Many questions, including "What is a liveaboard"

[djanni]

One thing I've learned is with the better known names, you almost have to hook up with a dive shop that has reserved the boat. As individuals, trying to hook up with a boat seems to be next to impossible, especially if you have very specific dates in mind.

Del_Mo - We booked the Nekton Belize last year and the Nekton Bahamas this August and without any problem. Easy as pie. Both last year and this year we also talked to the Aggressor Fleet and to Peter Hughes and we could have booked with either of them with no problem. Oh, we could have booked with the AquaCat, Bahamas too but couldn't get FF tickets for that one.

I think you must have experienced a case of bad timing.

 

[Damselfish]

Del_Mo - We booked the Nekton Belize last year and the Nekton Bahamas this August and without any problem. Easy as pie. Both last year and this year we also talked to the Aggressor Fleet and to Peter Hughes and we could have booked with either of them with no problem. Oh, we could have booked with the AquaCat, Bahamas too but couldn't get FF tickets for that one.

I think you must have experienced a case of bad timing.

My perception is the problem with booking for individuals is somewhat more common on Pacific boats than Carribean boats.

 

[smw]

There are all kinds of liveaboards... from the less expensive (Blackbeard's) to the more expensive (Aggressor & Peter Hughes.) Differences are quality of food to quality of cabins to crew to passenger ratio. I've only done Caribbean liveabords so I can't speak to the issue about Pacific ones. We didn't have any problems booking passage individually.

You dive, dive, dive, so non-divers are pretty bored. When we went on a Belize liveaboard they told us the bell rings 10 times a day... when the bell rings, look down... If you are wet it is time to eat and if you are dry it is time to dive.

I found that four dives a day suits me great. We got nitrox certified on our Belize trip which is better for diving many times in one day. We like to go on the two morning dives, the early afternoon dive, take a nap, eat dinner and go on the night dive. :satisfied

For a Guatemala/Belize trip report go to http://www.weekspace.com/Belizeindex.htm
It was a GREAT trip!

Have a great time whatever you decide to do!

-S-