1

According to PELNI's information, KM. Ciremai had a trouble in engine and had been docked since March 18. It will be replaced with KM Kerinci until KM Ciremai is ready to sail. Please visit www.pelni.co.id, click on buku tamu and ask to pelni directly to get the answer.

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Thanks a lot. I´ll try that and post any info I get.

3

I tried the buku tamu on Pelni website.
They answered my question and confirmed Kerinci is running for Ciremai and said to check the Kerinci schedule for May. That was no good. According to the Pelni published schedule Kerinci sails from Tual to Banda on 9th April, then there is no more information for May. Only Kelimutu appears to go in May, which does such a roundabout route it takes about a week on the way out and 2 days on the way back, which is too much when you only have 1 month in Maluku.
Have you got any more good ideas Aisgozan?

4

Try to contact Aba from the Mutiara, or Alan from the Vita guest houses in Banda. I found these 2 guys to be very helpful when I was on Banda last december.

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Thanks Wus.
Last time I was there they didn´t have mobile cover in Banda or internet.
I know Aba as I stayed at Mutiara....what a great place.
Do you have a conatct nº for him? Or better would be e-mail, as we are still at home in Spain.

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Fantastic! I´ll try and see if they know anything.

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I got a quick reply from Abba and he´ll let me know when there IS a schedule! Always impossible to plan far ahead in that part of Indonesia.
But great to get his email address. Thanks again Wus. This is what makes this Forum so amazing......

8

Normally KM Ciremai takes 13 sailing days in one route (from Jakarta to Jakarta). Banda to Tual will be served on day 6 dan tual to banda on day 9. So that we can make sure that KM Ciremai will start to sail from jakarta every 2 weeks on Friday. Now it is replaced by KM Kerinci and It takes 15 sailing days. Because Kerinci is the oldest PELNI ship right now, it is slower than Ciremai. Actually, Kerinci is not used for routine sailing (only for temporary replacement). After one route is completed, PELNI will check the condition of the ship before allows this ship to replace Ciremai again. And it will be scheduled again after Kerinci arrives in Jakarta. That is the reason why you can not see the schedule of Kerinci right now. I am sure that one of PELNI ship will serve Banda - Tual in May. I hope also that Ciremai will be ready in May. So please check the schedule again at the end of this month. Enjoy your stay in Indonesia!!

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Hey, very informative. Thanks a lot Aisgozan. I will just have to be patient and change the itinerary round at last minute.

10

Good news! KM Ciremai is ready to serve Banda - Tual in May 16th and Tual - Banda in May 19th, You can get your ticket after you arrives Banda. Have a nice trip Diana!!