Maldives Cruiser Princesa Luluka
After exploring some of the best places to dive in Asia, I was ready to take things to the next (sea) level. Loving the ocean, I jumped at the chance to do my first-ever diving liveaboard in the Maldives – especially diving with the celebrities! Princesa
Luluka requires that divers have Advanced Open Water certifications and recommend that they also have a minimum of 50 dives. However, the programme and the dive sites were accommodating to all levels, so it was really a one-size-fits-all trip.
The boat is named after its owner,
Lucy Lu, and the vessel and crew are all about heart. This is evident in the details, with a devoted and dedicated crew who have created in Luluka a home from home. On the first day of the trip, the Taiwanese ship owner excitedly ushers eight boxes on board. They were full of Taiwanese treats and snacks – a gift from home to make us welcome.
THE DETAILS
To say that Princesa Luluka exceeded my expectations is an understatement. She led us on quite the adventure around the Maldives, without a hitch. Each room is an en-suite, spacious and comfortable. Thought is put into everything – we have warm towels, hot snacks, and drinks waiting for us after every dive. Meals are served to us piping hot, usually right after our dives. Breakfast quickly becomes my favourite, with fresh coffee and freshly baked bread.
One morning, we have a pleasant surprise: traditional Taiwan rice noodles in the pot, made with love under the direct supervision of our lovely hostess, Ms Lucy herself.
I am stunned – the night before during casual conversation I had mentioned that I missed Taiwanese rice noodles. And now here they are, so delicious that the salon is silent as we pig out. The sunsets are intense, but even their beauty is rivalled by the skies at night. With no light pollution to contend with, we spend the evenings gazing up into the heavens, marvelling at the stars, visions of manta rays playing across the heavens.