Nekton Bahamas, Aug. 12th Departure

[Doc]

Would say Desert Divers report was indicitive of a typical experience on that trip or would you say typical experiences are a bit better than that?

This is the second follow up post that characterized Desert Divers as a really bad trip. I sure didn't read it that way. Seems like the pressure fell to the crew and they handled it.

In my past several experiences with the Nekton, I really can't imagine how they were four short on crew, I guess its possible, I just can't imagine how.

I would go aboard them anytime, anywhere. Nekton rocks! (but it doesn't roll!)

Go, dive, enjoy. It will be aces.

 

[Desert_Diver]

Would say Desert Divers report was indicitive of a typical experience on that trip or would you say typical experiences are a bit better than that?

Whoops, probably my fault. Engineers are notorius for not being able to communicate. If I left the impression that I had a bad time on Nekton Pilot, I apologize. I had a GREAT time. A couple of things went wrong, but did NOT detract from the experience. The dive deck crew was tired, but performed in an outstanding fashion. I would go on that trip, with that crew again in a heartbeat.

In fact, I am eyeing both the Nekton Cayman trip and the Nekton Belize trip right now. The only reason I am delaying involves finances and vacation time availability. <sigh>

Art

 

[Darnold9999]

Whoops, probably my fault. Engineers are notorius for not being able to communicate. If I left the impression that I had a bad time on Nekton Pilot, I apologize. I had a GREAT time. A couple of things went wrong, but did NOT detract from the experience. The dive deck crew was tired, but performed in an outstanding fashion. I would go on that trip, with that crew again in a heartbeat.

In fact, I am eyeing both the Nekton Cayman trip and the Nekton Belize trip right now. The only reason I am delaying involves finances and vacation time availability. <sigh>

Art

Thought you did a great job communicating, I read your post as there were a couple of things that were a problem (so get them out of the way first) and then I had a GREAT time and here is why.

I do kind of wonder how they were short 4 staff and managed everything. I am doing the Cayman's trip in 3 weeks so hope that particular issue goes away. Not worried my last trip on the Nekton was a blast and I really don't need much hand holding.

 

[Doc]

Engineers are notorius for not being able to communicate.

I hope you went below. Did you meet Chris (now working as a Captain)?

He had a number of beautiful quotes, something only an engineer could come up with. Such as:

- She's an ugly ship... but she's slow

- Slowest moving condo in the Caribbean

Still far and away my favorite liveaboard- either of the two, and I've pretty much so seen 'em all.

 

[Desert_Diver]

I hope you went below. Did you meet Chris (now working as a Captain)?

He had a number of beautiful quotes, something only an engineer could come up with. Such as:

- She's an ugly ship... but she's slow

- Slowest moving condo in the Caribbean

Still far and away my favorite liveaboard- either of the two, and I've pretty much so seen 'em all.

The captain was Ee-fee (phonetic spelling) Priest. First mate, or night captain, or assistant boat driver was his son, Tyler Priest. Tyler now has his captain's ticket. The engine room guy was Pete (no last name- my fault). Doc, Matt, Helena, and Rich were dive deck crew. Maria was the housekeeper, Arminda was the cook (and what a cook she was) helped by Elsie.

All of the above mentioned people were first class. The boat itself is certainly odd looking but lives up to the claims they make for stability. My only complaint is that the trip was too short. Only lasted a week. <sigh>

Art

 

[Desert_Diver]

I do kind of wonder how they were short 4 staff and managed everything. I am doing the Cayman's trip in 3 weeks so hope that particular issue goes away. Not worried my last trip on the Nekton was a blast and I really don't need much hand holding.

I never thought to ask WHY they were short handed. I did get the impression that there is a fair amount of turnover in crew personnel. I also got the impression that the work is something of a grind. The ship leaves port late Saturday and returns early the next Saturday to Fort Lauderdale. After the guests leave, the crew has about ten hours to clean the boat up, restock, and make any equipment repairs/upgrades before the next gaggle of divers reports aboard. I think they said this goes on for 6 to 8 weeks before they get a break ashore. I know that they did not get any replacements on the day I left. They had gotten word before I debarked that no one was available to man any of the vacancies.

If there are any errors in this report, blame it on my poor memory rather than bad information from the dive deck crew. I didn't realize that this would become an object of conversation after I got back.

Art

 

[djanni]

Whoops, probably my fault. Engineers are notorius for not being able to communicate. If I left the impression that I had a bad time on Nekton Pilot, I apologize. I had a GREAT time. A couple of things went wrong, but did NOT detract from the experience. The dive deck crew was tired, but performed in an outstanding fashion. I would go on that trip, with that crew again in a heartbeat.

In fact, I am eyeing both the Nekton Cayman trip and the Nekton Belize trip right now. The only reason I am delaying involves finances and vacation time availability. <sigh>

Art

Maybe I was a little melodramatic... Our Belize trip was near perfect in every aspect so I was expecting the Bahamas trip to be the same. I do, of course, understand mother nature and human nature but not shark nature. They better schedule Shark Junction for 2 pm.

I remember Chris "Big Daddy" from Arkansas. My home state too.

 

[Boris]

Hi,
I was on the same trip as the DesertDiver and I should say that it was a nice trip overall, but not something of a "lifetime" experience.

To my surprise, on this 6 day trip I could have done only 21 dives. The dives were lost due to the boat being late, currents being way too strong, and half a day spent on "swimming with dolthins". (The actual swim time with dolthins visible in a distance: about 10 minutes:mooner:.) I did 20 dives as my ear was not feeling well one evening.

That would be still fine, but the remaining of the dives were heavily influenced by currents. I'd say on at least a third of the dives currents were rather noticable.

As for the dive sites, I personally found only two to be really interesting - Sugar Wreck and the Rocky Mountain. The Strip was a good night dive, but nothing special during the day. The rest of the sites were average or below and, in my opinion, not any better than diving from Ft.Lauderdale.

As for the boat, it worked well for me. It provided all creature comforts I really needed and nothing extra .

As for the service, I have a really mixed feelings. Food was fine and plentiful, but rather basic. The juices became so diluted with water by the third day that I just switched to water. Dive crew worked really hard and did their best, but it was very apparent that they were shorthanded and that reflected on the quality of service.

The trip high point: Helen coming in a small boat about 2 minutes after we surfaced too far from the Nekton. Thank you Helen!

The trip low point: reaction of the captain when I asked him about currents and his dive site selection for the second time. (Just don't ask - you'll be happier )

Did I have a good time? Yes.
Was it worth 2300 USD? No.
Would I do it again? Maybe in Belize (and that is a big maybe), but not in Bahamas.

 

[djanni]

Geez Boris... that's too bad. Everything will be great the week of August 12th. I've already called in the order.

Anyone have a better trip than Boris did?

 

[DiveMaven]

Boris, you should call the folks at Nekton and talk with them about your trip. Not necessarily as a "complaint", but more as a "I want you to know..." sort of call.

I've read quite a few reviews of the NW Bahamas itinerary and appreciate your honesty and candor, thanks.