Cruise Diving

[scSCUBA]

KYDan suggested bypassing the cruise lines when diving in one of their ports-o-call.

Interesting suggestion.

diverrick even suggested using Eden Rock Dive Center in GC. Great idea. I've looked at their web site and it would be about 1/2 the price or less of the dive I was planning on taking. The only difference is the one from the cruise ship is a boat dive vs a shore dive.

WHat other outfits in Cozumel or Grand Caymen are ya'll familiar with that you would recommend in either location?

There are only 2 reasons that I can think of for using the Cruise ship to coordinate the dive:

1. Knowledge - simply don't know who else to use
2. Security- Don't want to miss the boat back, but if the price is right, and the dive is great, a little danger of missing the boat might be worth it:winkbl:

 

[JimC]

Missing the boat back would leave you stranded in some warm place with your dive gear.

What a shame!

 

[jbd]

in Coz while there on a cruise. I set up the dive as the shore excursion. The operation was called Sand Dollar Sports. We had a great time. The group I was in had a great DM. I would dive with them again.

Missing the boat could be a real headache.

 

[scSCUBA]

missing the boat w/dive equipment, but, I would not have any yet. :-(

 

[nauifins73]

You might check out Sunset House and Dive Shop they are down the road from Eden House (still don't know my directions on GC). It is a shore dive but not your typical shore you jump off into about 10 feet of water. Right off the shore is the mermaid that was set a couple of years ago. Not great things to see but still a nice dive. You may want to check out Sting Ray City - bet the cruise offers it. My absolute favorite dive. No where else can you interact with these magnificent creatures. No matter where you dive on Grand Cayman it will be great. Of 4 different Islands I have dove in, in the Caribbean I like GC the best.

Have a great time - know you will!
Becky

 

[scSCUBA]

If I just walk up to a dive shop in GC, will I be able to dive solo? Since I'm still a rookie, I'd rather dive with someone just to be safe. Solo diving isn't for me. Or, will these places just have tons of people diving, and you won't really be solo diving?

 

[robstrash]

Just came back from Carnival Pride to Western Mexico and did 1 dive with cruise ship in Puerto Vallarta which was fine.

Also did one I reserved over internet in Cabo and it was very nice. However, if you plan on doing it on your own, make sure you have plenty of time before the ship leaves (and arrives). Also, the Cabo one filled in advance and several people from the cruise ship got turned away as the day was already full so definitely book in advance.

You may also want to try cruisecritic.com under the Boards area, near the bottom is a Scuba section where most discussion is for Caribbean area.

Rob

 

[bobert]

I have dove with the criuse ship's excusion and it was OK and I have arranged my own dives in both Grand Cayman and Cozumel and I MUCH MUCH prefer the outside operators I had a much better experience. In GC I dove with Neptune Divers and in Coz I used Eagle Ray Divers and both are good enough that I will dive with each again on my next cruise in Dec. Definitly make reservations in advance (which reminds me that is what I need to do now).

Bob

 

[Diver Kat]

Another suggestion for Cruise diving ..... check out the board at CruiseCritic.com for your particular cruise -on a cruise last year we needed to find 2 divers to book with us in Belize since the Op wouldn't go with less than 4 and we hooked up on that board. Maybe you can find some other divers on the same ship as you to buddy up with. The one time we did book as an Excursion (in Nassau) they cancelled the excursion and it was too late to find an Op on our own.

We booked all our dives independent from the Cruise Excursions in Belize and Cozumel. On Grand Cayman it was a 2 minute walk from the pier to Eden Rock for shore diving. Rent a tank & a locker and just jump in.

I think the only time we might consider booking the diving as an Excursion (again) is if the timing was so tight, we needed the guarantee that they would get us back to the ship - or hold the ship till we got there.

 

[rakjar]

My first dive was set up through Holland America in St. Maartan. I paid $70 and thought that was a great deal. Ended up with no problems and made the boat. Since being back home, I see that most boat dives will cost you around that much anyway.

Can't complain, but now that I am certified, I will check the internet before my next cruise.