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Zoe Harrington
🇬🇧London, GB
Ciela: Elegance Without Pretense
Ciela Liveaboard feels less like a vessel and more like a floating atelier of calm. We joined for a five-day escape—just my partner and I, seeking space after a hectic season. The Master Suite’s layout maximized both privacy and horizon views, the sliding doors opening to a small private deck. One unforgettable morning, we snorkeled Gili Lawa Laut’s southern slope, drifting alongside a school of bumphead parrotfish as the sun breached the caldera rim. Later, a hike on Komodo Island revealed dragons basking near the ranger station, their tails coiled like ancient sentinels. The galley served delicate interpretations of Indonesian flavors—lemongrass-infused coconut broth, banana-leaf grilled snapper—each dish thoughtful, never overcomposed. The only hiccup: the afternoon Wi-Fi, reliant on satellite, struggled during upload-heavy moments. But that, in truth, was part of the charm. We returned to dry land feeling reset, not just from the sea air, but from the rhythm of life aboard—measured, intentional, alive.
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Jasmine Vaughn
🇬🇧Bristol, GB
An Anniversary Well Spent
Marking our fifth anniversary on Ciela Liveaboard was a decision we’ll cherish. The Master Suite’s four-poster bed, draped in mosquito netting, felt both romantic and adventurous. We snorkelled at Kanawa Island in the morning—shallow reefs alive with parrotfish and sea turtles—then relaxed with a massage on deck in the afternoon. One evening, the crew arranged a private dinner on a secluded stretch of Long Beach, complete with lanterns, live acoustic guitar, and a menu tailored to our tastes. The attention to detail was palpable, never forced. Wi-Fi was virtually non-existent, but we didn’t miss it. If anything, I wished we’d booked an extra day—the rhythm of life on Ciela was one we didn’t want to break.
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Dian M. Ginting
🇩🇪Berlin, DE
Luxury That Feels Authentic
I’ve stayed in five-star resorts, tapi Ciela Liveaboard kasih luxury yang feel more meaningful. The woodwork di seluruh boat itu handcrafted, dan you can feel the care. We anchored di Wae Rebo dan di Manjarite — dua tempat yang kontras banget, tapi sama-sama powerful. Di Wae Rebo, the cultural immersion bikin trip ini lebih dari sekadar sightseeing. The Master Suite has floor-to-ceiling windows, perfect for stargazing. Breakfast omelet dengan local cheese itu simple tapi delicious. Minor thing: the bathroom door seal agak bocor saat laut agak bergelombang. Tapi that’s part of the real boat experience, kan? Overall, a journey that engages all senses, not just the eyes.
Girls Getaway Done Right
Me and my three besties dari kuliah akhirnya reunian di atas Ciela Liveaboard—what a vibe! We wanted luxury tanpa drama, dan Ciela deliver. From the welcome cocktails di deck sampai late-night chit-chat di lounge, everything felt curated. We hiked di Komodo Island, panas sih, tapi view dari atas bukit? Absolutely epic. Pas balik, crew siapin ice towels dan infused water—small detail, big impact. Malamnya, we partied kecil-kecilan dengan music playlist kita sendiri, dan crew izinin sampai jam 10. Kabinnya cozy, tapi suara dari mesin agak kedengaran kalau malam. Tapi who cares, we were too busy laughing. Snorkeling di Taka Makassar itu surreal—waternya biru toska, dan ikan badut everywhere. Ciela bener-bener jadi backdrop sempurna buat reconnecting. We already planning next year—maybe Raja Ampat?
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Margaret Owens
🇦🇺Brisbane, AU
Ciela Nailed Our Family Reunion
Twelve of us—three generations—booked Ciela Liveaboard for a reunion, skeptical anything could please everyone. We were wrong. The boat’s layout allowed privacy when needed, but the open deck encouraged gathering. From Long Beach, we arranged a beach picnic with local fruit and grilled fish. The kids spent hours snorkeling near Sebayur Island, spotting octopus in the rocks. My mother, 78, adored the morning tai chi sessions on the bow. The Master Suite’s layout made it easy for her to move around, and the crew assisted discreetly when needed. The only hiccup was a brief engine delay near Gili Lawa, but the captain communicated clearly and resolved it within the hour. What impressed me most was the crew’s cohesion—no raised voices, no visible stress. They made complexity look effortless. By the final night, anchored off Nusa Kode, we were already planning the next trip.
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Emily Reynolds
🇦🇺Sydney, AU
A Dive-First, Luxury-Second Gem
Traveling with a dive group of six, we prioritized logistics and comfort. Ciela Liveaboard exceeded both. The dive plan hit Castle Rock and Gili Lawa—challenging sites handled with precision by the crew. The briefing included current maps and exit points, which mattered when the surge picked up. Gear storage was generous, and tanks were always filled and ready. I stayed in a mid-tier cabin; while compact, it had excellent ventilation and a shower that drained properly—something many boats get wrong. The only note: the evening music on deck was slightly too loud one night, but it was adjusted after a quiet word. Food stood out: local fish curries, mango salads, and coconut rice that tasted handmade. At Pink Beach, we swam in the rosy shallows while the crew prepped a beach barbecue. Ciela doesn’t flaunt its VIP status. It just works, elegantly and efficiently.
Diving in Style dari Taka Makassar
As part of a dive group, I’ve been on several liveaboards, tapi Ciela ini beda kelas. The dive deck organized banget, gear prep smooth, dan safety briefing-nya detail tapi not overwhelming. We did three dives di Taka Makassar — visibility over 25 meters and strong currents bawa schooling barracudas, yang bikin adrenalin naik. The Master Suite has that subtle luxury — think Egyptian cotton, ambient lighting, dan bathroom dengan rainfall shower. Food-wise, fusion menu-nya creative: misalnya, grilled mahi-mahi dengan sambal matah. Satu hal kecil: the tender boat agak lambat saat pick-up dari spot terpencil, tapi itu minor. Wae Rebo sebagai final stop kasih vibe spiritual yang unexpected, cocok buat reflection sebelum pulang.
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James A. Carter
🇬🇧London, GB
A Thoughtful Voyage on Ciela
Ciela Liveaboard offers a rare equilibrium: expeditionary spirit paired with residential comfort. Our group of six—old university friends—booked the entire vessel for a weeklong reunion. The 28-meter layout ensured privacy without isolation; evenings found us gathered on the upper deck, sipping aged rum as the sky deepened over Nusa Kode. We dived Castle Rock twice—once at first light, when the current brought barracuda in tight formation. The dive staff briefed with clarity, their knowledge of local topography precise. On land, a guided walk through Loh Liang introduced us to the park’s dry monsoon forest, where we spotted a juvenile dragon beneath a gum tree. The Standard Cabin I occupied was compact but well-designed, with excellent storage and consistent airflow. The only critique: a slight delay in hot water on day three, quickly resolved. Ciela doesn’t shout its luxury; it whispers it, in the fold of a napkin, the timing of a breeze, the depth of the silence between islands.
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Aiman S. Zakaria
🇲🇾Kuala Muda, MY
Ciela: Ketenteraman di Tengah Laut
Perjalanan 4 hari dengan Ciela Liveaboard menjadi pelarian sempurna dari rutin korporat. Sebagai sebahagian daripada retreat eksekutif kecil, kami mencari keseimbangan antara keselesaan dan keaslian alam — dan Ciela menyampaikannya dengan tenang. Dari hari pertama, suasana di atas kapal 28 meter ini terasa eksklusif tanpa dibuat-buat. Master Suite yang saya tempati menghadap laut terbuka, dengan jendela bulat yang membiarkan cahaya fajar masuk perlahan — sempurna untuk sesi kopi pagi sebelum meeting ringkas di dek atas. Itinerary kami menyertakan Batu Bolong dan Pink Beach, keduanya memberi kontras luar biasa: satu untuk diving yang intens dengan arus lemah dan pari manta, satu lagi untuk drone shot pesisir merah jambu yang nampak seperti lukisan. Kru tempatan sangat sensitif terhadap kesesuaian masa dan ruang — tidak pernah terlalu dekat, tetapi sentiasa sedia dengan teh jahe atau handuk sejuk. Makanan adalah gabungan masakan Indonesia klasik dengan sentuhan modern; santapan malam di Gili Lawa bawah bintang dengan lampu suluh kecil di sekeliling meja kayu terus terbawa dalam memori. Satu-satunya perkara kecil: wifi agak tidak stabil untuk panggilan kerja pagi, tetapi mungkin itu juga yang kami perlukan — sedikit disconnect untuk reconnect. Komodo National Park dilihat dari lensa Ciela bukan sekadar destinasi, tapi satu experience yang dijaga dengan rasa hormat.
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