Live Aboards have anything else for non-divers?

[FredGarvin]

I have always been hesitant to take a live-aboard vacation because my spouse is a non-diver. I would like to dive 4-5 times a day but then I wonder what she would do in my absence. Is there any live-aboard that has events, classes or activities such as land-based day trips etc., something along the lines of a mini-cruise ship?

If not... any thoughts of why not?

Garv
:blinking:

 

[Kilili]

Not that I've ever seen, though occasionally a village trip or such.
Did this once, and girlfriend was happy to just be with me. May not work with a spouse.

One on boat with 4 Kazaks, and the two wives, who did not dive, would go snorkeling sometimes. Having a Muslim wife is possibly an advantage here.

Maybe get her an ipad loaded with books? Puzzles? Maybe just leave her home? Tell her , if she wants entertainment, she'll likely have to bring it along. See if she's still interested.

As for what or why not, try asking the live-aboard operators. Perhaps you will be surprised.

In your situation, best solution may be to stick with land-based operation, but you'll have to find one, or a location, that caters to more than just divers, e.g., you dive, she shops or whatever.

Helpful to know what part of the world you're thinking about.

 

[tajkd]

It really depends on the spouse. Most live-aboards offer good food, a sunning area, a recreation area (tv, music) and there are always folks that beg off a dive so there are always people to talk to. If she is the kind who just enjoys being outside on a boat, it might work out. Remember also that, at most, you'll be in the water for a few hours a day. Especially if you opt to skip a dive or two, there will be plenty of time together.

 

[Jasonmh]

Check out the Cuan Law in the British Virgin Islands:

Activities in the British Virgin Islands

Not exactly a mini-cruise, but they offer more activities than the usually live-aboard. My wife doesn't dive and she loves it when we go.

 

[Shasta_man]

Most of them, no specific activities for non-divers. There have been be a surprisingly large number of apparently wealthy people who have taken non-divers or who only dive some dives on the boats I've been on. I would suggest any non-diver does have to have an interest in the ocean otherwise, it could be extremely boring, except for periodic beautiful scenary.

Don't get me wrong in that many of the boats are pretty nice and you're well taken care of, so it's not that bad, but the focus is dive, dive, dive.

I do all my diving then the rest of the vacation activities, so you could consider traveling alone to the boat, do your diving, then she flies in the for the rest of the trip. 'Course, then you have to carry ALL the luggage.

They don't focus on non-divers because that's not where the money is coming from.

 

[Shasta_man]

and ah yes, Fred Garvin... back when SNL was funny

 

[boulderjohn]

On most of the liveaboards on which I have traveled, my non-diving wife would have been bored most of the time. On the other hand, on the first one I took (which was only 4 days), she went along and thoroughly enjoyed herself. We were on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, and the reef there is so close to the surface that it pokes through the surface in places. It was the best snorkeling she has had in her life, and I think she was in the water more than I was. She had a wet suit and needed it because of the time in the water.

 

[diversteve]

Aquacat has a few non-dive activities also - most based around the water but there are some hiking, beachcombing options: Snorkeling Adventure Travel - Aqua Cat Cruises

Or there's the Paul Gauguin. Which is the mini-cruise ship you might be looking for. They have a watersports marina and dive operation onboard but IDK how many dives/day they do. They do a lot of shore based excursions also. Paul Gauguin Luxury Cruise

 

[RJP]

Liveaboards are about "eat, sleep, dive" so if your wife likes to eat and sleep... and you don't mind paying $3k for her to not dive for a week... should be fine.

:d

 

[beautybelow]

This is a topic that comes up quite often it seems. To me it falls in the category of "how thick of a wetsuit should I bring to wherever. So much depends on the person.

I have seen quite a few non diving significant others totally enjoy themselves for the week for whatever reason. Either that or they didn't complain while they were there and the diving other got an earful on the way home?

I never even thought to ask if they were muslim or not.