I am going on a 14 day South Carribean cruise and would like to hopefully dive at a couple stops. A few of the Islands I will be stoppping at are as follows: Aruba, Curacao, Trinidad, St Vincent, St Kitts, St Thomas and Grand Turk. Can anybody advise me on there thoughts or experiences diving at these Islands and which is better? I am not leaving for a few months. Thanks
If you go with the ship in Aruba they'll set you up with Red Sail Sports. Not a bad operation and worth going out with at least once. Two tank dive. Do that one. They will take you to the Antilla then the Pedenalis. If you want something deeper then you'll have to book on your own.
In Curacao, check out
The Dive Bus. Suzy and Mark are a ton of fun and they'll take you to almost the same shore dive the ship shore excursion would do or better, for less money. Two tank dive. Do that one. Bring cash as the credit card machine is a little flakey and you don't want to be waiting for it to work while the ship sails away.
In St. Kitts there won't be a shore excursion. To the north of the cruise ship terminal (left up Bay Road) is
ProDivers. Margot will set you up with a nice two tank dive. If you rent the full equipment package she includes a dive computer. If she tells you she is booked but can set you up with Kenneths, pass.
St. Thomas is a good dive. There are a few shops to pick from but you might as well go with whoever the ship picks. This is a good dive. Two tanks. If they take you out to Wye Reef look for the HUGE barracuda.
I haven't been to the other ports... yet. If you dive any of the other ports you should post pros/cons, who took you out and what sites you dove.
If you are arranging your own dives (e.g. The Dive Bus, Pro Divers, etc.) contact they well ahead of time and set everything up. Almost no one does walk-ons. You can also get directions to the dive shop or possibly arrange for they to pick you up outside the terminal. If you take a taxi, set the price before you get in the taxi.
Also, pasley is totally on the money... dive every port you can! One other disadvantage to diving with the ship... the operator has to keep a 60' max depth as part of their contract with the cruise line.
Have Fun!