Budget liveaboards around North and Central America in late December?

[nomadic diver]

First, I did spend a good deal of time searching these forums and 'the google' to
research this...

I have a week+ of vacation in late December and I would like to increase my diving experience by doing a liveaboard somewhere within a 'cheap' flight from Los Angeles.

I don't need some fancy boat with upscale amenities, just a good company and good diving.

Blackbeards in the Bahamas looks perfect, unfortunately my time off doesn't match their schedule. Are there any other similar companies within that price range? I had trouble finding one. Surely they can't be the only company offering a deal like that.

Any thoughts and opinions will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Doc]

I think your research was fairly complete.

 

[smokey braden]

nomadic diver,
welcome to this board.
in your search did you read anything about the s/v juliet?
she is a grand lady with a fun crew.
nothing fancy, but she gets the job done.
regards,

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

You are based in LA which is close to the kelp forests. There are a few companies there that offer Catalina Island and those areas as liveaboards. I would look into that as that has been on my dives to do list. After that there is ultimate getaways in Fort Myer Florida. I did that trip and was an excellent dive experience. Something worth looking into since its cheap basic lots of dives fun trip. Dont know of any else.

 

[diversteve]

What's a "cheap flight"? $600? $800?

Although not as cheap as Blackbeards, Turks/Caicos Explorer has trips the last two weeks of Dec. at $500 off. If lower deck (over/under bunks but still en suite baths) cabins are still available, that would be $1395 plus port fees/fuel surcharge ($185?) and the flight to Provo. The only incidentals you'd have would be a $30-40 r/t van ride to the boat, crew tip, and dinner Friday night.

Sun Dancer out of Belize is $1895. They'll pick you up at the airport.

You might also contact Cat Ppalu - the other Blackbeards boat - if you haven't already. It's a private charter but sometimes they sell off excess spaces if permitted by the chartering party. It's about $1500ish for the week - same as Juliet. They leave out of Nassau also afaik.

 

[nomadic diver]

Thanks everyone. Lots of good info here.

 

[scubafanatic]

I've done (and can recommend) JULIET and Sun Dancer/Belize...just back from Sun Dancer July 2011. SPREE (Dry Tortugas) is also affordable. I've not done the Dry Tortugas specifically, but I used to use SPREE a lot while she was home ported here in Texas (Flower Gardens). One's definition of affordable varies, in round numbers an affordable liveaboard is a week somewhere where the boat basic cost is below $ 2000, at least in my book. Realistically, after including airfare/tips/NITROX I budget about $ 3000 for a 'budget' Carribbean liveaboard for a week.