With no doubt, the ultimate, best way to travel through islands of Komodo National Park in Labuan Bajo, Flores is by liveaboard ships. Any other way, and you would miss out the greatest treasures this archipelago has to offer. But let’s face it. Your dream to travel to this frontier of the world can take a heavy toll. All the plane tickets, hotels, extra transportations, to meal expenses that you need to pay. And that’s before the liveaboard itself. A true trip to the jewel of Flores would come with an exorbitant price tag. And taking Komodo liveaboard budget is one way to avoid turning this trip into the most expensive trip in your whole travelling journey.
Yes. You can do the Komodo—Labuan Bajo on budget. The key is finding a budget friendly Komodo liveaboard without forsaking the comforts. If you don’t need gourmet food and are willing to share your cabin with fellow passenger, you’re all set.
But how’s life onboard a low-priced liveaboard, you asked?
Shared Komodo Liveaboard Budget Accommodation
Unless you are travelling with a companion, you will most definitely be paired up with a stranger onboard. Value liveaboard often have bunkbeds for two to three persons in each cabins designated for single backpackers from all around the world. Master cabin with queen bed usually reserved for couples and is charged for higher price than the regular one. For extra safety, you can always request your companion candidates, though. Like only female travelers or traveler with no kids.
Buffet Meals
There’s no such thing as personalized, gourmet food for each served in fanciful plating. Meals in budget liveaboard are always in buffet style, but by no means less delicious. There will always be rice, veggies, meat, and seafood delight in every serving. With the limitation of staffs, no one will serve it in your table—you need to feed your own. Sometimes you might even asked help to prepare the dishes, but hey, that’s a good opportunity to get closer with everyone! Nutrition is not something to be worry about. Some of the best deal Komodo budget liveaboard hired professional chefs who know what they are doing.
Warm and Inviting Atmosphere
In luxurious dive boats, you might be entitled with private balcony where you’ll spend the whole afternoon by your own. A Komodo budget liveaboard might have a room for that. However, it has a number of communal space where everyone chill out on the free time. The tight quarters somehow evokes a sense of camaraderie between passengers, which make them feel close. Some travelers even make a lasting friendship from liveaboard journey, even when the trip has long passed!
Hidden Fees
Fees should be the one you want to put a close attention to. Sometimes a Komodo diving liveaboard can be so cheap as they cross the price of additional services off the tags. You might have to pay separately for the National Park entrance fee, Nitrox, and diving equipment rental. Alcohol is not free and will be charged either straight on the bar on by the end to the trip.
So, do you think Komodo liveaboard budget is for you?
Cecil Kuhn