Honeymoon - Diving Locations

[markyv]

Hey Gang,

I'm hoping you guys and gals here can help me out. I'm getting married in December with a 7-night Southern Caribbean cruise/honeymoon to immediately to follow. Being a honeymoon and given the fact that my wife to be is a non-diver, I figure if I'd like my marriage to at least last the length of the cruise I should probably pick only one of the ports o' call for diving. I get to dive one day, she gets a spa day.

This is where you fine folks come in. Here are my choices:

Oranjestad, Aruba
Willemstad, Curacao
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (I've dove here before)

So...what do you think? Fire-a-way with your suggestions, advantages/disadvantages,diving experiences, etc...I'll take all of the input I can get!

Thanks in advance to all who may reply!

Regards,

Marc

 

[Doc]

Hey Gang,

I'm hoping you guys and gals here can help me out. I'm getting married in December with a 7-night Southern Caribbean cruise/honeymoon to immediately to follow. Being a honeymoon and given the fact that my wife to be is a non-diver, I figure if I'd like my marriage to at least last the length of the cruise I should probably pick only one of the ports o' call for diving. I get to dive one day, she gets a spa day.

So...what do you think? Fire-a-way with your suggestions, advantages/disadvantages,diving experiences, etc...I'll take all of the input I can get!

How about getting her a resort course cert or even a basic o.w. cert while on the ship?

SCUBA diving is indeed a 'life sport', you'll be doing it for many years- what better could you ask for than a permanent dive buddy? It's safer in the long run, and the mental cost of not taking her on future dive trips (if you can weasel one by her) will not be worth it.

Consider gettin her the pool work either at home, do all of the pre study, maybe do the pool on the boat... then an open water check out in paradise. My advice to you? Stand way clear and let the pro's do the work... but invite her in for the fun!

 

[pigletfish]

I agree with RoatanMan -- my husband and I both dive and I can't imagine it any other way. We even spent one week of our honeymoon on a scuba diving liveaboard in Komodo, Indonesia! (OK, the other week was spent at the Four Seasons in Bali -- it was a honeymoon after all!)

So if you could coax your new wife underwater it would be a great thing!!!

But back to the question at hand --
I have only been to two of the islands you'll visit, St. Thomas and Curacao. between the two I would recommend diving this time on Curacao, particularly since you've already been to St. Thomas.

You might get more responses/advice if you post on the Caribbean board.

Have a great time!

 

[Damselfish]

The only one I've been to is Curacao; from what I know of the others it's the one I'd suggest.

 

[caymaniac]

I've dove St. Thomas and Aruba, I think I would choose Curacao after reading reports on this board. St. Thomas was great, as was St. John, Aruba was not quite as good, but yet different like an apple and an orange. Bonaire is excellent and has to be somewhat like Curacao.
Congrats, wishing you many trips and dives and maybe you could get your wife to at least snorkel a couple of times. My wife only snorkeled for the first four years......so there's hope!
All the best,
Caymaniac

 

[ScubaTexas]

I would agree with the previous suggestions on working with your wife-to-be to become certified. It creates a common activity to bond over and you'll get the most trusted buddy you can imagine. I see from your profile that you're in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Assuming she is in that area with you currently, you probably have more than enough time to get her certified before your honeymoon cruise. Plus, you have some great locations in Florida for her OW check out dives. Then the two of you can dive together during the cruise without any limitations or the burden of her taking classes and OW dives during your honeymoon cruise. Of the ports of call listed, Curacao appears to be an excellent choice. The diving is considered excellent and easy, and thus, would be good for a newly certified diver.

 

[smokey braden]

dear markyv,
if you like wrecks you should get up with clive.
http://www.divearuba.com/
clive will be able to show you a good time.
regards,
smokey

 

[smokey braden]

dear markyv,
if you like wrecks you should get up with clive.
http://www.divearuba.com/
clive will be able to show you a good time.
regards,
smokey

 

[markyv]

How about getting her a resort course cert or even a basic o.w. cert while on the ship?

She's not quite ready to do that yet. She snorkels w/ me and is completely supportive of my diving, but she's not into the underwater thing. And as you know, there's enough to think about and keep track of while we're down there without introducing the anxiety of not REALLY wanting to be there.

My wife only snorkeled for the first four years......so there's hope!

This gives me hope...slowly but surely I think she'll get there.

It creates a common activity to bond over and you'll get the most trusted buddy you can imagine. I see from your profile that you're in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Or at least the most trusted boat pilot/spotter. Does my profile say Ft. Lauderdale? :06: I'm actually in Orlando...must fix that.

if you like wrecks you should get up with clive.

Cool...thanks for the tip.

You might get more responses/advice if you post on the Caribbean board.

Now why didn't I think of that... :11: I'll post there as well. Thanks!

You've all been awesome so far. Keep the suggestions coming and feel free to relate any experiences you've had at any of these locations. Right now you've all got me leaning towards Curacao. Thanks!!

m-