Author Topic: Maldives Master Thread (Read 1130664 times)

zow · « **Reply #4140 on:** July 25, 2018, 03:58:55 PM »

Quote from: farmbochur on July 25, 2018, 03:57:33 PM

Correct

Doesn't sound very appealing...makes the ME3 and TK more appealing options, at least for the outbound from the US.

farmbochur · « **Reply #4141 on:** July 25, 2018, 04:12:05 PM »

Quote from: zow on July 25, 2018, 03:58:55 PM

Doesn't sound very appealing...makes the ME3 and TK more appealing options, at least for the outbound from the US.

All TK itineraries I found had connections that were ~12 hours and overnight

BarryLincoln · « **Reply #4142 on:** July 25, 2018, 04:26:41 PM »

Quote from: farmbochur on July 25, 2018, 04:12:05 PM

All TK itineraries I found had connections that were ~12 hours and overnight

We did a stopover in Europe for a few days, then continued on to MLE vie IST. Shorter stopover, flight worked out really well and the lounge in IST is impressive...

zow · « **Reply #4143 on:** July 25, 2018, 07:35:11 PM »

Quote from: BarryLincoln on July 25, 2018, 04:26:41 PM

We did a stopover in Europe for a few days, then continued on to MLE vie IST. Shorter stopover, flight worked out really well and the lounge in IST is impressive...

Quote from: farmbochur on July 25, 2018, 04:12:05 PM

All TK itineraries I found had connections that were ~12 hours and overnight

I would rather have a long-ish layover in IST (or DXB or DOH) than an overnight in MLE.

The TK itineraries look pretty good to me. Coming from Boston:
BOS-IST-MLE
Depart BOS 11:30pm.
Arrive IST 4:30pm.
Layover IST 10 hours (Enjoy the TK Lounge...maybe long enough for a tour of IST?)
Depart IST 1:55am
Arrive MLE 11:30am.

Seems that arriving MLE in the morning would be ideal.
The ME3 have similar arrival times; QR and EK have Boston departures (not a huge deal but a nice perk).

dansdealsfan5 · « **Reply #4144 on:** July 29, 2018, 02:26:20 PM »

So thanks to Dan's post last week - I have the following itinerary on hold for April 2019 (all legs are in I):

EWR to SIN Sunday Morning 10:45 Arriving 5:30 Monday.
SIN to MLE Tuesday Morning 11:00 Arriving 12:35.

I have a Water Villa at the Conrad for 95,000 points each night for 2 nights.

MLE to SIN 11:25 Thursday night arriving Friday morning at 7:10.
SIN to EWR Monday night 11:35 and arriving back at EWR 6:00 on Tuesday morning.

A few questions -
1. Is April a good time to go?
2. Is the Conrad a good place to stay - considering that the snorkeling is on the other island? Any other pros or cons?
3. Is there a major difference between the standard water villa and the premium ones (i think denverite and barry lincoln mentioned they were in premium villas). Is size different? Sunset views? If yes, what can i do to get an upgrade?
4. Are there any activities in the Maldives other than swimming / snorkeling / relaxing? (asking just to understand if there is any difference between the various hotel options in regards to this).
5. How much are the RT seaplanes to the hilton? (It seems that boats are not an option to the hilton)
6. Seems like I will have to layover in MLE from around 6:00 till 11:25. Any way around this?
7. Is MLE safe (both in the airport and to take a tour during my layover)?

I think i left enough questions for now:) Thanks in advance for all your help.

Denverite · « **Reply #4145 on:** July 29, 2018, 02:42:29 PM »

Quote from: dansdealsfan5 on July 29, 2018, 02:26:20 PM

So thanks to Dan's post last week - I have the following itinerary on hold for April 2019 (all legs are in I):

EWR to SIN Sunday Morning 10:45 Arriving 5:30 Monday.
SIN to MLE Tuesday Morning 11:00 Arriving 12:35.

I have a Water Villa at the Conrad for 95,000 points each night for 2 nights.

MLE to SIN 11:25 Thursday night arriving Friday morning at 7:10.
SIN to EWR Monday night 11:35 and arriving back at EWR 6:00 on Tuesday morning.

A few questions -
1. Is April a good time to go?
2. Is the Conrad a good place to stay - considering that the snorkeling is on the other island? Any other pros or cons?
3. Is there a major difference between the standard water villa and the premium ones (i think denverite and barry lincoln mentioned they were in premium villas). Is size different? Sunset views? If yes, what can i do to get an upgrade?
4. Are there any activities in the Maldives other than swimming / snorkeling / relaxing? (asking just to understand if there is any difference between the various hotel options in regards to this).
5. How much are the RT seaplanes to the hilton? (It seems that boats are not an option to the hilton)
6. Seems like I will have to layover in MLE from around 6:00 till 11:25. Any way around this?
7. Is MLE safe (both in the airport and to take a tour during my layover)?

I think i left enough questions for now:) Thanks in advance for all your help.

before answering your questions, am I reading this correctly, all that travel and only staying two nights?

dansdealsfan5 · « **Reply #4146 on:** July 29, 2018, 03:52:57 PM »

Will be in Singapore for shabbos - so that's part of the trip. following Dan's first trip to the Maldives. As per advice of friend's - 3 days and 2 nights is more than enough.

metsguy · « **Reply #4147 on:** July 29, 2018, 06:35:30 PM »

Hesitant to pull the trigger on the SRM due to the 665 p/p sea plane fee. When only going for 5 nights it is an extra charge of of ~$270 per night. Are the Maldives worth that premium vs other locations with OWV that may be more accessible?

Denverite · « **Reply #4148 on:** July 29, 2018, 06:49:48 PM »

Quote from: metsguy on July 29, 2018, 06:35:30 PM

Hesitant to pull the trigger on the SRM due to the 665 p/p sea plane fee. When only going for 5 nights it is an extra charge of of ~$270 per night. Are the Maldives worth that premium vs other locations with OWV that may be more accessible?

Short answer: YES! Also, what other more accessible locations? BOB requires a $500 plane fee too.

mendyt · « **Reply #4149 on:** July 29, 2018, 09:35:34 PM »

Quote from: Denverite on July 29, 2018, 06:49:48 PM

Also, what other more accessible locations? BOB requires a $500 plane fee too.

Jamaica.. not cheap though

https://m.sandals.com/all-inclusive/over-the-water-suites/?desktop=disable

Dan · « **Reply #4150 on:** July 29, 2018, 09:58:38 PM »

Sheraton MLE.

Denverite · « **Reply #4151 on:** July 30, 2018, 07:39:16 PM »

Quote from: Dan on July 29, 2018, 09:58:38 PM

Sheraton MLE.

I don't think Sheraton MLE is as all comparable to the St. Regis or Conrad. May as well go to Hawaii.

Yaalili · « **Reply #4152 on:** July 30, 2018, 07:45:06 PM »

Or you have the Holiday Inn MLE.

shimino1 · « **Reply #4153 on:** July 30, 2018, 08:11:25 PM »

Quote from: metsguy on July 29, 2018, 06:35:30 PM

Hesitant to pull the trigger on the SRM due to the 665 p/p sea plane fee. When only going for 5 nights it is an extra charge of of ~$270 per night. Are the Maldives worth that premium vs other locations with OWV that may be more accessible?

You will kick yourself a lot more for going to the Maldives and staying at the Sheraton or not going at all.
I can emphasize with you since I hate to waste money and pay out of pocket but this is the one time you should close your eyes, bite the bullet, pay and then forget about it completely, open your eyes and revel in your vacation on an earth-side paradise.

Denverite · « **Reply #4154 on:** July 31, 2018, 09:44:51 PM »

Quote from: shimino1 on July 30, 2018, 08:11:25 PM

You will kick yourself a lot more for going to the Maldives and staying at the Sheraton or not going at all.
I can emphasize with you since I hate to waste money and pay out of pocket but this is the one time you should close your eyes, bite the bullet, pay and then forget about it completely, open your eyes and revel in your vacation on an earth-side paradise.

+1 Worth every penny and a totally unique experience.

Yehuda25 · « **Reply #4155 on:** July 31, 2018, 10:36:39 PM »

Quote from: shimino1 on July 30, 2018, 08:11:25 PM

You will kick yourself a lot more for going to the Maldives and staying at the Sheraton or not going at all.
I can emphasize with you since I hate to waste money and pay out of pocket but this is the one time you should close your eyes, bite the bullet, pay and then forget about it completely, open your eyes and revel in your vacation on an earth-side paradise.

+1

moisheyb · « **Reply #4156 on:** July 31, 2018, 10:36:43 PM »

Quote from: Denverite on July 31, 2018, 09:44:51 PM

+1 Worth every penny and a totally unique experience.

+1000

ual902 · « **Reply #4157 on:** July 31, 2018, 10:45:27 PM »

Quote from: Denverite on July 31, 2018, 09:44:51 PM

+1 Worth every penny and a totally unique experience.

+++++2000000000000000

EJB · « **Reply #4158 on:** July 31, 2018, 11:00:08 PM »

Just get a few hilton aspire cards, or buy credit off of ppl.

Yaalili · « **Reply #4159 on:** August 13, 2018, 06:15:28 AM »

Qatar Airways in winter 2018/19 season is expanding service to The Maldives, as the oneWorld member added 3rd daily Doha – Male rotation, on board Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft. From 28OCT18, the new QR676/677 service departs Doha in early-morning hours, Male in late-afternoon.

QR672 DOH0210 – 0900MLE 359 D
QR676 DOH0520 – 1220MLE 359 D
QR674 DOH0825 – 1515MLE 359 D

QR673 MLE1015 – 1325DOH 359 D
QR677 MLE1830 – 2140DOH 359 D
QR675 MLE2020 – 2330DOH 359 D

Topic Wiki

Author Topic: Maldives Master Thread (Read 1130664 times)