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Frequent Questions
Why should I choose a Liveaboard?
To assist you in planning your live-aboard
dive vacation, we've answered a few of our most frequently asked questions
on the planning guides
prepared for each destination in which the Dancer Fleet vessels operate.
Please use the right rail navigation to select the information you
need.
Diving Release and Waiver
A separate Diving Release & Waiver Form must be signed by each guest
in all places requested, with no alterations of the form and returned
to the Peter Hughes Diving office before reservations can be confirmed.
No bookings will be confirmed without a completed, signed Diving Release & Waiver
Form.
Price Changes
Your package price is guaranteed upon receipt of your invoice, however,
hotels, port charges, taxes, flights, dive permits, fuel surcharges,
and other fees are subject to change without advance notification.
Such increases will
be passed on to guests.
Changes to Reservations
A $300.00 Administrative Fee per reservation will apply to change the
date or destination of a reservation once it has been deposited if
the notice of change is given in writing more than 90 days prior to
departure. Group and Full Boat Charter reservations are not changeable.
No bookings can be transferred to a Wholesaler, Travel Agent or Dive
Shop once a deposit has been made directly with Peter Hughes Diving,
Inc.
Minimum Age
The Dancer Fleet accepts guests as young as 10 years of age if the minor
is a certified diver and is accompanied by a parent or guardian, or
a minimum of 16 years of age if not certified and accompanied by a
parent or guardian.
Can you accommodate special requests?
Please remember that you are participating in an adventure travel vacation
that is occurring in a remote part of the world. Many of the modern
conveniences, brands and pre-packaged goods we are accustom to at home
are not available in remote destinations. As such, many special requests
that are very specific are difficult to accommodate.
We are very proud of our chefs. They offer a culinary mix that represents
a mix of continental cuisine and the local cuisine.
If you have food allergies, please contact us well in advance (prior
to making your reservation) so that we can determine if the vessel you
are interested in can accommodate your specific need.
Finally, if you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special
life event please let us know. Our crews stand ready to assist you in
making your special day something to remember.
Documentation
You alone are responsible for ensuring you carry the proper documentation
required for entry into your destination of choice. Please ensure that
you have a valid visa, passport, or proof of citizenship (as required
by the country you are visiting) at the time of your reservation.
Surface Safety Equipment
Each diver entering the water from any Dancer Fleet vessel will be required
to have the following minimum surface safety equipment on each dive:
* Diver Alert (Surface audible signaling device)
* Safety Sausage (For the vessel to spot a diver in the distance.)
* Mini Strobe (For the vessel to spot a diver in the distance in low
light situations ie: night / dusk)
If you do not personally have this equipment, you may purchase it at
your local dive center prior to your departure. In addition, limited
quantities are available for rent on your vessel.
Enriched Air Nitrox
All Dancer Fleet operations feature Enriched Air Nitrox 32% facilities.
Nitrox fills are available on board to all certified enriched air divers.
Nitrox certifications are also available on board to all certified
divers.
Can I use my rebreather?
Yes - certified rebreather divers who own their own rebreather equipment
and comply with our guidelines may dive with a rebreather while on
board select Dancer Fleet vessels. Please review our "Rebreather
Information Sheet" for information on working out the logistical
details to use your rebreather on your voyage. Rebreather diving is
only permitted aboard Sun Dancer II in Belize and Star Dancer in Papua
New Guinea.
Can I dive by myself or alone?
Diving by one's self has been around since the advent of recreational
diving. However, only recently has any certification agency recognized
the practice as an acceptable form of recreational scuba diving and
created a training program to properly train divers for Solo Diving.
However, the actual number of divers certified for Solo Diving is extremely
small. At the same time - we recognize that a live-aboard dive vacation
offers the Solo Diver an excellent opportunity to utilize his/her training.
It is for this reason that we have created this Solo Diver information
sheet, clearly explaining the support and limits of support, that we
can offer the Solo Diver, and the expectations that we have of divers
who choose to dive without a buddy. Solo diving is only permitted on
board Sun Dancer II in Belize and Star Dancer in Papua New Guinea.
Single Guests
All live-aboard prices are quoted on a share basis, in a double occupancy
stateroom. Singles are welcome to book alone, with the understanding
that only another guest of the same gender will be booked into their
cabin. If the guest requires that he/she have the cabin alone, they
are required to pay a single supplement of 65% of the full retail value
in addition to the package price. Additionally, guests who request
a guaranteed single room are required to pay double the deposit (as
for 2 spaces).
Smoking
There is absolutely no smoking allowed anywhere inside any of the vessels,
smoking is allowed only in designated outdoor areas. Smoking is also
not permitted when groups are gathered for briefing even though they
are within the smoking area.
Itinerary Changes
Itineraries are always weather permitting and are conducted at the sole
discretion of the Captain with consideration to the safety of the guests,
crew and the vessel. No refunds will be issued or trips re-booked for
itineraries that are canceled due to weather.
Substitutions
Peter Hughes Diving and its affiliates have the right to substitute a
vessel or package of comparable value if for some unforeseen reason
the reserved vessel is not able to fulfill its charter or cruise obligation.
Deposit, Cancellation and Refund Policy
Please refer to the "Dancer
Fleet Deposit and Cancellation Policies" for
detailed information concerning the deposit, cancellation and refund
policies of Peter Hughes Diving.
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