Maldives diving cruise

We set off right after the Christmas holidays, eager for sea, sun and dives. But above all to try out our new diving gear......... Flight Rome-Doha-Doha-Male. At the airport in Rome we met our friend Mery (a diving companion met on a previous Maldives cruise) who introduced us to underwater photography, with her underwater film camera. Excellent arrival and departure times from the Maldives, so with the chance to make the most of all 7 days of the cruise. The vessel, Maldivian-run, cosy and comfortable and at half its capacity, a group of Germans and two English plus us three Italians, language on board English and Maldivian. 3 dives a day, good organisation but the Maldivian reef is dying out, whether it is El Nino, neglect or the tsunami; nowadays you go to the Maldives only to see the sharks.

It is definitely not the thing I like most, dives always in the current and often against it (the Maldivians are almost fish) to wait for the "Shark Express". A decent holiday with good organisation, varied and plentiful food. An excellent start to the year.