Emperor Superior
I booked Emperor Superior with high expectations as it is billed as one of the higher-end boats in the Red Sea. I would say my 7 nights on board were fine, but I certainly wasn’t wowed, and didn’t enjoy this trip nearly as much as some of the other Red Sea liveaboards I’ve spent time on.
The Good Bits:
Accommodation
We had an Upper Deck Double Cabin (the only one on board) and it was spacious and well appointed with a good amount of storage, although no hanging space. The en suite was large and the shower was also really big for a boat, but there were no shelves or storage facilities of any kind in the ensuite so our toiletries had to stay in a bag on the floor. The rest of the boat was in good condition, clean and well looked after. There was plenty of space in the saloon, although with 26 divers on board some people did have to stand or sit on the floor during briefings. There was also enough space for all guests to eat at the same time in the dining area.
Food and Staff
The food was tasty and plentiful - there were some really nice healthy options, soup each day, plenty of salads, and not too much seafood. The Desserts were also delicious. The catering staff and stewards were always helpful and courteous. The dive deck hands were very good - helpful and attentive at all times.
The Bad Bits:
Organization
There were quite a few changes to the schedule due to weather, and this was discussed with the guests each evening. However, there were times when things seemed very disorganized with little communication to the guests. This was especially the case at the end of the trip when we were delayed back into port.
Diving
The best sites on this itinerary are Tiran and Ras Mohammed. We spent 1 full day (4 dives) in Tiran but then only did 1 dive in Ras Mohammed. This was a big disappointment as some of the most exciting reef and wall dives are in this area and the marine life is excellent.
There were 26 divers onboard and 2 dive guides. This is what Emperor advertised, so no surprises, however, on many other Red Sea liveaboards there are fewer divers and 3 guides (1 cruise director and 2 guides). In addition to this, on almost all dives on this trip there was only 1 guide in the water. This meant that all but the least experienced divers were diving unguided the majority of the time.
Of all the boats I’ve been on, it is the staff that make or break a trip, and unfortunately, most of the staff on this trip were lacking any kind of personal touch. It really felt like we were just the next group on a conveyor belt of trips.
In Summary:
This wasn’t a terrible trip by any means, however, I have been on some great Red Sea liveaboards and this didn’t match up to previous experiences. I will definitely steer clear of such large boats in the future, as I feel the number of guests had a big impact on most of the negative issues we experienced. This maybe isn’t the best option for new divers or those looking for a highly personal experience.
