flots am describes my idea of a great dive. However, when Debbie and I want to "do our own thing" I always clear it in advance by showing my DM credentials AND my current DM insurance card. With the presentation of those things, I have only rely been denied the privilege of "leading my own dive." There are really three components: professional credential, insurance, and a buddy. There are plenty of dive concessions that will let you dive your own profile without professional credentials or insurance, but all that I know will want you to have a buddy. If you are "stuck" on a tour, it is because that is what you signed up for. Talk to the operator before the dive and your will probably improve your experience on the dive.
DivemasterDennis
In general, I have found that to be true. I went through a lot of really boring dives before I truly learned to scout things out ahead of time and make sure it would not happen to me.
I have never taken a cruise, but from what I understand, it is harder to get to that situation where they know you enough to trust you when you are diving off of a cruise. You have to do more careful advance planning. Frequently cruise shops arrange very basic dives for their customers, and if you want something different, you have to deal with it ahead of time carefully.
Finally, I hope that the dive professionals who keep insisting that the smart thing to do is to show an OW card rather than their professional card will think about that when they complain about being trapped on a basic OW dive without be getting a chance to dive at their levels of ability.