The expedition team on this cruise apparently did not do a site visit or any planning. The itinerary changed once before the trip and four times during the trip - always because of 'the Indonesian government'. As someone who planned humanitarian service travel for groups of 40+ for almost two decades, these issues can almost always be sorted before departure. One itinerary change was because they did not know when it would be high tide in Kumai - something ultimately knowable, and not in control of the Indonesian government.

Besides the inconvenience of constant itinerary changes, the team did not plan for participant safety. A group of seniors was asked to high straight up a mountain (6.6 miles round trip) in 95 degree heat and 99% humidity. No alternative travel up the mountain was planned except that provided by locals trying to make a buck, transporting folks in rickety iron 'carts' pulled by three guys with ropes.

But the most serious offense was transported guests in open river houseboats across open sea with no lifevests - and no way to disembark to the dock. There were no expedition team members on board, just locals. We were asked first to jump six feet off the railing to the dock & when we refused that option, we were asked to climb up 5-6 feet of a slick rock outcropping in the dark - being pulled by the arms by locals. All while the ship's crew looked on. It is a miracle no one was hurt. Read more