The dive shop was called Don Foster's. It turns out they contract with all the cruise ships. So if someone dives while on a cruise and goes through the cruise line, they will likely be diving with these guys.
It was about a 5 minute boat ride from the ship to the dock. After everyone in the group was present we took a short bus ride (5 minutes or less) from the pier to the dive shop. There they divided everyone up into 3 groups: beginner scuba (which sounded like Discover Scuba Diving from the description), the shore divers, and the 2-tank boat divers. We went inside and filled out our basic information and collected our gear. It was $99 through Carnival and gear was included.
I brought my mask with me, but in retrospect I wish I had also brought my snorkel (they didn't issue one -- see later).
They issued closed back fins (the type without the strap), a regulator, and the BCD. The weights, weight belts, and tanks were already on the boat. The tanks were in cup like holders.
The regulator was unusual because it did not have a compass on it. The computer had no buttons, and turned out to be water activated. Quite frankly I think it was just an electronic bottom timer because while it displayed depth, temperature, max. depth, and time under water, it did not display an NDL.
After a brief pre-boarding briefing we boarded the boat. They had a liquid defog and bucket to risk the mask after using it. They also had a bucket for cameras. Towards the front of the boat was an elevated stand on which we could play our dry bags, an ice chest for those that brought their own drinks with them, and a cooler type container with cups that dispensed cold water.
While we were going to the dive site the staff asked us how much weight we needed and loaded it on to the weight belt for us. I had to adjust the location of one of the weights, but it was not a big deal.
We were divided into three groups (1 group of 8 + dive guide, and 2 groups of 10 + dive guides). They assigned me a buddy after I mentioned that I did not have one. I mentioned to him and my dive guide that these would be first ocean dives, but that I felt confident in my skills. He seemed to be a loner type and just told me to keep an eye on the dive guide. One of the staff said he had an ear infection and would be staying on the boat as a safety officer.
When we got to the first dive site (called Knife) we sat on a bench on the back of the boat to put on our fins and then did a giant stride into the water. It made me hesitate for a second to think that I was jumping off a perfectly good boat straight into deep water. But then I reminded myself that I had trained for this, and just did it. They had us do a weight check after we were in the water. My instructor's recommendation of 8 lbs was perfect for me. After I was in the water I was told to swim towards the front of the boat to where the line was. I tried swimming on my back to conserve my air (I was concerned about forcing my buddy to surface early because I consumed too much air). However, the water was a little rough at the surface and I periodically got salt water in my mouth. That is why I wish I had brought my snorkel.
When our group of 8 (including my self) was collected at the front we followed the guide down the line. I had some issue with equalizing my ears around 35 feet so I paused a few seconds until I was able to do it. I then experienced a fairly significant amount of mask squeeze around 60 feet, but I was able to correct it easily. The line went to about 65-68 feet. The max depth for that dive was 78 feet according to my computer. I remember seeing 73 feet, but I must have drifted a bit lower when I wasn't looking at it. We gradually drifted up from this depth. The water was crystal clear with visibility of about 80 feet, and the temperature was about 82 degrees. I wore a T-shirt and undershirt, but no wet suit. According to the briefing back at the dive shop the first thermocline isn't until around 400 feet.
The first animal I saw was a turtle. I saw a bunch of other fish as well. It had a gradually sloping descent, but no real hard bottom.
Because I didn't have a compass, and eventually lost sight of the boat on both dives, I had to trust the dive guide to get us back. I'm sure my visual navigation skills will improve in the future, so I will be less dependent. I am also in the process of getting more of my own gear -- right now I just have mask, fins, snorkel, and booties for the fins.
My buddy hung out towards the back of the group. I looked back at him occasionally, but for the most part looked at all the cool things the dive guide was pointing out.
After the first dive we handed our fins to the dive guide (who climbed up first) and then climbed up the ladder. We then sat on the bench and the staff removed our tank and had a fresh one waiting in the slot that we used earlier. I started with 3100 PSI and ended with 700 PSI for a 36 minute dive. We surfaced because we were basically at our pre-set time limit and because another guy started to run low on air.
The second dive was called ?? ?? ledges (I forget the first two names -- it's in my log book). It was pretty close to where the cruise ships were docked. By this time I was no longer concerned about forcing my buddy to ascend because of me, so when I started getting splashed with sea water again I just put my regulator in my mouth and swam face down to the line. This dive was to a maximum depth of 53 feet and involved a hard bottom with a gradual ascent up from there. I saw more fish this time around than on the first dive. It was also really cool to swim beneath some of the ledges. I think this was a 42 minute dive.
Because of proper weighting and the breathing control that I learned from extra pool sessions before the trip, I only touched bottom once (during the second dive to touch a conch and peer at what my dive guide said was a baby shrimp). I did not bump the ledges when swimming beneath them. I did not need to use my arms to maintain my position. I also only hit the inflator once while under the surface on each dive. Other than that one time, I was able to control my depth using my breathing. The staff had set up a tank with two octos, and a bar at 15 feet at the back of the boat in case anyone ran low on air. However, we did both of our safety stops while hovering. I was able to hover within a 3 foot range (15-18 feet) according to my computer. That was awesome!! I'm sure the people with thousands of dives could hover in a narrower range, but I was happy with myself at my training level.
After the second dive the staff removed the tank and blew dry the first stage cap and then took the regulator. We deposited our fins, BCDs, and weight belts into the appropriate piles and went back to the dive shop where the bus was waiting. There was plenty of time to walk around a little bit before taking the boat ride back to the ship.
In summary:
1) I was initially a little nervous about an unsupervised dive despite the extra pool sessions and reassurance of my instructor. It turns out I didn't need to be. Between the open water class and the extra pool sessions, I was totally prepared for the dive.
2) The money I paid for the extra pool sessions was probably some of the best money spent because it improved my breathing control and buoyancy skills.
3) The hula hoop, frisbee, and football under the water during the pool sessions were all great at improving my buoyancy and helping control my breathing.
4) The weighting you suggested by my instructor was perfect. Now that I had better control of my breathing and had proper weights on, I see what she meant about being over weighted during my checkout dives. But there was no way to adjust it at that time.
5) I prefer the integrated weights to a weight belt. The weight belt was a bit loose on me despite being of the smallest size and made me concerned that it may fall off.
6) The dive shop crew were really efficient and also clear in their communications. I would definitely consider diving with them again.
7) Don't bring dive gloves with you to Grand Cayman. One of the divers had them and was told to take them off because they are apparently illegal there.
8) You don't need a wet suit in Grand Cayman.
9) Grand Cayman is expensive!!
