Carnival Cruise Diving

[coralreepher]

Hi,

I'm going on a Carnival cruise in a week and I'm planning on doing some diving. I've never been on a cruise or to any of the destinations so I'm not sure how best to plan. Advice would be greatly appreciated. I've been certified for about 10 years and have been diving off the Keys a couple times a year, so I'm pretty comfortable diving. The logistics though...

Am I better off making dive reservations through Carnival or with dive companies directly at each destination? Any experience on cancellations if the weather turns out to be poor?

I'll be visiting:
Grand Cayman
Isle Roatan
Belize
Cozumel

Thanks!

 

[claymore]

I have done some diving while on cruises. Whether to go with the dive op the cruise line uses or find your own is kind of a toss-up.

If you use the cruise op it will be more expensive and probably be a cattle boat. The op will probably have decent equipment and good safety (cruise lines don't like accidents on their tours.) The big plus is that if there is a problem getting back on time the cruise ship waits for you to get back and if the trip is canceled the cruise line is the one who gives you your money back

If you try and set up a dive trip on your own you should be able to find a good op at a cheaper price. Many of the ops trhat are not tied to Cruise lines or resorts use the smaller "six Pack boats." If there is a problem and you don't get back on time the ship leaves without you!!!! If the trip is canceled because of weather or the op has a problem it's between you and the op. Get the policies in writing before hand.

I know that all four ports are good dive spots. Belize may be the worst in that the best diving is long boat ride from the ship pier. Cozumel is debatably the best, I prefer it. I know there are several ops on Cozumel the will pick up divers from the cruise ships. I believe DIVE WITH MARTIN and BLUE XT SEA DIVING do and they have good reputations.

Hope this helps.

As for travel with the baggage restrictions, I take my regs, computer, SMB, DIVE ALERT and mask on the plane with me (they are in my PURSE and go under the seat) and pack my fins and use a rental BC, my ranger is to big & heavy to travel with with only one checked bag.

 

[Bazooka Joe]

Hi,

I'm going on a Carnival cruise in a week and I'm planning on doing some diving. I've never been on a cruise or to any of the destinations so I'm not sure how best to plan. Advice would be greatly appreciated. I've been certified for about 10 years and have been diving off the Keys a couple times a year, so I'm pretty comfortable diving. The logistics though...

Am I better off making dive reservations through Carnival or with dive companies directly at each destination? Any experience on cancellations if the weather turns out to be poor?

I'll be visiting:
Grand Cayman
Isle Roatan
Belize
Cozumel

Thanks!

I have been on this cruise more than once, unless yu dive all the time like I do...the op's are more than satisfactory. I shall grade them by *'s.

Grand Cayman Don Fosters, ** 1/2 Ride the tender in meet at the pier, bus to the dive shop...paperwork, walk on to the dive boat. Good equipment, large roomy boat. Lot's of people

Cozumel: Sand Dollar Sports *** Walk to the end of the pier, the dive boat picks you up at pier and sends you to the Wyndam Hotel and dive shop you get your gear and arm bands back on the boat gear up and do a drift dive 80ft and a reef dive.

Beleize: Hugh parkeys: * 1/2 The dive boat takes you from the ship to the Island (not main land) snorkelers and divers are separated and you get gear paperwork and back on boat off to dive, dives sites are dependant on weather.

Roatan: Anthonys Key Resort ***1/2 Walk off the ship meet OP cab across island to resort, check in. get gear up on the boat short ride to dive sites.


Cozumel is about the only place you could really use a another OP. timing is everything on a cruise dive.

If your interested send me a PM and I will send you to my pics of all these dives. I do this cruise about every thanksgiving out of Tampa.

Have a great cruise. I bring all my own gear except tanks and weights.

Joe