Emperor Maldives · Dive liveaboard · Updated 8 November 2026 · By Abdulla Maseeh
Emperor Serenity Liveaboard, Maldives
Emperor Serenity is a 40-metre fibreglass dive liveaboard, rebuilt and relaunched in December 2024, with 13 en-suite cabins for 26 guests, four of them suites, and a separate 24-metre diving dhoni with up to four guides. She runs Emperor’s Best of Maldives week most of the year, Hanifaru & North in summer and Deep South shark trips in February and March, from US$3,175 per person for 7 nights with Green Tax, port fees, fuel and nitrox all included.
Serenity in brief
Serenity is the newer of Emperor’s two big fibreglass boats in the Maldives. Emperor rebuilt her and relaunched her in December 2024, keeping the name of the earlier, award-winning Serenity: the finish is bright and modern, the main-deck lounge, dining area and bar are one large air-conditioned space, and there is outdoor seating on three levels, with deckchairs, sunbeds and bean bags on the sun deck.
She suits divers who want a roomy, all-inclusive boat at a lower price than Emperor Explorer II, couples who want a suite, and groups of friends or dive clubs who want to fill a good part of the boat. Look elsewhere if you want a jacuzzi (Emperor Leo has one), Wi-Fi included in the price, or a smaller group in the water (Emperor Virgo takes 18).
Cabins, deck by deck
Thirteen guest cabins on three decks, numbered 1 to 14 because cabin 4 belongs to the crew. Every cabin is en-suite with its own air-conditioning control and two towels per guest.
| Deck | Cabin | Type | Beds | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper deck | 11, 12 | Suite | King-size double + single bed | Two of the four suites; big windows, nearest the sun deck |
| Upper deck | 13 | Cabin | Double + single bed | Good for three friends or a family of three |
| Upper deck | 14 | Cabin | Double bed only | Couples; close to the outdoor seating at the stern |
| Main deck | 9, 10 | Suite | King-size double + single bed | Forward of the lounge; quickest walk to meals and the dhoni |
| Lower deck | 1, 3, 6, 7, 8 | Cabin | Double + single bed | About 10.5 to 13.5 m² with portholes; en-suite shower room 4 to 5 m² |
| Lower deck | 2, 5 | Cabin | Double bed only | Couples on a budget |
Which to book? The four suites (9 to 12) are the best rooms for the money: a king-size bed, a single for a third person or for luggage, and big windows. Upper-deck suites 11 and 12 are a few steps from the sun deck; main-deck suites 9 and 10 are closest to meals and the dive briefings. On the lower deck, cabins sit nearer the waterline, which means portholes rather than windows but less movement on a lively crossing.
Where Serenity goes
Serenity sails from Malé for most of the year and moves south from mid-February to March. These are the routes on sale for November 2026 to October 2027; she does not appear on the schedule in May and June.
Best of Maldives
7 nights · most of the year
Rasdhoo, North and South Ari, Vaavu, North and South Malé: manta cleaning stations, South Ari whale sharks, Vaavu’s nurse sharks and channel dives. No minimum dive count.
Hanifaru & North
7 nights · July and August 2027
Baa Atoll in manta season, with a snorkel at Hanifaru Bay (scuba is banned there), plus North Malé, Lhaviyani and Raa.
Deep South
7 nights · late February to March 2027
Gan to Kooddoo or Kooddoo to Gan: Addu’s mantas and wrecks, Fuvahmulah’s tiger sharks, Huvadhoo’s channels. Emperor asks for 100 logged dives; no night dives in the south.
Southern Shark Adventure
14 nights · February and March 2027
Malé to Gan or the reverse, through Vaavu, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu, Huvadhoo and Fuvahmulah. 100 logged dives and Advanced Open Water.
Currents in the Maldives can be strong at any time, especially around new and full moon, so Emperor recommends Advanced Open Water for every route: many dives go below 18 metres, and the legal limit is 30. Everyone does a check dive on day one. More on the southern routes on our Deep South page, and on what to expect underwater in the liveaboard diving guide.
Emperor Serenity dates and prices
The next departures on sale, from Emperor’s published schedule. Sold-out weeks are not shown, and Emperor runs 15 to 30 percent promotions on some dates, so ask us for the live price before you decide. Across the whole schedule, Serenity ranges from US$3,175 to US$6,809 per person.
| Departs | Route | Nights | From | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Nov 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,399 | Cabins available |
| 22 Nov 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,399 | Cabins available |
| 29 Nov 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,399 | Cabins available |
| 6 Dec 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,566 | Cabins available |
| 13 Dec 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,399 | Cabins available |
| 20 Dec 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,678 | Cabins available |
| 27 Dec 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,678 | Cabins available |
| 3 Jan 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,790 | Cabins available |
| 10 Jan 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,622 | Cabins available |
| 17 Jan 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,622 | Cabins available |
| 24 Jan 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,622 | Cabins available |
| 31 Jan 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,622 | Cabins available |
| 14 Feb 2027 | Southern Shark Adventure, Malé – Gan | 14 | US$6,809 | Cabins available |
| 28 Feb 2027 | Deep South, Gan – Kooddoo | 7 | US$3,779 | Cabins available |
What a week on Serenity really costs
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, coffee, and wine with dinner
- Two to three dives a day from the dhoni with up to four guides
- Airport transfer to the boat on boarding day
Extra, paid on board
- Wi-Fi data packages, 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; insurance with dive cover (required)
| Emperor Serenity | Emperor Explorer II | Princess Maani | Dune Black Manta | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length / hull | 40 m, fibreglass | 44 m, fibreglass | 42 m | 42 m, steel |
| Cabins / guests | 13 / 26 | 13 / 26 | 14 / 28 | 15 / 28 |
| Suites | 4 | 6 | See boat page | Premium and deluxe cabins |
| 7 nights, published from | US$3,175 | US$2,665 | US$2,688 | US$2,395 |
| Price model | All-inclusive | All-inclusive | Rate plus fees on board | All-inclusive, fuel surcharge |
Compared with a rate-plus-fees boat such as Princess Maani, add US$234 to the Maani headline on a 7-night trip (the US$150 service fee and US$84 Green Tax) before you compare. Our liveaboard prices page has the full calculator. For the whole Emperor fleet, see our Emperor Maldives guide.
Life and diving on board
On the big boat
Meals are buffets of local and international dishes, three times a day, and Emperor caters for vegetarian, vegan and allergy diets when told in advance. The main deck has the lounge with sofas, TV, books, films and board games, and an internationally stocked bar; the upper deck has outdoor seating, and the sun deck has loungers and bean bags. Power is 220 V and 110 V with UK three-pin sockets.
On the dhoni
The 24-metre dhoni carries three crew, the compressors (nitrox is made by membrane), oxygen, first aid and an AED, and dive towels. Rental kit must be booked before you arrive. There are charging stations, an air gun, rinse tanks and a camera table for photographers, and PADI Discover Scuba, Advanced Open Water, Adventure Dives and Specialties can be done on board.
Emperor Serenity: questions we get asked
How much does Emperor Serenity cost?
Emperor’s published 7-night Best of Maldives price for Serenity runs from US$3,175 per person in the July to October low season to US$3,947 in peak weeks. The 7-night Deep South costs US$3,779 to US$3,947 and the 14-night Southern Shark Adventure US$6,525 to US$6,809. Green Tax, port and park fees, fuel and nitrox are included; we often quote below the published price.
How many cabins does Emperor Serenity have?
13 en-suite guest cabins for 26 guests: four suites with a king-size double and a single bed (11 and 12 on the upper deck, 9 and 10 on the main deck), cabin 13 with a double and a single, cabin 14 with a double only, and seven lower-deck cabins, five with a double and a single bed and two with a double only. Cabin 4 is used by crew.
Is Emperor Serenity a new boat?
She was rebuilt and relaunched in December 2024 as a new boat under the name of Emperor’s earlier, award-winning Serenity. Today she is a 40-metre, four-deck fibreglass liveaboard with a 13-metre beam, a 600 HP Doosan engine and a 12,000-litre-a-day watermaker.
What is the diving like on Serenity?
Up to four guides lead dives from a separate 24-metre dhoni carrying the compressors, oxygen, first aid and an AED. Expect two to three dives a day with one night dive on central and northern routes, 11.1-litre aluminium tanks as standard (13.2-litre on request) and free nitrox up to 32 percent. A dive computer, SMB and reef hook are required on every dive.
Does Emperor Serenity have Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi works when the boat is in mobile range, usually near islands, and data packages are sold on board; it is not included in the price. Many guests buy a local data SIM at Malé airport, where Emperor’s representative can help.
Can solo travellers book Serenity?
Yes. Emperor guarantees a same-sex cabin share, or the cabin to yourself at no supplement if nobody else books. To be sure of the double bed in a cabin with a double and a single, Emperor charges about €35 a week.
How does Serenity compare with Emperor Explorer II?
Both are four-deck fibreglass boats for 26 guests in 13 cabins. Explorer II is longer at 44 metres, has six suites against Serenity’s four and offers three to four dives a day; Serenity is usually a little cheaper on the same week and runs the Hanifaru & North route in summer.
How do I get to the boat?
Emperor meets you at Malé (Velana) airport, or at Gan for southern trips, and transfers you to the boat on the first day; boarding starts at 13:00. Check-out is at 07:00 on the last morning. Transfers to a resort or hotel afterwards are not included.
Why book Emperor Serenity 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
- All Maldives liveaboardsFinder, routes and how booking works
- Boat directoryEvery boat we book in one table
- Every departureDates across the fleet
- Deep South routeFuvahmulah, Huvadhoo and Addu
- Liveaboard pricesReal costs and a calculator
Written by Abdulla Maseeh, HolidayVibe Maldives, Malé. Boat facts from Emperor’s Serenity page, Maldives FAQ, diving guidelines and the December 2024 deck plan; dates and prices from Emperor’s published schedule, checked 8 November 2026. Photos and deck plan: Emperor Divers.