All Star Velocean Liveaboard overview

By
Yvonne Press
Contributor at DIVEIN.com
Yvonne is a TDI instructor trainer and rebreather instructor with more than two decades of diving experience. After learning to dive on the Great Barrier Reef,...
Rebecca Strauss
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...

Mention liveaboards in Indonesia, and most divers’ eyes start shining. White and black mantas in Komodo National Park, thrilling currents, huge expanses of soft coral, schooling barracuda, underwater seamounts—we could talk about the beauty of Indonesian diving for hours.

And when it comes to visiting these legendary sites, the All Star Velocean might be the most luxurious liveaboard in Indonesian waters. It’s one of the newest boats, having begun operations in the summer of 2022. This modern yacht is already making its mark in the high-end diving scene, combining comfort and class with amazing scuba experiences.

Plying the Coral Triangle, which features some of the world’s greatest biodiversity, there’s a chance to see almost every creature on your ‘must-see’ list. The hardest decision you’ll have to make is to pick an itinerary from the choice of world-class destinations like Raja Ampat and Komodo.

Add to that gourmet meals, three large decks of living space with the feeling of luxury at every step, and you’ll get an idea of the All Star Velocean experience. Want to learn more?

Let’s dive into our review of the All Star Velocean.

About this review

To help you find a that will fit your needs, we’ve tested, researched, and reviewed the best ones available today.
We test both in the water, diving in various conditions - and in our lab - so we can give you accurate answers on quality, performance, and the overall value.

Read about our test of s

Things we like:

  • Ultra luxurious boat with plenty of space passengers
  • Luxurious, seaview suites
  • Single traveler friendly with dedicated suites for solo travelers
  • Great facilities for divers with cameras and other tech
  • A cruising speed of 20 knots can cover a lot of territory
  • Opportunities for trips ashore

Things we don't like:

  • No discount for non-divers

Diving on the All Star Velocean

Aside from Indonesia’s well-known crowd pleasers like Komodo and Raja Ampat, the All Star Velocean also visits the Marine National Park of Wakatobi. Discover the lush underwater world around Wangi Wangi, Kaledupa, Binongki, and Tomea.

The colors of over 500 hard and soft coral species are waiting for you along with thousands of different fish species. If you love macro photography, the boat’s expert guides will find tiny shrimps and colorful nudibranchs for you. There are night dives whenever possible too.

Destinations like Komodo are renowned for currents and excellent chances to encounter different types of sharks and other pelagic species. Who doesn’t love to dive with manta rays? In addition to regular itineraries in Komodo and Raja, the ship also cruises to the Forgotten Islands of Alor and the Banda Sea during repositioning.

All diving from the All Star Velocean is done from its two custom-built tenders, which come with tank racks and a dedicated camera space. This makes it easy to keep your camera gear safe while getting to the best possible drop spot.

Because of its powerful engines, the Velocean can do more than offer you diving. Traveling faster creates time for land excursions. If you’d like to see the famed Komodo dragons or take a hike to view the island peaks of Raja Ampat from above, the All Star Velocean crew makes it possible.

Highlights:

  • Unparalleled marine-life spotting opportunities
  • Up to four dives a day including a night dive
  • Custom-built dive tenders
  • Opportunities for land excursions

Onboard the All Star Velocean

Forget about cramped spaces while at sea. At 171 ft (52 m) long, the ultra-luxurious, custom-built All Star Velocean comfortably accommodates 18 divers, and you’ll be staying in suites rather than cabins. And, with a crew of 24, divers’ comforts will be taken care of.

Underwater photography fans will have all the space they need to prepare for their dives, enjoy their downtime onboard, and work on perfecting those images afterward. Two custom-built dive tenders ensure you’re dropped in the perfect place to start your dive.

Rather than cabins, the All Star Velocean features 10 spacious suites. If you really want to cruise in luxury, take a look at the two platinum oceanfront suites. Situated on the main deck, they combine privacy, amenities, and panoramic ocean views through skyline windows. These two cabins are equipped with double beds.

The All Star Velocean also makes it easy for friends to share a cabin. Six elite deluxe suites on the upper deck cater to dive buddies. Every suite is beautifully decorated, spacious, and offers ocean views. Out of these six suites, three have twin beds. The other three can be configured as twin or king-sized bed cabins depending on your group.

If you travel solo and prefer not to share a suite, the boat’s Signature Single Suites are for you. They’re located on the main deck, with private baths, a twin bed, and ocean views. The best thing about those suites is the price, though—there’s no single supplement charge.

All cabins are well-appointed and include generous closet space, TVs with access to a video library, as well as a live feed of the Velocean’s GPS. Have we mentioned the ensuite bathrooms yet? They’re straight out of a five-star hotel.

Photographers will love the extensive desk space for underwater camera drying and preparation. In fact, divenewswire.com called the All Star Velocean the ‘Most Photo Friendly Liveaboard in the World.’

Separate rinse tanks have become a fairly standard feature on the better Indonesian liveaboards, but this boat takes things up a notch. The camera table stations in the salon are specifically designed for your gear, and there are charging ports everywhere too.

Once it’s time to relax, check out the rooftop sundeck, complete with hot tub and lounge chairs. Below the rooftop is the upper deck, which is home to an alfresco lounge, giving divers plenty of opportunity to kick back and enjoy the scenery. The main deck houses the continental dining room, alongside a lounge and bar.

Highlights:

  • Luxurious suites, including dedicated suites for single travelers
  • Plenty of space for passengers
  • Plenty of crew to pamper the guests
  • Extensive camera facilities indoors and on the deck
  • Sundeck complete with hot tub

 Dining on the All Star Velocean

What would a premium liveaboard experience be without good food? On the All Star Velocean, divers are not only fed well—they’re served gourmet meals prepared by talented chefs from an international menu. The treats start even before breakfast with a selection of pastries and breads.

Breakfast itself is an international buffet, featuring all-time favorites like pancakes, bacon & eggs, dim sum, fried rice, and more. Lunch is a three-course affair, including appetizer, main course, and dessert, making sure no one starts their afternoon dives on an empty stomach. Dinner follows suit in a similar three-course style, and the liveaboard’s hotpot option is a favorite with guests.

You can also help yourself to unlimited juices, soft drinks, locally roasted coffee, and a selection of teas throughout the day. A selection of red and white wines, beers, spirits, and liqueurs are available to purchase from the bar.

The culinary team is happy to accommodate dietary requirements. As always, it’s worth informing the hosts in advance if you have specific needs.

Highlights:

  • Gourmet dining throughout the day
  • Internationally inspired cuisine, including a hotpot option
  • Unlimited juices and soft drinks, and locally roasted coffee
  • Alcoholic beverages are not included

Things we like:

  • Ultra luxurious boat with plenty of space passengers
  • Luxurious, seaview suites
  • Single traveler friendly with dedicated suites for solo travelers
  • Great facilities for divers with cameras and other tech
  • A cruising speed of 20 knots can cover a lot of territory
  • Opportunities for trips ashore

Things we don't like:

  • No discount for non-divers
Key Facts
Price Range Budget
Trip Length < 5 Nights
Internet No
Nitrox No
Equipment Rental No
Camera Station No
Air Conditioning No
Min. Logged Dives No minimum
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