need advice for Carnival Triumph- eastern caribbean

[Alex777]

I have dived with all 3 operators on Grand Turk, as I lived there for a while. They're all good, competent friendly operations without much to choose between them.

 

[diveborg]

Grand Turk- I think we might book with Blue Water Divers. I read suggestions for this shop in previous threads... Definately open to other suggestions though!

Good choice. I went with them in December and had a good time. Oasis is the ship's excursion operator, so you won't be able to book directly with them. The use large pontoon boats for the 24 divers they take on the ship's excursion. SeaEye diving wouldn't make a reservation when I asked and without a confirmed spot on the boat I was hesitant planning to dive with them.

St. Thomas- Blue Island Divers vs. Admirality- which one should we go with? I believe both of them will pick you up at the cruise ship port...

Both are good, but if you really want to dive, I recommend Admiralty's 3 tank dive. I also went with them in December and had a wonderful time. MySt Thomas Underwater Photo gallery in case you are interested.

San Juan, Puerto Rico- I've read that San Juan isn't really the spot for diving on the island so we might not dive this port. Anyone suggest otherwise? We are traveling with non-diving friends so we might hit some of the other tourist stops! Any suggestions for things to do?

Do the tourist stuff in Puerto Rico as the good diving is a couple of hours away from San Juan. Old town and the fort are interesting. The Bacardi factory tour isn't very interesting.

Half Moon Cay- I've heard that the diving is pretty good (when the weather is nice) for a shallow dive on this island. I can't find any info though on anyone to book with (including the ship's excursions). I've heard that diving was maybe cancelled by the ships on this private island because the dive op didnt have enough liability insurance? Anyone know what the deal is on how to book a dive here? We bring all our own equipment, just need tanks and weights.

No diving there when we were there. I asked the cruise director why. He said there were a couple of reasons. The operator was having problems with his compressor and guests weren't very impressed with the diving. I imagine that there were complaints. For what they charged for a 1 tank dive, I would expect a good dive, not just an OK one. We rented a cabana and that was the BEST Halfmoon Cay photo gallery

 

[Qtpie54346]

You're not going to the eastern Caribbean. Grand Turk and Half Moon are not in the Caribbean Sea, they're in the Atlantic Ocean, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico are both in the Northern Caribbean.

Sorry... I was just going by what Carnival was calling it...

 

[Qtpie54346]

thanks for the great advice!!

 

[BurBunny]

In St. Thomas ALL dive shops will pick you up at the dock, it's a cruise ship economy there.

Sorry, but that's just not accurate at all. There are shops on the island which don't pick you up at the dock. Sawyer Dive is a major shop who has you come to them, for example (though they reimburse for 1 way of the taxi).

 

[dkool180]

Great topic!
Dove Coki Beach at St Thomas last year with Dive World, booked through Carnival. Was very disappointed with operation and equipment. Fortunately we brought our own regs. Only Bride and I in group, guide was very nice but 50 cu ft tank makes for a short dive. Would not go with them again.