Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Maldives holidays, Dhoni cruise, independent reviews
 Reviewed 17 Feb 2009 by Elizabeth Davies |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The snorkelling. We never knew what we were going to see and the colours of the different fish were fantastic.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't pack too much its not needed. Spent most of the days in swimsuit and sarong. Always wear a t-shirt in the water to save getting back and shoulders getting burnt. Also a pair of cheap shorts to stop your 'cheeks' getting burnt too. And you don't need much money on this holiday as food all included and only stopped at one place where you could buy anything. Most money was spent on drinks bill.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes as tourism is the highest employment in The Maldives. The staff on board were all locals (Maldive, Indian or Sri Lankan) and all food was locally sourced.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic. First time I have snorkelled and would definitely do it again. Food was great and the fish was the freshest I have eaten.
| Reviewed 17 Feb 2007 by Margaret Andrew | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole holiday was excellent. The most memorable bits were probably the snorkelling (which was as superb as we had expected) and the warmth of the welcome given by the boat crews and the people in the villages we visited. The crew and tour leader were brilliant - they were amiable, informative and helpful to a fault, particularly with the snorkelling. The food they conjured up on minimal cooking equipment was very good too (assuming you like fish!).
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Tips: we really liked the boat (see the picture) but the cabin accommodation is ... basic. Not a problem for us, but could be for some, particularly anyone put in the twin cabin (as distinct from the doubles): not a good arrangement if a single traveller has to share with another single traveller. Don't take many clothes - they are redundant (especially shoes) - but do take snorkelling wear that will cover shoulders and thighs (T shirts and swimming shorts rather than trunks). You need very little cash but a lot of high factor sun tan lotion.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Apart from the crew, who presumably earned a living, we don't suppose it benefited the local people hugely, though they couldn't have been more welcoming. At least it felt like we were doing no harm. Likewise the environment - it minimised damage. We do feel that we have been given some insight into the way of life, the nature of the people, and the fragility of that environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It's a bit difficult to start saying it's the best holiday ever, when you're comparing unlike with unlike, but at the least it is up there with a very small number of holidays. We have come back feeling terrific. So certainly at the very top end of **** if not *****.
| Reviewed 22 Oct 2005 by Graham Cox | |
If the idea of paradise island breaks appeals, but the artificial and sanitised experience of a pampered and segregated 'resort' holiday that is the classic Maldives impression does not, then this holiday will fit your needs. One proviso. You need (modest) sea legs.
Dhoni are the locally styled motorised yachts that ply between islands and atolls delivering everything and everyone to the scattered communities. With this operator the aim is to enjoy the idyll of white sand islands, mostly uninhabited, to snorkel among the countless coral reefs and to engage with local communities and their lifestyle. The Maldivian peoples whilst possessing the almost obligatory mobile phones and satellite TV remain detached from the worst influences of modern society. Extracting a simple but sufficient lifestyle out of traditional fishing based industry and a booming tourist trade they thankfully are still a warm welcoming and innately hospitable people.
Travelling by our dhoni with seven like minded people and four crew away from the Resort islands, also thankfully well managed and restrained from 'Caribbean' excess by government policy, the operator took us to atolls and islands rarely seen leave alone visited by the 'smart set' shepherded to their five star confinement by speedboat. Guided by the all local crew and tour guide we snorkelled silently among countless marine life by day and anchored by deserted islands or among small communities by night to enjoy our onboard prepared (Asian influenced, naturally) meals or be enthusiastically entertained by the local people keen to show us their traditional song and dance skills. Beware though. Participation is almost obligatory. But great fun.
After a week of this glimpse of a world so distant a memory in our own culture even the last day in Male is a shock. All the hustle and bustle of a busy Capital and sea and fishing port and, it has to be said with only modest grandeur or history that will make you yearn for those islands all the more. But what sums up this experience of the Maldives? Not your usual package meal deal. Like their foodstyle, simple but fresh and very tasty.
What of the operator themselves? A company that tries hard to provide an experience off the all too beaten track that will broaden ones mind and restore ones faith in a future if we but try. Their use of local goods and services is exemplary and typical of all their tours ensuring the maximum amount of hard currency feeds back to the community at large. They focus on interface with local people too and learning in both directions. Luxury is sometimes sacrificed for more Spartan facilities but the prices cover all ones needs and we spent very little all our stay.
Not a cheap holiday at around £1000 but half the cost of the resort holidays and ten times the value.
Dhoni are the locally styled motorised yachts that ply between islands and atolls delivering everything and everyone to the scattered communities. With this operator the aim is to enjoy the idyll of white sand islands, mostly uninhabited, to snorkel among the countless coral reefs and to engage with local communities and their lifestyle. The Maldivian peoples whilst possessing the almost obligatory mobile phones and satellite TV remain detached from the worst influences of modern society. Extracting a simple but sufficient lifestyle out of traditional fishing based industry and a booming tourist trade they thankfully are still a warm welcoming and innately hospitable people.
Travelling by our dhoni with seven like minded people and four crew away from the Resort islands, also thankfully well managed and restrained from 'Caribbean' excess by government policy, the operator took us to atolls and islands rarely seen leave alone visited by the 'smart set' shepherded to their five star confinement by speedboat. Guided by the all local crew and tour guide we snorkelled silently among countless marine life by day and anchored by deserted islands or among small communities by night to enjoy our onboard prepared (Asian influenced, naturally) meals or be enthusiastically entertained by the local people keen to show us their traditional song and dance skills. Beware though. Participation is almost obligatory. But great fun.
After a week of this glimpse of a world so distant a memory in our own culture even the last day in Male is a shock. All the hustle and bustle of a busy Capital and sea and fishing port and, it has to be said with only modest grandeur or history that will make you yearn for those islands all the more. But what sums up this experience of the Maldives? Not your usual package meal deal. Like their foodstyle, simple but fresh and very tasty.
What of the operator themselves? A company that tries hard to provide an experience off the all too beaten track that will broaden ones mind and restore ones faith in a future if we but try. Their use of local goods and services is exemplary and typical of all their tours ensuring the maximum amount of hard currency feeds back to the community at large. They focus on interface with local people too and learning in both directions. Luxury is sometimes sacrificed for more Spartan facilities but the prices cover all ones needs and we spent very little all our stay.
Not a cheap holiday at around £1000 but half the cost of the resort holidays and ten times the value.
| Reviewed 29 Feb 2008 by Bronwyn Neal | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Highlands of Sri Lanka were particularly scenic and we loved exploring the busy market towns of Nuwara Eliya and Hatton. The train journey from Hatton to Bandarawela was a particular highlight on the tour, as was the excellent service provided by our tour leader and his team of helpers. It was also great to be travelling with a group of like minded people. The spicy Sri Lankan curries were also quite memorable!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for some long days travelling by minibus in Sri Lanka and lots of hassle from the souvenir hawkers on the beach and at tourist hot spots. In the Maldives, days are quite lazy with several hours spent motoring from island to island, so bring some good books to read.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Most definitely in Sri Lanka where we used local guides at certain attractions and stayed in local resthouses and often bought lunches in market towns etc. Sri Lanka is clearly suffering from a downturn in tourism since the Tsunami and this is having a significant impact on locals who rely on tourism. Huge increases in the cost of living in Sri Lanka is also taking its toll, so support this beautiful country and its friendly people by travelling here. In the Maldives, apart from the dhoni crew/boat operator, there was very little evidence of locals benefiting from our holiday. I was disappointed to see a lack of respect for the marine environment in the Maldives, considering this is their main attraction for visitors.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A very enjoyable trip with the Maldives making a nice relaxing contrast to the busy Sri Lanka itinerary.
Read the operator's response here:
We were delighted to read that you enjoyed your trip and your Tour Leader and his team contributed to the success of your holiday. It is always good to know our efforts are appreciated and therefore we are pleased to pass on your kind comments to all those involved with your tour arrangements. We appreciate you taking the trouble to give us such detailed feedback about your holiday. We were concerned to read your comments relating to the lack of respect for the marine environment in the Maldives, whilst we cannot comment on the behaviour of the locals, we wish to assure you that we follow up on all customer comments, therefore your correspondence has been brought to the attention of our local agents and our Operations Manager responsible for the smooth running of this trip. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Your thoughtful feedback was particularly welcome. Thank you, once again, for taking the time to write as it is only with such constructive comments that we are able to monitor and hopefully improve all aspects of the tours we offer. We sincerely hope to have the pleasure of your company on another trip in the not too distant future.| Reviewed 24 Mar 2007 by Diane Leaver | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most memorable part was the flight into Male, the atolls and the turquoise waters were every bit a beautiful as I hoped. The reefs/atolls were also full of fish and having snorkelled both in the Red Sea and Andaman Sea, this was definitely the best so far. That said, some of the other tour participants made the holiday particularly memorable!!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take everything you'll need, i.e. high factor sun tan lotion, after sun etc. There will be nowhere to buy anything until the last day! If you tend to suffer from travel sickness (as I do), then sailing between the atolls may be a problem - stay in bed, it helped me! However whilst in the atoll, I had no problem at all.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
It did, from the point of view that the boats were owned by locals (rather than big conglomerates) and employed local people. However I was a bit concerned when we were told that the human waste from the toilets would be distributed into the sea while we were sailing. Is this environmentally friendly? I'm no eco-scientist, so perhaps that is acceptable and causes no problems?
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I had a great time, but probably due to the nature of the holiday (i.e. very laid back) I’d probably rate it ***.