cruise ship dives (miami, nassau, cococay, keywest, miami)

[HeidiKraft83]

I am going on a cruise with family. I am the only diver in the group, and not very experienced at that. Ive never been diving anywhere warm and clear! While I dont want to pass up this opportunity, I dont know exactly the best way to go, since I will be doing everything on my own. Here is my itinerary.


port arrive depart
April 02 Miami 5:00 PM
April 03 Nassau 8:00AM 11:59 PM
April 04 Cococay 8:00AM 5:00 PM
April 05 Key West 10:45AM 6:00 PM
April 06 Miami 9:00AM


Any advise on when and where to dive would be awsome as well as if I should maybe just do the cruise ship dive...2 tank w/ equip. $135 or so. Also anyone who might be one of those places at those times that needs an inexperienced (I am doing a refresher and dry suit class this coming weekend) buddy, please let me know!

Thanks in Advance

 

[mike_s]

In Nassau, the cruise line uses Stuart Coves. Stuart Coves is WAY over on the other side of the island. you can book direct and save a bundle and catch the same exact bus they provide over. Their website has all the info on times, etc. You'll want to be the first off the boat in order to meet their bus. There is another shop in Nassau called Bahamas Divers. They are located over near the bridge to Paradise Island.
http://www.bahamadivers.com/ and www.stuartcove.com

The other shops in Nassau have gone out of business and the above are your only choices.

Key West, you'll have time, but the diving there isn't that great compared to other Keys Locations. Have you ever been to the town before? It's neat to see once. If you've been there before, I'd go diving or take an eco-type-tour. To me, Key West has been taken over by trinket shops and bars.... (just my opinion)

In Key West the reefs aren't in that great of shape either... (again my opinion). I'd opt here for a wreck dive if you chose to dive. I don't know of any of the shops in Key West that offer free pick up, so you might want to pick one near the cruise boat dock. (They dock right behind the Hilton hotel area.) If not one nearby, you'll find Taxi's everywhere.

In CoCo Cay, the dive isn't spectacular by any means, but I really enjoyed it and would definately do it again if I went back. It's kinda one of those dives that is "what you make of it". They do the dive at 8am, so you still have plenty of time to hang out on the beach, etc. It's a shore dive, but I really liked it and would do it again. Having been on the cruise you're one with the same exact stops, I'd have to say that CoCo Cay is the best stop on that cruise. We really liked it. It was very relaxing.

If you read this thread, it's got a pretty decent summary of the dive on Coco Cay.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=103594

Also see this thread on diving CoCo Cay.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=117356

Here's a pic of some French Angles I took there

Hope all that helps.... Ask if you've got questions.

-Mike

 

[HeidiKraft83]

I just relized that the only dive offered by the ship is in nassau. They dont have anything listed for cococay. Thats weird isnt it?

 

[mike_s]

I just relized that the only dive offered by the ship is in nassau. They dont have anything listed for cococay. Thats weird isnt it?

They should... You'd definately have time.

Maybe it's because it's earlier in the year and the water temps are still a little cool and most people opt not to do it, so they choose not to make it a daily offering.

I'd call the cruise line and find out.


Edit:
When I just looked at RC's site for your cruise. (Apr 2nd Majesty of the Seas)

It said this on Shore Excursions for CoCo Cay

Shore & Land Excursions information is not available at this time. We are currently in the process of updating this information. Please visit our website closer to your sail date

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

Cococay (Cocoa Key) is owned by Royal Caribbean. They ususally have a dive on the island. The first time I was there, I didn't think I would like it...

I am glad I decided to take the tender out to it. It is fabled that Blackbeard's grave is on the island. While walking the island, we came across the remains of a slave hut, and a grave stone marked for Blackbeard as well.

It was a surprising plus for the cruise.
====
If you can dive in Nassau, do it! If you get a chance to dive the Bahama Mamma, do it! It is a small wreck at the edge of wall drop off. This is where they do shark feed dives, so there will be some reef sharks around for a cool dive. 50yds off the bow of the Bahama Mamma is Ray of Hope that starts about 20' of water all the way to the bottom. Unless you know the area, you wouldn't know it was there.

http://www.scubadiving.com/ray_of_hope

some pictures:
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=1827

 

[HeidiKraft83]

We havent gotten our Cruise Package yet, so hopefully they will have more information included in that. When I was looking about a month ago, they had diving at all three ports! Since I am traveling with a group of women, none of which are divers (besides me of course) I will probably only do one dive and maybe the snuba thing with everyone else. Anyone tried that?