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MV Emperor Leo

From USD 215 per day

Length

35m
116 ft

Max 24

Nitrox

PADI

Wi-Fi

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At a glance...

Visits Maldives central atolls
Inclusive cruise prices
All cabins with private bathrooms, TV & DVD
Sun deck with Jacuzzi
Nautilus Lifeline personal EPIRBs
Large boat

Customer reviews

Very good!

Click on an image to enlarge

Awesome diving begins with a giant stride from the dhoni

Emperor Leo's Upper deck double bed cabin

The Executive double bed suite on MV Emperor Leo

The end of another awesome dive - surfacing near the dhoni

On the dhoni... preparing for our next immersion

A sweet prospect - sip a fine pinot in the Jacuzzi

All set for some delicious Maldivian and Sri Lankan specialties

Beer on tap! Apres-dive time at Leo's bar

M/V Emperor Leo at anchor in the Maldives

The mothership and accompanying dhoni before sunset

Yet another view of the liveaboard MV Emperor Leo

Page contents:
Departure & Prices
Trip Details
Cabins
Crew & Facilities
Food
Specs
Safety
Reviews

The M/V Emperor Leo roars around the best dive sites of the central atolls of the Maldives, mainly North Male, South Male and Ari atoll. This 35m long motor yacht comfortably accommodates 24 divers in a range of cabins departing from Male Town for liveaboard trips of 7 nights' duration.

Emperor Leo boasts a large comfortable saloon where you can access the Wi-Fi, watch movies, listen to music or pick a book or two from the large library. Outdoor relaxation centres on the shaded area of the main deck or on the sun deck where sun loungers, outdoor bar service and Jacuzzi add to the comfort. There is also an air-conditioned restaurant and bar to make sure you can enjoy the range of fresh food and refreshing tipples on tour in style.

All the cabins feature ensuite bathrooms, TV, DVD, air-conditioning and minibar, so there is always space on the boat for you to feel pampered! A 20m diving dhoni accompanies the Emperor Leo and houses the compressors and equipment, so you don't have to hear the noise of tank filling or ever have to move your equipment from day one. Other features that set the Emperor Leo apart from many other Maldives liveaboards include free nitrox, Nautilus Lifeline personal EPIRBs and carbon monoxide analysers.

A great bonus of the Emperor Fleet is that they have a 'no hidden extras' prices. This means that, along with the free nitrox, internet usage, and a glass of wine each dinner time, you will find all the extras such as marine park fees, green/environment fees, GST/tourist taxes, fuel surcharges, airport transfers have already been included in the sales price! It is difficult to imagine what more one could want from a pure divers' liveaboard boat cruising around the paradise atolls of the Maldives.

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Scheduled departures, prices, destinations, durations...

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More Trip Details...

Dive experience: Recommendation (not mandatory): Maldives Central Atolls, Maldives Northern Atolls & North Male and Ari Atoll trips: participants should be Advanced Open Water Diver qualified. Maldives Central & Southern Atoll trips: divers should be Advanced Open Water Diver and have 30 logged dives. Maldives Southern Atolls: Advanced Open Water Diver and 100 logged dives.
Divers with less experience will be able to join trips but may have to sit out some dives if dive certifications and or experience are not sufficient for the planned dives.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner (1 BBQ on deserted island weather permitting), snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, glass of wine with dinner, transfers to the boat from the airport, dives, experienced English speaking divemasters (6 divers per guide), tanks, weights and weight belts, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers, Green Tax, Male city tour (on request), 12% GST on cruise price.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (full set including surface marker device and dive computer US$ 336 per week, must be pre-booked), reef hooks, dive insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival, with equipment ordered in advance (cash or credit card).

Optional extras: Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, 15 litre tanks (US$ 101 per week), torch (US$ 101 per week).

How to get there: The MV Emperor Leo liveaboard normally departs from Male for central trips and Gan, Kadhdhoo or Koodoo for southern itineraries. The first and last nights of the cruise are spent in the harbour. Your flight can arrive at any time on the first day. For more information see our How to get to the Maldives section.
There are 3 complimentary transfer timings from the airport to the boat on embarkation day; 11:00, 13:00 and 16:00 hrs. Guests taking the 11:00 hrs transfer from the airport to the boat have to accept that the boat will not be fully cleaned or ready for boarding until 13:00 hrs. Any other transfers required on embarkation day, other than the 3 stated above, can be arranged at a charge of US$ 15 per way (group or full charter bookings with a minimum of 8 guests arriving on the same flight will not be charged if an alternative transfer is required on embarking day (after 11:00 hrs)).
The last dive of the trip will be at around 13:00 hrs on the second last day of the trip. You will depart from the boat at 08:00 hrs. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

Non-diver rate: Non-divers receive a free snorkeling kit and a US$ 50 voucher to spend on board.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travelers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of 50% of the published price.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 5 guests and 1 extra person can join in a Standard twin/double bed cabin free of charge (total 6 guests).

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 20 guests and 4 additional persons can join the cruise in Standard twin/double bed cabins free of charge.

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Cabins, Berths, Showers, Bathrooms...

The Emperor Leo has 8 Standard twin/double bed cabins on the lower deck: 2 with double/twin beds, 4 twin beds (side-by-side) and 2 with double beds. There are 3 Upper deck twin/double bed cabins and 1 Executive double bed suite also on the upper deck. The Executive suite features its own Jacuzzi.

All the cabins have:

Air-conditioning
Windows (upper deck only) or portholes (lower deck)
Private bathroom with toilet, hot water shower, towels, toiletries and hand basin
Hair dryer
TV and DVD player
Minibar

Wardrobe and mirror
Reading lights
Safe box
Bedding
220V electricity supply with 3-pin UK style sockets (adaptors available)
Fire detectors and life jackets
Space for luggage

No. of bathrooms / showers - 13 / 12

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Crew, Facilities, Dive Courses...

The crew of 12 comprises:

Cruise Leader/Divemaster
Instructor/Divemaster
Captain
2 Cooks
Engineer

Maid
Stewardess
Deck hand
3 Dhoni crew

Complimentary nitrox - Dhoni (see below) - Motorised dinghy - Saloon with TV, DVD, computer, wi-fi internet & music system - Book library, movies, games & magazines - Fish ID & diving books - Dining area with bar - Sun deck with sun chairs, mattresses & whirlpool tub - Main deck open-air shaded area with bar - Water dispenser

All the diving in the Maldives onboard the MV Emperor Leo is done from an accompanying 20m long dhoni. This dive boat carries all the guest's scuba equipment, the compressors and tanks. There is a toilet and fresh water shower on board, rinse tanks and a camera table. The dhoni also carries the emergency breathing oxygen.

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Menu, Cuisine Type...

Dining takes place in the air-conditioned dining area, with adjoining bar on the main deck. In addition to an evening island BBQ, you can enjoy 3 meals a day, plus a pre-breakfast before dive 1, all served buffet style. The menu is a blend of international cuisine and local specialties. Advanced notice should be given of dietary requirements, and the 2 cooks will do their best to cater to all such needs.

Maldivian and International cuisine, with weekly island BBQ.
Main meals are served buffet-style in the air-conditioned restaurant and comprise pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch and dinner, with snacks in between.
Snacks, bread/toast, fresh fruit, drinking water, and tea & coffee are available free of charge.
Soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits are available for purchase.
First meal served is lunch or dinner on the first day of the trip, depending on your time of arrival.
All special diets can be catered for with prior notice.

Sample dishes: Mixed Maldivian/Sri Lankan buffet; Home made pizzas ....

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Technical Specifications...

Built in 2009, refurbished annually
Size - 35m x 9.5m
Top speed - 12 knots
Cruising speed - 10 knots
500 HP engine
2 x 40 KW generators
2 x Coltri compressors

Nitrox system
12 & 15 litre aluminium scuba tanks with international fittings and DIN adaptors
Electricity 220V - 24-hours per day
Water capacity - unknown
Freshwater maker - 12,000 l/day
Fuel capacity - unknown

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Navigation, Safety Features...

1 dhoni motorised tender
25 HP motorised dinghy
CB radio
Radar
GPS
Mobile phones
Engine room CCTV

Bilge pump alarm
Search light & horn
Life jackets throughout including cabins
Fire detectors & extinguishers throughout
Emergency oxygen - 14,000 litres
Medic first aid box

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Customer reviews:

"Staff very very good, Food amazing!!! We enjoy our dive liveaboard. But Maldives is not for everybody, lots of hard current underwater. Manta ray amazing! " - Anne Tremblay, Canada, 6 January 2018 ...

"The Liveaboard was exceptional; professional staff, great facilities on the boat and good DM's. Can't comment on equipment as we brought our own gear." - Laura Yates, South Africa, 7 April 2015 ...

"Dive Guide Services were provided by 3 European divemasters or instructors, not local guides. They were very professional and had good knowledge and experiences in local sites. They also gave very detailed briefings before every dive. They even jumped into the water just before diving from dhoni to check the actual currents and visibility. All facilities were well maintained and cleaned. The cabin was very clean and comfort with good quality mattress and comforter. My cabin was cleaned twice a day while I and my fellow roommate were in diving." - Seung An Park, South Korea, 6 October 2014 ...

"We felt the service and experience on the liveaboard was exceptional. Cannot fault the staff members on the boat. Equipment was satisfactory." - Robert Nel, South Africa, 15 April 2014 ...

"This was my first liveaboard and I really enjoyed it. Room is big and clean, crew is very friendly and helpful, food is nice." - Li Hui, China, 8 April 2014 ...

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