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    Open dive deck aboard Cheng Ho

    Cheng Ho

    Renovated in 2025 with 14 ensuite cabins, including two dedicated singles for solo travellers

    Cruising Areas

    Komodo

    Komodo runs out of Labuan Bajo through the middle of the year, typically five to seven nights with three dives a day plus night dives. The standard seven-night route works north to south: a check dive at Sabolan, then Gili Lawa Laut and Darat for drift diving and seamounts, the volcanic island of Sangeang and Banta, then south to Toro Longkoi for the manta cleaning station at Manta Alley and Pillarsteen off Padar, Tatawa Besar and Kecil for turtles and reef sharks, and finally Pink Beach and the ranger-led Komodo dragon trek before returning. Three-night repositioning runs between Labuan Bajo and Lembar also appear on the schedule.

    Banda Sea

    September to November, based out of Ambon, with crossings from Labuan Bajo at the start of the season and on to Sorong at the end. Trips run six to eleven nights. October and November carry the best odds for hammerheads and the calmest surface conditions.

    Raja Ampat

    Late November through April out of Sorong, six to ten nights. This is the longest continuous stretch in her calendar and the busiest part of the schedule, with departures running back to back through the northern winter.

    Alor

    Alor appears on the repositioning legs between the Banda Sea and Komodo, on itineraries of six to eleven nights. April to November is the window, with September the month for mola mola. Currents get strong in October and November.

    Who This Suits

    Suits: divers who want volume at a moderate price, and solo travellers in particular. The two deluxe single cabins mean a solo diver gets a private room with an ensuite without paying a supplement, which is rare. Five dive guides for twenty-six guests keeps groups small despite the boat size, and ENOS locator beacons are standard issue.

    Also suits: anyone wanting a long itinerary. Trips run up to eleven nights across the Banda Sea, Raja Ampat and Alor, well beyond what the short-charter boats here offer.

    Less suited to: anyone expecting a private-charter experience. Twenty-six guests, four decks and a shared schedule is a different product from the two-to-six-guest boats in this collection. Note also that the exclusion list is long, so the headline price is further from the final cost than on the all-inclusive charters.

    Vessel at a Glance

    • Phinisi
    • 1996; renovated 2025
    • Ironwood
    • 35 m length overall, 10.65 m beam, 253 GT
    • 26 guests
    • 7 to 10 knots
    • Shared + Charter
    • 4D3N, 5D4N+
    • Dive Resort
    • Nitrox, Compressor, Dive Master
    • Stand-up Paddleboard, Kayak, Snorkeling Gear

    About This Vessel

    Cheng Ho is a 35-metre ironwood phinisi operated by Sea Safari Cruises. Renovated in 2025, she carries up to 26 guests in 14 air-conditioned ensuite cabins across four decks. The current operator specification lists six double-bed cabins, six twin-bed cabins and two dedicated single cabins.

    The single cabins make Cheng Ho practical for solo travellers who want private accommodation. All cabin categories include hot and cold showers, air conditioning, a hair dryer, bathrobes and towels, and a safety box. The public 2026 gallery shows renovated upper-, middle- and lower-deck cabins plus updated ensuite bathrooms.

    Shared spaces include an indoor restaurant, indoor and outdoor sofa lounges, a sun deck, dive deck, camera station, lazy beds and a Jacuzzi. Diving support includes two aluminium speedboats, an ENOS diver locator system and EAN 32% Nitrox availability. Snorkeling gear, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are also listed onboard.

    The lowest current bookable full-trip amount verified for an upcoming departure is USD 3,290 per person for a seven-night itinerary. This is a complete trip amount, not USD 166 per night. The operator does not publish a current minimum whole-boat charter total, so no numeric charter price is shown.

    Contact

      Amenities & Facilities

      Dive & Snorkeling Sites

      Activities

      Marine Life

      Crew & Diving

      • 24
      • 5
      • 4
      • Nitrox is not included and is charged as an extra; a nitrox course runs around USD 250

      Safety & Navigation

      • Safety equipment
        First Aid Kit, Emergency Oxygen
      • Engine
        Three engines; main Yanmar 347 HP with Mitsubishi and Ford auxiliaries driving 75 KVA and 60 KVA generators
      • Cruising speed
        7 to 10 knots

      The Cabins

      Double Bed Cabin

      6 cabins Sleeps 2 guests
      Renovated lower deck double cabin aboard Cheng Ho Second view of a renovated lower deck double cabin aboard Cheng Ho
      • Private Bedroom
      • Ensuite Bathroom
      • Air Conditioning
      • Hot and Cold Shower
      • Safety Box
      • Hairdryer
      • Towels and Toiletries
      • Double Bed

      Six air-conditioned double-bed cabins with private ensuite bathrooms, hot and cold showers, storage, hair dryer, bathrobes, towels and a safety box.

      Twin Bed Cabin

      6 cabins Sleeps 2 guests
      Renovated upper deck twin cabin aboard Cheng Ho Renovated middle deck cabin aboard Cheng Ho with two beds
      • Private Bedroom
      • Ensuite Bathroom
      • Air Conditioning
      • Hot and Cold Shower
      • Safety Box
      • Hairdryer
      • Towels and Toiletries
      • Twin Single Beds

      Six air-conditioned twin-bed cabins with private ensuite bathrooms, hot and cold showers, storage, hair dryer, bathrobes, towels and a safety box.

      Single Bed Cabin

      2 cabins Sleeps 1 guest
      Single-occupancy cabin aboard Cheng Ho
      • Private Bedroom
      • Ensuite Bathroom
      • Air Conditioning
      • Hot and Cold Shower
      • Safety Box
      • Hairdryer
      • Towels and Toiletries

      Two dedicated single-occupancy cabins with one bed, private ensuite bathroom, hot and cold shower, air conditioning, storage, hair dryer, bathrobes, towels and a safety box.

      Pricing Overview

      • From
        $3,290 /person
      • Booking options
        Shared + Charter
      • Trip durations
        4D3N, 5D4N+
      • Price last verified
        29 August 2026

      Included in Your Rate

      • Included
        Accommodation Onboard, Snacks, Coffee & Tea, Drinking Water, Snorkeling Equipment, Kayak / SUP Use
      • Rate notes

        Cheng Ho sells mainly by the cabin on scheduled cruises, and is also available as a whole-vessel private charter at USD 4,320 per night through a current sales channel. The charter figure shown here is three nights at that rate.

        Per-cabin pricing is banded by deck, and the gap is modest. A three-night Komodo trip starts around USD 1,410 for a lower deck cabin and USD 1,530 for middle or upper deck. Five nights runs USD 2,350 to 2,550, six nights USD 2,820 to 3,060, seven nights USD 3,290 to 3,570. Longer Banda Sea and Raja Ampat itineraries reach eleven nights at USD 5,170 to 5,610.

        Included: airport and hotel transfers, VAT and local taxes, full board with snacks, water, tea and coffee, diving with tanks, weights and guide service, kayaks and paddleboards, land excursions, boat accident insurance, towels, toiletries and cabin cleaning.

        Not included, and this list is longer than most boats in this collection: marine park and port fees, fuel surcharge, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, dive equipment rental, 15-litre tanks, nitrox fills, dive insurance which is mandatory, travel insurance, wifi, laundry and crew gratuities. Payment on board is cash only, in rupiah or US dollars.

      Not Included & Extra Costs

      • Not included
        Crew Gratuity, Dive Equipment Rental, Nitrox Surcharge, Travel / Dive Insurance, Flights, Alcoholic Beverages, Laundry, Personal Expenses
      • Nitrox surcharge
        Nitrox is not included and is charged as an extra; a nitrox course runs around USD 250

      Book This Vessel

      Availability and quotes for Cheng Ho are handled by the operator directly. KomodoInsider does not take bookings or add a commission.

      Check dates on the operator site

      Opens seasafaricruises.com in a new tab

      Last checked .

      Cabins & Berths

      • Total cabins
        14
      • Twin
        6
      • Bed configuration
        Double, Twin Single
      • En-suite bathroom
        All cabins
      • Hot shower
        Yes
      • Air conditioning
        Individual control per cabin

      Routes & Departure

      • Operating months
        January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
      • Departure port
        Labuan Bajo and Bali for western routes; Ambon for Banda Sea itineraries
      • Check-in time
        Embarkation and disembarkation at 12:00 in Labuan Bajo

      Komodo National Park Fees

      What you payAmountBasis
      Park entrance, foreign visitor Rp 250,000 ≈ $14 per person, per day The statutory Class I entrance rate. The 150% holiday rule applies to Indonesian visitor and student rates, not this foreign visitor rate.
      Park entrance, Indonesian visitor, normal day Rp 50,000 ≈ $3 per person, per day The normal-day Class I entrance rate.
      Park entrance, Indonesian visitor, holiday or collective leave Rp 75,000 ≈ $4 per person, per day 150% of the normal Indonesian visitor rate on the dates covered by the statutory holiday rule.
      Indonesian student group, normal day Rp 25,000 ≈ $1 per person, per day For Indonesian student groups of at least five people.
      Indonesian student group, holiday or collective leave Rp 37,500 ≈ $2 per person, per day 150% of the normal student-group rate; the minimum group size remains five.
      Scuba diving activity Rp 25,000 ≈ $1 per diver, per day A separate activity charge in addition to the applicable entrance fee.
      Motorised vessel entry Rp 100,000–200,000 per boat, per day Rp 100,000 for 40–100 HP, Rp 150,000 for 101–500 HP, and Rp 200,000 above 500 HP.
      Drone use Rp 2,000,000 ≈ $112 per unit, per day A separate special-use charge. Complete the required SiOra/SIMAKSI process before travel.
      • SiOra is the park’s e-ticketing and SIMAKSI system. Reserve before travel; Ministry guidance recommends completing the reservation by H-1. An operator can assist, and self-service is available at the Komodo Visitor Center and KP3 terminal.
      • Payment is cashless through the methods available in SiOra, including BRIVA or bank transfer and supported e-wallets. Keep the e-ticket and ensure the traveller details are correct.
      • A 1,000-visitor daily quota has applied since 1 April 2026 to the main visitor islands and 23 dive sites. Availability therefore depends on the travel date and registered itinerary.
      • The final SiOra total can include entrance, activity, vessel and special-use charges. Ask the handling operator for an itemised total before issuance.
      • Official public guidance does not state one universal refund or rescheduling rule for every reservation. Confirm the current SiOra terms in writing before the ticket is issued, including treatment of weather disruption.

      Statutory fees under Peraturan Pemerintah No. 36 Tahun 2024, in force since 30 October 2024. Verified 31 August 2026 against the official PP 36/2024 schedule, the Ministry of Forestry SiOra notice and the Ministry’s 2026 quota notice. Amounts are payable in rupiah; dollar figures are courtesy estimates converted at Rp 17,900 and rounded.

      Cancellation & Booking Policy

      • Cancellation type
        Strict / Non-refundable
      • If you cancel
        Cancellation and refund terms are set by the operator. Confirm the written policy before payment; KomodoInsider does not take payments or handle refunds.

      Location

      Frequently Asked Questions

      How many cabins and guests does Cheng Ho have?

      The current operator specification lists 14 cabins for 26 guests: six doubles, six twins and two dedicated singles.

      Can a solo traveller book a private cabin?

      Yes. Cheng Ho has two single-bed cabins for solo occupancy, each with its own ensuite bathroom and air conditioning.

      What is the lowest verified trip price?

      The lowest current bookable amount verified is USD 3,290 per person for a complete seven-night trip. It is not a nightly price.

      Was Cheng Ho recently renovated?

      Yes. Sea Safari Cruises lists Cheng Ho as renovated in 2025, and the current gallery shows updated cabins, bathrooms and shared spaces.

      Is Nitrox available?

      EAN 32% Nitrox is available onboard. Confirm the surcharge and certification requirements for the selected itinerary.

      What is included?

      Current bookable packages list full-board accommodation, drinking water, tea and coffee, diving, land excursions, guides, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, towels, toiletries, VAT, fuel surcharge and port fees.

      What costs extra?

      National park fees, rental dive equipment, Nitrox, insurance, flights, alcohol, laundry, gratuities and personal expenses are extra.

      Where does Cheng Ho operate?

      The official vessel page lists routes across Labuan Bajo, Bali and the Banda/Ambon Sea. Seasonal schedules may also extend to other Indonesian dive regions.

      Itinerary Options

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