Going to maldives and have a few questions

Luvly.cuppa.T

Can i just say i have loved reading this thread, and have felt lovely and warm and excited for you!
Have a great time- I'm gonna have a look at the cost now and burst my own bubble...

llol_slim

Luvly.cuppa.T wrote: »

Can i just say i have loved reading this thread, and have felt lovely and warm and excited for you!
Have a great time- I'm gonna have a look at the cost now and burst my own bubble...

thank you We have never felt so excited about anything before!
Our friend went a while back, and we always assumed we wouldn't be able to afford it (well I couldn't afford it due to my debt, but we have timed it so that I will pay off my loan and then pay for the holiday using the same amount I had been using to pay my debt off, so i wont struggle as I'm used to not having the money.
It's kind've like a congratulations at the same time!!
So excited!!
Thanks

Luvly.cuppa.T

llol_slim wrote: »

thank you We have never felt so excited about anything before!
Our friend went a while back, and we always assumed we wouldn't be able to afford it (well I couldn't afford it due to my debt, but we have timed it so that I will pay off my loan and then pay for the holiday using the same amount I had been using to pay my debt off, so i wont struggle as I'm used to not having the money.
It's kind've like a congratulations at the same time!!
So excited!!
Thanks

You do deserve it, after clearing debts. It feels good doesn't it?

You know I had a look at prices for the maldives and was suprised to find that they are within my bracket (well I was looking at Japan originally and Hong Kong, so I had gotten used to seeing these prices!) and we are considering the Maldives ourselves now, thanks to yourself and all the other posters!
It looks gorgeous and it's all packaged too- which takes the effort out of it (for Japan , I would have to sort my own to fit in with time line and what I want to see).
The prices vary considerably, depending on the area, type of accomadation and board, but I wondered what you have planned?
There seems to be varying reviews from holidaytruths.com , but my feeling is it comes down to expectation. I'm always delighted with a 3 star place and a nice beach, so I think that anywhere would suit me fine, but the choice is enormous!
What made you chose your particular destination?

llol_slim

Luvly.cuppa.T wrote: »

You do deserve it, after clearing debts. It feels good doesn't it?

You know I had a look at prices for the maldives and was suprised to find that they are within my bracket (well I was looking at Japan originally and Hong Kong, so I had gotten used to seeing these prices!) and we are considering the Maldives ourselves now, thanks to yourself and all the other posters!
It looks gorgeous and it's all packaged too- which takes the effort out of it (for Japan , I would have to sort my own to fit in with time line and what I want to see).
The prices vary considerably, depending on the area, type of accomadation and board, but I wondered what you have planned?
There seems to be varying reviews from holidaytruths.com , but my feeling is it comes down to expectation. I'm always delighted with a 3 star place and a nice beach, so I think that anywhere would suit me fine, but the choice is enormous!
What made you chose your particular destination?

Well, im nearing my payoff date (4months) and I cannot wait!!!

Basically, we have a couple of friends who go yearly, and their photos look amazing.
We knew we wanted to go, and we found a bargain on here for buy one get one free, but when we looked into the island more, we realised it was aimed at divers, and not really so good for lounging around doing nothing (sorry I've forgotten the name of the island)
We then went to first choice, as we saw an advert about the extra leg room(!!) and had a snoop around their site, and we organised the maldives by price.
Dhonvelli was a good balance between price, resort offerings, it was the first island our friends went to and reviews from tripadvisor swayed us.
We also heard people saying that Maldives rating are below "normal" ratings, so a 3 star is more like the equivalent of what you would expect from a "normal" 4 star
We spent a long time reading about the island before going down to first choice - so many more people put positive repsonses than negative, we decided we should go for it.

We then went into First Choice, to talk to the people in there, an old school friend happened to be working there, so we chatted to her for a long time, deciding which room to get.
We ended up with a sunrise villa, as those are the ones on the nicer beach side of the island. She advised that we ask for a water-bungalow upgrade when we get there, as its cheaper than first choice(!!)

Sorry for the long post, and I hope that helps a little.
Feel free to ask more questions
thank you!

Joscar

llol_slim wrote: »

Luckily we are all inclusive, but we've been told that we get a mini-bar in our room that will be filled for free, so we will double check this with FIrst Choice.
Thanks!

When we went to Dhonveli you had to pay extra for the mini bar in the room and rather annoyingly the rules stated you could not take drinks back to your room, although I know some people did. I found it very useful to have a fridge in the room for water.

MrsJ2008

oooh this has been so lovely to read.

Could you all please tell me who you booked with.

Thanks

llol_slim

MrsJ2008 wrote: »

oooh this has been so lovely to read.

Could you all please tell me who you booked with.

Thanks

We bookedwith first choice. We looked online and then went into the shop.

Luvly.cuppa.T

Well, llol_slim, we did it!

WE blooming well booked a holiday to the Maldives after hours upon hours of searching for the best price and trying to fit in with our tight dates!

We are flying from Manchester (we live South by the sea) as this was a straight flight there and back, with Firstchoice (a v good plane by all accounts) and the cheapest for where we wanted to go- Kuredu. (It's got a 6hole golf course- how cute!)

We are going on the 23rd August and coming back 8 days later..... woohoo!

It was just over £1,000 each AI, beach villa- a step up from the bungalow. Man I can't wait, although we are brassic now! Had to be done.


I have taken note of everyone's tips, although I have a question to add now. A friend of mine seems convinced that you need to take organic shampoos and washing stuff with you (or have to buy it there) due to preserving the natural waters around. Anyone heard of this???????? I haven't spotted it anywhere.

THANKS SLIM- without this post we wouldn't have ever considered this!

jamesa007

just got back my advice would be:

1. flying with monarch - you have to pay for drinks.
2. dont take any shoes. we didnt wear footwear once on the whole 2 weeks to eveing meals or during day. no need
3. no mosquitos so no jabs needed.
4. $1 bills for tipping, dont go mad!!!
5. high factor sun cream - essential as so close to the sun!
6. snorkelling, buy a mask and flippers set from airport Jdsports £25/£30 each and well worth, better than hiring and can go as and when you want!!!
7.i used moneysupermarket and got travel insurance for me and mrs £30 for the year!!!

enjoy we are going back in 4 weeks! we loved it that much!!! then its saving for me!!!!

superdon

Goog choice on Kuredu. We went for our honeymoon last November, and it was fantastic. Good move going for a Beach Villa, if you can try to upgrade again to a Jacuzzi beach villa - they are REALLY nice. We actually got a free upgrade to the water villas in our second week too -but preferred the JBV's.

I would highly recommend diving there too. There are some great dives close to Kuredu - including "Kuredu Express" where you'll be diving with 6 - 8ft sharks. We did about 10 dives while there, not particualrly cheap, but very recommended.

The staff at Kuredu are great too.