Liveaboards - Some Stories I've heard...are they true?

[divebuddy68]

I also find liveaboards the most relaxing way to dive. For me, stress is getting your gear together every morning and afternoon, boarding a small boat with a bunch of other people, taking at 10-60 minute bumpy ride to the dive site & sitting on a small bench for the hour surface interval.

On the other hand, I find it very relaxing to go to sleep on a liveaboard and wake up on a dive site, stumble out of my cabin and in the water within minutes. Then when I come up from a dive I have a nice hot meal waiting and then a nap on the sun deck and do it all over again.

 

[vox]

On the other hand, I find it very relaxing to go to sleep on a liveaboard and wake up on a dive site, stumble out of my cabin and in the water within minutes. Then when I come up from a dive I have a nice hot meal waiting and then a nap on the sun deck and do it all over again.

I noticed that you have three trips scheduled this year with the Agressor boats.

You like them that much?

 

[redacted]

You´re wrong it´s usually dive, eat, dive, eat, rest, dive, eat, dive, sleep...
Just kidding...well not really...I´ve only been on four liveaboards, all in the red sea, and what I posted seemed to be everyone´s idea of a good time...the DM and guides had to hold people back from diving not the other way ´round...

I thought you had been the the Flower Gardens but missed a dive and a couple meals.

On an FGB trip, the first day is snack, dive, breakfast, rest, dive, lunch, rest, dive, snack, rest, dive, dinner, rest, night dive, dessert, sleep (for those who might be tired). Most dives are 80 to 100 fsw. 2.5 hr SI between dives. Subsequent days are 4 dives per day (drop the PM snack) and 3 hr SI. Entertainment is free, culture is extra.

 

[DiveMaven]

I also find liveaboards the most relaxing way to dive. For me, stress is getting your gear together every morning and afternoon, boarding a small boat with a bunch of other people, taking at 10-60 minute bumpy ride to the dive site & sitting on a small bench for the hour surface interval.

On the other hand, I find it very relaxing to go to sleep on a liveaboard and wake up on a dive site, stumble out of my cabin and in the water within minutes. Then when I come up from a dive I have a nice hot meal waiting and then a nap on the sun deck and do it all over again.

I have to agree 100% with this. There's a huge difference between lugging your gear to the day boat, setting up, diving, breaking down, lugging the gear back to the hotel, rinsing, then relaxing. On the liveaboard, you get up, eat, gear up, fall off the boat, and repeat as often as you like.

My husband and I took our first liveaboard trip this past December (Nekton to Belize) and are now hooked! We have another planned for next year (Nekton to NW Bahamas) and the year after to Truk Lagoon (Odyssey). We definitely want to do Belize again, and are watching how the Nekton cruises to the Caymans are going, since that may be an option down the road too. :07:

 

[vox]

We definitely want to do Belize again, and are watching how the Nekton cruises to the Caymans are going, since that may be an option down the road too. :07:

Any seasickness?

Can you use the patch behind the ear and still dive without issue?

My wife is a tad prone to "feeding the fish" and she's a diver too. We're just cautious about being seasick.

Thanks for any input...

 

[DiveMaven]

Oooh, I have motionsickness issues too....bad enough that I can't even fly without a patch. For me the patch is the perfect choice. Not only does it last 3 days, but it doesn't make me prone to panic attacks like Dramamine does. The only side effect I get from it is a slightly dry mouth, which just reminds me to stay VERY hydrated, so it's not a terrible thing. Since side effects can vary greatly among different people, it's very important to try a patch at home prior to your vacation to see what the side effects might be for you.

Because patches weren't made for extended time underwater, I take clear waterproof bandaids, cut the tape part off, and stick my patch on more securely. I've seen far too many folks enter the water with a patch and come out without it!! When on a liveaboard, I can't see how a patch without extra help will stay on for 3 days doing 4 dives a day....but I haven't tested the theory.

 

[vox]

Oooh, I have motionsickness issues too....bad enough that I can't even fly without a patch. For me the patch is the perfect choice. Not only does it last 3 days, but it doesn't make me prone to panic attacks like Dramamine does. The only side effect I get from it is a slightly dry mouth, which just reminds me to stay VERY hydrated, so it's not a terrible thing. Since side effects can vary greatly among different people, it's very important to try a patch at home prior to your vacation to see what the side effects might be for you.

Because patches weren't made for extended time underwater, I take clear waterproof bandaids, cut the tape part off, and stick my patch on more securely. I've seen far too many folks enter the water with a patch and come out without it!! When on a liveaboard, I can't see how a patch without extra help will stay on for 3 days doing 4 dives a day....but I haven't tested the theory.

Great feedback. I like your "workaround" using the waterproof bandaids.

Thanks mucho!

 

[Pam_In_Paradise]

Oooh, I have motionsickness issues too....bad enough that I can't even fly without a patch. For me the patch is the perfect choice. Not only does it last 3 days, but it doesn't make me prone to panic attacks like Dramamine does. The only side effect I get from it is a slightly dry mouth, which just reminds me to stay VERY hydrated, so it's not a terrible thing. Since side effects can vary greatly among different people, it's very important to try a patch at home prior to your vacation to see what the side effects might be for you.

Because patches weren't made for extended time underwater, I take clear waterproof bandaids, cut the tape part off, and stick my patch on more securely. I've seen far too many folks enter the water with a patch and come out without it!! When on a liveaboard, I can't see how a patch without extra help will stay on for 3 days doing 4 dives a day....but I haven't tested the theory.

When I am on a boat where I think I may get seasick, I place it on my upper abdominal area making sure it is clean, oil free and dry before I do. I don't put anything on top of it (other than my swimsuit) and after doing 6 liveaboard trips and countless day boats, haven't lost one yet. I know many who have done them behind the ear and have lost them on the first dive. In that case, putting some waterproof tape over the patch seems to help alot. Just to anticipate what people will say about the directions for patch use...I realize they say to put them behind the ear, I have not noticed any difference in the effect whether I place them behind the ear or on the abdominal area. YMMV

 

[DiveMaven]

Great to know I can put the patch somewhere less conspicuous if I want, thanks for the tip!

 

[greenflash1]

I've been tossing around the idea of going on a live board at the beginning of next year, but I hear mixed things about the experience.

I have heard from some that it is not exactly a vacation. It is more of a dive bootcamp. You dive, sleep, eat, dive, dive, dive, eat, sleep...you don't do much else. You dive six or more dives a day.

I have heard from others that it is cramped, and it is better to be on land to really experience the local culture of where you are.

I am looking for a liveaborad where diving isn't ALL you do, and the experience is fun and relaxed, and I have the chance to spend time on land or do other things. Anyone heard of such a thing? Or am I wishin' for too much?

Your dont have to do every dive!!! Also you set up your equipment Once.
Give it a try , you will love it!