The MV Smiling Seahorse was launched in November 2018. The ship was built as a specialized boat designed by and for divers and was not converted from a fishing vessel which is common in Thailand. The ship is larger than its predecessor with eight cabins and bathrooms spread over four decks.
The top deck of the boat is the ultimate lounge area. It features a shaded area with an outdoor area and hammocks to relax, play cards, or take a nap in the shade during surface intervals. Sunbathers enjoy the bow of the ship which is unshaded and has a variety of Thai-style cushions and mats to create the perfect sunbathing zone.
The upper deck is divided into two areas. Towards the back of the boat is a multipurpose common area used as the main assembly point. Here divers are served scrumptious meals, have access to snacks and refreshments 24-hours a day, meet for pre-dive briefings with the dive team, consult the marine life library to identify the beautiful creatures, or just sit back and relax surrounded by cushions.
There are tables to comfortably enjoy your meals, play games, or study your dive course materials, as well as two bars with stools on either side of the boat. The dining area has plenty of counter space for snacks and the buffet as well as a full-sized well-stocked fridge and a compartmentalized eco-friendly trash/recycling system. At the very back is an enormous couch area covered with cushions perfect for a cozy nap between dives. This common area is spacious and well thought out for just relaxing or having a bit of a dance party to celebrate the success of the cruise.
Towards the front of the boat on the upper deck are two standard cabins and the living quarters for the dive staff. Every door opens to a stunning view of the nature surrounding you and there is also a window that you can watch the waves roll by from the comfort of your bed. These cabins all are air-conditioned with shared bathrooms. To best cater to the needs of the occupants, the rooms have designed to be able to be configured in two ways upon request. Couples staying in this room can have a double bed and an upper shelf to store luggage or it can be switched to have two single bunk beds more suited for solo travelers or friends sharing a room. The rooms also offer adequate storage to keep personal things organized and out of sight.
In the front portion of the main deck are the deluxe and master cabins. All six of these cabins are airconditioned and have private ensuite bathrooms. The doors open onto the main deck offering a spectacular view right from the cabin door.
The four deluxe cabins are identical to the standard cabins with the exception of the addition of an ensuite bathroom.
The two master cabins are located at the bow of the boat with windows facing forward to offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the sea ahead. These rooms are ideal for couples looking for a bit more of an intimate romantic setting.
The impeccable diving deck is well-planned and organized, and is crucial when sharing a space with other divers. This area has been planned to maximize space and provide special areas for every diver’s needs. Dive groups are kept small and each group is organized to stagger gear-up and entry times to ensure that the already spacious dive deck never has too many bodies moving around at once. While one group is ready to jump in for a dive, the next group will be doing safety checks and the last group is upstairs taking their last sips of water during their dive briefing. The dive deck also features two shared bathrooms for the guests staying in standard cabins.
The photography room has a fresh-water wash tank for your gear, as well as charging ports, shelving and counter space for maintenance and storage of your gear between dives. This area also serves as a workshop to fix any problems on the fly. The ship offers certified Mares service technicians on board and spare small parts and tools at your disposal.
The Smiling Seahorse offers four main routes that travel to Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. The Myanmar routes are either 5, 6, 7, or 8 nights in duration while the Thailand route is 4 nights in duration. The Myanmar routes include the Mergui Archipelago (5N), Black Rock (6N), Undiscovered Mergui (7N), and Myanmar Exploration (8N).
The Smiling Seahorse offers nitrox but does not support technical diving or rebreathers.
Narrative text and photographs courtesy of the Smiling Seahorse liveaboard.