14 Night Scuba Cruise w/8 Dive Ports on Jan 3, 2011

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Zsuzsika

Contributor
Messages
73
Reaction score
1
Location
Fort Lauderdale
# of dives
1000 - 2499
The 2011 Scuba Cruise, sponsored by Cruise Critic, will depart from Fort Lauderdale on January 3, 2011. We still have space available on the cruise as well as on our dive boat charters in the following Ports:

Day 1 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - At Sea

Day 4 - Aruba - 2 tank boat dives - (Reef Dive, max depth 60ft-80ft - suitable for ALL divers)

Day 5 - Curacao, Netherlands Antilles - 2 tank boat dives & unlimited shore diving - (Reef Dive, max depth 60ft-80ft - suitable for ALL divers)

Day 6 - At Sea

Day 7 - Grenada - 2 tank boat dives - (Wreck Dive - max depth 120ft)

Day 8 - Barbados - 2 tank boat dives - (Wreck Dive & Reef - max depth 60ft-80ft - suitable for ALL divers)

Day 9 - St. Vincent, St. Vincent & the Grenadines - 2 tank boat dives - (Wall Dive - max depth 100ft)

Day 10 - St. Kitts, St. Kitts & Nevis - 2 tank boat dives - (Reef dive w/swim throughs - max depth 60ft-80ft - suitable for ALL divers)

Day 11 - St. Thomas, USVI - 2 tank boat dives - (Reef dives, swim throughs - max depth 80ft - suitable for ALL divers)

Day 12 - Santo Domingo (Beach day)

Day 13 - Grand Turk (Wall/Drift Dive - max depth 100ft)

Day 14 - At Sea

Day 15 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Detailed information can be found by visiting the Group Forum at Cruise Critic. You must be logged on as a member of Cruise Critic to view the information, however details will also be posted on this thread.
 
The 2011 Cruise Critic Scuba Cruise aboard the Grand Princess will be sailing out of Fort Lauderdale on a round trip two week voyage in January. Because we realize that a two week dive cruise may not be for everyone, the information contained herein will go a long way in helping you decide if such a cruise will be a good choice for you. The cruise combined with scuba diving is not going to be a cheap vacation - dives are in addition to the cost of the cruise. This type of trip is perfect if you are traveling with non-divers or simply want an alternative to a land based dive resort or Liveaboard. If you are a scuba diver and want a vacation dedicated to diving, this is NOT the cruise vacation for you. However, you will visit nine different islands in two weeks and have the ability to dive in eight ports of call. Our dive boat charters in each port are arranged independent of the cruise line, meaning we go to quality dive sites that cruise passengers seldom get to dive. We tend to attract more experienced divers, who want some down time, but still want to go diving.

The Cruise

The 2011 Scuba Cruise is an official Cruise Critic Member Cruise. Pricing information and available space can be had by contacting Johna at CruCon Cruise Outlet, the group agent Cruise Critic uses for all it's member cruises. Although pricing is available by visiting the Member Cruise page at Cruise Critic, it's recommended you contact the agent for the most accurate pricing information. Princess frequently offers resident discounts and other promotional offers that may further reduce the cost of your cruise. That said, you can probably plan on spending at least $1400pp (more if you opt for a decent cabin) just for the cruise.

The Dive Package

The dive package is in addition to the cost of the cruise; two tank boat dives will cost you anywhere from $100- $125. Group members are welcome to dive in all eight ports of call, or choose only the ones that interest them the most. We anticipate most of the divers in the group will dive in 4-6 ports of call; however, we know there will be several divers who will join us in every port where diving is offered.

The Dive Package is being put together for us by ShoreTrips; it includes round trip transportation to the dive boat and back to the ship. All group members scheduled to dive will be escorted off the ship by the group leader, who dives and returns to the ship with the divers. Detailed information about each port of call and the cost of diving in each port can be found at the Cruise Critic Group Forum or by contacting the group leader.

The Group Members

Our group members consist of certified scuba divers and their non-diver friends and family. The vast majority are experienced divers with an interest in underwater photography. Each voyage has Scuba Cruise Alums as well as group members diving with us for the first time. The average age span of our divers is 30-55, give or take a few year on either end of the scale. They tend to be busy professionals usually with non-divers in tow, who are looking for a dive vacation that everyone will enjoy. Non-divers have the opportunity to go snorkeling with the other non-divers in the group or to ride-along with the dive group is some ports of call (on a space available basis).

Group Activities

Since scuba diving is the focus of the cruise, we don't schedule too many group activities in the evening. There is a Bon Voyage Party on Embarkation Day, and a mandatory Pre-Dive Orientation in the morning on day two or three of the cruise. We are looking at possibly making arrangements to do an underwater photography workshop on a day at sea, since so many of our divers have cameras. We will schedule a wine tasting party/dive video in review one evening and several (optional) group night dinners that members can sign-up to attend.

Group Members tell us they appreciate having time to relax on their own and time to enjoy the cruise when they are not diving, so for that reason we keep the number of group activities to a minimum.

Final Consideration

Every year people ask how many divers can we accommodate. Because the size of the dive boat in each port of call dictates who can dive, it's recommended you check out the Dive Boat List at the Group Forum (remember to always refer to the most recent posting). All divers MUST add their names to the list in the ports they intend to dive. Only those divers on this list may purchase the dives. We do not have a limit on the number of non-divers booking into the group.

Please visit the group forum at Cruise Critic. It is where the group leader posts all group related information - but remember, you have log onto Cruise Reviews, Cruise Deals and Cruises - Cruise Critic - membership is free.

Don't hesitate to email the group leader if you have questions.

Thanks.
 

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