My Blackbeard's Cruise Report

[dirkmy]

Hi, we are going late november, what did you decide about the trip insurance?

I decided against it, but going in November you might want to think about it due to hurricane season.

 

[KathyV]

I decided against it, but going in November you might want to think about it due to hurricane season.

Blackbeard's in not an expensive trip so if you don't care to get trip cancelation insurance, that's understandable. But you might look at getting DAN diving insurance in case of injury or medical emergency, it's good for a year. Personal medical insurance from your job or the military may not work outside the US.

The DAN price isn't bad, their plans range from $40 to $125; we get their mid-level policy and pay $75 per person, but it's up to you, of course.

Scuba Diving Accident Insurance — About Scuba Insurance Programs — DAN | Divers Alert Network

 

[jlcnuke]

COOL. She was the Divemaster the first trip I was on. Congrats to her.

Did she say something like, "see them, know them, love them" when talking about the sealife?

Not to me, but she didn't do any of the dive briefings etc so it would have had to come up in a separate conversation I'd guess.

 

[jlcnuke]

I just reserved my first trip Blackbeard cruise for March 17th. One question I have. They say you should by the Travelex insurance. What does that all cover? Just if you get sick and can make the trip? Did anyone else buy it? Thanks

I have DAN dive insurance and their travel insurance (annual plan). I find it very cost effective for the coverage provided, especially with it covering multiple trips each year. Their website does a good job of explaining what they cover.

 

[scubapetecanada]

We've booked our first Blackbeard's trip for this December on the Sea Explorer and have been absorbing all the great information and advice offered here on SB. I just want to say thank you to everyone for sharing their experiences and advice - it is very helpful and educational

 

[KathyV]

We've booked our first Blackbeard's trip for this December on the Sea Explorer and have been absorbing all the great information and advice offered here on SB. I just want to say thank you to everyone for sharing their experiences and advice - it is very helpful and educational

I hope that you have a great trip, please be sure to post a trip report when you get back!

 

[Scuba-74]

Hi, thanks a lot for all the info in this thread so far! I'm considering booking the Blackbeard's sometime this winter (as my 1st liveaboard experience), and so far couldn't find definitive answers to two simple questions anywhere including the Blackbeard's FAQ:

1) How many guests are actually on board?
2) Are all dives on air? (someone wrote earlier that they though that was the case but I didn't see anyone confirming/disproving it)

Also, please correct me if I'm wrong, but its sounds like all dive sites on the itinerary could be shared by open-water divers and AOW-an-higher divers, is that correct?

 

[jlcnuke]

Hi, thanks a lot for all the info in this thread so far! I'm considering booking the Blackbeard's sometime this winter (as my 1st liveaboard experience), and so far couldn't find definitive answers to two simple questions anywhere including the Blackbeard's FAQ:

1) How many guests are actually on board?
2) Are all dives on air? (someone wrote earlier that they though that was the case but I didn't see anyone confirming/disproving it)

Also, please correct me if I'm wrong, but its sounds like all dive sites on the itinerary could be shared by open-water divers and AOW-an-higher divers, is that correct?

The number of guests vary slightly, but it's up to 20 max iirc.
All dives are on air, no nitrox is available on the Morning Star or Sea Explorer.
Everyone dives the same dive sites. The boat "reminds" people to dive within their training and experience, but no one is policing your depths or anything (an OW diver who was recently qualified definitely exceeded 60 ft when we did the Nassau blue hole for instance... and no one cares.

 

[All Star Liveaboards]

Hi, thanks a lot for all the info in this thread so far! I'm considering booking the Blackbeard's sometime this winter (as my 1st liveaboard experience), and so far couldn't find definitive answers to two simple questions anywhere including the Blackbeard's FAQ:

1) How many guests are actually on board?
2) Are all dives on air? (someone wrote earlier that they though that was the case but I didn't see anyone confirming/disproving it)

Also, please correct me if I'm wrong, but its sounds like all dive sites on the itinerary could be shared by open-water divers and AOW-an-higher divers, is that correct?

We have 18 berths onboard and can accommodate up to 24 passengers but typically we depart with 18-20 guests.

All dives are on air. Nitrox is not available.

The diving is able to be enjoyed by divers of all experience. We generally have little to no current. Winter generally provides the best visibility on the year. The diving includes vertical walls, blue hole, swift drift, wreck, reefs and night dives. Feel free to contact me with any additional questions you may have, kevin@allstarliveaboards.com

 

[Scuba-74]

Awesome, thanks jlcnuke and Kevin!