Hi try this firm http://www.theglobalsuitcase.co.uk they specialise in maldives holidays

Hi Lisa,

try here - they only use scheduled airlines and I've heard they are very helpful.

http://www.maldivesdirect.uk.com/default2.asp?sres=1024

Not sure if Thompson worldwide cover Full Moon - can't tell from their web site. Not sure I'd reccommend them at the moment though as a mistake at their end meant that our Christmas flights to the Maldives were accidently released. So for 3 days last week we didn't have a flight at all as they said none was available. After 3 days of arguing they finally came up with some decent flights with Emirates - was not a happy bunny and will never use them again. We're using Hayes and Jarvis and first choice flights for our trip to Veligandu next May and they were very plesent to deal with.

Tracy

Hi Modena, i know there is not much comparison, but i just wanted somewhere that is good weather at time of year. i was just thinkin of anywhere really. i would love to go the maldives. but i am really looking forward to going the Dominican Republic now. thank you to everyone that gave me info on this subject.

thanks
xxx

Just wondering if you have your heart set on Full Moon for a specific reason???

Hi!
No real reason I guess. We went last year and stayed at Taj exotica - amazing place but costs about £8k to go over Xmas next year. Plus as much as we loved the Taj, we realised that it was the natural beauty of the island and amazing people that made our holiday, and so this time we are happy (and need to get) something cheaper, with the hope of getting somewhere a bit better than your average! Our 'main' needs were:

More than one restaurant (not fans of buffets you see)

We are suckers for nice rooms and Full Moon have just done some lovely new beachfront cottages.

Short speedboat transfer (unless the flight arrival/departure times mean we;ll be in safe time for the seaplane)

Not specifically geared towards families

So if you know somewhere that fits the bill let me know Had looked at Bandos but still quite costly over Xmas in the new jacuzzi beach villas, but the main reason was because they have alot of childrens facilties, which given the choice we'd rather avoid.

LisaMJ

Look at the First Choice brochure if you go on their new refurb aircraft it is ALMOST as good as scheduled and arrives well in time for seaplane transfers as it is a direct flight to Male (from LGW or Manchester).

alternatively - have you checked out Karumba - their newly refurbed rooms are fantastic and we had the best food there we have come across in the Maldives (ate on the beach 5 nights out of 7!!) - just across from Full Moon so probably 20-25 mins on the boat (can't remember exactly how long). We stayed on Bandos in August and it wasn't overrun with children (lots of conference guests and airline crew), but still not my favorite island.

Thanks for your reply. We did like the look of Kurumba, ut picking upon your airline crew comment, on a flight back from egypt we were chatting with the crew who were telling us they all stay atKurumba on their stopovers and that some guests get annoyed when they are in 'party mode'while the rest of the guests are couples. What was your opinion. Thats the only thing putting me off Kuruma otherwise it looked stunning.

Thanks

Only remember the Monarch Crew being on Kurumba - 11 folk or thereabouts. Didn't bother us at all. in fact we hardly knew they were there. They didn't seem to surface til lunchtime, sunbathed together on ne particular area of the beach , and the girls were largely saving their allowances by carting around vast quantities of pot noodles in their suitcases. You can't take duty free alcohol into the Maldives - in my experience often a source of rather loud parties on the first few nights of their arrival . The UK Charter airlines provide B&B (no other meals!) and a fixed fee as "away from base expenses" - goes a long way in the States and not very far at all in the middle of the Indian Ocean - let's face it, bar prices in the Maldives are not cheap due to the import situation - consequently the drinking/partying is probably less obvious.

Bandos has at least four different sets of crew every night (Edelweiss, SQ, a Japanese airline i'd never heard of and a French crew (didn't get to find out who they flew for) - you kept seeing them wheeling their little flight cases around the place at 10pm or thereabouts - mostly they were only there for 2-3 days and then had a crew change over - but coupled with the conference situation (over 30% of the guests when we checked in were attending a WHO meeting!) - made Bandos less like a holiday resort and more likea hotel - if you follow my drift!