Maldives - Questions I'm Hoping Someone Can Answer?

Badinsk on 18/05/2017 - 13:42

Hi everyone,

My husband and I have booked a holiday to the Maldives in December and I'm hoping others on here have travelled there and can help with some questions I have:

1) We are departing from Sydney, and aren't sure whether to fly through Dubai, Bangkok or Singapore? We want the smallest layover as possible- has anyone had any good experiences?

2) Do we need visas?

3) We are staying one night in Male before we check into our resort, does anyone have any recommendations on where to stay that is close to the airport so we have no trouble finding our sea plane in the morning?

4) Are we expected to tip? And would anyone recommend that we have US dollars in cash on the resort? Would we be best to do this before we depart Aus, or upon arrival in Male?

5) I understand that the Maldives is predominately Muslim- so are there any cultural sensitivities we should be aware of?

6) What type of power points do they use?

7) Any other useful tips/ hints you may have would be greatly appreciated!

We staying at the Six Senses Laamu so any resort tips would be wonderful!

Thanks everyone!

Travel

Comments

  • altomic on 18/05/2017 - 14:05
    +1

    1) what is your flight number?
    2) Tourist visas for 30 days are issued on arrival only, and are free of charge to all visitors in possession of valid travel documents
    3) Male is small enough any way
    4) Tipping is something of a grey area in the Maldives, where a 10-12.5% service tax is added to nearly everything.
    5) no
    6) powerpoints http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maldives/electricity - basically 2 round prong plugs.
    7) have a read of lonely planet guide

    • Badinsk on 18/05/2017 - 14:11

      Thanks altomic- much appreciated :)

      • tazmaniak on 18/05/2017 - 18:22
        +1

        1) Should be able to get the quickest, most comfortable route through Singapore
        3) We stayed at http://levieuxniceinn.com/ - close, reasonably affordable, included pickup/dropoff, very helpful and friendly staff, good breakfast.
        4) We tipped waiter, room boy, etc at end of stay in USD - I think that's the standard practice. If changing rooms part-way, tip for the different staff obvioiusly.
        5) Don't bring pork products, pornography, or alcohol. Leave your bible at home. Don't sunbathe topless etc. Knees/shoulders covered in mosques, etc.
        7) I've answered this question pretty well here: https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-travel-tips-for-honeymoo…

        Have a great holiday!

        • Badinsk on 18/05/2017 - 19:20
          +1

          Thank you so much!!!!!!!!

  • edwardsajl on 18/05/2017 - 14:20
    +1

    would you also like him to book it for you?

    • [Deactivated] on 18/05/2017 - 14:23
      -4

      this isnt OzTravel.com.au

  • mskeggs on 18/05/2017 - 15:39
    +5

    Not being rude, but (a) nearly all your questions are a quick google away, or (b) there is a readily available service in your local shopping centre who will answer these and take care of the bookings etc.

    • altomic on 18/05/2017 - 15:51
      +3

      every answer of mine was google

    • Ughhh on 18/05/2017 - 16:12

      Easier to just let others do the homework for you while you lay back and take a nap

    • boomramada on 18/05/2017 - 16:42

      Its a new trend, people don't like to google these days :)
      Things like Visa, something you need to google, even some of us been to a certain countries while back, polices can change.
      Sometimes even travel agents information can get out of date pretty quick.
      You need to google and find the latest info.

    • Badinsk on 18/05/2017 - 17:44
      -1

      I did google, and found some conflicting information so I thought I would ask to see if any recent travellers would be able to help.
      Thanks for your input though.

    • Kunalk222 on 18/05/2017 - 17:48
      +2

      but reason to post it in ozbargain is so peopel can make you aware of things which google will not (based on expereince)

      Do you know you need 6months of passport validity prior to flying international (most countries require 6 months validity from return flight date)

      Lot of people get caught in these rules which are most of them are not aware of and end up learning the hard way

      • Badinsk on 18/05/2017 - 18:30

        Thank you Kunalk222- very helpful!

  • smashed on 18/05/2017 - 15:54

    I have this ambivalence where I really want to help answer people's questions..but at the same time I end up googling anyway for seconds.

    However I give the OP credit for at least using being polite and saying thank you etc.

    It is even more infuriating when the OP never even bothers to say thanks after people put lots of assistance into the thread (again, not accusing this OP).

    • Badinsk on 18/05/2017 - 17:45
      -1

      I totally understand that, appreciate you commenting anyway. I found mixed info online and wasn't sure of how old the info was so just wanted to see if anyone who had travelled recently may know.

  • Marcsie on 18/05/2017 - 15:57
    -1

    I believe you got to help yourself first before asking someone else :)

    • Badinsk on 18/05/2017 - 17:47
      -1

      A quick judgement to make indeed! I have looked, was hoping someone who had travelled recently could provide more accurate info. For example: some forums told me that I did not need a different power adapter because most of the hotels cater for international adapters- yet others said that I do need to get one.
      Thanks anyway

      • Marcsie on 19/05/2017 - 00:29
        +3

        Just buy an universal travel adapter from EBay, just about $13, problem solve, simple :)

        • Badinsk on 19/05/2017 - 08:39

          I didn't even know you could get one of these- thanks for the tip!

        • selphie on 02/01/2018 - 17:37

          @Badinsk:

          Don't hotels provide an international adapter upon request anyways? I've done this a few times now and it's been free.

  • smashed on 18/05/2017 - 19:36
    +1

    Email the resort and ask them about plugs :)
    I didn't tip in either Maldives resort o stayed at.
    Only been through Singapore.. Beautiful airport but doesn't matter if short stopover.
    Male may require you to not run around in bikini.. Google it to check.
    You csn go crazy in the resort though.. No questions asked.

  • furys12 on 19/05/2017 - 09:13
    +2

    i dont mean to be completely rude but how have you booked a holiday without already knowing the answer to those questions, especially the first 2, you should have a rough idea of what flights are available before you set concrete dates, whose to say the only flights left to your destination have a 50hour itinerary due to a super long stop over and now you have a hotel and plans booked you'll never get too and the visa you should definitely know if you need one for where your going and more importantly you qualify for one and it fits your holiday length before booking

    • Badinsk on 19/05/2017 - 10:26

      That's ok! :) I know which flights are available, the problem is that there are many different paths to get to the Maldives and I wanted to see if anyone recommended as we may have a 10-15hr stop over. Someone may have had the same lay-over and found more things to do in one airport etc

      The visa I have heard mixed things about, and most was old information but it doesn't appear that we need to apply for one anyone as they are given upon arrival.

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