I need a new vocabulary. Having previously used all the superlatives to describe other resorts, I need new ones, as this is an order of magnitude beyond all previous resort vacations. The physical resort, the food, the service, the diving, the attitude of the staff, everything. I was met at the airport, guided through the ferry terminal, picked up at the ferry landing, taken to the resort, and greeted by name, by everyone, all week. At no time was I ”just another dollar”, and at no time was any member of the staff less than entirely cheerful and helpful. I could get used to this, real easy... It's as if I were a valued guest, instead of just a customer. Imagine that. To make this shorter for those who don't want to read the rest of this... I began my plans to return on the way home. I rarely go anywhere outside of the USA twice, (been there, done that..) Not this time. I am going back and I will bring as many friends as I can. It's 14 hours on a jet from LAX to Manila, and 4 more hours after that. I hate travel, but this was worth it. I'll take Philippine Airlines again next time too. They don't treat you like cattle, sheep or dirt. I have now felt respect while travelling, and I like it! The flight wasn't so bad. I am 6” tall, weight 240, and was comfortable in economy. Free wifi, a tv with free movies, tv shows, music..etc.. a very pleasant flight, in both directions. Food OPTIONS! You get to choose. Wow. On arrival at Marco Vincent, I was greeted by name, shown my room, a crate was outside my door to put my dive gear in, it was the last time I handled it all week. My room was large, extremely clean, super comfortable with a small fridge full of water, a table w 2 chairs, a big shower, AC unit, very firm mattress, spotless soft white sheets, a 32” TV with plenty of channels and it was quiet. All meals were as good as I have had anywhere. This place only has 32 rooms, so the buffet menu is not extensive, but I always found more than enough of what I like to eat. The quality and presentation was always top notch. The quality of the food extends to the dive boat, Big Beth. They have a chef aboard and those meals are the same quality as at the resort. Remember, this is a day boat, and they have a chef aboard serving freshly made gourmet meals. (Sure beats grabbing a sandwich at Walmart on the way to the lake....) The diving itself was like nowhere else. I saw things I didn't know existed.. an electric clam? WOW! Nudibranchs, mantis shrimp, lion fish (where they belong), a few octopi, at least three, maybe five, different morays, frogfish, giant clams, miniature seahorses, scorpionfish, colors that I can't describe...more different fish than I could list in a week... Every dive was something new, and all conducted from a really nice boat, the nicest boat I saw there. Big, clean, outfitted for diving with camera stations, charging stations, camera tanks, full emergency gear, oxygen, AED. not to mention the galley where the chef w
- TedRecupero
No dive trip will EVER be the same we were sooo pampered! They knew our names from the moment we walked into the resort actually as we were getting on the ferry!! Dive team takes all gear to boat, sets us up on air or nitrox, helps putting gear on & off, dive masters for every 4 to 5 divers, helps taking off fins as we go up the ladder, hot wash towels & hot ginger tea after EVERY dive, towels and water bottles, snacks after first dive, unbelievable delicious HOT cooked lunches on board after the second dive and a cold beer after the last dive, they rinse down your equipment daily, then back to the resort for a GREAT evening meal and WONDERFUL entertainment, lots of Philippine food and cultural folk dances. We didn’t have to think/do anything but eat, dive, sleep then repeat! 8 days and 25 awesome dives later they rinse all gear, dry it all, bring back to your room ready to pack for home! Ohhh can’t forget the videos/photos taken by Rizza & Marlon! The staff at the Resort and boat are outstanding people that cater to your ever need. Thank you Rizza,Marlon,JaJa,Ghen,CoCoy,Liv,Sherwin,Christian,Ronald,Faith,and all the rest of the Marco Vincent TEAM!! I think we need a repeat on this trip!!! Definitely a first class dive trip!!
- ReneJ1