Travel News & Updates

Emperor Divers Autumn Sale Ends October 1

We are offering some amazing Autumn savings across a whole range of our liveaboard and daily diving holidays.

In some cases you can get up to 25% off – but it’s best to be quick.

Among the highlights include 20% off selected sailings for the rest of 2022, early bird discounts for trips in 2023 and 2024 and a superb 25% off bookings for our brand-new, pride and joy Emperor Harmoni.

We also have a 10% discount and extra free places for those booking charter sailings.

Master Liveaboards Introduces the Master Saver Rate

Put simply, the Master Saver Rate allows all customer types to save 10% on any qualifying booking, provided that the departure is 120 days or more away and that payment is made in full on confirmation.

This can be an individual booking for one person only 4 months away, or it can be a full charter for 18 people 3 years away. The same terms apply. And the basic terms are simple...

Thinking of bringing a back-up housing to Mexico? Think again, as it may cost you a pretty penny.

Bringing camera equipment into Mexico may cost you

Following our report about divers being charged tax on their personal photo equipment, we wrote to the Mexican tourism minister and contacted some embassies to seek their comments and clarification on the matter. The Mexican Ministry of Tourism never responded to any of our inquiries or requests for comment, and we had to reach out to several Mexican embassies and press them for an answer before we got the following reply from Mexico's embassy in Toronto, Canada.  

Sphinx and Giza pyramids
Sphinx and Giza pyramids

Egypt relaxes photography restrictions for tourists

Egyptian nationals and foreign tourists alike have complained that authorities have requested permits for shooting in public areas, and at times seized cameras and forbidden shooting even if a permit is in place.

In a statement, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled El-Enani announced that 'photography enthusiasts', foreign residents in Egypt and tourists will be able to take pictures in public without permits and that “no one will be allowed to ask you why you are filming in public”

Staring at the map on a long flight

Flights to and from Asia just got a lot longer for many divers

For many divers heading to Southeast Asia, their flight times have gotten a lot longer. Prior to the Russians invasion of Ukraine, many airline routes traversed Russian airspace en route to Southeast Asia. With the closure of Russian airspace to some international carriers, including many in Europe, airlines have been forced to seek alternate routes. For some flights from Europe, this is especially problematic, as Russia stands directly in the way.

DAN Announces New Enhanced Membership

Enhanced Membership includes all the benefits divers and travelers have come to expect from their DAN membership — plus higher coverage limits and a curated selection of additional benefits, including up to US$500,000 in emergency medical transportation and travel assistance benefits, a continuing subscription to the print edition of Alert Diver magazine, new global security evacuation coverage, new search and rescue coverage, and more.

Mexican customs charge dive travellers sales tax on their equipment

When it comes to must-see dive destinations, Mexico’s Socorro Islands tops many a diver’s wish list. Boasting up-close encounters with giant Pacific manta rays, dolphins, sharks and immense numbers of fish, the diving presents incredible encounters and surprises galore.

However, if you are an underwater photographer with lots of gear, you may get a surprise of an unwanted variety: paying duty on your own equipment.

Dive staff assisting a guest getting all set to dive. In a number of regions worldwide, operators now face shortages of staff following the pandemic.

Dive operators hit by a shortage of staff

There are several possible reasons for this. To get an idea why, we can look to Australia, where the dive industry is still reeling.

In Queensland, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been catastrophic. Before the pandemic, the industry depended highly on backpacker instructors and those with short-term work visas. Australia’s high cost of living and low wages discourages many locals from careers as dive instructors.

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Service with a smlle