Anyone book the St. Thomas dive through NCL?

[aedwards92]

I made a post in the Caribbean forum before seeing there's a cruise specific forum.
I'm going on an NCL cruise in December. St. Thomas is the only port that offers a diving excursion.
If anyone has booked it recently I'd like to hear more about what company they use, where you went, how it was, etc.

Thanks

 

[Cenotes]

I unfortunately can't answer your specific question, but regardless of which operator serves you, ask it to dive Cow and Calf. Both are easy, shallow sites (~40 feet) in the same proximity of each other. Cow is famous for its swim-through maze that includes a "champagne cork" ending which, with appropriate current funneling back and forth, will launch you up and out of a short swim-through like a popping cork. Don't fight the current as it draws you slightly back before expelling you or else you'll ruin the "pop." Much fun.

Problematically, NCL docks on the opposite side of the island from where Cow and Calf are and as such, your dive operator may not want to take you there. But, if it has to gear you up at its shop, the shop could be on the other side of the island since St. Thomas is not that big. For the fun of it, I'd take a cab ride to an operator who will take you to Cow and Calf.

 

[eelpout]

Just got back from a cruise stop in St. Thomas. We dove with J&J diving (which is the same dive operation at Admiralty Dive Center). We just wanted to get wet. The dive operation was good. Our guide was "Triskit" (not sure) and was very enthusiastic and safe. We were not aware of any special dive site because it was our first time there.

 

[Eric802]

Was that a dive you'd booked as an excursion through the cruise line, or did you set it up independently of the cruise?

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

The only "cruise" I have ever been on was on a US Navy warship. However, I have heard the cruise ship dive trips are the quintessential cattle boat / wham bam thank you ma'am type experiences.

I'd hang at the pool bar!

 

[eelpout]

Was that a dive you'd booked as an excursion through the cruise line, or did you set it up independently of the cruise?

I always book my diving on cruises independently. The only advantage of booking it with the cruise company is the ship will wait till your trip comes back, if you are running late or else they will leave you if you don't show up on time of ship departure time. Most of the operators that I deal with understand that important detail. I has not been a problem in most islands.

 

[gmerick]

Dove the RCI excursion on 31 Jan 2025. Waited at the pier as the boat was also picking up from another ship. Combined excursion. Adventure Scuba School | St Thomas Scuba and Snorkel Adventures
The dive boat was a tunnel hull deck boat:

Unfortunately the boat couldn't manage the light chop outside the harbor, as the pilot buried the bow under a 2 ft wave. A foot of water washed the length of the boat. We attempted a second location, but still the boat wasn't stable enough. There were about 20 guests on the boat, a mix of snorkelers, DSD's and OW/AOW divers. We ended up doing 2 dives behind a manmade groin in a yacht harbor. Post dive snacks was Gummi Bears. Beverage choice was water. Dives were guided only 45 minute time limit. Max depth 55 feet but mostly under 30 feet. came up with 1500+ psi each dive. No DIN tanks or adapters. Was offered an older well used rental reg.