M/Y White Pearl
Wow! What a gorgeous boat. If you are looking for luxury in the Maldives, the White Pearl is the best value! The cabins are huge with lots of storage space. The windows are massive and views are incredible. The shower is large and also has a large window to look out onto the ocean. Water is hot and pressure is very strong.
The dining area is nicely designed and always kept cool as a nice common hideout during the afternoon heat.
The bar and jacuzzi area is so well laid out with lots of chairs that can easily accommodate everyone on board with room to spare. The bar looks like it could be in a hotel. There are 2 jacuzzis. One is shaded and one in the sun. Water temperatures in the jacuzzi is very comfortable.
The camera room doubles up as a TV room and it is right next to the amazing spa room. There is enough camera table space to accommodate 6 full DSLR setups, or about a dozen smaller setups. There are plenty of outlets so no need to fight over them. You can plug in America or European plugs into the sockets.
The deck where most of the cabins are also has a laundry room that guests can use at any time. There are 4 sets of washers and dryers in the room.
The sky deck is one of my favorite places to hang out. It is so spacious and has a large covered area if you need some shade. There are enough seats to accommodate 40+ people!
The dhoni (dive boat) where you will be diving from is very open and has plenty of space. It does not feel cramped like most other dhonis in the Maldives because there are no compressors or air banks on the dhoni. Tanks are filled on the main liveaboard and then brought over to the dhoni. A lot of work for the crew, but great for guests. The sun deck on the dhoni has bean bag chairs to hang out on during the short rides to and from the dive site.
The local and international crew is great. They are all very friendly and hardworking but at the same time professional.
The food is plentiful and well executed and all meals are served buffet style. The only reason I dropped the food one star is because desserts was lacking. Fruits are always available after meals and my scale will thank me when I get home.
We did 18 dives in the weeklong Central Atolls itinerary and that included 2 night dives. The diving schedule is very relaxed with plenty of time between dives to nap. The chosen dive sites were excellent and the pre dive briefings were detailed.
Apart from diving, there are watersport activities like jet ski, stand up paddle boarding and a waterslide.
Overall an excellent boat and experience.
