Caribbean Liveaboards

[sytech]

I am interested in doing a liveaboard trip in the Caribbean (ex. Belize or Bahamas, etc.) and have been checking the various companies like (Nekton, Peter Hughes,Aggressor Fleet etc..)

My main concern is whether I would feel "boxed in" on these boats each of which seems to be about the same length (110 ft. +-) for an entire week. I'm 6'2" tall and broad shouldered and am wondering if the cabin (myself only) would be adequate.

I'm not claustrophobic per se, but do prefer having a sense of personal physical space to some degree. Was wondering if there are liveaboards in the Caribbean that do 2 or 3 night trips and/or which might be larger in size to accomodate my needs (especially in Belize)

Any comments and recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sy

 

[DiveMaven]

I've only been on the Nekton Pilot, but the cabins are rather large. My husband is 6'4" and broad shouldered and had no problem in the cabin, the bathroom, or the shower. we had a Queen sized bed and plenty of storage space for our stuff, with nothing having to be kept on the floor of the cabin (under the bed doesn't count). You would have more than enough space by yourself in a cabin on a Nekton boat IMO. Basically, if you want a bigger cabin, you'll have to go with Royal Caribbean.

You have to consider that although the Nekton boats are the same length as other boats, they are in essence large boxes and have a LOT of deck space because of their untraditional design. At no time did we ever feel "boxed in" or that we couldn't find some personal space.

 

[BurBunny]

Nekton ships definitely have the largest cabin sizes of those I'm aware of in the Caribbean. Quite nicely sized, and especially if you're by yourself in the cabin, you should be fine.

I sometimes get a bit closed in with small spaces, and I'm also comfy on the Aggressor ships. I prefer the Deluxe cabins over the twin if you're by yourself (bit more visual space in there).

No liveaboards I'm aware of doing less than 7-night runs unless they're one-ofs.

 

[sytech]

Hi,

Thanks for your feedback.

Was wondering if the cabin had TV and or radio.

I've only been on the Nekton Pilot, but the cabins are rather large. My husband is 6'4" and broad shouldered and had no problem in the cabin, the bathroom, or the shower. we had a Queen sized bed and plenty of storage space for our stuff, with nothing having to be kept on the floor of the cabin (under the bed doesn't count). You would have more than enough space by yourself in a cabin on a Nekton boat IMO. Basically, if you want a bigger cabin, you'll have to go with Royal Caribbean.

You have to consider that although the Nekton boats are the same length as other boats, they are in essence large boxes and have a LOT of deck space because of their untraditional design. At no time did we ever feel "boxed in" or that we couldn't find some personal space.

 

[DiveMaven]

No the Nekton boats don't have TV or radio in the cabins. The captain usually played music from the pilothouse that was piped throughout the ship and there was a volume control in the cabin so you could listen or not.

You'll find that the cabins are pretty basic and utilitarian. There's a bed (ours was very comfortable), a shelving system, a sink/vanity, and an enclosed bathroom that has a full sized shower and toilet (marine). One really nice feature is that the Nekton has windows instead of portholes, giving LOTS of light, which definitely makes the rooms feel bigger.

My husband and I took our portable DVD player and often watched DVDs after dinner wearing headphones. It was really comfortable and nice to have some privacy and enjoy eachother's company.

 

[Desert_Diver]

Hi,

Thanks for your feedback.

Was wondering if the cabin had TV and or radio.

The Nekton Pilot, that does the Bahamas and Belize, does not have TV or radio in the rooms. There is an intercom that the captain used to sometimes pipe music into the rooms. There was a TV in the salon (dining room) but I don't recall ever seeing it used to copy commercial broadcasts. Divers displayed still photos on it and sometimes VHS tapes or DVDs were played. But it wasn't on much. (I was on the NW Bahama trip). I don't imagaine that most TV stations use enough power to push the signal out over the ocean very far.

Art

 

[BurBunny]

Adding to the above, the Aggressor boats have TVs in the cabins, but only for playing DVDs or music CDs. No broadcast signals. No radio, but you're welcome to bring your CDs.

Another TV in the salon for viewing movies or guest videos.

 

[Darnold9999]

The Nekton will give you the most "room" on the boat. The cabins are a reasonable size for a liveaboard, a bit bigger than others, but only a bit. Full windows not portholes so feels bigger than a room with a porthole, but this is not unique to nekton.

The big and I mean BIG difference is width. A normal boat 110 feet long might be 24 feet wide or so - the nekton is much wider - it is a giant box in the water. You can look up the numbers, but I would guess 70 feet wide so there is lots of space to spread out and get some privacy.

I took my computer and a few DVD's to watch in my room. Didn't bother this trip, but on a previous trip I did. Doubt that you will feel "cramped" on either nekton boat.

The dive deck can get a bit hectic, but only with a full boat, and taking 10 minutes to relax on the upper deck, have a cookie, check your log book, whatever, will allow it to clear and you will have it to yourself. The first few dives of the trip can be a bit busy, but once people figure out how it works the dive deck is rarely a problem. It can easily accomodate a dozen divers gearing up without any crowding at all. At 18 divers it gets a bit cramped if they are all trying to gear up at once.

 

[diversteve]

the nekton is much wider - it is a giant box in the water. You can look up the numbers, but I would guess 70 feet wide so there is lots of space to spread out and get some privacy.

Actually they're:

Nekton's live-aboards are approximately 25 meters (80 feet) long and 12 meters (40 feet) wide.

But I agree with you, they seem much larger. The sundeck is about 2000 sq. ft. which is the size of some houses.

At 18 divers it gets a bit cramped if they are all trying to gear up at once.

You should try it with 32 - we had to take turns on the drift dives...

 

[WOODMAN]

Was wondering if the cabin had TV and or radio.

We will be on the Turks & Caicos Explorer II this October, and some of their cabins are supposed to have their own TV /DVD arrangements. Frankly, I have never needed this before, and will probably let it go unused, except for maybe jacking my camera into the TV for some basic editing. Woody