To assist you in planning your live-aboard dive vacation, we've answered a few of our most frequently asked questions on the planning guides prepared for each destination in which the Dancer Fleet vessels operate. Please use the right rail navigation to select the information you need.

Diving Release and Waiver
A separate Diving Release & Waiver Form must be signed by each guest in all places requested, with no alterations of the form and returned to the Peter Hughes Diving office before reservations can be confirmed. You may notice that our Diving Release & Waiver Form has changed and that your signature is required several times. Our new form is a direct result of the increasingly litigious society in which we live. In forming your opinion of the necessity of this form, please ask yourself, "How many times have I signed something I haven't read?" If you compare the old and new form you will see that we have simply eliminated the small print and have asked you several times to confirm that you have read all of the important information. No bookings will be confirmed without a completed, signed Diving Release & Waiver Form.

Price Changes
Your package price is guaranteed upon receipt of your invoice, however, hotels, port charges, taxes, flights, dive permits and other fees are subject to change without advance notification. Such increases will be passed on to guests.

Changes to Reservations
A $100.00 Administrative Fee per reservation will apply to change the date or destination of a reservation once it has been deposited if the notice of change is given in writing more than 90 days prior to departure. To change the date of a reservation within 90 days of departure is considered the same as a cancellation and will be refunded only if space is re-sold and the charter is full. Group and Full Boat Charter reservations are not changeable, subject to the Reservations Supervisor discretion. No bookings can be transferred to a Wholesaler, Travel Agent or Dive Shop once a deposit has been made directly with Peter Hughes Diving, Inc.

Minimum Age
The Dancer Fleet accepts guests as young as 10 years of age if the minor is a certified diver and is accompanied by a parent or guardian, or a minimum of 16 years of age if not certified and accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Can you accommodate special requests?
Please remember that you are participating in an adventure travel vacation that is occurring in a remote part of the world. Many of the modern conveniences, brands and pre-packaged goods we are accustom to at home are not available in remote destinations. As such, many special requests that are very specific are difficult to accommodate.

For example, "needs help lifting gear " or "lots of water" are easy to accommodate. Requesting "Jack Daniels" is unrealistic when the local brand of whiskey is part of the package.

We are very proud of our chefs. They offer a culinary mix that represents a mix of continental cuisine and the local cuisine. However, they are cooking each meal for 20-30 individuals (guests and crew). Accommodating a basic "vegetarian" diet is fairly straight forward. However a "vegan" diet is much more difficult. We are not able to accommodate kosher requests.

If you have food allergies, please contact us well in advance (prior to making your reservation) so that we can determine if the vessel you are interested in can accommodate your specific need. Practically speaking though, our chef's are unable to prepare a separate meal using separate pots and pans, just for you. If you are a seasoned international traveler you have probably accomplished your dietary needs in the past using a little creativity and compromise. That same approach on a live-aboard will generally yield positive results as well.

Finally, if you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special life event please let us know. Our crews stand ready to assist you in making your special day something to remember.

Why do you ask about Medical History, Medications and Allergies?
We primarily ask about your medical history on our Reservation Application in the unlikely event you are injured during your trip and our crew is required to render first aid. Knowing your history and any drugs you are taking become vital in this situation.

We will also review your medical history upon receipt of your application to gain an understanding of your general health and fitness. Some of our destinations require a higher level of general fitness than others. Diving in the Galapagos Islands or the Maldives where there are strong currents may not be a good match for guests not in good physical condition.

Similarly, if you indicate that you are taking numerous prescription medications along with numerous medical conditions, we may inquire further. The concern we want to address is to be sure that you are fully aware that your adventure travel vacation is in a remote destination where access to medical care is not readily available.

Some allergies may also cause us to query further. Sensitivity to a bee sting can be very similar to a jelly fish sting or sea lice. If you have not experienced either before to know your sensitivity levels, you may want to consult with your physician prior to making a reservation.

For certified divers, We DO NOT use this information to determine your fitness to dive. Only you and your physician can make that determination. However, if you are taking a course with us, we do ask that you complete the RSTC medical history form as well. This is a training agency standard and as a student under the care of an instructor, your fitness to dive must fall within the guidelines established by the training agency.

Right to Refuse Service
Peter Hughes Diving, Inc., its owners and employees reserve the right to refuse service to any diver whose behavior is believed to be a danger to the safe operation of the vessel. Divers who exhibit objectionable personal conduct, excessive alcohol use or lack of sufficient diving skills or knowledge can be refused air fills at the Captainās discretion. Any illicit drug use will result in immediately being turned over to the local authorities. The company hereby reserves the right to request such other, further and different medical information, documentation and/or authorization(s) as the company may, in its sole and unfettered discretion, deem appropriate. The company further hereby reserves the right in its sole and unfettered discretion, to decline to allow any Guest to participate in certain diving activities based on medical information, documentation and/or authorization(s), or the lack thereof.

Documentation
You alone are responsible for ensuring you carry the proper documentation required for entry into your destination of choice. Please ensure that you have a valid visa, passport, or proof of citizenship (as required by the country you are visiting) at the time of your reservation.

Enriched Air Nitrox
For three years Peter Hughes Diving gave away Nitrox fills on Dancer Fleet vessels. We felt that the addition of Nitrox to our vessels enhanced safety and enabled us to offer Nitrox certification. We still believe that Nitrox is a valuable asset to our fleet, however, the investment and cost of providing this gas has been significant. We gave considerable thought as to how to best handle this and announced during 2000 that anyone who traveled with us beginning in 2000 would receive Free Nitrox on their next trip. This is our way of offering our repeat guests something special as long as they continue to travel with us each year. So, we have not taken Free Nitrox away, we have simply made it available to those who travel with us every year. All Dancer Fleet operations feature Enriched Air Nitrox 32% facilities. Nitrox fills are available on board to all certified enriched air divers. Nitrox certifications are also available on board to all certified divers.

Can I use my rebreather?
Yes - certified rebreather divers who own their own rebreather equipment and comply with our guidelines may dive with a rebreather while on board select Dancer Fleet vessels. Please review our "Rebreather Information Sheet" for information on working out the logistical details to use your rebreather on your voyage. Rebreather diving is only permitted aboard Sun Dancer II in Belize and Star Dancer in Papua New Guinea.

Can I dive by myself or alone?
Diving by one's self has been around since the advent of recreational diving. However, only recently has any certification agency recognized the practice as an acceptable form of recreational scuba diving and created a training program to properly train divers for Solo Diving. However, the actual number of divers certified for Solo Diving is extremely small. At the same time - we recognize that a live-aboard dive vacation offers the Solo Diver an excellent opportunity to utilize his/her training. It is for this reason that we have created this Solo Diver information sheet, clearly explaining the support and limits of support, that we can offer the Solo Diver, and the expectations that we have of divers who choose to dive without a buddy. Solo diving is only permitted on board Sun Dancer II in Belize and Star Dancer in Papua New Guinea.

Single Guests
All live-aboard prices are quoted on a share basis, in a double occupancy stateroom. Singles are welcome to book alone, with the understanding that only another guest of the same gender will be booked into their cabin. If the guest requires that he/she have the cabin alone, they are required to pay a single supplement of 65% of the full retail value in addition to the package price. Additionally, guests who request a guaranteed single room are required to pay double the deposit (as for 2 spaces).

Smoking
There is absolutely no smoking allowed anywhere inside any of the vessels, smoking is allowed only in designated outdoor areas. Smoking is also not permitted when groups are gathered for briefing even though they are within the smoking area.

Itinerary Changes
Itineraries are always weather permitting and are conducted at the sole discretion of the Captain with consideration to the safety of the guests, crew and the vessel. No refunds will be issued or trips re-booked for itineraries that are canceled due to weather.

Substitutions
Peter Hughes Diving and its affiliates have the right to substitute a vessel or package of comparable value if for some unforeseen reason the reserved vessel is not able to fulfill its charter or cruise obligation.

Deposit, Cancellation and Refund Policy
Please refer to the "Dancer Fleet Deposit and Cancellation Policies" located on the back of your "Credit Card Authorization Form" or the "Dancer Fleet Group and Full Charter Policies" for detailed information concerning the deposit, cancellation and refund policies of Peter Hughes Diving.

Ten Guidelines for Travelers Used by permission of Dive Training Magazine - July 1999 Issue

You may have seen these humorous guidelines or a version of them over the years. The original author is unknown, but the point they make is a valuable one. If you're planning a trip, you might want to distribute a copy of these to the divers who will be on that trip. It's a light-hearted way to remind them to "keep cool" when the inevitable glitches and unexpected problem arise during a trip.

Do not expect to find things to be like at home. You left     home to find things different.

Do not take anything too seriously. A carefree mind is a vital     to a good vacation.

Do not let other travelers get on your nerves. You paid good     money to enjoy yourself.

Do not forget: you are a representative of your country at all     times.

Try not to worry because he or she who worries will have no     fun. Remember that few things in life are fatal.

Know where your passport is at all times because a traveler     without a passport is a traveler without a country.

As a stranger in a strange land, be prepared to do as its     people do.

Do not judge all people of a country by the one person who     has given you trouble.

Learn how to say thank you in the language of the country     youāre visiting. A sincere thank you, along with a smile,     doubles the value of any tip you may give.

Remember that you are a guest and those travelers who     treat their hosts with respect will be treated likewise.