A Blast of Adventure: Reliving Unforgettable Moments
By Karl Klingeler & Linda Johnston.
A little over four years ago, we left the Seven Seas and our home in Bali to embark on what we called “The Trip of a Lifetime”: three months in Africa, followed by a nine-month road trip around the western United States.
Along the way, we visited many of our Seven Seas friends who had kindly invited us to stay if we were ever in their part of the world. It was through one of those connections that we received an amazing opportunity—to work as Lodge Managers in Botswana, starting in April 2020.
We were thrilled. We had made it halfway through our training as Nature Guides in South Africa when the world suddenly shut down due to Covid-19.
As a result, we lost the job offer and became stranded in South Africa for 17 months. Eventually, we made our way back to the United States and then to the UK to work and get back on our feet.
We only arrived back in Bali a week before this trip began—a full circle moment, and one that made this journey all the more meaningful.
We knew that our South African friends and long-time Seven Seas veterans were due to come on board in February, so imagine our excitement when Mark told us we could jump on board to join them cruising Raja Ampat and this time as guests, making it even more special. We also had 2 nice couples from California and a couple from Canada whom we’ve cruised with before on the Seven Seas, making for a great group of friendly travel companions.
A warm welcome back from many familiar faces awaited us on arrival, and soon enough, it felt just like home again—as if we had never been away.
It was great catching up with crew members—friendships forged by working together for so many years. Only when they told us how old their kids were now did we realize just how much time had passed!
It was truly refreshing to be on board and experience the trip from the other side—no planning, no briefings, no guiding. Still, by habit, we couldn’t help but keep a watchful eye on people while underwater.
Before long, we had slipped back into the familiar rhythm of eating, diving, and relaxing on deck in between. The stresses and distractions of our previous lives were quickly forgotten.
The Seven Seas herself was looking as smart as ever and we noticed some well thought out additions and improvements, including stunning collages of photographs hanging on the walls below deck, beautifully lit with picture lights giving us a glimpse of what delights awaited us underwater. Many cushions have been added to the seating areas around the boat and recovered in a new colour scheme and the addition of cushions on all dining chairs adds comfort and a homely feeling. New rugs in the corridor and cabins not only look good but are great for anti-slip on the wooden floors. There is a new TV in the salon and the wall-mounted fans keep the salon cool.
Some new safety features have been introduced on board to enhance passenger and crew security. Most notably, improvements have been made in two key areas: the engine room and the charging station in the salon.
At the charging station, a smoke detector has been installed directly above to ensure early detection of any electrical fire. This area is now also equipped with two dry chemical fire extinguishers and a fire extinguisher ball (AFO), which automatically senses and extinguishes a fire if it breaks out.
In the engine room, safety has been significantly upgraded with the installation of two new smoke detectors and three types of fire extinguishers: dry powder, foam, and CO2, ensuring preparedness for various types of fires that may occur in mechanical areas.
For even more serious incidents, a fire suppression system has been added. This includes three large CO2 cylinders mounted on the ceiling of the engine room. In the event of a larger fire, the system is designed to activate by closing the engine room door, shutting off the ventilation system, and then discharging the CO2 to snuff out the fire safely and effectively.
The food was quite simply the best we have ever had on board, thanks to Nico the Head Chef who, in typical Seven Seas tradition, has worked his way up the ranks from waiter to assistant cook to Head Chef, providing delicious meals to all the guests. The menu was varied and interesting, each dish prepared with care, perfectly cooked and nicely presented. Some of our favourites included the mie kuah for breakfast, loaded with vegetables and a poached egg, lightly seared tuna and California rolls for lunch, tender melt-in-your-mouth lamb with creamy mashed potatoes seasoned with nutmeg for dinner – yummy!
The biodiversity of Raja Ampat never ceases to amaze: from hard corals to soft corals and mantas to pygmies, even all in one dive! We had great fish life: many schools of fish and trevallies hunting, mobulas and sharks, turtles and critters. The Seven Seas is always happy to accommodate whatever you need, whether it be diving, snorkelling or shore excursions and special food requirements are easily catered for. A selection of itineraries means the returning guest always has a new adventure to look forward to.
A big thank you to Foued for directing, and the entire Seven Seas crew – truly the best crew in all of Indonesia! Your dedication, warmth, and professionalism made this journey unforgettable.
Special thanks to Captain Pai and Captain Wahyu for always keeping us safe. They truly are the best captains in Indonesia. And a heartfelt shout-out to Second Officer Aan for his hard work and steady support throughout the trip.
We’re also grateful to the engineering team – Untung, Bali, and Lexy – for keeping everything running smoothly, fixing our A/C, maintaining the machinery, and helping out on the dive deck.
A big thank you to Jefry and Alex for spotting all the coolest critters – it’s been an absolute pleasure diving with them. Their underwater expertise added so much to the experience.
Thanks as well to John and Cely for their excellent housekeeping and restaurant service. It was wonderful to see John’s smile again, and we heard Cely gives an amazing massage – they make a fantastic team!
Kudos to Head Chef Nico and his assistant Gustav for creating so many delicious meals – every dish was a delight and a highlight of the day.
Much appreciation goes to Bakar, Bado, and Viky for getting us safely to and from the dive sites, helping us gear up, keeping an eye on our bubbles, and making sure we were picked up after each dive.
A special mention to Ben Heighes, who is on board learning the ropes. He did a stellar job leading both the snorkelers and land excursions – a great addition to the team.
And finally, a huge THANK YOU to Mark for giving us the opportunity to jump on board as guests and live the Seven Seas experience from the other side. It truly was a blast!
Karl & Linda
February 2023
NOTE :
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A blast from the past takes us back to a time filled with adventure and discovery. A little over 4 years ago, we left the Seven Seas Liveaboard for a journey followed by a 9-month road trip around South America. Our hosts kindly invited us to stay if we were ever back in the region, and this amazing opportunity led us to work as Lodge Managers while completing our training as Nature Guides. This chapter of our lives spanned 17 months before we returned to the sea.
having a blast is what makes travel truly special. Check out more about exciting adventures and travel ideas on trusted travel resources like Lonely Planet. Having a blast on your adventures is what we aim for at Our Travel Blog
A Blast of Adventure in Every Moment
A blast — that’s the only way to describe our incredible journey aboard the Seven Seas. From the moment we set foot on the deck, we were welcomed with familiar smiles, warm greetings, and the feeling of returning home. The energy, the crew, the dives — it was all a blast from start to finish.
Days were filled with breathtaking underwater encounters, each one more exciting than the last. Whether diving among swirling barracudas, spotting elusive critters on the reef, or enjoying the peaceful silence beneath the waves, every moment underwater was a blast of awe and wonder.
The crew, as always, made the experience unforgettable. From Captain Pai’s steady hand at the helm to Chef Nico’s delicious meals, the professionalism and friendliness of the team turned this trip into a blast of comfort and camaraderie.
Evenings were spent sharing stories, laughter, and stunning sunsets over calm seas. It was a time to reflect, recharge, and soak in the joy of living life at sea — truly a blast in every sense of the word.
If you’re dreaming of your next big escape, one that’s filled with excitement, beauty, and connection — join us. Because aboard the Seven Seas, every trip is more than just a voyage — it’s a blast you’ll never forget.
