Emperor Maldives · Best-value dive liveaboard · Updated 8 November 2026 · By Abdulla Maseeh
Emperor Voyager Liveaboard, Maldives
Emperor Voyager is a 30-metre, wooden-hulled dive liveaboard for 20 guests in 10 en-suite cabins, and the lowest-priced boat in Emperor’s Maldives fleet: 7-night Best of Maldives weeks are published from US$2,560 per person, with Green Tax, port fees, fuel and nitrox included. Three guides dive from a separate 20-metre dhoni, and from February to March she also runs Sharktastic shark weeks for experienced divers.
What US$2,560 buys on Voyager
Voyager is the boat for divers who would rather spend on dives than on a suite. Here is what the published price includes; the only extras are drinks beyond dinner wine, Wi-Fi data, rental gear and tips.
- Seven nights on boardFull board, water, tea, coffee and wine with dinner
- About 17 divesTwo to three a day from a 20 m dhoni with three guides
- Free nitroxUp to 32 percent; most budget boats charge for it
- All the taxes and feesGreen Tax, port and park fees and fuel surcharges
- Airport pick-upTransfer to the boat on boarding day
- A small group20 guests, so dhoni groups stay manageable
| 7 nights, published | Emperor Voyager | Princess Haseena | NOAH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Dive liveaboard, 20 guests | Dive liveaboard, 26 guests | Snorkel safari boat, no scuba |
| From | US$2,560 | US$1,688 promo, usually about US$2,800 | US$1,661 |
| What else to add | Drinks, Wi-Fi, tips only | Service fee US$150, Green Tax US$84, park fees | Bar and snorkel gear only |
| Nitrox | Free | Free | No diving |
Emperor Voyager dates and prices
Departures on sale from Emperor’s published schedule, every Saturday from Malé. The four Sharktastic weeks in February and March sell first; Voyager does not appear on the schedule in May 2027.
| Departs | Route | Nights | From | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Nov 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,840 | Cabins available |
| 21 Nov 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,840 | Cabins available |
| 12 Dec 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,840 | Cabins available |
| 19 Dec 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,952 | Cabins available |
| 26 Dec 2026 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,952 | Cabins available |
| 2 Jan 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,007 | Cabins available |
| 9 Jan 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,007 | Cabins available |
| 16 Jan 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,287 | Shared places only |
| 23 Jan 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,007 | Cabins available |
| 6 Feb 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,007 | Cabins available |
| 13 Feb 2027 | Sharktastic | 7 | US$3,231 | Shared places only |
| 27 Feb 2027 | Sharktastic | 7 | US$3,007 | Cabins available |
| 6 Mar 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,007 | Cabins available |
| 13 Mar 2027 | Sharktastic | 7 | US$3,007 | Cabins available |
| 27 Mar 2027 | Sharktastic | 7 | US$3,007 | Cabins available |
| 3 Apr 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,007 | Cabins available |
Cabins
| Deck | Cabins | Beds | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper deck | 9, 10 | Twin (can be doubles) | Windows; quietest, next to the dining area |
| Main deck | 8 | Twin | Beside the saloon |
| Lower deck | 3, 4, 5 | Double | Portholes |
| Lower deck | 1, 2, 6, 7 | Twin | Portholes; 1, 6 and 7 can be made up as doubles |
Voyager’s cabins are simple and practical: twin or double beds, air conditioning plus a fan, storage and an en-suite shower room with two towels per guest. Some guests mention engine noise on the lower deck, so if you sleep lightly ask for the upper-deck cabins 9 and 10 or main-deck cabin 8. Solo divers get a guaranteed same-sex share or the cabin to themselves at no supplement.
Best of Maldives or Sharktastic?
Best of Maldives
Most of the year. Rasdhoo, North and South Ari, Vaavu and the Malé atolls: manta cleaning stations, South Ari whale sharks, thilas and channel dives, with a night dive with nurse sharks or mantas. No minimum dive count, but you should be comfortable drifting in current.
Sharktastic
February and March on Voyager. South Malé, Vaavu, South Ari and Meemu, timed for the channel dives where grey reef sharks, whitetips and big schools gather in the incoming current. Emperor recommends 30 logged dives and Advanced Open Water. Compare with the deeper south on our Deep South page.
Life on board
Voyager’s dining area is outside under cover on the upper deck, which guests rate as one of the best things about her; the main deck has the saloon with TV, books, films, board games and the bar, and the sun deck has deckchairs, sunbeds and bean bags. On liveaboard.com Voyager scores about 8.9 to 9.0 out of 10, with the food at 9.4.
Emperor Voyager: questions we get asked
How much does Emperor Voyager cost?
Voyager is Emperor’s lowest-priced Maldives boat: the published 7-night Best of Maldives price is US$2,560 per person on most weeks from June to October and up to US$3,287 in January, with Sharktastic weeks at US$3,007 to US$3,231. Green Tax, port and park fees, fuel and nitrox are included, so the price is close to what you will actually pay.
What is Sharktastic?
A 7-night route Emperor runs from January to April through South Malé, Vaavu, South Ari and Meemu, built around channel dives with grey reef, whitetip and other sharks. Emperor recommends 30 logged dives and Advanced Open Water because of the strong currents. On Voyager it departs on 13 and 27 February and 13 and 27 March 2027.
How many people does Voyager take?
20 guests in 10 en-suite cabins: three lower-deck doubles, four lower-deck twins, one main-deck twin and two upper-deck twins. Three dive guides lead the diving from a 20-metre dhoni.
Is Voyager comfortable?
Yes, but simpler than Emperor’s newer boats. Cabins have air conditioning and a fan and their own shower rooms, meals are eaten al fresco under cover, and the saloon has sofas, a TV and the bar. Some reviewers mention engine noise in the lower-deck cabins, so light sleepers should ask for cabins 8 to 10.
What do guests say about Voyager?
On liveaboard.com Voyager scores about 8.9 to 9.0 out of 10, with the food at 9.4 and the diving at 9.0. Reviews single out the dive planning, current reading and the island barbecue.
Can non-divers come?
Yes, where the route allows. Snorkellers must wear a flotation aid and only go in when a guide is free, and a private snorkel guide can be booked in advance. On a shark-focused week like Sharktastic there is less for snorkellers to do; see our snorkelling liveaboard guide for better options.
Why book Emperor Voyager 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
- Liveaboard pricesReal costs and a calculator
- Princess HaseenaAnother value dive boat
- Boat directoryEvery boat we book in one table
- Every departureDates across the fleet
- Deep South routeFor the big southern sharks
Written by Abdulla Maseeh, HolidayVibe Maldives, Malé. Boat facts from Emperor’s Voyager 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.