Dive Review of NAI'A in
Fiji and Tuvalu

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NAI'A, Feb, 2008, by Henry Schwarzberg, AL, USA ( 1 report). Report 3951.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	1. Sonia was not dedicated to a firm predictable schedule, allowing herself to be lax about the matter leading to many dives that got off late and then ended late. The PR issue was introduced by a fellow diver with 8 prior trips on the boat and I believed provided insight on the promotion of the NAI’A. 2. The lamb was actually quite good (I am a lamb lover) and barely undercooked. The croissant was ordinary. Other meals – I did not maintain a diary – were OK and non-descript and, again, we shared our lack of enthusiasm for some with that same frequent NAI’A diver who maintained, and I quote: “The food is going downhill”. The meat meals were, generally very good. At breakfast there was just a little plate of fruit for each table. There was a disappointing absence of a variety of good fish meals 3. I don’t see where the amidships dive deck is a particularly comfortable place to lounge. There is nothing comfortable upon which to lie and enjoy the sun without burning. The upper deck is the most natural place to enjoy the air, sun and views. We had never been on a boat that didn’t have either an awning or permanent overhang under which to retreat from the sun while still being able to be outside and enjoy the view and sun. 4. The saloon is indeed uncomfortable for any purpose other than eating or computer editing. 5. Center stair case warnings heard and heeded. Nevertheless it made going to and from the stateroom more uncomfortable than it needed to be – more so than on any other boat we had been on. 6. With the scheduling the way it was night dives were “offered” but not desirable. If the afternoon dives had been more regimented as to time out and back, and dinner had been a little earlier, the night dives would have been more desirable and perhaps better attended. 7. Liquor is simple planning, and variety was obviously not planned for. On a top of the line boat one takes for granted that if the personal liquor supply runs out – which it did – there would be full purchase options available – which there weren’t. 8. While interested parties may have expressed the desire for no changes, we all heard about at least one of those parties being unacceptable to the majority of the crew. The crew of Fijians on the boat make this operation as good as it is. Add about the most beautiful reefs in the world and it is almost a no-brainer. However, throw in a mistress of ceremonies who may not quite be up to the task, the perspectives of other frequent diver guests (NAI’A priors) and the other issues I raised and one experiences failures to meet expectations. Steve, the former Brit Navy guy is probably better suited to manage the day to day affairs and more knowledgeable about everything than the current emcee. In my opinion he would be more predictably trustworthy at crunch time – he would engender confidence under stress. He also has a better sense of humor. After all the great dive trips we have had we were just a little bit disappointed about the NAI’A when you add up a lot of little things. Attention to detail, in my view, is the key, coupled with a cruise director who has great communication and problem solving skills, and is eager to please as opposed to intent on avoiding anything avoidable. These were elements lacking on our NAI’A voyage. Sonia’s typical response to any request was a “no”. The rest of the crew were eager to please.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	26-50 dives
Where else diving	All over the world
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny	Seas	calm
Water Temp	85-87°F / 29-31°C	Wetsuit Thickness	2
Water Visibility	30-50 Ft/ 9-15 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	NONE
Liveaboard?	yes	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	1 or 2
Dolphins	1 or 2	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	This is a photographer oriented boat. BELOW IS A SUPPLEMENTAL set of answers in response to Rob Barrel's questions about the original report.

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Dive Review of NAI'A in Fiji and Tuvalu

NAI'A, Feb, 2008,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of NAI'A in
Fiji and Tuvalu