Moreover, crews are sometimes recruited from backpackers picked up in the home port, and it is not until they are at sea that their strengths and weaknesses are discovered. Boats at sea demand attention at all times. Crews are on call 24 hours a day. In such circumstances, the experience can be less than enjoyable for them, and this does not lead to a happy or efficient atmosphere. For guests, meals can be more basic than expected, for supplies can be hard to get and little boat space sometimes gets allocated to the galley.
Chefs often have limited skills.
Many of these problems could be solved by raising prices. More money could then be invested by operators in better vessels, better maintenance, better-qualified crews. So, when choosing a Red Sea liveaboard holiday, do not automatically be seduced by bargain prices. Operators who have chosen to charge the right rate for the right package may actually be offering better value for money.