Three generations on one phinisi, written as a field log

The child rule is short. Children from 0 to 2 travel free, and from age 3 the full fare applies, whether the place is a cabin berth or a bunk. A child travels with a parent or guardian. We set no age cut-off for a private charter, so tell us every traveller's age when you write and we fit the cabins to the answers.

For grandparents there are fewer fixed rules and more practical questions. Phinisi trips suit older guests well enough, and what matters is the stair count, not the birth year. This boat has three decks, one cabin on the main deck, and one climb, at Padar, that nobody has to make. Put each grandparent's walking range and any medical need in your first message and we'll answer in writing.

On the open trip, a shared cabin mixes berths with other guests, mostly adults travelling alone, and nobody can say in advance who ends up in which bunk. A family that wants to stay together books a private cabin, or all four bunks of the Sharing Cabin.

• Free from 0 to 2, full fare from 3, no age cut-off set for a private charter.
• Wheelchair access is not claimed, so a guest who needs a wheelchair or a walker should ask us first.

Seven cabins, five types, and each one has its own bathroom and air conditioning. Up on the upper deck, the Master Suite Ocean has a double bed, a pull-out extra bed, a private terrace facing the sea and a freestanding bathtub. The Master Ocean is the only cabin on the main deck. Two Deluxe Ocean cabins share the upper deck, with sea-view windows and no balcony. Below, two Superior cabins have porthole windows, and the Sharing Cabin holds two bunk beds, four single berths.

Here is one way to split eight relatives. Grandparents in the Master Ocean, one set of parents in the Master Suite Ocean, an aunt and uncle in a Deluxe Ocean, two cousins in a Superior. Every door belongs to one household, and the children sleep close to their own parents.

A child shares a parent's cabin. Only the Master Suite Ocean takes a third guest, on the extra bed, which costs IDR 3,750,000 (≈ USD 230) on the shared open-trip sailing. Beds are double, not twin, and no twin arrangement is published, so ask us if two children need separate beds.

For families, the 3D2N is the standard route. Pickup is from your hotel or the airport in Labuan Bajo, and the stops below run in the usual sequence.

• Stop 1, Day 1, Kelor: short hill walk.
• Stop 2, Day 1, Manjarite: snorkel, optional for each swimmer.
• Stop 3, Day 1, Kalong, sunset: stay aboard and watch the flying foxes from the loungers.
• Stop 4, Day 2, Padar: optional climb; staying aboard is a full choice.
• Stop 5, Day 2, Pink Beach: short, with easy snorkelling.
• Stop 6, Day 2, Komodo: short ranger-led walk.
• Stop 7, Day 2, Taka Makassar and Manta Point: stay aboard or snorkel.
• Stop 8, Day 3, Sebayur or Kanawa: optional snorkel, then back to Labuan Bajo.

The 2D1N is a shorter example route and the 4D3N a slower one, both agreed with the captain. We confirm the exact return time in writing at booking, so book the flight home for the late afternoon or the next day.

One price covers the whole boat for 1 to 16 guests: IDR 162,000,000 (≈ USD 9,939) for 3D2N, and it does not drop when fewer relatives come. Eight relatives on 3D2N pay IDR 20,250,000 (≈ USD 1,242) each. Twelve on the slower 4D3N pay IDR 20,250,000 (≈ USD 1,242) each. Fill all sixteen places on 3D2N and it is IDR 10,120,000 (≈ USD 621) each.

A grandparent joining the shared sailing instead takes a Master Ocean seat at IDR 8,500,000 (≈ USD 521) per person, two sharing, on the Friday & Monday departures. A seat only sails if other guests book too, so we confirm the date live on WhatsApp before you pay.

On top of the boat price come the park package, quoted per trip type, a child's park fee confirmed on your quote, drinks, tips and card fees. A private charter does not include a guide or documentation; both are quoted separately.