Atoll Explorer Cruise 1

A unique experience, Atoll Explorer sails through beautiful Maldives offering the opportunity to see a number of its stunning pearl islands. A friendly crew, attentive service and All Inclusive on board, this has all the ingredients for an outstanding holiday, and unsurprisingly many guests repeat the experience year after year.

MEAL PLAN → Prices include All Inclusive on board Atoll Explorer, see ‘Cruise Includes’ below for details, Kuramathi Island Resort on FB.

ACCOMMODATION → Just 20 cabins on board Atoll Explorer. All are outside cabins.

CRUISE INCLUDES → While on board Atoll Explorer: All meals: full breakfast, lunch and dinner daily → All drinks: beer, house spirits, wine and soft drinks (excluding champagne), by the glass - Drinks may be substituted for diving, see diving option opposite → Watersports: snorkelling and windsurfing subject to availability → Unlimited tea and coffee → Indoor games. NB → Food and beverages consumed on resort islands are not included in the All Inclusive package. A charge of US$10 per person per dive for the dive boat will be paid locally, subject to change.

MINIMUM NUMBERS → Atoll Explorer is subject to minimum numbers of passengers (please ask for details).

GRATUITIES → We recommended you tip the crew at the end of your cruise and offer small amounts for porterage.

TRAVEL TIPS → Crossings between the atolls can occasionally be a little rough; anyone prone to sea sickness should take the necessary precautions. Dress code is shorts and swimwear during the day and casual dress in the evenings both on board and on the islands.

NB → Only children of 12 years or more can be accepted on the cruise. We recommend all passengers can swim. Not suitable for anyone with a mobility problem. Smoking is not permitted in cabins and only permitted on the ‘After Sun’ deck. Safety is always the primeconsideration. If due to weather conditions a change of cruise schedule is required then such a decision is at the sole discretion of the captain and no refund can be given if as a result islands are omitted or substituted during the cruise. The detailed itinerary is subject to change. Anyone who arrives on earlier flights may be taken to Kurumba first, before boarding Atoll Explorer at lunchtime.

DAY 1 → Depart on SriLankan Airlines from Heathrow.

DAY 2 → Arrive Malé and transfer 20 minutes to the Atoll Explorer for lunch.

DAY 3 → An early departure for the island of Velassaru. Time to relax on the sundeck or go ashore to relax on the beach. Evening underwater marine slide show.

DAY 4 → Sail to Kuramathi crossing the Ari channel. Afternoon visit to Rasdhoo, a local fishing village for shopping. This evening enjoy a night fishing excursion.

DAY 5 → Visit Madivaru, a desert island for snorkelling or windsurfing. Stop overnight at Bathala. In the evening be entertained by Bodu Beru – local dancing on board the ship.

DAY 6 → Visit the island of Meerufenfushi, then depart for the beautiful island of Dhiggiri for snorkelling, swimming and a picnic lunch. In the evening enjoy a beach barbecue at Dhiggiri, against the flickering flames of a wood fire.

DAY 7 → Snorkel, dive or sunbathe off the tranquil desert island of Dhiggiri all day and enjoy a picnic lunch. This evening, the captain officially ‘hosts’ dinner.

DAY 8 → In the afternoon, return across the Ari Channel to Kurumba and then on to the capital island of Male’, for shopping and sightseeing. A live band will play on board the ship for the evening.

DAY 9 → Disembark the Atoll Explorer and transfer to Kurumba for one night in a Superior room, or six nights in your chosen resort.

DAY 10 → Transfer to the airport for your SriLankan Airlines flight arriving Heathrow later the same day. Alternatively extend your stay in your chosen resort, from Day 9 for six or more nights. See also Kuoni Plus offer valid if you extend for a second week on Atoll Explorer Cruise 2.

Cruise 1 or 2 & HOTEL - 14 NIGHTS EXTEND YOUR STAY FROM £299 REF IO0365
Combine a memorable seven night cruise on Atoll Explorer with seven nights relaxing on a beautiful Maldivian resort island.
DAY 9 → Disembark Atoll Explorer and transfer to Kuramathi Island Resort for seven nights in a Garden Villa to relax in this idyllic yet well facilitated island escape.
DAY 16 → Transfer back to the airport for your SriLankan Airlines flight arriving Heathrow later the same day.

ALTERNATIVE ITINERARIES:

Cruise 1 (4 nights) & HOTEL - 7 NIGHTS PACKAGE PRICE FROM £1295 REF IO0172
If time is short, yet you wish to try the Atoll Explorer Cruise combined with a stay on a resort island, it is possible to do this in just one weeks holiday (excluding Dec21-Jan06 and Feb01-28).

DAY 1 → Depart on SriLankan Airlines from Heathrow.
DAY 2 → Spend four nights on board Atoll Explorer.
DAY 6 → Transfer to Kuramathi Island Resort for three nights on FB in a Garden Villa.

Cruise 1 (3 nights) & HOTEL - 7 NIGHTS PACKAGE PRICE FROM £1375 REF IO0364

Again, ideal for those with limited time, this time with one night less on board Atoll Explorer and an extra night on a resort island (excluding Dec21-Jan06 and Feb01-28).

DAY 2 → Spend three nights on board Atoll Explorer.
DAY 6 → Transfer to Kuramathi Island Resort for four nights on FB in a Garden Villa.

Destination introduction

Maldives holidays conjure up images of white sands, swaying palm trees and crystal blue waters, creating a picture-perfect holiday bliss. Kuoni’s hand-picked islands offer first-class, luxurious accommodation, spectacular diving and enchanting, dazzling sunsets for romantic memories.

Shopping

If you visit Malé, you’ll see plenty of street merchants offering beautiful Maldivian postage stamps. Those ragged dentures suspended outside gift shops are sharks’ jaws. Attractive T-shirts are stencilled before your eyes, generally with brilliantly coloured tropical fish.

The islanders are expert in carving coconut wood and use it to decorate their houses. Mat-weaving, basket-making and coir rope-making are long-standing crafts. Mats are woven from haa grass. There is some highlydeveloped lacquer work and you may see examples of handloom weaving or jewellery handcrafted in gold and mother of pearl.