Liveaboard vs. cruise vs. Cozumel?

[csky217]

Thanks for all the insights and advice!

Sorry if I wasn't very clear -- I was trying to ask what more experienced folks thought of these options, for a solo diver/traveller. When I've done random dives as part of other trips, I've ended up diving with strangers and it didn't always work out too well. Pretty much everyone was already buddied up and I understand that they weren't necessarily happy about including another person in their dive plan. I was thinking that kind of awkwardness might get compounded on a liveaboard, then I'd be a third wheel for a whole week, but I'm glad to hear that's not the case.

It sounds like the solo is less of an issue than the balance of diving vs. non-diving time or what to do when not underwater. That I'll figure

I'm going to look into liveaboard availability a little more and it will probably be that or Cozumel. I've never been on a liveaboard and maybe it will take knowing someone there to get me on board. Either way, I'm looking forward to the diving!

Thanks again ... further bulletins as events warrant.

 

[caymaniac]

Try the liveaboard or you'll always wonder if it isn't a better choice. The last liveaboard I was on consisted of 3 couples and 4 singles, it was easy to buddy up with anyone in the group. A number of times we made a threesome because someone didn't want to dive, it was great/easy and nobody minded an additional person to buddy up with. For me, I never wanted to miss a dive because I might miss something like an octopus act or a shark or some fish behavior I've never seen before. Each dive shows a chance to see dolphins or a Manta or whale, who could take a chance to miss those things as well as the small things like nudi's or shrimp?

 

[Darnold9999]

So far every liveaboard I have done was a mix of singles and already buddied divers. No issues finding a buddy - so far. Recommend the liveaboard if that is your concern. On the Nekton boats if you don't have a buddy the crew will dive with you - gets them out of other work so is a bonus for them.

 

[csky217]

Thanks again for the insights! The camraderie of the liveaboards sounds like a great experience, and I'm definitely going to try and give it a try if I can work out the schedule.

Though Cozumel would also a make a great vacation if that doesn't quite work. Nice to know all the choices are good.