Current travel news
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Introducing our new Reservation Roulette game!! (December 2005)
Do you want to have a chance at saving some money on your next dive trip? Potentially LOTS of money? Try our new Reservation Roulette game! We'll announce that certain departures aboard one of our vessels qualify for a game - simply make a reservation to travel on one of the specified trips and be entered into a drawing to get your trip for FREE! For further information, visit the new Reservation Roulette page.
Fuel Surcharge announced for Nimrod Explorer, Australia (September 2005)
On September 15, 2005, the Board of Directors of the Northern Group or Australia's Association of Marine Tourism Operators (AMPTO) unanimously ratified the imposition of a fuel surcharge for all member organizations. In our case, our package pricing was instituted 2 years ago; since then, fuel costs (our second-largest expense) have increased by nearly 50%. Explorer Ventures, along with all other operators, has therefore been forced to assess a fuel surcharge of A$10 per day per person, effective for all departures from October 1, 2005 onwards. This surcharge will be added to the on board bills of our guests.
The exact amount of this fuel surcharge will be reevaluated near the end of each month, based on fuel costs at the time, and will be adjusted upwards or downwards as necessary. The new amount will be posted on the website, and will be applicable to all of the departures on the following month. We greatly appreciate your understanding!
The rebirth of an old friend - Caribbean Explorer I to inaugurate Bahamas service in April, 2005! (January 2005)
We're happy to announce that, once again, our original vessel will inaugurate our newest itinerary - in late April, 2005, the Caribbean Explorer I will begin running week-long diving excursions from George Town, Great Exuma to the central Bahamas islands including Long Island, San Salvador and Conception Island, with occasional visits to Rum Cay and Cat Island!
Those of you who have travelled with us before, or followed our company since our beginnings in 1987, will be very familiar with the Caribbean Explorer I. After handing over her Northeastern Caribbean itinerary to Caribbean Explorer II in February, 2003, she was completely renovated and began service as the Turks & Caicos Explorer in October 2003. Only 16 months later, our purchase of the luxurious Turks & Caicos Explorer II allowed us to again use what is to many of you your favorite Explorer Ventures liveaboard to scout out new and exciting diving itineraries elsewhere.
As of this writing we're still finalizing the itinerary and logistical details, but the vessel's first charter is scheduled for April 23rd, 2005. For further information, please contact us or click here.
New flagship set to join the fleet - Turks & Caicos Explorer II to begin service in February 2005! (Dec 2004)
We're hugely excited to announce that we have finalized an arrangement to purchase what will become one of the premier liveaboard dive vessels - the 124' Turks & Caicos Explorer II!
Custom-designed in 1995 as a corporate yacht outfitted for dive charters, the new vessel brings a new level of accommodation not only to the Explorer Ventures Fleet, but to the Caribbean dive industry as well.Each of 10 spacious staterooms has individually-controlled air conditioning, as well as huge amounts of storage, hanging closet, ensuite private bathroom. The main salon accommodates all passengers at once for meals; the boat deck provides a large area for sunning, and the flybridge provides covered seating for 12 to 15.Quiet generators, automatic hydraulic stabilizers and a very comfortable ride will contribute to one of the most memorable liveaboard diving experiences you can have. For further information, please contact us or click here.
Fuel Surcharge announced for Caribbean vessels (Aug 2004)
The steep increase in worldwide oil prices has finally forced us to join railroads, freight companies, airlines and many other businesses in instituting a fuel surcharge, effectively immediately for all travelers aboard our Caribbean vessels. This surcharge will be added to the on board bills of our guests. Please click here to view the President's explanatory letter. We normally like to report happy news on this page, but unfortunately we're no longer able to withstand the inexorable increase in our costs without taking drastic action. We greatly appreciate your understanding!
Nitrox installation on the Nimrod Explorer completed! (Aug 2004)
As of August 2004, 32% nitrox fills are available aboard our Australia vessel! For further information and pricing, please visit our Nitrox page.
Upper Deck Upgrade on the Nimrod Explorer completed! (June 2004)
The long-planned upgrade to Nimrod's upper deck was completed in June '04, and repeat guests traveling aboard during the June/July Dwarf Minke Whale season have had excellent comments! A new bimini top and side curtains, as well as additional seating and storage, add a huge amount to the comfortable common areas aboard the vessel.
New Nimrod Explorer Schedules Mean Exciting Itineraries, Added Diving (Dec 2003)
Visitors to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) can look forward to a greater variety of itineraries and even more diving with the introduction of new dive adventure tours aboard the M / V Nimrod Explorer, our 18-passenger liveaboard based in Cairns, Queensland. Beginning in March 2004, the Nimrod Explorer will begin alternating departures between Cairns and historic Cooktown, 300 km to the north. Guests will have an opportunity to explore Cooktown, one of Queensland's oldest historic towns, as they depart or return aboard the Nimrod Explorer. Divers will enjoy even more world-class diving with regularly-scheduled 3- and 4-day Cod Hole / Ribbon Reefs itineraries, as well as 6 night / 7 Day itineraries to Osprey Reef. For more details, check the Schedule Page, and join us for an exciting expedition to waters barely charted, much less dived!
Caribbean Explorer II joins the fleet! (Feb 2003)
We're thrilled to announce that in mid February, 2003, Caribbean Explorer II arrived in St. Maarten to begin weekly itineraries between the Marine Parks of Saba, Statia and St. Kitts!. A larger and more luxurious vessel than the original Caribbean Explorer, which has been operating in the area since 1987, the 18-passenger Caribbean Explorer II offers guests larger staterooms with private bathrooms, queen size beds in many staterooms, a larger dive deck, and the availability of nitrox and nitrox training. Click here for further details!
100%! According to Rodale's Scuba Diving readers in 2003, both Nimrod Explorer and Caribbean Explorer rate among the Top Ten Liveaboards Worldwide!
The January / February issue of Rodale's Scuba Diving is eagerly awaited throughout the diving industry. In it, Rodale's tabulates the responses from thousands of readers to a questionnaire about their diving experiences worldwide. The top diving operations of all types are rated on performance in areas such as diving quality, food, facilities, staff and the like. For the past 8 years, the Caribbean Explorer has consistently rated in the top ten liveaboard dive vessels worldwide, and in 1999 our food was rated the best of any liveaboard anywhere!
The vessel's honors culminated in 1996, when the Caribbean Explorer "not only topped every other liveaboard in the world, it got the top overall score for any entry in any category with a 4.93 average".This year we're thrilled to announce that the Nimrod Explorer, our boat in Australia, also won accolades, rated the #4 liveaboard worldwide!
We have put a great deal of effort into refitting the vessel and testing new itineraries over the past 3 years since we purchased her, and we're honored that she's been noticed!We freely admit that there are other liveaboards in more exotic, far-flung locations with more luxurious accommodations, Jacuzzis, and fine china (and prices to match). Our specialties are excellent diving facilities and diving, comfortable accommodations, good food, and professional and personable service from a crew that makes you feel like you're with friends. For many people that's what truly makes a wonderful diving vacation. Thank you to all the Rodale's Scuba Diving readers who agree with our formula, year after year!
Save $200-$250 during low season Sept-Dec on our Caribbean vessels!
Trips aboard both the Caribbean Explorer II and Turks & Caicos Explorer II trips are discounted from September through December! The discounts, coupled with generally lower airfare during that period, is a heck of a deal!
Consecutive trip discounts available on Caribbean vessels!
We've had many people who've joined us for more than one trip in a row, and many others who have decided to stay for a second week after experiencing the first. Now, take 15% off the second and third weeks of a consecutive stay aboard either of our Caribbean vessels! Unfortunately, due to Nimrod Explorer's varied itineraries, we're not able to make the same offer.
Current Specials Now Posted!
Periodically we will offer special pricing on certain trips, to offer an even better value to our clients and help compensate for high airfare prices and slow demand during certain times of the year. We're now listing these on our Specials Page - be sure to bookmark it for future reference!
Rental dive gear and alcoholic beverages now included in packages aboard Nimrod Explorer booked in USA!
Why lug your dive gear around the world if you don't have to? All dive packages booked on Nimrod Explorer through our US reservations office and paid in US dollars now include any dive rental gear needed (excl. dive computer) at no extra charge! The new packages also now include all beverages, including alcohol. Both rental gear and alcoholic beverages will be included for all existing bookings made through our US office as well!
Join our mailing list!
Our email mailing list has now been automated! About once a month, or as necessary, we send out information on any special vacation packages that we may be offering, availability updates, happenings on board and the like! Subscribing and unsubscribing can be done automatically at any time. Join now!
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CURRENT NEWS
Environmental Initiative
Explorer Ventures
5 amazing destinations
- Southern Bahamas
- Galapagos Archipelago
- Maldives
- Northeastern Caribbean
Saba, Statia, St. Kitts
- Turks & Caicos
Contact Us
PO Box 310
Mills, WY 82644 USA
1.800.322.3577(US/Canada)
+1.307.235.0683 (Outside US/Canada)
+1.307.235.0686 Fax
Email info@explorerventures.com
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