Frequently asked questions
General questions
Before Your Trip
There are many advantages to booking a liveaboard scuba diving holiday rather than land-based diving, not least of which is the convenience. Everything you could possibly want is provided within comfortable surroundings where you simply eat, sleep, dive and repeat as much (or little) as you want for the duration of your time on board. After assembling your equipment on the first day, there is no need to disassemble it until the last day, or carry it anywhere; you simply need to put it on (we’ll even help you with that if needed), then you’re all set for your next exciting dive.
Find out more reasons why you should book a liveaboard for your next scuba diving holiday in our blog: Advantages of Liveaboard Diving
Master Liveaboards offer liveaboard scuba diving holidays across the globe including; Pacific Ocean (Galapagos Islands, Palau, Truk Lagoon, Bikini Atoll, and Solomon Islands),Red Sea (Egypt) and Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar).
Contact us if you would like to tailor-make your own scuba diving holiday experience.
Each Master Liveaboards destination and itinerary has specific requirements regarding minimum certification level and diving experience. Please refer to the itinerary information pages and documents to ensure you meet these requirements.
To find out why we stipulate these requirements, and why it is so important for divers to meet them and other considerations, read our blog: What Certification Do I Need for a Scuba Diving Liveaboard?
Please be aware that divers who do not meet the minimum requirements for the itinerary they have booked, or who our crew feel lack sufficient experience or skills to dive safely in certain conditions, may be denied participation in some or all scuba diving activities.
In short, ‘Yes’; Diving insurance and Travel insurance are a condition of booking for all guests on all of our vessels.
All guests travelling aboard our liveaboards must ensure they are fully covered for all diving accidents and emergency situations, including air evacuation and all related medical treatment costs. This is a mandatory requirement, as outlined in section 3 of our terms and conditions.
Your insurance must cover all of your scuba diving and snorkelling activities. It must include the type of diving and maximum depths you will be diving to (within the limits dictated by your diving certification), and provide full cover of emergency air evacuation costs and recompression treatment.
Please be aware that while some basic travel insurance policies cover scuba diving, they often specify maximum depths which may be less than your certification limits and/or the dive sites on your itinerary. Additionally, they may not cover all costs incurred as a result of a diving-related accident. It is your responsibility to check that your insurance provides adequate coverage for your chosen itinerary.
Travel and cancellation insurance is also mandatory for all guests. We strongly advise obtaining comprehensive travel insurance to cover unforeseeable delays, missed flight connections and cancellations. Please read our blog ‘Do You Really Need Travel Insurance?‘ for further information on why the right type of travel insurance is so important.
The short answer is ‘No’; we are not able to arrange personal insurance for you.
However, Master Liveaboards offer a referral program with Dive Assure who specialise in diving travel insurance, and DAN (Divers Alert Network) who offer short-term diving accident cover. Please visit our Dive & Travel Insurance page for more information and links to the Dive Assure and DAN booking platforms.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit to travel and have had the required vaccinations for the countries you will be visiting. We are unable to give specific advice on vaccinations or other medical precautions as this information should be provided by a medical professional.
Please contact your local health adviser, pharmacy or travel clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for the latest advice and recommendations for your liveaboard destination.
Useful travel health advice can be found on the following websites:
UK – Travel Health Pro
US – CDC Travelers’ Health
Insect-borne diseases
All travellers are advised to take appropriate precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitos and other insects, especially when on land. The Travel Health Pro website has a useful fact sheet relating to insect bites and effective repellents.
Severe allergies
If you have a severe allergy, please inform us before you travel. If you have preventative or curative medication relating to an allergy please be sure to bring it (and a copy of your doctor’s prescription) with you.
Yes, as long as your condition has been evaluated by a qualified diving physician. Guests who have a pre-existing condition, even if it is controlled with medication, or have any symptoms that could be restrictive to diving, must obtain a doctor’s certificate clearing them to dive.
All guests are required to complete and sign a standard diving medical statement AND provide proof of a doctor’s evaluation if the answer to any of the questions on the form is ‘Yes’
As it is not possible to arrange medical evaluation in any of our embarkation locations, we strongly advise reviewing the questions and obtaining a physician’s clearance to dive before travelling.
Any guests who are unable or unwilling to complete the statement as directed or provide a current doctor’s certificate (less than 1 year old) will be denied participation in all scuba diving activities during the liveaboard itinerary they have booked with us.
Yes. Every person joining any Master Liveaboards cruise, including non-divers, is required to sign the relevant liability releases (waivers) for the itinerary and activities they will be participating in. We strongly recommend that you download, read and complete these forms before the start of your trip.
Guests joining a Bikini Atoll itinerary are also required to sign the Bikini Trips – Additional Liability Release and express assumption of risk agreement.
All waivers are available in multiple languages on our Liability Waiver Forms page.
Tech diving may mean a lot to different people but, at Master Liveaboards, we define it as follow:
- Any dive to a depth more than 40 metres;
- Any dive with planned decompression stops;
- Any dive with accelerated decompression (more than one Nitrox mix or greater than 40% Nitrox);
- Any dive with variable gas mixtures (including rebreathers)*
- A dive within an overhead environment beyond 40 linear metres of the surface
*As rebreathers use variable gas mixes their use is also classed as technical diving even when used at recreational depths, i.e. less than 30 metres.
Any divers who want to do any kind of technical diving, as defined above, in any destination, need to complete our technical diving request form and technical diving liability release
In some destinations, yes. Please refer to the amenities section on the individual vessel pages or contact our reservations team for clarification.
Where rebreathers can be supported, the destination’s onboard extras information includes details of cylinder rental costs and prices for gases and Sofnolime.
Cylinders and Sofnolime MUST be requested well in advance to ensure requirements can be fulfilled. It is imperative that all rebreather divers give us sufficient notice of how much Sofnolime they will need for the entire duration of their chosen itinerary so that we can ensure the required quantities are available.
Rebreather divers are also required to complete the technical diving liability release in addition to standard waiver forms.
- Maximum 2 dives per day – one morning, and one afternoon
Depth and supervision, in accordance with certification agency standards:
- PADI Junior Open Water Diver (10-11 years): Maximum 12 metres, accompanied by a PADI Professional or their certified parent/guardian
- PADI Junior Open Water Diver (12-14 years): Maximum 18 metres accompanied by a certified adult
- PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver (12-14 years): Maximum 21 metres accompanied by a certified adult
Junior divers may only participate in dives assessed by the Cruise Director or Lead Dive Guide as suitable for junior divers at the time of entry. The Cruise Director or Lead Dive Guide may modify or cancel the dive for junior divers at any time, even if the dive proceeds for certified adults.
Junior divers must not participate in:
- Overhead environments (caverns, wreck penetration, swim-throughs)
- Mandatory negative entries
- Decompression or planned staged dives
- Dives requiring advanced propulsion, task loading, or emergency drills
- Solo or unsupervised dives
Documentation & consent: A specific Junior Diver liability release and parental/guardian consent form must be completed and signed before participation in any diving activities.
Most dietary requirements can be catered for, although what we are able to offer may be limited. In some destinations, gluten-free, lactose-free, sugar-free, dairy-free and low-fat products which are common and readily available in many parts of the world are very difficult if not impossible to source. Please inform us of your requirements as far in advance as possible to ensure we can make adequate provisions to suit your needs.
PLEASE NOTE: We will of course try our best to meet your requirements but, please be aware that there are limitations based on what is available locally and we cannot guarantee the supply of all requested items. You are welcome to bring specific products with you for our chefs to use, where permitted by local regulations, if the lack thereof may affect your wellbeing or holiday.
Yes, in most destinations*. Master Liveaboards guests are permitted to bring a maximum of one bottle of spirits, or one bottle of wine, per person onboard. Beer is not permitted.
On some vessels, a corkage fee will be charged on alcohol that guests have brought on board to consume. Please refer to onboard extras for details.
*Please note that local laws and regulations take precedence, and in some destinations (such as the Maldives), bringing alcohol into the country is strictly prohibited. In such cases, no alcohol may be brought onboard.
Most itineraries operated by Master Liveaboards are subject to port and marine park fees, as well as other local taxes and permit costs, which are not included in the liveaboard price. The amounts depend on the destination and itinerary, and are obligatory for all guests whether they are diving or not. The applicable amount* for your itinerary will be noted as an on-board extra at the time of booking your liveaboard.
*Please note: These fees can not be paid in advance and are subject to change without notice. The full amount due at the time of your liveaboard departure needs to be paid aboard the vessel, along with any other onboard extras, before disembarkation.
Travel
For the latest travel advice, including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, please visit your relevant official government website.
For example, the UK Government website offers Foreign travel advice for British citizens travelling abroad including safety and security considerations, entry requirements and travel warnings.
Likewise, The U.S. Department of State website has essential International travel advice and tips for North Americans.
While we provide general advice in our trip information documents for each destination, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have had the required vaccinations for the countries you will be visiting. Vaccination requirements can change at relatively short notice and we can not guarantee that information provided by us is the most up to date.
We therefore advise checking with your local health adviser, pharmacy or travel clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for the latest requirements and recommendations for your liveaboard destination. We also advise ensuring that your routine vaccinations and boosters are up-to-date, i.e. MMR, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio, Typhoid, etc.
Appropriate precautions should be taken to avoid being bitten by mosquitos and other insects by using insect repellent and covering up as much as possible, especially when on land.
Please consult the destination entry requirements page, the respective destination FAQ section, or Trip Information documents for details of country-specific visa requirements.
PLEASE NOTE: The information provided by Master Liveaboards is intended as general guidance for our vessels’ operational destinations only. While we endeavour to keep information as up-to-date as possible, entry requirements and procedures can change.
It is the responsibility of all travellers to check their home country’s information sources and ensure they have a visa (if needed) or other required documents for their final destination and transit.
Current studies indicate that you should wait at least 18 hours before you fly after multi-days repetitive diving. However, we recommend not flying for 24hrs after your last dive.
On most itineraries we usually schedule two (2) morning dives for the last full day of the liveaboard itinerary, before the vessel returns to port for disembarkation the following day. Should you choose to book a flight which departs less than 24 hours after one or both of these dives you will not be able to participate in the dives.
Please bear this in mind before you book your onwards international or domestic flights.
Our blog, Packing for a Scuba Diving Liveaboard, provides helpful advice and information about what to bring on your Master Liveaboards scuba diving holiday.
To ensure you don’t forget anything important, we have also created a Packing Checklist.
You will also find an essential items checklist in each destination’s Know Before You Go information sheets, which can be found on the Master Liveaboards downloads page.
We recommend that guests carry basic overnight essentials, necessary medications and valuables in their hand luggage. This ensures that, in the unlikely event that checked luggage goes astray for any reason, guests will at least have the bare essentials with them, making any delay in the arrival of their luggage slightly more bearable.
Where space and weight limits allow, it’s also a good idea to pack your regulators and dive computer in your carry-on.
We can book domestic flights for our guests in destinations where they are needed for the liveaboard embarkation and disembarkation locations. Ask your reservations consultant on your booking email, or use the Contact Us form.
Contact Master Liveaboards
Yes. We can arrange hotels and airport transfers at destinations where we operate for guests joining a Master Liveaboards cruise.
You can find suggestions and a request form on the hotels page of our website: https://masterliveaboards.com/hotels
Yes. We can arrange single-day or multi-day tours and excursions in destinations where we operate for guests joining a Master Liveaboards cruise.
You can find suggestions and a request form on the tours page of our website: https://masterliveaboards.com/tours
Onboard
Due to the layout of the decks and guest cabins, most of our liveaboards are generally inaccessible for wheelchairs and may provide challenges or be unsuitable for some guests with limited mobility. Additionally, our crew does not include certified HSA (Handicapped Scuba Association) guides who are trained to assist divers with a variety of disabilities.
However, in some cases, we may be able to accommodate guests with prosthetic limbs, vision or hearing impairments, or specific mobility constraints. Amputees and guests with physical limitations need to consider whether they can safely perform the following actions before booking:
- Navigate stairs: Move between decks using steps independently.
- Clear thresholds: Step over raised door sills and watertight barriers
- Board tenders: Physically climb into a dinghy or up a skiff ladder without scuba gear
- Transfer to platform: Step from a moving dinghy onto the main dive platform with minimal assistance.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact our reservations team before confirming your booking.
The majority of cabins on Master Liveaboards vessels are double occupancy, either twin beds or one double bed. Published prices are per person, based on the maximum occupancy of each cabin type:
- Single cabin (only on Pacific Master and Maldives Master) = 1 pax
- Twin/Double cabin = 2 pax
- Quad cabin = 4 pax (Thailand Master only)
Single travellers who do not wish to share a cabin can secure a twin or double bed cabin as single occupancy at a supplemental cost of 80% of the published per person price.
Single travellers who do not wish to pay for single occupancy should be aware that we can not guarantee they will have their own cabin and they may have to share with another person.
As part of our commitment to the safety of our guests and crew members, all Master Liveaboards vessels are equipped with CCTV cameras, which are located in the following areas on each vessel:
- Engine room
- Dive platform
- Dive deck
- Sun deck
- Cabin corridors
- Galley (kitchen)
- Communal indoor area(s), e.g. dining room, salon, camera prep areas
We wish to assure all guests that the placement of all CCTV cameras is for the safety of all on board and are not set up or intended to invade privacy in anyway.
All of our cylinders have convertible valves so they can accommodate DIN or INT (Yoke) regulators.
The standard cylinder size, which is included in the liveaboard price on all Master Liveaboards vessels, is 11.1 Litres (80 cu ft) aluminium (Luxfer S080 and/or Catalina S80).
On most of our vessels, we have a limited number of larger cylinders available for an additional charge, which are 13.2 Litres (100 cu ft) aluminium (Luxfer S100 and/or Catalina C100). In some parts of the world, these are often incorrectly referred to as 15 Litres.
In some destinations, there are also smaller cylinders available for sidemount, bailout and stage use. Please refer to the relevant vessel for further details of which sizes are available for your chosen destination.
Our blog How Big is My Tank? sheds some light on the confusion around cylinder sizes and what to expect from a ‘normal’ or ‘big’ tank.
Nitrox is usually available on all Master Liveaboards’ itineraries at an additional cost. If you are not a certified nitrox diver, you can also take the opportunity to do the specialty course on board.
Please be aware that the availability of Nitrox is not guaranteed and no compensation will be offered should we be unable to provide nitrox for any reason.
We can offer a variety of diving certification courses on most of our vessels for continuing your diver education, such as PADI Advanced Open Water Diver and PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver, or learning new skills with a speciality course.
All courses are carried out in conjunction with online learning, for which there is a separate registration process and charge. Please contact our reservations team to find out which courses might be possible on your liveaboard holiday.
PLEASE NOTE: In some destinations, we offer the SSI equivalents of PADI certifications. Details can be found here: Scuba Diving Courses with Master Liveaboards
Additionally, in some destinations, we can offer a refresher course (scuba review) for those who have not dived for a while. Please be advised that this is NOT a certification course; it is an opportunity to review and brush up on previously learnt skills under the guidance of one of our instructors or dive-masters.
We are unable to offer any courses on Truk Lagoon or Bikini Atoll itineraries
Standard diving equipment is available to rent on all of our vessels at an extra cost. We advise pre-booking to ensure availability.
Guests are responsible for taking care of all equipment they rent and will be charged the cost of replacing or repairing items they lose or damage.
PLEASE NOTE: Use of a dive computer is mandatory for every diver on all of our vessels. Dive computers are available to rent for those guests who do not have their own.
- Use of a dive computer is mandatory for every diver on all of our vessels.
- All guests are required to complete a medical statement and sign the relevant liability releases prior to departure of their liveaboard. Guests who have any condition that may be incompatible with scuba diving need to provide a doctor’s certificate clearing them to dive.
- You are responsible for ensuring you have the minimum required number of dives, certification and experience before the start of your chosen itinerary. Any divers who do not fulfil the mandatory minimum requirements may be denied participation in some or all diving activities.
- All divers are expected to dive conservatively at all times, make a safety stop at the end of each dive, and stay within the limits of their scuba diving certification and experience.
- It is your responsibility to check your insurance policy details (and exclusions) to ensure that it covers all eventualities. Please be aware that most insurance policies will not cover costs in the event of an accident occurring where the diver has exceeded the limits of their training (or policy), or is deemed to have not followed safe diving practices or the advice of their dive guide.
Dress code on our vessels is very casual and informal. Most guests are comfortable in little more than swimwear, shorts and t-shirts for the majority of their time on board. However, we ask that guests put a t-shirt or other item of clothing over their swimwear while seated at the dining area; A sweater is advised for cooler nights, particularly after multiple dives.
Most guests prefer to go barefoot on board the boats, and are actively encouraged to do so. We advise bringing sturdy sandals, cross-trainers or comfortable walking shoes to wear on island visits.
No. We provide towels for guests to use in their cabins and additional towels for use on deck. These are laundered and replaced regularly throughout the cruise to ensure they are always fresh and clean.
Yes. All guest cabins and deck bathrooms are equipped with liquid soap dispensers, which can be used as shower gel and/or shampoo.
However, many guests prefer to bring their own shampoo and hair conditioner with them. We strongly encourage guests to only bring environmentally friendly products, and to take any unused items home.
Meals on Master Liveaboards’ vessels are provided on a full board basis and comprise a variety of choices ranging from mild local dishes to Western cuisine. Every meal is freshly prepared by our onboard chefs using the freshest vegetables and highest quality seafood and meats available, and normally served buffet-style.
Guests may help themselves throughout the day and night to a variety of complimentary fresh fruit, snacks, soft drinks, purified water, juices, teas and instant coffee.
Please note: In some destinations there may be a charge for sodas, fruit juices and fresh-brew coffee.
For safety and hygiene reasons, guests are not permitted to cook their own food on any Master Liveaboards vessel. We respectfully ask guests not to bring heaters or other cooking gadgets on board with them as they potentially constitute a fire risk.
Yes, as long as you are not diving afterwards. Guests are reminded to drink responsibly while on board and not to drink any alcoholic beverages until after their last dive of the day.
A range of alcohol (beer, wines and spirits) is available to purchase on board all of our vessels for when you have finished diving for the day.
We will not allow guests to dive after consuming alcohol. Therefore, if you intend to participate in an afternoon or night dive, you should refrain from drinking alcohol with lunch. Similarly, diving with a hangover can seriously impair your judgement and increase the risk of decompression sickness.
If our crew feel that you are not fit to dive, you will be politely asked not to dive. It is important for you to acknowledge that we will only ever do this to protect your safety. We will not tolerate anti-social or aggressive behaviour on board, and individuals who cause a disturbance to other guests may be removed from the vessel.
Yes. If your dive or camera equipment requires a unique-size battery, or will need a lot of replacements during your holiday, please bring sufficient extras with you. Alternatively, consider using rechargeable batteries as there are plenty of sockets to plug in a charger on board.
As there is very limited or no access to battery recycling facilities in the destinations where we operate, we kindly request that you take your spent batteries home with you to be recycled or disposed of properly.
Yes. All our vessels have a fully stocked first aid kit, medical-grade oxygen and an AED. Our crews are trained Emergency First Responders and able to handle all boat and diving emergencies. However, they are not doctors and therefore unable to advise or issue medication for medical conditions.
Guests who take prescription medicines are advised to bring sufficient with them for the duration of their trip. We also recommend bringing a travel first-aid kit.
The safety of all of our guests and crew members is our utmost priority, and we are dedicated to maintaining a secure environment on every trip.
All Master Liveaboards vessels are fully equipped with modern marine safety features and equipment to enhance their operational safety. We comply with all maritime regulations, but also go above and beyond. Onboard safety equipment includes:
- Navigation and Communication Systems:
- Satellite communication;
- VHF Radios – both fixed and handheld;
- Compass, chart plotter and charts;
- Radar;
- AIS (Automatic Identification System).
- Fire Suppression and Detection Systems:
- Detectors and alarms;
- Fire extinguishers;
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA);
- Fire suppression systems;
- Fire blankets;
- Other firefighting equipment such as nozzles, hoses, pumps and hydrants.
- Life-Saving Equipment:
- Life jackets;
- Life rafts;
- Pyrotechnics (flares);
- EPRIB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon);
- SART (Search and Rescue Transponders).
- Medical Equipment:
- Fully stocked first aid kit;
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED);
- Oxygen (O2)
- Other features:
- Emergency lighting and signage;
- Emergency escapes and alternative evacuation routes;
- Hull breach kits;
- SOPEP (Ship Oil Pollution Emergency Plan) kit;
- CCTV.
Our crews are fully trained in the use of all safety equipment, and participate in regular practice scenarios to keep their skills and preparedness fresh. Additionally, all guests receive comprehensive briefings upon embarkation, which include familiarisation with the vessel’s safety features, emergency procedures and a muster drill.
No. Guests are not allowed to fish on any Master Liveaboards vessel or from the dive tenders.
Many of the areas covered by our liveaboard itineraries are marine sanctuaries and environmentally protected areas, meaning fishing is prohibited by law or requires a special permit.
Yes, but it is only permitted in designated outdoor areas aboard the vessels. This includes the use of vapes and other electronic smoking devices.
Please be aware that, in some destinations, vapes are illegal.
In most cases, yes.
The majority of Master Liveaboards vessels are fitted with satellite internet systems, with wi-fi access available for an additional charge.
In some destinations, connectivity relies upon the availability of local mobile networks, which may be sporadic in some areas and non-existent in others.
On the majority of Master Liveaboard vessels, payment for marine park fees and other on board extras can made in cash or by credit card (Visa or Mastercard).
- Exchange rates for cash payments in currencies other than USD or local currency are based on local bank rates at the time of payment.
- Card payments on board are subject to a surcharge, which ranges from 3%-5% depending on the destination.
- Please refer to specific destination FAQs or downloadable Trip Information documents for further information regarding accepted currencies and card charges.
Crew gratuities are not included in your package and are at your discretion.
Our crew work extremely hard to ensure our guests receive the best possible service from start to end of each trip, and tips received in recognition of this are always greatly appreciated.
As tips are discretionary, we do not specify an amount to give, but the industry standard is generally 10% to 15% of the cruise cost. We suggest between $35-$50 USD per night, which, for a 7-night trip, is 250-350 USD per guest.
Should you feel that the crew have gone above and beyond in making your liveaboard experience as memorable and comfortable as possible, and would like to show your appreciation for all their hard work, you can leave a tip, in cash, in the envelope that will be provided at the end of your trip. All gratuities are divided equally between crew, including the dive guides.
We regret that, on most Master Liveaboards’ vessels, we are unable to charge gratuities to guests’ credit or debit cards. Please check the Know Before You Go information that can be found on the downloads page and ensure you have sufficient cash to cover any tips you may wish to leave.
Master Liveaboards is committed to promoting responsible tourism and is aiming at becoming plastic-free on all of our vessels. We are asking our guests to help us achieve this goal by minimising their use of single-use plastics. This includes removing unnecessary packaging from new items before travelling, and taking plastic bags and bottles home with them.
We no longer provide drinking water in single-use plastic bottles and ask guests to bring a reusable sports bottle if they have one. If not, there are plenty of glasses on board to ensure you remain hydrated.
Additionally, many of our vessels use environmentally friendly cleaning products and toiletries where available, and we encourage guests to do the same when joining one of our liveaboard itineraries.
Master Liveaboards love photographers and videographers and have tried to make their lives as easy as possible. Most of our vessels offer dedicated rinse tanks and a large camera preparation, storage and charging area. Our crew is experienced in handling photography and video equipment, and we love receiving images from our guests!
Please note that, in some destinations, there may be local restrictions for photographers, videographers, and/or the use of drones.
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