leadweight
Contributor
This cruise sailed on August 9th 2008 and went to Cay Sal Bank and Medio Reef in the Bahama Islands.
The Nekton live aboard vessels do not look like any other. They look more like a small production platform from the outside and on the inside they are much more utilitarian. The feel of a private yacht is definitely not present and maintenance of cosmetic items could be improved. However, the unique design results in a bunch of usable space. There is no marine claustrophobia. There are large windows in each cabin. Their bunks have great mattresses. I can tell you on some other boats my butt would hit the bottom of the bunk every time the boat went over a wave. The boat is built vertically, so there is more stair climbing than usual.
Upon arriving in Ft. Lauderdale we were taken to an area with several bars and restaurants and told to get dinner and await pickup at 7:00 PM. Fortunately, prices in the area were an outright bargain. Three mixed drinks for $7.
On the crossing to Cat Caye the catamaran design did its thing. I did not take anything for seasickness and was just fine. Usually the first night out messes with me. However, some folks get seasick just looking at the ocean, but not too many.
At Cat Caye we tied up and did our first dive on Sunday morning. There was a moderate current at the beginning which quickly turned into a ripping current. A couple of divers had problems and my buddy and I were out of the water in 35 minutes. The captain wanted to move the boat but could not because Bahamas immigration had a problem with one of the passengers that took 2 hours to resolve. That cost us the second morning dive. The afternoon dive had a strong, but not quite as wicked current and that was over after about 40 minutes.
Despite the fact that the first day of diving was pretty much a disaster, no one felt like complaining. That evening bunches of us sat around in a circle on the top deck cracking jokes and drinking the alcoholic beverages we had purchased that evening before departing. Nekton does not supply alcohol or carbonated drinks, but allows unlimited BYOB. The dinner was great. Roast pork loin, baked onions, sweet potatoes, salad, and some other stuff. That evening we applauded the chef, Kim, and would do so every other night. I knew that day the cruise would be wonderful because all the divers had such a good attitude.
more to come...
The Nekton live aboard vessels do not look like any other. They look more like a small production platform from the outside and on the inside they are much more utilitarian. The feel of a private yacht is definitely not present and maintenance of cosmetic items could be improved. However, the unique design results in a bunch of usable space. There is no marine claustrophobia. There are large windows in each cabin. Their bunks have great mattresses. I can tell you on some other boats my butt would hit the bottom of the bunk every time the boat went over a wave. The boat is built vertically, so there is more stair climbing than usual.
Upon arriving in Ft. Lauderdale we were taken to an area with several bars and restaurants and told to get dinner and await pickup at 7:00 PM. Fortunately, prices in the area were an outright bargain. Three mixed drinks for $7.
On the crossing to Cat Caye the catamaran design did its thing. I did not take anything for seasickness and was just fine. Usually the first night out messes with me. However, some folks get seasick just looking at the ocean, but not too many.
At Cat Caye we tied up and did our first dive on Sunday morning. There was a moderate current at the beginning which quickly turned into a ripping current. A couple of divers had problems and my buddy and I were out of the water in 35 minutes. The captain wanted to move the boat but could not because Bahamas immigration had a problem with one of the passengers that took 2 hours to resolve. That cost us the second morning dive. The afternoon dive had a strong, but not quite as wicked current and that was over after about 40 minutes.
Despite the fact that the first day of diving was pretty much a disaster, no one felt like complaining. That evening bunches of us sat around in a circle on the top deck cracking jokes and drinking the alcoholic beverages we had purchased that evening before departing. Nekton does not supply alcohol or carbonated drinks, but allows unlimited BYOB. The dinner was great. Roast pork loin, baked onions, sweet potatoes, salad, and some other stuff. That evening we applauded the chef, Kim, and would do so every other night. I knew that day the cruise would be wonderful because all the divers had such a good attitude.
more to come...
But where are the pictures???? 
