[ARCHIVE 2018 to 2019] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}
#2191
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
I did point out in my own post that taking the ferry would be a bad idea. In fact, I believe I called it 'hell'. But you know, if it makes you feel better to clarify that it would be a bad idea for anyone in this forum who isn't able to understand that 'hell' is not a good thing, by all means knock yourself out.
In a nutshell your semi-serious (or however you like to spin it), totally misleading post was pretty much worthless and so it got the derision it deserved. No offense, but if I see BS I will make an example out of it.
Secondly, you're wrong about ferry transfers. Any human being can catch a public ferry and hundreds of tourists to the Maldives do it every single day. You simply walk up to the ferry ticket office and buy a ticket.....but public ferries are just that: public. No need to book a guesthouse.
Regarding @mb123's screenshots, if the rules have changed, the transaction should go through after you enter your country of residence / passport number etc. Otherwise, just like on the Maldivian ferry website(s), it will come up with a message / popup saying that this service is only for locals / Maldivian residents like it did when I and others tried it. So this begs a question for you: have you done this yourself, mb123? Doesn't look like it based on what you wrote a few months ago and what your screenshots show. If you have, please provide pictures of your tickets that you held in your hand to get to Rangali. Something tells me I will be waiting an eternity to see them.....
Like I said, if the rules have changed, I stand corrected. Show us the Maldivian government law / website where it says that foreigners are now allowed to travel to islands themselves without showing reservation documents before boarding local ferries. Show us a completed transaction with the name of a non-Maldivian passport / ID holder on it. Show us pics of your tickets in hand at Maamigili getting onto the speedboat. Then, and only then, will people believe you and we can put all this speculation to rest.
#2192
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,027
My suggestion is from personal experience when my flight got delayed by an hour and we missed the last sea plane out. Only option was to wait around till 11pm for a Domestic flight to a nearby island and then a 45min transfer via a boat to Conrad in the middle of the night.
When I was waiting at the airport from 4pm till 11pm I tried my best to figure out a quicker and better way of getting there but there wasn't and the airplane and boat transfer ended up costing almost the same as a 45min sea plane.
When I was waiting at the airport from 4pm till 11pm I tried my best to figure out a quicker and better way of getting there but there wasn't and the airplane and boat transfer ended up costing almost the same as a 45min sea plane.
#2193
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,917
I spent the night in the Muraka; it was AMAZING. I have pictures on my Instagram, but not sure if I am allowed to post the link.
#2196
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,917
I was a guest of the hotel. It was amazing!
Instagram link
Instagram link
#2197
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 3,651
I am just back and there appear to be almost daily guests at Muraka - all press/promo stays from what I gathered.
#2198
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 3,651
Regarding the renovated DBV. I am beginning to wonder if the photos posted earlier are a bit misleading. When leaving, we were speaking to people who spent part of their stay in a renovated DBV and they raved about it. Did not get to see any photos, so hopefully someone who stays there can post some here soon. Perhaps earlier fears were misplaced.
#2199
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 107
Yes, but any non-native English speaker (of which there are many reading this forum and thread, a couple of my friends included) could construe your post as 100% serious and really a way to do it, albeit while exaggerating the lack of comfort (remember how we use the word hell in English). As I pointed out for those people, there is no way in hell (oops, there we go again with that word, haha) it would save you anything and in fact cost more.
As for costing more, no it wouldn't. It just wouldn't be pleasant. The ferry ticket is around $10 per adult, half for children, so we're talking $30 for a family of four, plus whatever Rangali wanted to charge for the pickup. Let's say $400 each way. That comes to $860 for the return trip. A saving on the over $2,000 the OP is quoted for seaplanes. Clarification for the benefit of the hard of thinking: this is not a good way to transfer as it involves a long trip on a public ferry with limited facilities.
Well, fair enough if the rules have changed. I have read otherwise and on more than one aspect of the journey. Though I doubt that any foreigner can buy a ticket or get on a boat to any island that does not have either a resort or a guesthouse. Foreigners are / were? not allowed onto those islands without a letter of invitation approved by the authorities. So I suppose it begs the question: Have you done this yourself?
Public ferries can be taken by anyone. They can't be booked online, you just show up, buy a ticket and board. The proof is the hundreds of tourists at the ferry terminal every day doing just that. Again for the hard of thinking: this is not a recommended or preferred method of transfer, it's simply mentioned as the cheapest option although with many major drawbacks that would make this option unsuitable for anyone except the more intrepid [clear enough?].
You can book at least one of the domestic airlines directly online: Flyme and all they need is a copy of your passport. I phoned and checked and they don't need proof of accommodation to issue a ticket, although that's a moot point for anyone who's already got a reservation at Rangali anyway. I don't think this would be a massive cost saving though - maybe a couple hundred at the most.
Seaplanes can't be booked directly but not because of any laws. They just didn't want to bother with the hassle of collecting payment from individual passengers when it was easier to bill the resorts.
Finally: pointing out the obvious yet again: getting the resort to handle your transfers is the easiest and most convenient method but also the most expensive. There are cheaper ways of transferring, but frankly with so many drawbacks it's not really worth it. But hey, if you're young, adventurous, have time on your hands and a bunch of points to use, here you go.
#2200
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 3,651
Probably time to get back on track folks as this argument is going nowhere.
Even if its theoretically possible to get cheap transfers, there are so many drawbacks that anyone who seriously entertains these ideas is probably better off looking for a different holiday destination.
Even if its theoretically possible to get cheap transfers, there are so many drawbacks that anyone who seriously entertains these ideas is probably better off looking for a different holiday destination.
#2201
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP/4MM, DL GM/1MM, HH ♦, Bonvoy LT PLT, Hyatt Globalist, AMEX Bus Plt
Posts: 620
Another option is to overnight in CMB. Paid flights are often cheaper and Award travel easier to find in addition to cheaper hotels. Catch one of the early flights in to MLE in the morning.
#2202
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Penang, Malaysia
Programs: OZ *G, HHonors Gold, Aclub Plat
Posts: 1,025
Yup good advice... would rather do this than overnigt in Male if given a choice...
#2203
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: HH Diamond, BAEC
Posts: 1,341
Moving on swiftly ....
Can we talk about the renovated deluxe beach villas? Any photos? What exactly is changing?
Can we talk about the renovated deluxe beach villas? Any photos? What exactly is changing?
#2205
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: HH Diamond, BAEC
Posts: 1,341
Thanks so much for the photos Tom! Is the bathroom in the DBV air-conditioned now? I didnt do much research at all into any of the beach villas previously because I only wanted to stay in a water villa so we stayed in a RWV and a WV. Only reason Im considering a beach villa now is because well have our little one with us on our next trip - Im assuming a beach villa is the better option for kids? My only worry is the bugs ... I seem to be a magnet for getting bitten by mosquitos!
What age do people tend to bring their children to stay in a water villa? I know theres some waiver you have to sign if you do so.
What age do people tend to bring their children to stay in a water villa? I know theres some waiver you have to sign if you do so.