The original
Carpe Diem
Cruising the Maldives since 2008, Carpe Diem is the boat that started the fleet. 20 guests, a big 115m² sun deck and the widest choice of specialist routes.
- 35mLength
- 20Guests
- 2008Built
- 10Cabins
Carpe Fleet • Maldives
Meet the Carpe fleet
Three Maldivian liveaboards with a loyal following — the original Carpe Diem, the suite-and-jacuzzi Carpe Vita, and Carpe Novo, the newest and largest, with single suites and a camera room.
Travelling solo? Carpe Novo has two dedicated single suites — ask us about availability.
- Free nitrox
- Up to 3 dives a day
- Dedicated dive dhoni
- UK flights on request
Find your boat
Diem, Vita or Novo?
All three dive from their own dhoni, include free nitrox and sail the classic central atolls. The differences are size, the style of cabins and the specialist routes each boat runs.
The original
Suites and a jacuzzi
Carpe Vita
Built in the Maldives in 2011. Two upper-deck VIP suites with bathtubs, full-length windows in the cabins and the only jacuzzi in the Carpe fleet.
- 38mLength
- 20Guests
- 2011Built
- 10Cabins
Newest and largest
Carpe Novo
The flagship, launched in 2016. Four junior suites, two dedicated single suites for solo divers and a proper camera room — the only one in the fleet.
- 42mLength
- 22Guests
- 2016Built
- 12Cabins
Side by side
The important differences
The diving and the dhoni system are the same on all three boats. These are the details that may help you decide.
| Compare | Carpe Diem | Carpe Vita | Carpe Novo |
|---|---|---|---|
| The boat | |||
| At a glance | The original, with the widest choice of routes | Mid-size, with VIP suites and a jacuzzi | The newest and largest, with single suites |
| Length | 35 metres | 38 metres | 42 metres |
| Year built | 2008 | 2011 | 2016 |
| Guests on board | 20 guests | 20 guests | 22 guests |
| Jacuzzi | No | Yes, on the sun deck | No |
| Camera room | Camera table and rinse tanks | Camera table and charging station | Dedicated camera room on the main deck |
| Cabins | |||
| Cabins on board | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Upper deck | 1 suite (king), 1 deluxe (queen) | 2 VIP suites with California king bed and bathtub | 4 junior suites (king, some can split to twin) |
| Main deck | 2 sea-view doubles (queen) | 2 superior cabins, king bed that splits to twin, ocean views | 2 single suites (queen bed) for solo travellers |
| Lower deck | 6 standard cabins | 6 standard cabins (queen plus single) | 6 standard cabins |
| Travelling solo | Share a cabin, or ask about a cabin to yourself | Share a cabin, or ask about a cabin to yourself | Two dedicated single suites — the only true single cabins in the Carpe fleet |
| Diving | |||
| Dive dhoni | All three boatsDiving is from a dedicated dive dhoni, so your kit stays set up between dives | ||
| Dives per day | All three boatsUp to three dives a day | ||
| Nitrox | All three boatsFree nitrox for certified divers, with tanks and weights included | ||
| Experience | All three boatsAdvanced Open Water is required — Open Water divers can complete it on board (local charges apply). Specialist routes need more experience | ||
| Routes | |||
| Routes sailed |
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| Trip length | All three boatsMostly 7 nights; specialist routes run 10 to 13 nights | ||
| Why choose it? | The best value and the widest choice of specialist routes | VIP suites with bathtubs and the only jacuzzi | The newest boat, single suites and a camera room |
Routes vary by season and departure — check the individual trip for the exact itinerary.
Whichever you choose:
Dedicated dive dhoni
Free nitrox for certified divers
En-suite, air-conditioned cabins
Full board
Return airport transfers
The short answer
Which boat is right for you?
If you would rather not read a whole table, start here.
Choose Carpe Diem if…
- You want the best value in the Carpe fleet
- You want Hanifaru Bay or the Deep North — Diem runs the most specialist routes
- You like a big sun deck to relax on between dives
- You like a smaller boat with a long track record
Choose Carpe Vita if…
- You want a VIP suite with a bathtub
- You want a jacuzzi on the sun deck
- You like big windows — the cabins have full-length windows
- You want the Deep South
Choose Carpe Novo if…
- You are travelling solo — Novo has two dedicated single suites
- You want the newest and largest boat in the fleet
- You are a photographer — it has the only dedicated camera room
- You want a junior suite on the upper deck
Also considering the Emperor fleet? Compare Explorer II, Serenity, Leo, Voyager & Virgo →
Choose your space
Cabins on each boat
Every cabin on all three boats is en-suite with individually controlled air-conditioning.
Carpe Diem
10 cabins for 20 guests
- Upper deck
- 1 suite (king), 1 deluxe (queen)
- Main deck
- 2 sea-view doubles with TV
- Lower deck
- 6 standard cabins
Carpe Vita
10 cabins for 20 guests
- Upper deck
- 2 VIP suites with bathtub
- Main deck
- 2 superior cabins
- Lower deck
- 6 standard cabins
The VIP suites have a California king bed, a bathtub and a separate shower. Superior cabins have a king bed that splits into two singles.
Carpe Vita dates & pricesCarpe Novo
12 cabins for 22 guests
- Upper deck
- 4 junior suites
- Main deck
- 2 single suites
- Lower deck
- 6 standard cabins
The two single suites each have a queen bed — a rare chance to have a proper cabin to yourself on a Maldives liveaboard.
Carpe Novo dates & pricesHonest advice
Which deck suits you?
There is no single best cabin — it depends on what matters to you. Here is how we would describe each deck to a friend.
Lower deck
Best for value and anyone prone to seasickness
- You feel the least movement down here — the boat is steadiest at the waterline
- The standard cabins, so the best price on board
- Six cabins on every boat, so the most choice of date
- Portholes rather than windows
- Nearer the engines, so a little more background noise
Main deck
Best for views without the stairs
- Sea views and natural light
- Close to the lounge and dining area
- Home of Carpe Novo’s single suites
- Only two cabins per boat, so they book up early
- Close to the social areas, so not the quietest
Upper deck
Best for couples who want a suite
- The suites on every boat are up here
- The best light and views on board
- Close to the sun deck
- You feel a little more movement in a swell
- The highest supplement on board
Dates, prices & cabins
Find the week that works for you
See every Maldives liveaboard departure in one list, or pick a boat above. Tell us the cabin you want and we will check it and hold it while you decide.
- 1Choose your boatCompare size, cabins and routes
- 2Choose a departureRoute, date and price
- 3Choose your cabinWe will check and hold it for you
- 4Add flights if you likeFrom your nearest UK airport
Good questions
Carpe fleet FAQs
The questions our team is asked most often about these three boats.
What is the difference between Carpe Diem, Carpe Vita and Carpe Novo?
Carpe Diem is the original 35m boat, built in 2008, carrying 20 guests in 10 cabins. Carpe Vita is 38m, built in 2011, also 20 guests in 10 cabins, with two VIP suites with bathtubs and a jacuzzi. Carpe Novo is the newest and largest at 42m, launched in 2016, carrying 22 guests in 12 cabins including four junior suites and two single suites, plus a dedicated camera room.
Do any of the Carpe boats have single cabins?
Yes — Carpe Novo has two dedicated single suites on the main deck, each with a queen bed. Carpe Diem and Carpe Vita have no single cabins, but we can arrange a share or ask about a cabin to yourself.
Do I need Advanced Open Water?
Yes, the Carpe fleet requires Advanced Open Water. If you are an Open Water diver you can complete your Advanced course on board, with local charges. Specialist routes such as the Deep North and Deep South are for experienced divers and need more logged dives — ask us and we will check the requirement for your trip.
Is nitrox included?
Yes. Nitrox is free for certified divers on all three boats, and tanks and weights are included.
Are international flights included?
Maldives liveaboard prices are for the boat only, with return transfers at fixed times between Male airport and the boat. We can add flights from your nearest UK airport — please wait until we have confirmed your boat space before booking flights yourself.
What is not included?
Drinks, equipment hire, courses and wifi are paid on board, and a fuel surcharge and local taxes apply. We will give you the exact figures for your trip when you book.
Which Carpe boat is best for photographers?
Carpe Novo, which has the fleet’s only dedicated camera room, on the main deck, with charging points and a dry area. Carpe Diem and Carpe Vita have a camera table and charging, and all three dive from a dhoni with camera rinse tanks.
Which Carpe boat has a jacuzzi?
Carpe Vita, which has a jacuzzi on the sun deck.
Still deciding?
Talk to a team that knows the Maldives
Scuba Travel has been arranging dive holidays since 1995 and the Maldives is one of our specialist destinations. We can match the boat, route and cabin to your diving experience, your dates and the kind of week you want.