Cruise to Key West, Grand Cayman, Jamaca

[guffee32]

Hello SCUBA family! I've been blessed with a last minute cruise leaving the day after tomorrow, and need some information. We are going to Key West for one day, Grand Cayman for one day, and finally Jamaca for one day. My wife and I usually pick one island and dive it all week so we are at a loss on the ins and outs of cruise ship diving. Any direction would be greatly appreciated. Thank you SCUBA family. - Johnny and Meg.

 

[k ellis]

GRAND CAYMAN!!!!! Jamaica does not offer many dive excursions from the cruises or at least not when I went on Carnival. Key West is great too but face it you can drive there. Grand Cayman is a little more difficult

 

[guffee32]

Thanks K -
Did you book through the cruise or did you find your own dive shop? I want to support local dive shops, but worry about time ashore. We are on each island from 7am - 4pm, which is plenty of time for a two tanker, but worry about transportation and dive shop delays.

 

[DandyDon]

You posted in Introductions you know? You can try asking in the local forums and there might be time to do your own bookings if you hurry. I think I'd do the walking cave tours on Jamaica.

 

[guffee32]

Thanks Don....always there with a helping hand. I posted in another forum.JG

 

[diversteve]

On Grand Cayman the cruise operator is likely Don Fosters - depending on your cruise line. If it's Disney or RC it might be Red Sail - they're not located downtown but require a cab ride to their location on Seven Mile Beach. If it's them I'd personally look for another dive operator just because of the logistics. Also I'm not a fan of their divers per/boat sizes. There are many 2-8pax dive operators on GC so I don't get the appeal.
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Another option in town is Lobster Pot Dive Center - they book 3 different dive operators. You can walk there from the cruise port. They book Wall to Wall - gets good reviews. The Lobster Pot Dive Center | WalltoWallDiving.com – Personally Guided Grand Cayman Diving at it's Best!

Everyone is tendered into Georgetown from the cruise ship. So include that in your plans.

Or if you want to shore dive, Eden Rock is walking distance from the cruise port. Sunset House is 5mins. away (or less) by cab. Decades of cruise divers haven't done Eden Rock much good IMO. We had a very pleasant day (non-cruise) at Sunset House - 2 dives, lunch at My Bar, a visit to the Cathy Church Photo School/Gallery on-site.
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