Your words, our smiles, and a year sailing in your light
A big thank you!
Month after month, we often write about our crew, about Audrey our cruise director, or about the Jakare itself. They are the essential gears behind the dream we offer you at sea.
But something matters even more:
👉 YOU, the incredible guests of the Jakare.
You are the reason we move forward, the reason we work to do better, to amaze you, to nourish you well, to welcome you with comfort and joy into your floating home.
Every year, our gratitude grows: for your trust, your good vibes, your conversations, the stories you share under the stars. You are part of the big Jakare family. And it shows: you come back, many of you… sometimes very many of you.
“I would give ten stars to this Jakare experience.” — Karen
“Come as a guest, leave as a friend.” — Sven, returning guest (Komodo & Raja)
Before diving into your words, a few numbers:
25 cruises • 226 guests • …% returning guests — some of you up to 3 times in 2025!
“Fantastic holiday. So good we went back for a second and third voyage!” — Alice
So here it is:
Your year, told through your eyes, your real reviews, your emotions.
🎁 Prelude: The Jakare, Christmas Edition
Some boats decorate for the holidays.
And then there’s the Jakare: the one that brews a little more coffee, prepares a few extra cookies, and rereads your reviews the way others open gifts.
Because deep down…
your words are our favourite things to unwrap in December.
For this special edition, we gathered your stars, your anecdotes, and even your jokes, to create a collection of Christmas stories… phinisi-style.
⭐ THE AMAZED DIVERS
Those who enter the water and come back a little transformed
“Best scuba diving ever and I’ve never slept so well afterwards. Must be relaxing.”
“The diving was totally secured and stunningly beautiful.”
“We saw sharks, turtles, rays… everything!”
“12/10 diving experience.”
“Dive master Sahril made every single dive amazing.”
“The underwater world felt like magic.”
You are surely among the rare adults capable of resurfacing with the same eyes as children staring at a Christmas tree.
And that, to us, is a gift.
⭐ THE FOOD LOVERS
Those for whom the day has two major events: the briefing… and the buffet.
“Excellent food served by the chef.”
“Indonesian AND Western dishes!”
“Come hungry because there is so much delicious food!”
“Meals were consistently good and varied.”
“The chef is incredible!!!”
“Yohanes and Nasir perform miracles in the kitchen every single day. They say gluttony is a sin… I guess I’ll need to go to confession if I don’t want to end up in hell👹.”
What happens behind the scenes:
- The chef reads the review.
- He blushes.
- Sam applauds.
- Captain Abu Thalib smiles (rare scientific phenomenon).
We tried to get the first Michelin star in the middle of the sea.
They didn’t go for it.
So we continue in our own way: serving meals filled with love and pandan cake.
⭐ THE FAMILIES WHO MELT OUR HEARTS
and their brave little divers
“They made my daughter feel safe during dives.”
“Perfect for families.”
“A beautiful experience for us and our kids.”
“We made French friends onboard and we keep in touch.”
These are the reviews that touch us the most.
Because onboard, we don’t just carry people: we carry memories, first times, fears overcome, bursts of laughter.
Maybe that’s the true spirit of Christmas: trust.
⭐ THE SERVICE PERFECTIONISTS (WE LOVE YOU)
Those who see everything, note everything… and approve everything.
“Super clean boat.”
“Very attentive and kind staff.”
“The crew works as a tight team.”
“Everything ran smoothly.”
“They take pride in their job.”
“The service was impeccable.”
Emotional translation, Jakare-style:
“Let’s read this out loud to the whole team so everyone can puff their chest like proud peacocks.”
Because yes, service is an art. And you see it. And for us, that’s a gift.
⭐ THE SKEPTICS TURNED BELIEVERS
They arrive cautious… and leave in love.
“I didn’t expect it to be this beautiful.”
“Pictures don’t do justice to the boat – it looks better in real life!”
“I was a bit nervous at first but the crew made me feel instantly safe.”
“I will definitely go back!!!”
These reviews make us smile especially wide.
They tell the story of a transformation. A small doubt… a big sense of wonder.
As François often says:
“A phinisi is a living boat. When you come onboard, it adopts you… or not ;-)”
⭐ THE CONNECTIONS THAT CHANGE EVERYTHING
When a cruise becomes a human story
“We made friends onboard and we still keep in touch today.”
“Such a warm atmosphere.”
“Feels like joining a little family.”
This is perhaps the most beautiful magic of the Jakare:
You arrive as strangers. You leave as a tribe. The boat becomes a living room, a restaurant, a refuge, a stage, a home.
As Audrey says:
“Here, we don’t just sail. We weave.”
⭐ THOSE WHO WANT TO COME BACK
and those who already do
“I will definitely go back!!!”
“Best trip ever – coming back next year.”
“I cannot wait to join Jakare again.”
“Unforgettable.”
These are our favorite Christmas invitations —the ones we keep warm in a corner of our hearts.
🎄 Conclusion: Your words are our Christmas decorations
Every time you write something about us: the crew reads it, Audrey reads it, Boss and Ibu Boss read it,the whole reservation, marketing and back-office team reads it, even the chef reads it (between two banana muffins).
And we tell ourselves:
“This is why we do this job.”
In December, we may not have a fireplace…But we have something much better:
You, Your words, Your smiles, and all the light you send us from all over the world.
Thank you for this magical year. Thank you for your trust. Thank you for your presence.
🎅🌊✨ Merry Christmas from the entire Jakare Liveaboard team
🎁 PS: A special thank you to our beloved Audrey
“The hostess is fantastic, always keeping things operating smoothly and doing it in a charming manner.”
“A special shoutout to Audrey, the cruise director, who was not only super helpful and knowledgeable, but also really funny and full of energy — she made the whole trip even more enjoyable!”
“Audrey was so brilliant , the whole adventure was an absolute dream.”
“Thank you especially to you, Audrey, and the crew! You brought us so much happiness, joy, and love.”
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