Mermaid Liveaboards

Mermaid Liveaboards? Really not my cup of tea. Some leisure reading. This is what went wrong on and around the dive liveaboard Mermaid II in September 2025. It began with a private conversation between two guests — one of them an off-duty doctor — about pain in a female diver's breasts after diving on air. Without any examination, lymphatic decompression sickness was mentioned as a remote possibility, and the doctor recommended a 48–72 hour surface interval. The cruise director, who overheard the discussion, was twice asked not to share the matter with anyone without the diver’s presence. He ignored that reasonable request — and the doctor’s recommendation. Instead, he contacted the “big boss” in the back office on his own. Together they imposed a diving ban until the diver could be examined by a doctor. A waiver and careful shallow Nitrox dives weren’t accepted. No one informed the diver about this ban until the advised 72 hours had already passed. This deliberate delay — revealing bad news bit by bit — felt like classic "salami-tactics". By the time an on-duty doctor was finally reached, most dives were already over. Imagine travelling halfway around the world, paying a substantial amount of money, and being excluded because the “All-about-Me(rmaid) Inc.” management choses to overreact. No compensation or gesture of goodwill was offered — complimentary massage, open bar, beach while others dive. When questioned, the cruise director deflected, made patronising remarks, used blame shifting and even asked the diver to understand his “difficult position", as if his job was at risk. He even said the diver should be grateful for the detour to the doctor. Mermaid II has a great crew and offers solid diving. But when things go wrong, the management’s priorities become painfully clear — protecting themselves first, customers last. This attitude showed again on departure day. Twelve guests with 7:00 a.m. regional flights were taken at 5:00 a.m. to an airport that 1) didn’t open until 6:00 a.m. and 2) had suffered repeated closures due to volcanic ash. No one warned us of the risk of being stranded. The four taxi drivers clearly knew, waited until we realised it, and then offered to drive us across the island to Labuan Bajo — a 12-hour trip. Upon arrival, the agreed price was more than doubled and enforced by locking the taxis and withholding luggage. A formal complaint to Mermaid Liveaboards went unanswered. I later learned that they even issue invoices to travel agencies on behalf of this same transport company — suggesting that these questionable business practices are not only known, but quietly accepted, as the drivers are part of the company.

Oct 2025

A million shoutouts to the amazing crew (especially our lovely dive guide Mimi and the exceptional cruise director Luca) who made the Bali-Komodo-Bali trip on Mermaid II so spectacular! Everyone on the boat left with big smiles and amazing memories. Hope to be back again soon!

Aug 2025

In July we took over the boat. Bringing friends from Aust, USA and UK for our dive adventure to Komodo on Mermaid II. We loved it. The warm welcome we received from the entire crew, and the professional service of the dive operation was amazing. There was nothing too small or big that the 17 crew wouldn't do for us. The food at every meal continually out did itself! The variety and flavours that were produced while at sea were extraordinary. Diving - Great. Experience - Brilliant. We're planning our return visit already.

Aug 2025