Cruise Diving: Cozumel & Grand Cayman

[azspecter]

Hey guys-
We are taking a cruise at the Beginning of June (hitting Jamaica, Cozumel and Grand Cayman). We're planning on diving Cozumel and Grand Cayman. I'm looking for some advice here on booking the trips. I WILL NOT (unless I have to) book through the Cruise Line (Carnival). I have found that with soo many people on one trip, you end up getting a lesser dive trying to accomodate everyone, plus it's more expensive, less personal, etc. So we always try to book outside of the cruise lines.

With that said- I've had difficulty in the past with that- as many, if not ALL, dive shops on an island have contracts with the cruise lines that they will not allow you to book directly with them. This sucks as it forces you to book w/ the Cruise Lines. Uggghhhh. So, I'd REALLY prefer to book direct, if at all possible.

I doze once in Cozumel- we did a wall/drift dive and it was AMAZING. Absolutely the best dive I've ever done. I'd LOVE to do that dive again with my group (5 of us), but have no clue the name of the Dive Shop we went through previously. Can anyone recommend a dive shop who will take care of us, and NOT have restrictions with the Cruise Lines?

Likewise- I've NEVER dove in Grand Cayman before, I hear it's incredible. Same thing- any advice on a GOOD dive shop there who won't restrict us to booking through the Cruise Line?

Lastly- when doing it this way... do they require a deposit up front? Here's my concerns... I've tried to go to Grand Cayman TWICE on cruises before- but the port was canceled due to bad weather. I'd hate to lose my deposit if this happens. Likewise, I'd hate to get off the ship, take a cab to the dive shop- only to find out that they already went out with another group, or are closed for the day or whatever. How do you go about booking directly and avoid all this? We always had a friend do this for us, so I have no idea how it's done.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Diver Lori]

I did a cruise once....never again....too regimented in time constraints. The one cruise I did do we put in at Cozumel and Grand Cayman. In both cases due to time constraints at the ports of call, I opted for shore diving.

In Grand Cayman, once you hit the dock, turn right and start walking. It's not far to Eden Rock Dive Center and they really have some of the best shore diving on GC. When your water taxi from the cruise ship to the dock in on it's way in, look to the right of the dock at the blue building, that's Eden Rock.

In Cozumel, we just went to one of the hotels that has shore diving on the premises. As I recall it was La Cieba.

 

[gedmondson]

Can't speak to Grand Cayman, but Cozumel has a number of operators who will accommodate cruise ship itineraries. Google "ALDORA" and give Memo a call. Small boats, awesome service.

 

[Niko17]

Hey guys-
We are taking a cruise at the Beginning of June (hitting Jamaica, Cozumel and Grand Cayman). We're planning on diving Cozumel and Grand Cayman. I'm looking for some advice here on booking the trips. I WILL NOT (unless I have to) book through the Cruise Line (Carnival). I have found that with soo many people on one trip, you end up getting a lesser dive trying to accomodate everyone, plus it's more expensive, less personal, etc. So we always try to book outside of the cruise lines.

With that said- I've had difficulty in the past with that- as many, if not ALL, dive shops on an island have contracts with the cruise lines that they will not allow you to book directly with them. This sucks as it forces you to book w/ the Cruise Lines. Uggghhhh. So, I'd REALLY prefer to book direct, if at all possible.

I doze once in Cozumel- we did a wall/drift dive and it was AMAZING. Absolutely the best dive I've ever done. I'd LOVE to do that dive again with my group (5 of us), but have no clue the name of the Dive Shop we went through previously. Can anyone recommend a dive shop who will take care of us, and NOT have restrictions with the Cruise Lines?

Likewise- I've NEVER dove in Grand Cayman before, I hear it's incredible. Same thing- any advice on a GOOD dive shop there who won't restrict us to booking through the Cruise Line?

Lastly- when doing it this way... do they require a deposit up front? Here's my concerns... I've tried to go to Grand Cayman TWICE on cruises before- but the port was canceled due to bad weather. I'd hate to lose my deposit if this happens. Likewise, I'd hate to get off the ship, take a cab to the dive shop- only to find out that they already went out with another group, or are closed for the day or whatever. How do you go about booking directly and avoid all this? We always had a friend do this for us, so I have no idea how it's done.

Thanks for all the help!

Privately owned Scuba Centre. Small groups and affordable since its privately owned.

e-mail: nmatlhong@hotmail.com

 

[flyhimd]

Tip: One of the downsides of using your own operator is that if you miss the cruise ship, you're SOL. If you dive with the ship operator, they'll wait. Just verify the schedule and make sure you'll have a margin for error. Morning dives can be tight, but are usually the better (deeper) dives. If your ship is scheduled to be in port at 6-7am, you should be able to disembark and make the dive trip. Verify the return time of afternoon dives to be sure the ship doesn't leave without you.

Be careful not to take a dive knife off the cruise ship; they won't let you back on with it.

I did a fantastic cruise-dive trip a couple years ago (talk about a nice liveaboard). For Cayman, used Divers Down. They are walking distance from the ferry dock (about 4 blocks to the left). They do trips to Stingray City, and there's shore diving from their shop (in the harbor). They also boat trips, but we did Stingray City.

In Cozumel, we used BlueXTSea. Great operation. Again, walking distance from pier where cruise ship docked.

On that cruise, we also dove Mahahual (Blue Ocean Safari...fantastic place, like a Corona commercial), and Belize (used the cruise operator there because you have to tender so far out).

 

[volleygirl]

We have dove frome several cruises and never once booked through the cruiseline.
We never had a problem.
If you search Cozumel tourism you will get to the official site. There will be serveral operators
to choose from with links to their websites. You will need to get your own transport to the dive operator but it is not a big deal. Many are a short taxi ride away. The ship will only use one or two operators. Plenty of others.
Always a good idea to confirm your reservation with the operator just before you leave for your cruise. I believe opeators will work with you should the ship not be able to arrive.
If the weather was to bad for the ship to come into port, Chances are the dive boats aren't going
out either and they won't charge your credit card. Don't be afraid to ask their policy. There is a lot of competiton so if the operator is not flexible, email another.

 

[tdinindy]

Just got back 2-7 through 2-14. Booked both dives thrugh Royal Caribbean. Excellent dives and great service. Im the opposite would not consider doing anything else. Took care of us from the time we left the ship. Cost was a little more but well worth it. Bottom times were fine and the dive ops were fantastic. Saw more because both were guided. But I know there alot of good operators down there so have fun.