11 independent reviews for Maldives vacations, Dhoni cruise
Reviews for Maldives vacations, Dhoni cruise
Nigel Pollett review 11 May 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The snorkling with Sharks and Sting Rays was a definate highlight.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The snorkling is a big part of the trip and it should be called a Maldive Dhoni snorkling liveaboard rather than a cruise. Also, the cabins can get quite uncomfortable at night as they only have fans an no aircon so be prepared.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, the crew were all local and they were very aware of environmental impacts. We were given a metal water bottle to keep and there was a filtered water refill onboard.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The vacation overall was fantastic. The food was amazing and the crew really went out of their way to make sure that we were well looked after. The guide was very informative and the trip was both active and relaxing.Tonio Sadik review 4 May 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
This was an amazing trip, with an amazing crew! The highlight for me was swimming with sharks, but there was so much to see in the water, both above the surface (dolphins, sea turtles) as well as underneath (so much beautiful coral)!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Traveling to the Maldives in April was brutally hot (for a Canadian, at least). Travel light, bring sunscreen and a wide-brim hat, and enjoy! A lot depends who your fellow tourists are. We had one socially inept tourist but managed to make things work okay. Bring your best self, be respectful, and have fun! :)3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
This is a tricky one: we were all tourists from well-off nations. While the focus of this tour was certainly to reduce impacts and engage locals (the crew and guide were all locals and did an amazing job), it's hard not to be a 'gringo' tourist of sort no matter where you go. Overall, this tour and tour company did a great job to not accentuate this division. Well done!4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I loved the trip. Everyone on the boat (8 tourists and 5 staff) gelled well. Some may become life-long friends. I give this vacation 5 stars and will seek out further trips with this company in the future (this was my first, but some had done more than a dozen previous trips with the company - that says a lot)!Clare Thomas review 14 Apr 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Snorkelling with sharks and stingrays2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Sleep on deck under the stars if possible.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Jane and Keith Miller review 3 Oct 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The peace, the relaxation, the underwater world, the attentive crew, the amazing guide.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you are 70+ you need to be very mobile and fit to climb on and off dinghies, snorkel for 3+hours a day etc. we were and we loved it but being hauled in and out of a dinghy in a rolling sea with 2 hip replacements was quite challenging!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - local crew and guide. Visited local islands with strong guidance on what to wear, how to act. No plastic on board - water maker so fresh water on tap into recyclable bottle provided4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was wonderful. We were looking for a relaxing switch off break between very stressful work commitments and it exceeded the brief!Neil Harvey review 21 Mar 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The food.The whole trip was wonderful.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
None every thing was explained adequately by the tour operator3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes .4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good.I had done four other trips with this tour operator previously, but I only found out after that I was eligible for a discount from the tour operator.This was a disappointment, other wise the trip was wonderful.Cazz Lang review 7 Mar 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The snorkelling was fantastic2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take care booking return flights - final day ends at 7am yet the tour operator booked me on a flight leaving at 11.35pm3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Maybe4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Wonderful way to see the MaldivesFiorella Abbarchi review 29 Nov 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Swimming with Nursery sharks, and by that I mean proper snorkelling with a multitude of them whilst being fed. They swam around me like I was nothing, not bothered or threatened by our presence, it was a phenomenal calming experience.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you don’t like being too basic in the bedroom/shower facilities then consider an upgrade will cost you £1kg more but that’s up to you. I managed on the wooden bed with a reasonable thickness mattress, and the toilet showers were backs but clean. And don’t do a resort. A boat has no mosquitoes and a constant panoramic view of the sea, dolphins and flying fish. What a view.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We visited a couple of islands that were established and in the process of establishing. It’s was a shock to see such vast big control masts on the islands but understands how this is life changing to their survival. It was good to see recycling center on the islands and good use of recycling of past obsolete items.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
10/10. It was memorable in every way.Clare Graham review 17 Feb 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The authenticity/rusticness of the whole thing2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
(1) buy a Maldivian SIM card at the airport. It's very cheap & there is good 3-4G coverage throughout the cruise (2) you will need to leave the boat between 7- 9am on the last day & there really is no where to leave your luggage after that as the boat departs & you can't get back to it. Consider what the time of your return flight is & what you can do with the time between the two. On our cruise, we had another night at a hotel in Male, others put their luggage into storage & went out for the day, others booked a hotel near the airport for the day to use the facilities etc. (3) It took 2 hours from joining the queue at Male airport to get through security 1, check-in/bag drop, passport control, security 2 i.e. don't leave it too late (4) there is no airconditioning or WIFI on the boat3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, but they are really up against it in the Maldives as most of the islands have been leased to international resorts.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Five stars for me, but then we love the rustic authenticity i.e. airconditioning & WIFI wouldn't have done it for us ...Diane Few review 22 Nov 2021
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The ocean2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Book the big boat. More stable and ensuite3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We did fill 3 large black sacks of rubbish.avoided using an anchor4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Peaceful stunning gorgeous food lovely friendly helpful crew amazingly friendly knowledgeable tour leaderLinda Moldauer review 9 Feb 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The size of the boat the crew and natural beauty of the Maldives was a win win situation.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring swim shoes. The coral and rocks are sharp.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes but unfortunately ocean garbage was everywhere and impossible to keep clean.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A 10!Raelene Shea review 31 Mar 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The snorkeling was great - saw many beautiful fish, turtles, sharks, dolphins,2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be sure that you can manage two people in a very small cabin - or be prepared to sleep on deck. Take something to do, eg, books, games, etc for the down time. The boat had a small bookshelf but no games. Take very little clothes beyond a swimsuit - but do bring clothes to cover knees and shoulders as this is a Muslim country and you must dress appropriately to visit the island towns. Bring a health appetite as the food was fabulous.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Some souvenier shopping on the small islands would benefit the people. Our crew were very careful to retain all plastic, glass, paper for apprpriate disposal in port.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I really enjoyed this vacation.Holiday Reviews
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