The Cheng Ho is a long-standing fixture in the Indonesian diving cruise scene. At a length of 35 metres, she is a substantial vessel made from ironwood in traditional Phinisi style, operating Komodo liveaboard trips in and out of Labuan Bajo. The operator knows these waters better than most and they can showcase all the best that the region has to offer.
Cheng Ho accommodates a maximum of 26 guests. You can choose from a variety of cabins consisting of 6 double, 6 twin and 2 single bed cabins. Each of the cabins is well-appointed and comfortable, and they all feature private en-suite bathrooms.
There is a roomy saloon and dining area as well as a separate cinema room! The saloon also has the entertainment facilities you might expect including TV, DVD player, board games, reading library and photo and video editing facility. There is also an outdoor lounge area with a jacuzzi and lazy beds, for those that prefer to unwind in the open air. Adventure lovers will be delighted by the onboard sea kayaks and banana boat.
Diving activities are conducted from 2 aluminium speedboats. ENOS lost diver tracking is provided free of charge, and nitrox is also available. So not only does a liveaboard trip on the Cheng Ho mean that you will be treating yourself to some top class diving, but you will also have fun between dives in making the most of the facilities of this spacious Phinisi schooner. If you are seeking one of the best liveaboards in Komodo and want to enjoy some of Indonesia's finest scuba diving from the luxury of a large and impressive schooner, check out the mighty Cheng Ho.
The Cheng Ho liveaboard comfortably accommodates her charges on tours with a total of 14 guest cabins. There are 3 double cabins on the upper deck that feature 3 metre wide windows for spectacular views in luxurious lodging. 2 single bed cabins and 2 twin bed cabins are located on the main deck. The lower deck is home to the 3 double bed and 4 twin bed cabins.
All the cabins have:
Air-conditioning
Large windows on upper and main decks, portholes on lower deck
En-suite bathroom with hot-water shower, hand basin & toiletries
Towels, hairdryer and bathrobe
Reading light
Bedding
Cabinet, shelves & mirror
Safety box
24-hour, 220v electricity supply
Fire warning system
Fire extinguishers
Life jackets
European-style 2-pin plugs
No. of bathrooms / showers - 15 / 14 - hot water
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
Crew comprises:
3 Dive Masters
2 Cruise Leaders
Captain
2 Cooks
2 Engineer
2 Maids
3 Stewards
5 Deck Hands
2 Other Crew
45m² Dive deck and platform with shower and toilet - 3 Motorised aluminium dive tenders - 3 Rinse tanks - Separate rinse tank and table for cameras - 80m² Air-conditioned saloon with TV, DVD and sound system - Dedicated restaurant area - Open-air dining area - Computer with CD burner - Photo & video editing facilities - Internet (subject to coverage) - Separate cinema room with DVD projector - Movie and book library, games and magazines - Fish ID and diving books - Well stocked bar - Water dispenser - 2 Open-air shaded areas - 120m² Sun deck with Jacuzzi, sun chairs and mattresses - Sea kayaks - Inflatable banana boat
Cheng Ho considers food very important and follows the 'dive-eat-sleep' mantra with plenty to eat throughout the trip.
International and local specialities and BBQs are the themes varied on safaris.
Main meals comprise pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch & dinner with snacks in between.
Snacks include muffins, cake, toast, fruit, tea & coffee: all of which are free of charge.
Wine and spirits, extra soft drinks and beer are available as additional extras.
The menus are not fixed and meals are served buffet style in either the air-conditioned saloon or al fresco in the open-air dining area.
Vegetarian, halal and other special diets are catered for with prior notice.
Catering starts with lunch on check-in day.
Built in 2002, refurbished annually
Size - 35m x 11m
Top speed - 10 knots
Cruising speed - 7 knots
1 x 447 HP Yanmar engine
3 x 25 / 40 / 60 KW Soundproof generators
3 x Lenhardt & Wagner E450 dive tank compressors
Enriched air nitrox
12 litre aluminium tanks with Int. valves & DIN adaptors
Electricity 220v - 24 hours per day
Water capacity - 50,000 litres
Freshwater maker - 10,000 per day
Fuel capacity - 40,000 litres
Environmental storage tank
2 motorised tenders
4 x 20 person capacity life rafts
VHF radios
Furuno GPS
Satellite & mobile phones
Email
KODEN Echo sounder
KODEN Radar
EPIRB
20 life buoys
Emergency lights / signal devices
Life jackets in cabins / saloon
Fire extinguishers in hall, saloon & fire-stations
MFA box and trained staff
6,000 litres of oxygen on board
"The divemasters and staffs are kind. And the room is wide and sundeck is so wide. They serve beach towel enough, so it's very covenient." - Eunju Seo, South Korea, 19 September 2013 ...
DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES
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MORE TRIP DETAILS
Notes: Children under 12 years old - 50% off, based on sharing with parent without extra bed. Child of 5 years old or less - free of charge.
Dive experience: All divers must have at least 30 logged dives in the past 5 years. Otherwise it is possible to hire a private dive master. Please ask us for more details.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, land tours to see Komodo dragons (Komodo cruises), dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (max 4 divers per guide), ENOS lost diver tracking system, port fees, 11 litre tanks, weights and weightbelt, all taxes.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (US$ 35 per day), dive computer (US$ 10 per day), fuel surcharge/transfers/entrance fees (to be paid in advance): (Raja Ampat/Komodo: US$ 35 per night, all other regions US$ 25 per night), Raja Ampat local government tax (PIN) (US$ 75 per year). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).
Optional extras: Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, dive insurance, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (US$ 20 per day), torch (US$ 8 per day), 15 litre tank (US$ 10 per day). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.
How to get there: All cruises are planned to depart at 12 noon, or when all guests have arrived. Check-out time is before 12
noon. Komodo: Cheng Ho departs from Labuan Bajo in Flores. You can fly direct to Labuan Bajo from Bali. Raja Ampat: You can fly directly to Sorong from Jakarta, Ujung Pandang (Makassar) and Manado. From Bali there are convenient connections via Ujung Pandang (Makassar) and Manado. Ambon/Banda: Fly direct to Ambon from Jakarta (or from Sorong or Surabaya). Flores: Fly direct to the port of Maumere (direct from Bali, or via Makassar from Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur).
Flights can be arranged by the operator. A minibus transfer service from airports to and from the boat is included. For more details, including airlines, see our travel information section. The last dive of the trip will be at around 10 am on the second last day of the trip. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
Non-diver rate: US$ 50 per night off the published prices.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - solo travellers may choose to share a cabin and pay the regular fare, book a single bed cabin, or pay a supplement of 50% of the published price.
Dive clubs and group discounts: See whole boat charter policy below.
Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 12+ guests and 2 additional persons can join the cruise free of charge (total 14-17 guests).
Pay for 16+ guests and 3 additional persons can join free of charge (total 19-22 guests).
Pay for 20 guests and 4 additional persons can join free of charge (total 24-26 guests).
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow