reefseal
Contributor
Not really going to comment on cruise ship but on diving..
Western Carribean with stops in Grand Cayman, Roaton, Belize and Conzumel.
I had my family with me so wanted to get some diving in but not the purpose of trip. If wanted dive till drop, would do resorts like they have in Bonaire or Live aboard.
Grand Cayman:
Did family activity. (Pirate ship which kids loved) Did however snorkle with family off the pirate ship. Was surprised where the Captain of Pirate ship anchored. He chose a sight that had his boat about a 1 1/2 over the reef! Made a comment to him. Snorkeling was great enough that my wife made comment would consider wanting to dive again. She lost interest in diving.
Roatan:
Did Discover Scuba withmy 11 year old Son. He's been in SSI's Scuba Rangers and had been chompin on the bit to do a real dive other than in a pool. I've been wanting to do a dive with him so this was really first chance to do so. Went through Ship's excursion desk. The operator was Anthony's key resort. Instructor Liz was great. There was only one other person from our boat so it was very much like private session. She was patient with my son. My only gripe I had was I was hoping to get a second dive in. The Excursion desk brochure description said could do a 2nd dive for an additional $30 bucks cash if wanted to. When asked about 2nd dive, they mentioned they have been trying to get cruise line to remove that as they couldn't squeeze another dive due to another cruise ship bringing additional discover scuba students in afternoon. We went by boat from resort to beach for training. (clear mask, buddy breath..) She took the 3 of us to shallow reef (25 feet) Once saw students were comfortable, she ventured further just above wall so students can see more. Max depth was 40 feet. They dropped us off at Beach where Cruise ship dumped it's beach going passengers and rest of my family was. Though diving conditions weren't what I expected, it was priceless to see my Son's eyes light up.
Belize:
his was my day to get real diving in. Family went off to do Catamaran/snorkeling thing. Again, went through shore excursion desk. Just wanted piece of mind that the ship would wait for those through operators from boat. Belize was a tender port and we had a short amount of time. They use Hugh Parkey's Belize dive connection. They picked us up at Ship which was nice. Nice big boat. Plenty of room, not crowded with 15 divers and 3 dive masters. It was a short ride to Dive shop to grab rental needed gear, bathroom break.. then off to Turncliff Atol about 45 min away. Seas were rough. Very bumpy/uncomfortable ride. Fortunately, didn't get sea sick though there were some divers that were. I felt so bad for them. Diving was best of the trip. Dive Master Aldo was great! He took the advanced divers. He didn't limit bottom time and let me do my own thing. He just asked that I let him know where I was and stay in his view. They only do two tank dives. Water temp was '78 and I was fine at depth for both dives with just my 3 mm vest. Surface interval snacks (home chips and salsa) was awesome though regretted it on 2nd dive as came up. Worth the "agita"
Belize is so pristine, remote and just awesome. Lots of dramatic drop offs/walls. First dive dove 90 feet, 2nd stayed around 60. Want to go back there again on live aboard!
Conzumel:
Again, another diving day sans family. Went on my own and not through ship. This was port with most time at shore so no risk of missing boat. Did my research and many recommended Papa hogs. Arranged in advance through Margaret. I wanted to dive Nitrox and try to get 3 dives in. She accomodated me with 3 dives for $80 bucks. They had 5 boats out before I got there. Our ship got in at 8. By time got off ship, grabbed cab, was at their dock by 8:20. I was joined by another family from my ship. Maurizio was our Dive Master. Great operation, and would go back again.
Diving wasn't as good as what I had experienced at Belize but still better than Fricken new england during the best conditions! Vis was amazing as was water temps. Again, dove with just my 3m vest and wished had my shorty on beginning of 3rd dive. Sea conditions were great. Smooth ride on the but thumper out. 2 of dives on Palancar and one on Villa Blanca wall. The first dive was wall of Palancar reef. Started at 25 feet and dropped down to over 100. Lots of crevices, swim thru's. Vis was amaizing and had to be over 100. Lots of spotted rays, huge grouper.. Maurizio tended to the family that had a couple newbies with just two dives to them. He let me do my own thing provided I was in site at all times if he had to surface with family. The 2nd and 3rd dives were drift diving and we had to stick together to surface near flag as lots of boats zipping around overhead.
That's it.
Western Carribean with stops in Grand Cayman, Roaton, Belize and Conzumel.
I had my family with me so wanted to get some diving in but not the purpose of trip. If wanted dive till drop, would do resorts like they have in Bonaire or Live aboard.
Grand Cayman:
Did family activity. (Pirate ship which kids loved) Did however snorkle with family off the pirate ship. Was surprised where the Captain of Pirate ship anchored. He chose a sight that had his boat about a 1 1/2 over the reef! Made a comment to him. Snorkeling was great enough that my wife made comment would consider wanting to dive again. She lost interest in diving.
Roatan:
Did Discover Scuba withmy 11 year old Son. He's been in SSI's Scuba Rangers and had been chompin on the bit to do a real dive other than in a pool. I've been wanting to do a dive with him so this was really first chance to do so. Went through Ship's excursion desk. The operator was Anthony's key resort. Instructor Liz was great. There was only one other person from our boat so it was very much like private session. She was patient with my son. My only gripe I had was I was hoping to get a second dive in. The Excursion desk brochure description said could do a 2nd dive for an additional $30 bucks cash if wanted to. When asked about 2nd dive, they mentioned they have been trying to get cruise line to remove that as they couldn't squeeze another dive due to another cruise ship bringing additional discover scuba students in afternoon. We went by boat from resort to beach for training. (clear mask, buddy breath..) She took the 3 of us to shallow reef (25 feet) Once saw students were comfortable, she ventured further just above wall so students can see more. Max depth was 40 feet. They dropped us off at Beach where Cruise ship dumped it's beach going passengers and rest of my family was. Though diving conditions weren't what I expected, it was priceless to see my Son's eyes light up.
Belize:
his was my day to get real diving in. Family went off to do Catamaran/snorkeling thing. Again, went through shore excursion desk. Just wanted piece of mind that the ship would wait for those through operators from boat. Belize was a tender port and we had a short amount of time. They use Hugh Parkey's Belize dive connection. They picked us up at Ship which was nice. Nice big boat. Plenty of room, not crowded with 15 divers and 3 dive masters. It was a short ride to Dive shop to grab rental needed gear, bathroom break.. then off to Turncliff Atol about 45 min away. Seas were rough. Very bumpy/uncomfortable ride. Fortunately, didn't get sea sick though there were some divers that were. I felt so bad for them. Diving was best of the trip. Dive Master Aldo was great! He took the advanced divers. He didn't limit bottom time and let me do my own thing. He just asked that I let him know where I was and stay in his view. They only do two tank dives. Water temp was '78 and I was fine at depth for both dives with just my 3 mm vest. Surface interval snacks (home chips and salsa) was awesome though regretted it on 2nd dive as came up. Worth the "agita"
Belize is so pristine, remote and just awesome. Lots of dramatic drop offs/walls. First dive dove 90 feet, 2nd stayed around 60. Want to go back there again on live aboard!
Conzumel:
Again, another diving day sans family. Went on my own and not through ship. This was port with most time at shore so no risk of missing boat. Did my research and many recommended Papa hogs. Arranged in advance through Margaret. I wanted to dive Nitrox and try to get 3 dives in. She accomodated me with 3 dives for $80 bucks. They had 5 boats out before I got there. Our ship got in at 8. By time got off ship, grabbed cab, was at their dock by 8:20. I was joined by another family from my ship. Maurizio was our Dive Master. Great operation, and would go back again.
Diving wasn't as good as what I had experienced at Belize but still better than Fricken new england during the best conditions! Vis was amazing as was water temps. Again, dove with just my 3m vest and wished had my shorty on beginning of 3rd dive. Sea conditions were great. Smooth ride on the but thumper out. 2 of dives on Palancar and one on Villa Blanca wall. The first dive was wall of Palancar reef. Started at 25 feet and dropped down to over 100. Lots of crevices, swim thru's. Vis was amaizing and had to be over 100. Lots of spotted rays, huge grouper.. Maurizio tended to the family that had a couple newbies with just two dives to them. He let me do my own thing provided I was in site at all times if he had to surface with family. The 2nd and 3rd dives were drift diving and we had to stick together to surface near flag as lots of boats zipping around overhead.
That's it.
