Cruise Ship Diver in Grand Cayman

[HeavenLeigh]

Can anybody recommend a dive operator that works with cruise ship divers? We have been planning on booking through the ship's shore excursions but I'm afraid of what we'll get. I really want my first experience diving in the Caymans to be a good one!

Thanks!

 

[cowjazz]

What cruise line?

If it is Carnival, the you will get Don Foster's if you book through the ship. I Used them in January through a ship excursion, and had a nice, hassle free dive. The price was around $20 higher than booking on my own, but included transportation (no cab fare) and no worries about missing my departure time.

If you want personal service with a cruise ship friendly schedule, check out Seasports at www.bestdivingingrandcayman.com . I've used them on a another cruise. 6-8 divers, and you dive your computers limits.

Also, you might consider shore diving through Sunset House and Eden Rock. Both are walking distance from the cruise ship terminal. I have not dived with them, but have read positive remarks about them from cruise ship divers.

 

[scubanatic]

Red Sail always does a good job!

 

[billinwilliamston]

Look at the other threads in this topic. There are a lot of recomendations.
Have fun!!!

 

[HeavenLeigh]

Thanks for the help guys!

Cow, we are cruising carnival. It's reassuring to know you had a good experience.

 

[SteveDiver]

I never book the diving from the ship. I always pre-book and arrange to be picked up at the dock or I take a taxi to the diveshop. All to often the diving with the ships passengers are crowded and rushed. We dove in Belize and the people that booked with the ship were back three hours before us and paid more! they were not happy at all. They only had two dives and we got three dives in. Another reason that I book with other operators is to give them the business that they miss because of the contract that other diveshops have with the cruiseline. I would rather give smaller dive ops the money then to a larger one that has to split $$ with the cruiseline.

 

[diveborg]

Red Sail always does a good job!

Really? My impression of Red Sail is that of a cattle boat operator.

I like www.neptunesdivers.com They can accommodate a cruise divers schedule and Casey is very personable.

 

[Flot]

Another reason that I book with other operators is to give them the business that they miss because of the contract that other diveshops have with the cruiseline. I would rather give smaller dive ops the money then to a larger one that has to split $$ with the cruiseline.

This is nice to say, but the GF and I are leaving on a cruise tomorrow (Belize, Cayman, Cozumel, Costa Maya) and we are having a heck of a time getting anyone to take our money for a boat dive. (admittedly last minute as we just booked the cruise on tues)

Even though we went to great lengths to find a cruise with good shore times (IE arrive early morning, leave in the evening) it is proving to be difficult to find anyone supportive of cruise divers - most of the morning boats leave early enough that it would be 50/50 if we'd make it to the shop - and most of the afternoon ones come back late enough that it'd be difficult to make it back to the port.

Just my $0.02. Looks like we'll be booking the cruise ship dives if we can, so at least we'll have something to report back on!

PS: The exception so far was Aqua Safari in Cozumel - we do have a 2 tank dive booked with them. They were very helpful over the phone. As for Costa Maya - couldn't get ANYONE to call or email us back.

 

[SteveDiver]

Sorry that your leaving on such a short notice. If I would have seen your post earlier I would have hooked you up with some dive ops that I always use.

 

[dbosullivan]

Steve:
Not too late for me- let me know a good cruise-friendly dive op- I'm doing a Carnival run in August Jamaica->Grand Cayman-->Coz; I think the ship pulls into GCM at 8 am or so.
Thanks in advance.
Dennis