MY Stella Maris Explorer

MY Stella Maris Explorer operates liveaboard dive cruises in some of the Philippines best dive sites. This 36m steel-hulled yacht visits Tubbataha and Apo Reef with a maximum of 20 guests on board.

There are 10 ensuite cabins across 3 decks ranging from economy to deluxe, all quite generously sized. Deluxe cabins even have touches of class such as a Nespresso machine plus a flatscreen TV and DVD player.

Guests can hang out in the saloon/dining area with entertainment facilities. The top deck is often used for al fresco dining, as well as soaking up the sun. The sun deck is partially covered and also features sun loungers for those who want to soak up the tropical sun. You can even slip into the Jacuzzi and sip a drink from the bar.

The guest-to-crew ratio is 1:1 so personal attention is clearly a focus of the staff, and dive groups are a maximum of 5 divers to every 1 guide. Nitrox is included in the price for suitably qualified divers and 15 litre tanks are free of charge, so you can maximise your bottom time in these rich waters. There are 4 showers on the dive deck so you can quickly and easily rinse off the saltwater after returning to the mothership. Rebreather diving and sidemount diving can also be accommodated.

Special offers: Extra terms and conditions for new bookings during the COVID reality:

• The Philippines continues to have its borders closed to foreign travellers.

Offer expires: 30 Dec 2020

Dive experience: The operator suggests divers have an advanced open water certification or at least 30 dives logged.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner (except final night), snacks, water, juice and hot drinks, local airport transfers, dives (as detailed in the cruises above), nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers, experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (max 5 divers to 1 DM), tanks (incl. 15 liter), weights and weightbelts.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (complete set incl dive computer US$ 38 per day), dive computer, port/park fees - Tubbataha US$ 270, Tubbataha & Apo Reef US$ 370. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).

Optional extras: Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, torch (US$ 4 per night), dive insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.

How to get there: MY Stella Maris Explorer uses 2 ports:
Puerto Princesa: This port is used for cruises exclusively to Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. The local airport is Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS). There are direct flights from Cebu City and Manila, as well as from Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. In Puerto Princesa, you will be collected at the local airport at 4 pm and transferred to the yacht.
Anilao: For 'Tubbataha & Apo Reef' trips, Puerto Princesa and Anilao Port are the 2 ports used. Anilao is a 3 hour drive south from Manila International Airport. Manila is the capital city and is well connected with direct flights to much of Asia, Australasia, North America and the Middle East. The national carrier is Philippine Airlines, but there are countless other major airlines that operate flights to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL). Note there is no transfer included between Anilao and Manila.
You must be onboard by 6 pm for cruise briefing, dinner and departure. The last dive of the trip will be 2 pm on the penultimate day. Disembarkation and relevant airport/hotel transfers will be at 8 am. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

Non-diver rate: US$ 200 off the full published price.

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 80% of the normal published price.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 10 guests, and 1 extra person can join the cruise in an Economy cabin free of charge (total 11+ guests).

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Please check with us.

There are 10 ensuite cabins: 3 Deluxe cabins on the main deck (2 double bed, 1 twin bed), 4 Standard twin bunk bed cabins on the upper deck, 1 Premium Economy twin/triple bed cabin, and 2 Economy twin bed cabins on the lower deck.

All the cabins have: No. of bathrooms / showers - 10 / 14 - hot water