Emperor Maldives · Small-group dive liveaboard · Updated 8 November 2026 · By Abdulla Maseeh
Emperor Virgo Liveaboard, Maldives
Emperor Virgo is a 35-metre, wooden-hulled dive liveaboard that takes only 18 guests in nine cabins, the smallest group in Emperor’s Maldives fleet, with three guides diving from a 17-metre dhoni. She runs Best of Maldives weeks from Malé and one Deep South trip in March 2027, from US$2,840 per person for 7 nights with Green Tax, fees, fuel and nitrox included. Every cabin can be twin or double, and there is a family cabin for three.
Renamed from November 2027. Emperor Virgo joins Evolution Liveaboards and sails as Evolution Eclipse from 3 November 2027, with Wednesday departures from Malé. Departures to 30 October 2027 below are sold as Emperor Virgo.
Why 18 guests makes a difference
Most Maldives dive liveaboards take 24 to 28 guests. Virgo takes 18, and you feel it everywhere: fewer divers splitting into the dhoni groups, less queueing for the camera table and the showers, a dining room where everyone knows everyone by Tuesday, and a sun deck that never feels crowded.
The boat itself is the same size as Emperor Leo, 35 metres long with a 9.4-metre beam, so there is more space per guest than on any other Emperor boat. The interior is light wood in a contemporary style, the air-conditioned saloon and dining room take up the main deck, and the bar is upstairs on the open upper deck, which is where most evenings end.
The trade-offs: no suites, no jacuzzi, and simpler cabins than Emperor’s new fibreglass boats. Guests on liveaboard.com rate Virgo 9.0 to 9.1 out of 10, with the food at 9.6.
Cabins and deck plan
| Deck | Cabins | Beds | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper deck | 2 cabins | Twin (can be doubles) | Large windows; next to the bar |
| Main deck | 2 cabins | Twin (can be doubles) | Windows; beside the saloon |
| Lower deck | 4 cabins | Twin (can be doubles) | About 9 m² with portholes; 4.5 m² shower room |
| Lower deck | 1 family cabin | Double + single | For three, or a couple who want space |
Twins can be converted to doubles on request, and solo travellers get a guaranteed same-sex share or the cabin to themselves at no supplement. To be sure of the double bed in the family cabin, Emperor adds about €35 a week.
Where Virgo goes
Best of Maldives, most weeks
Saturday to Saturday from Malé through Rasdhoo, North and South Ari, Vaavu and the Malé atolls: manta cleaning stations, South Ari whale sharks, channel and thila dives and a night dive. No minimum dive count; Advanced Open Water recommended. Virgo is on Emperor’s schedule from November to January, March to July and September to October in 2026/27.
Deep South, 6 March 2027
One 7-night trip from Kooddoo to Gan through Huvadhoo, Fuvahmulah and Addu, at US$3,332. For experienced divers only: 100 logged dives and Advanced Open Water. Read the Deep South guide before you book.
Emperor Virgo dates and prices
The next departures on sale. On some weeks Emperor’s system shows only one place left, which usually means a near-full or group-held boat; we can check for cancellations.
| Departs | Route | Nights | From | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Nov 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,007 | Cabins available |
| 12 Dec 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,007 | Cabins available |
| 19 Dec 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,119 | Cabins available |
| 26 Dec 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,119 | Cabins available |
| 2 Jan 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,175 | Cabins available |
| 9 Jan 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,175 | Cabins available |
| 16 Jan 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,175 | Cabins available |
| 23 Jan 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,175 | Cabins available |
| 30 Jan 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,175 | Cabins available |
| 6 Mar 2027 | Deep South, Kooddoo – Gan | 7 | US$3,332 | Cabins available |
| 27 Mar 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,175 | Cabins available |
| 3 Apr 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,175 | Cabins available |
| 10 Apr 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,175 | Cabins available |
| 17 Apr 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,175 | Cabins available |
In the price
- Green Tax, bed taxes, port and marine park fees, fuel surcharges
- Free nitrox up to 32 percent, 11.1-litre aluminium tanks and weights
- All meals, water, tea and coffee, and wine with dinner
- Guided dives from the diving dhoni
- Airport transfer to the boat on boarding day
Paid on board
- Wi-Fi data (sold on board) and drinks beyond dinner wine; beer about US$5
- Rental equipment (book before arrival), 13.2-litre tanks, PADI courses
- 16 percent sales tax on rentals and onboard purchases
- Crew tips, flights and dive insurance (required)
Days on Virgo
Two to three dives a day from the dhoni, which carries the compressors, oxygen, first aid and an AED, then surface intervals on the sun deck or in the saloon. Advanced Open Water, Adventure Dives and Specialties can be done on board, and there are camera charging stations, an air gun, rinse tanks and a camera table. Meals are buffets of local and international dishes; tell Emperor about dietary needs before you travel.
Emperor Virgo: questions we get asked
How many guests does Emperor Virgo take?
Only 18, in nine cabins, the smallest group in Emperor’s Maldives fleet. With three guides diving from a 17-metre dhoni, that means groups of about six divers per guide in the water.
How much does Emperor Virgo cost?
Emperor’s published 7-night Best of Maldives price for Virgo is US$2,840 per person on most weeks and US$3,175 in January, with US$3,007 to US$3,119 over Christmas. The 7-night Deep South trip from Kooddoo to Gan on 6 March 2027 is US$3,332. Green Tax, fees, fuel and nitrox are included.
Can a family book Virgo?
Yes. The lower-deck family cabin has a double and a single bed for three, and every other cabin can be made up as twin or double. Children are welcome, but anyone aged 15 or under must be supervised by a parent or responsible adult throughout. Groups of 18 can also take the whole boat; ask us for a charter quote.
Does Virgo go to the Deep South?
Once in the 2026/27 schedule: a 7-night Deep South trip from Kooddoo to Gan departing 6 March 2027, through Huvadhoo, Fuvahmulah and Addu. Emperor asks for 100 logged dives and Advanced Open Water; you fly to Kooddoo and home from Gan.
What is on board?
An air-conditioned saloon with sofas, TV, book and film library and the dining area on the main deck, an upper deck with outdoor seating and an internationally stocked bar, and a sun deck with sunbeds. Wi-Fi data is sold on board.
Why do some Virgo dates show only one place?
Emperor’s booking system shows places left per departure. On several Virgo weeks only one place is on sale, which usually means the boat is nearly full or held by a group. Ask us: we can check cancellations and options directly with Emperor.
Why book Emperor Virgo with HolidayVibe
- Trusted brandHolidayVibe is a trusted brand in the Maldives travel industry, licensed by the Ministry of Tourism (MOT.O1.RS.TA.25.RD9933) and based in Malé.
- We know the boatsWe work directly with the operators, hold their cabin-by-cabin availability and have walked the decks. No call centre in another time zone.
- Full-cost quotesEvery quote lists the cruise, service fee, Green Tax, park fees, nitrox, gear and transfers, so the price you see is the price you pay.
- Often better value than booking sitesOperators give local agents their best rates. We pass that on and still answer on WhatsApp within the hour.
- Fishing, surf and dive on one deskNeed a fishing charter before the dive week, or a resort night after? One team books all of it.
Keep planning
- Emperor Maldives fleetAll five Emperor boats compared
- Private charterTake the whole boat for your group
- Emperor LeoSame size, 24 guests and a jacuzzi
- Boat directoryEvery boat we book in one table
- Deep South routeFuvahmulah, Huvadhoo and Addu
- Liveaboard pricesReal costs and a calculator
Written by Abdulla Maseeh, HolidayVibe Maldives, Malé. Boat facts from Emperor’s Virgo page, Maldives FAQ and diving guidelines; review scores from liveaboard.com. Dates and prices from Emperor’s published schedule, checked 8 November 2026. Photos and deck plan: Emperor Divers.