Travel

Flight options

As standard our holiday packages are based on flights from London Gatwick, direct to your Red Sea hub - Sharm el Shekh, Hurghada or Marsa Alam. Where possible, we are happy to offer regional departures, in particular Manchester. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. Unfortunately, not all regional flight routings are compatible with liveaboard schedules. If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to Egypt, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.

Stopovers

As flights are direct between the UK and Egypt, there are no stop over options available.

Arrange before you go

Visa requirements

All UK visitors to Egypt need an entry visa (valid for a 30 days). This can be obtained on arrival with cash payment. Or you can npw apply online by clicking here Save time and prebook your visa with Scuba Travel's prepaid visa service. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here

Insurance

Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation. Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here

Immunisations

Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on travel immunisations: click here

Preparing to fly

Seating

Most flights to Egypt are charter flights. This means seating is allocated at check in. For some carriers we are able to prebook leg room, window or aisle seats. Please speak to your travel consultant about availability and the current charges levied by your airline.

Check in

Charter airlines do not enable online check in for flights to Egypt. You must print your ticket coupon prior to travel. Do ensure you leave up to 3 hours, especially over busy travel periods.

Lounge

An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here

Parking

Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here

What happens when I arrive?

On arrival in Egypt, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. Our representative will be waiting either airside around the baggage carousel or in the arrivals hall. They will be holding a board with either Scuba Travel, your destination or your name on it. If you have prepaid for our visa service, you will be given your visa on arrival. If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.

Transfers

Airport transfers are always included in your liveaboard or resort holiday package when using our flights. Our representatives will advise where to find your transfer outside of the airport. We try to keep transfer times as short as possible, with most being no more than 30mins travel time from the airport to the boat/hotel. If you have made your own flight arrangements to land in Egypt, please confirm at the time of booking if airport transfers are included or available at an additional cost

Departures

At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. There is currently no departure tax leaving Egypt.

Info

Included in your holiday

You have 7 nights in a twin share cabin on a full board basis and free red wine with dinner. All dives are guided, and include air fills, 12lt tanks, weights and marine park fees. Nitrox is free of charge on board but it is subject to fill availability.

Excluded

Ask for a competitive quote to add UK flights to you holiday. Excluded from your package are any rental kit hire, nitrox or on board souvenirs. Soft drinks, speciality coffees and alcohol are all available on board - the boat will run an honesty tab to pay at the end of the trip. Please see the on board extras tab for a more comprehensive list of local charges.

Tipping

Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the guides and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.

Currency

All onboard prices are in Euro, but Sterling, US Dollars are accepted (subject to onboard exchange rate).

Phone coverage

Itinerary dependent. Most of Emperor Asmaas Itineraries will have phone coverage when close to shore.

Plugs and electricity

2 pin European sockets. Plugs are located on dive deck, saloon and in cabins.

Extras

Hire equipment

Emperor Asmaa offer a very wide range of rental equipment onboard, we recommend you to prebook all rental equipment before departure.

Extras

Emperor Asmaa offers a wide range of courses on board. Please speak to your travel consultant for current course prices and options.

Souvenirs

There is an on board boutique selling t-shirts. All stock items are subject to availability.

Nitrox/Gas

Free

Payments

Deposits and Balances

Normally £250 deposit with full balance paid 90 days before departure. Your deposit may be higher if we are adding international flights to your holiday package.

Ways to pay

We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 2% surcharge. Overseas bank transfers must add £6 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions.

Group Payments

If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation

Discounts

Repeat Guests

Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers?
Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.

And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our loyalty discount is all about! If you have booked directly with Scuba Travel, on your 3rd full price holiday you will automatically be eligible for a loyalty discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction. We are always happy to offer discounts as described below but these are not cumulative and we do not offer further discounts on special offer prices.

10% off for loyalty customers Plus if you have dived with Emperor Divers in the Red Sea or Maldives 5 times or more, then you can enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine per person, and an Emperor gift voucher to spend locally. If you'd like a free 15lt tank or cabin upgrade, just ask at the time of booking so we can check on availability.