dive destinations for diver/non diver family trip?

[Damselfish]

kathy miller once bubbled...
I have read where there is a lot of trash in the water. Anyone experience that?

Where I've seen trash is mostly on the bottom offshore from some of the more popular public beaches. Always a drag to see trash, but it's not that bad, does not affect diving quality.

 

[kathy miller]

It was Norweigian Sun, I think...rack rate $900, sale $400. How did you like the trip? did you feel rushed with the diving? Enough for non- divers on the ship? It seems like a good way to get a little taste of everything, and then decide where to come back for a future one-stop trip.

dreaming of diving.....

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

Okay here we go. . . The ship was very new. It was okay. I am not much of a cruiser. My wife (non-diver) loves cruising so we made a deal. I told her if she could find a cruise where I could dive in four different places I would go. Sure enough. . .we went. We went with another couple where the guy is a diver and the wife is not. The specialty restaurants are worth the extra money on the ship. I really liked the sushi bar and French restaurant. You can get a lot of info. on "cruisecritic.com" if you are interested. My advice is to get a good book, bring your own booze and stay away from the money oriented activities on board. The wives on the other hand tried every activity on board from line dancing to bingo and had a ball. Just not my style. C'est la vie.
The ship sponsored dives are generally cattle boats with limited depth and bottom time. If you can set up your own - do it. We used Aldora in Cozumel and they are very receptive to cruisers. Charter your own small boat and they will take you wherever you want. Best experience of the trip. You can research on this board and do the same thing in Grand Cayman. The ship op in Grand Cayman was Red Sail Water Sports. Ship sponsored. Okay diving within sight of the ship. Crowded and rushed but okay. Roatan was ship sponsored with Anthony's Key Resort. Very nice. Don't miss this one. Belize was with Aquadives. Very long (almost two hours) boat ride to some mediocre diving. The boats were in bad shape, we got pretty banged up, and if I was going to skip one this would be it (We called ourselves Scuba Warriors after this one).
On the itinerary I would return to Cozumel. I knew that going in because I had already been there a couple times. Roatan was pretty good but not much topside. Grand Cayman was okay but too much topside if you know what I mean. Belize was a dog but I have been told that it is unfair to judge it based upon the dives we did. Good luck! Let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

 

[kathy miller]

Thanks, Tim!

just the kind of info we need to help plan a great trip for everyone...

kathy

 

[sigelr]

I've not been to Curacao so can't compare but I know Aruba has some shopping as well as gambling/casinos for night time entertainment (not my thing - I'd rather throw my money away on dive gear etc. but a lot of folks like that aspect of the available entertainment). The diving is okay - not the best I've done but certainly not the worst either. More wrecks than reefs. The Jeep safari trips are fun and not to be missed but are for the heartier souls that can take being bounced around all day. We stayed at an all inclusive resort (the DiviDivi - I think?) and the rooms and food were not bad at all. The natives are friendly and there doesn't seem to be the oppressive poverty that you see in some parts of the Caribbean hence we felt very safe and welcome. Again, just another option for you to perhaps learn more about should you be so inclined. Good Luck.

 

[sharon]

Curacao is a great island for divers and non divers alike. It is one of my favorite places in the world. Since you are traveling with a large group, you may find Breezes or Lions Den good reasonable places to stay. Both are in the main town, but you will need a car to get out and about on the island, so you could really stay anywhere. The island is not that big. We always stay out on the westend at Allwest Apts/dive center in Westpunt. Small place, really laided back and cheap. Need to cook your own meals or go into town for meals, there are a couple of restrurants out on the westend but they close early. It takes about 45 minutes to get to town. Since we stay for 3 weeks, we don't mind cooking and night diving most nights. We go out 2 or 3 times a week for dinner. Capt Don's Habitat and Sunset Waters are both very nice and only about 25 minutes from town. I have done many dives on Curacao, mostly shoredives on the west end, I don't recall seeing any garbage underwater. Saw plently of trash along smaller roads, main roads are pretty clean and good to travel on. Get off the beaten path and you will find trash. Since I have not done any dives near the main town or east of there, I may just be unaware of this problem. Lots of things to do on the island for non divers, great snorkeling, great museums, markets, stores, beaches, gambling, golfing, caves, and don't miss the sea aquarium and ostrich farm. Hope you have a great trip where ever you end up going.

 

[LibbyinDC]

Hi there! Just thought that I would put my two cents in here on the Norwegian Sun...

I actually like cruising and I LOVED the Norwegian Sun. It was honestly the best of all worlds for our group. I went with my parents for a little getaway from my hectic schedule in DC. We all met up in Miami and went to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Roatan and Belize. It was honestly one of the best vacations I have ever had. There was a ton of stuff to do during non-port times, all of the food was there and ready whenever you wanted (courtesy of the Freestyle dining) and there were four different ports of call. At the time, I wasn't fully certified, so I did resort courses. We dove in Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Roatan. Then, we did the snorkeling excursion at Shark-Ray alley in Belize. Roatan was by far my favorite at the time.... although I have subsequently become somewhat of a Cayman junkie since we got certified there.

Although all of the dives seemed to be more of the cattle car variety, I have to say that I enjoyed every minute of it. Also, Anthony's Key Resort really worked to try and make sure that everyone got a great experience in Roatan. Also, you need to keep in perspective that there were really not that many divers on the 'cattle' boats... I would say that the max that I experienced were about 20 or so. The same is true for other cruises that I have been on with NCL. (We recently did a cruise to the Eastern Caribb. on Norwegian Dawn when we were certified divers and the same was true for that trip.)

While it might be nicer to reserve with a smaller dive op for your port of call, it is very easy to just book through NCL. Also, you need to be mindful of the time constraints at port because the ship will leave without you if you are not there.

Good luck!
LB

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

LibbyinDC once bubbled...
Also, you need to keep in perspective that there were really not that many divers on the 'cattle' boats... I would say that the max that I experienced were about 20 or so.

I guess I have been spoiled by the six-pack boats in Cozumel!

We recently did a cruise to the Eastern Caribb. on Norwegian Dawn when we were certified divers and the same was true for that trip

Where did you dive? What was the itinerary?

While it might be nicer to reserve with a smaller dive op for your port of call, it is very easy to just book through NCL. Also, you need to be mindful of the time constraints at port because the ship will leave without you if you are not there.

Check out Aldora. They are right near the cruise ship pier and go out of their way to accommodate the cruisers who don't mind paying a little more for better service and diving.

 

[Craigus]

I know your question had to do with Caribbean destinations, but, if you can afford it, think about Hawaii, more particularly Maui. No doubt about having the best of the best for both the diving crowd and the non-divers, too. Most of our dive buddies live on the east coast and would never spend the time or money to go to Hawaii. We live on Alaska, so it's six of one/half a dozen of the other for us. We'll take the liveaboards in the Caribbean but the shore life in Hawaii.

Whatever you do, have a great time!
Let's get wet! :tree: :tree: :tree:
Eric.

 

[bridgediver]

sigelr once bubbled...
I've not been to Curacao so can't compare but I know Aruba has some shopping as well as gambling/casinos for night time entertainment (not my thing - I'd rather throw my money away on dive gear etc. but a lot of folks like that aspect of the available entertainment). The diving is okay - not the best I've done but certainly not the worst either. More wrecks than reefs. The Jeep safari trips are fun and not to be missed but are for the heartier souls that can take being bounced around all day. We stayed at an all inclusive resort (the DiviDivi - I think?) and the rooms and food were not bad at all. The natives are friendly and there doesn't seem to be the oppressive poverty that you see in some parts of the Caribbean hence we felt very safe and welcome. Again, just another option for you to perhaps learn more about should you be so inclined. Good Luck.

We choose Aruba as well. We're leaving next month. Out of the ABC's it was reported that the beaches are the best in Aruba - which is a HUGE consideration for my wife! I love wreck diving so it should be good. I'll let you now when we get back