almeida Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:38:31 +0000 http://mvcarpediem.com/green/?page_id=21#comment-4167 April 4-11, 2011 We got back home late this week and we would like to thank all of the team and crew for a fantastic holiday. We were delighted to stay with you and it surpassed all our expectations. It was our first liveaboard and it set the standard really high The accommodations were great, the food too and the crew and staff were really kind. Diving conditions were great and the team was very helpful all the time! The mantas were awesome!!!!!!! Best regards and keep up the good work! April 4-11, 2011
We got back home late this week and we would like to thank all of the team and crew for a fantastic holiday.

We were delighted to stay with you and it surpassed all our expectations. It was our first liveaboard and it set the standard really high

The accommodations were great, the food too and the crew and staff were really kind.

Diving conditions were great and the team was very helpful all the time!
The mantas were awesome!!!!!!!

Best regards and keep up the good work!

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