Looking for information on GBR live aboard trip in late April 2012

[KentFromPGH]

My wife will be in Sydney for a conference and we are planing on diving for 4 or 7 days on the GBR. Looking at Spoilsport or Spirit of Freedom for our first live aboard. We are experienced and carefull divers with 100s of boat dives but neither of us gets our "sea legs" quickly on typical diving vacations so I wonder if there would be an advantage being on MBs Spoilsport vs. SOF? My wife will be in AU for business so the internet access on SOF is also a draw so she doesn't get too behind in her emails - anyone know how many days the 4 or 7 day trip on SOF will have intenet access?

Any suggestions or comments are welcomed and appreciated.

 

[mattoau]

Spoilsport is a catamaran and SOF a monohull. On your past experience you might be able work out which will be most comfortable for you.

Personally I prefer a monohull in rough seas, but to be fair I've never had any trouble getting my legs.

 

[KentFromPGH]

Have you been on either of these ships?

 

[mattoau]

I've been on SOF in very rough seas and SS in much calmer waters so can't really say which would be better for you in that sense. On SS you would have a lot space on the dive deck and in cabins, whereas SOF does feel a lot more cramped.

I wasn't aware that SS didn't offer internet, at least they don't advertise on their website, and haven't used it on SOF either. However I've also been on Taka and their internet didn't work on route to or at Osprey Reef. If the other operators use the same system then up to 2 of your 4/7 days will be without internet. Cost of internet access if applicable will be quite high, but for emails your quota should go quite far. However on the GBR you may find that you can access emails with a phone if you can get a signal, and this has been possible at the Cod Hole, Steve's Bommie and Saxon reef and a few other dive sites.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

In April you shouldn't have to much trouble with weather. Both good stable boats but do travel differently. personally I prefer a mono hull as it travels straighter and rolls better. A catamaran can sometimes corkscrew a bit.

I think there would really not be too much to choose between them to be honest.

With the wireless internet on SOF you have to be in range. Coral Sea trips you will not get a signal once outside the Reef (so 2 days w/out) and only on some of the Ribbon Reef areas will yo get a signal. Best not rely on it.

Hard to say how many days. Up near Lizard Island at the start (or the end depending on which trip you go on) plenty of signal), but as you travel south it gets lost and only really comes back near Port Douglas and Cairns. Possible to get signal at times, but its very unreliable.

 

[KentFromPGH]

Aqua Pro Services - thanks for the information. My wife has a BlackBerry so the wifi was just a plus if she needs it. She realizes there will be limitations. We are thinking about a 7 day trip to maximize our underwater time in AU. Leaning towards the SOF since its departure day (Monday) matches up with our schedule. We are going to Sydney first and then after Cairns/GBR it is on to Melbourne before going home.

 

[Pelagicsal]

My wife will be in Sydney for a conference and we are planing on diving for 4 or 7 days on the GBR. Looking at Spoilsport or Spirit of Freedom for our first live aboard. We are experienced and carefull divers with 100s of boat dives but neither of us gets our "sea legs" quickly on typical diving vacations so I wonder if there would be an advantage being on MBs Spoilsport vs. SOF? My wife will be in AU for business so the internet access on SOF is also a draw so she doesn't get too behind in her emails - anyone know how many days the 4 or 7 day trip on SOF will have intenet access?

Any suggestions or comments are welcomed and appreciated.

Oh shut up, you braggart!
I am SO jealous.
Have enough fun for me, too.
Love you guys!!!

 

[KentFromPGH]

Sallye

I wish you could dive with us on the GBR - it would make a great trip even greater. Delta has flights to Sydney and then you can get a decently priced trip to Cairns.

 

[Cnz Diver]

Hey Kent, I have been on SOF 3 times you would be able to get internet on the first 4 days, once out at Osprey you get nothing, trust me it so beautiful out there you do not care about the internet or anything else. We recently came back from a trip and posted a review on our blog - Spirit of Freedom Coral Sea Dive Trip Review

 

[KentFromPGH]

Thanks Cnz Diver - I really enjoyed the review on the blog. It looks and sounds absolutely wonderful.