Unveiling Raja Ampat’s Gem: Your Ultimate Indonesia Cruise Ship Adventure Aboard the Pearl of Papua

Indonesia is known for its breathtaking views and incredible underwater wildlife from all around the world. If you have ever thought about travelling across the deep turquoise waters of Indonesia,consider hopping on a cruise ship in Indonesia to adventure in the area you will never forget. The Pearl of Papua is a cruise ship that will take you on the adventure of a lifetime among tons of other cruise ship options. Are you ready to find out why a liveaboard in Raja Ampat on the Pearl of Papua cruise ship is the most exciting option for your upcoming holiday? Let’s dive in.

Why Choose an Indonesian Cruise Ship For Your Next Trip?

Imagine this: You awake to yet another breathtaking movie-set view of bright turquoise water and green islands, and you are still in your floating hotel! This daily magic is the result of an Indonesian liveaboard. An Indonesian cruise ship is different than typical all-inclusive resorts, allowing you to glide seamlessly into secret dive areas that travel magazines overlook. Every morning, when you wake on board and look out to sea; it is day one of a new adventure (Raja Ampat is sometimes referred to as the “Amazon of seas”, the epicenter of the planet’s richest ocean habitat). You will dive on everything, from the smallest pygmy seahorses and all the way to majestic mantas and very rare walking sharks…with absolutely no packing and unpacking twice!

The dive resorts in Papua have already been working three decades to protect these waters and uplift local communities (as reported in the report, "30 Years of Sustainable Tourism in Papua"). The Pearl of Papua liveaboard continues this chapter moving ahead. The Pearl of Papua gives access to untouched beauty, and allows you to become part of the story. Dive, snorkel and watch dolphins as the sun rises; all while feeling good about your trip keeping these beautiful ecosystems safe for generations to come!

The Pearl of Papua: Your Personal Floating Resort in Raja Ampat

The Pearl of Papua is more than just a ship. She is a beautiful 30-metre Buginese Schooner, designed specifically for underwater exploration in Raja Ampat. Launched in 2010, she is a traditional beauty with custom features all hand-crafted with love. The Pearl of Papua accommodates up to 14 adventurous guests with a hard working, focused crew of 12, always thinking two steps ahead and anticipating your every need or request. Guests appreciate the genuine 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. They say the experience in collab with the ship itself, is five stars from start to finish. But it is the care, warmth in each encouraging smile and gesture that guests remember most. Whether the crew is pouring you a cold drink, setting you up for dive, or swapping epic dive trip stories under a blanket of stars, every detail is polished with care and once again, the crew receives the ultimate compliment and guarantee of a visit again, with that the guests call "VIP service". It is these little details that keep the travelling guests sighing with contentment long after they've returned home!

Comfort and Amenities for a Laid-Back Adventure

After some thrill-seeking days discovering the unexpected life below the waves, settling into a comfortable place is very welcomed. The *Pearl of Papua* offers seven Air-conditioned cabins, each with a private bathroom, meaning you can take it easy when you want without being in the company of others. The Seahorse standard cabins are compact and in a lower deck location with convenient bunk beds. If you would like more space, the Trevally Deluxe cabins and super Seaview Suites on the upper deck are amazing with large windows letting in the breathtaking ocean views. Hot water showers, fluffy towels, storage, and 24-hour power for phones and chargers are included with each room. While a couple of guests noted the boat's older age had a few spots with the boat occasionally creaking or little drainage issues - for the most part the guests report everything clean and comfortable, and an absolute bargain for the memories made.

Step outside the cabins and you’ll find the Pearl of Papua has tons of room for everyone. The big sundeck welcomes you with comfy chairs and floor mats for lounging. If you prefer the cool option, go to the air-conditioned saloon. It has music, movies, and seating where you can chat with new friends. Photographers will love the camera table and charging stations over on the dive deck, where you can power up the gear and go straight from the reef to the review. Ready to unwind even more? The ship has a spa cabin offering massage services on the water.

An Educational Experience and Exceptional Service

Food is regarded by many guests aboard Papua's Gem as a highlight because a professional chef serves a diverse, plentiful and delicious variety of Asian, Western, and exotic Indonesian food. Meals (most of the time buffet style) are served 3 times a day, and there are abundant snacks each day throughout the ship to refuel between dives. One satisfied guest could hardly wait for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, saying that the food was "fantastic". Dietary needs can be catered for, given adequate notice.

And of course, the crew displays the same commitment to service in every aspect addressed by your stay on board. Periodically, I would overhear guests singing their praises of the crew, mentioning their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. The crew is invested in ensuring your safety and enjoyment whether they are performing the comprehensive safety briefings, or providing valuable assistance during check-in at the airport.

Exploring Paradise: The Underwater World of Raja Ampat

The underwater world of Raja Ampat is a truly magical place where some of the healthiest coral reefs exist in the world and an incredible amount and diversity of marine life gives the appearance of living in an aquarium. The Pearl of Papua is built specifically for divers, offering a purpose-built aft diving deck, individual gear-up stations, rinse tanks and three tenders to get you to the dive sites with ease. Up to four dives per day, including exciting night dives, provide plenty of opportunities to see the amazing ecosystems. Nitrox is available for certified divers for an additional fee, as well as rental of equipment for divers.

As experienced divers know, Cap Kri and Chicken Reef in the Dampier Straits, Sardine Reef, Mioskon, and Blue Magic will all feature popular dive sites frequented on Pearl of Papua itineraries. Wayag, which includes a famous hike with hidden lagoons, Fam and Penemu Islands including Melissa Garden, Barracuda and Angelina Passage, Sel Pele Bay, regularly features for critter hunting and Arborek ( Manta Sandy).

As well as diving Pearl of Papua has plenty of great activities on land, including seeing the bird of paradise mating ritual, swimming in turquoise inland water holes, climbing steep mountains with amazing views over the islands and villages.

Together with diving, these activities complement your dive adventure with cultural experiences and lots of fun!

Make Your Trip Unforgettable

The Pearl of Papua offers a variety of itineraries from 6-10 nights in length beginning in Sorong in West Papua. The cruise price usually includes the cruise itself, all diving activities, your meals, snacks, drinking water, and transfers to/from Sorong airport. Also, while your cruise price includes some inclusions, it is possible there are also several exclusions. Potential exclusions include marine park fees, port clearance, rental equipment (some liveaboards include equipment), alcoholic beverages, and nitrox. All guests are highly encouraged to have at least 50 logged dives and advanced certification, although comfort in the water is also an important consideration.

The booking is incredibly flexible, you have 48 hours to cancel free of charge after you initially confirm, so you can feel good about making final arrangements for your delayed travel plans.