Nekton - Saturday

[Darnold9999]

Anyone got suggestions for things to bring for this boat?

I have my dive gear, seasickness stuff, $ for tips, three bathing suits, a bunch of Tshirts and shorts, a heavier top or two and jeans and a jacket, two wetsuits(1/2 shorie and a 2/3 shortie), hood, spare mask, light and backup, spare batteries, and a recharger, laptop and camera (may skip the laptop) but I have a day to kill in Belize city and too much work. Save a dive kit is under construction so have rubber bands, plugs, tools and zap straps so far.

Candy and snacks that I like - just for me. A bottle of wine or three or four for sharing. Half a dozen books. One each for travel days, one each for day before and no fly day - two for the week on the boat.

Did I forget anything?

 

[DeputyDan]

passport

toothbrush

excitement

 

[aedavidson]

Anyone got suggestions for things to bring for this boat?

I have my dive gear, seasickness stuff, $ for tips, three bathing suits, a bunch of Tshirts and shorts, a heavier top or two and jeans and a jacket, two wetsuits(1/2 shorie and a 2/3 shortie), hood, spare mask, light and backup, spare batteries, and a recharger, laptop and camera (may skip the laptop) but I have a day to kill in Belize city and too much work. Save a dive kit is under construction so have rubber bands, plugs, tools and zap straps so far.

Candy and snacks that I like - just for me. A bottle of wine or three or four for sharing. Half a dozen books. One each for travel days, one each for day before and no fly day - two for the week on the boat.

Did I forget anything?

I was on the same cruise in January. I have to say that as far as snacks they will stop at the grocery store on the way to the boat. We bought some snacks there but never touched them, there is always plenty to eat and snack on. I never even cracked one of my books either just never had the time though I was part of a large group. One thing that my friend brought that was a big hit was some new release dvd's. They have a tv in the lounge and in the evenings most people on the boat were watching movies with us. You will have a great time the crew is awesome the diving was spectacular. PM me if I can answer any other questions.

 

[Darnold9999]

aedavidson:

The DVD's are a great idea. Part of the reason for the laptop is that I can watch DVD's on the plane if I don't feel like working. I think I will pop down to the video store tonight thanks. I know the last liveaboard I did nobody had much energy for much more than mindless TV or sleep after the last dive of the day. I am staying three blocks from the pier so will not be getting a ride so have to do the shopping on my own.

I plan to dive nitrox. How much of an issue is analyzing. i.e I am assuming they have an analyzer to use and hopefully not a long lineup to use it?

DeputyDan

passport - not yet on the list - duh the simplest things

excitement - not an issue, I am having trouble getting anything useful done at all I suspect Thursday is a write off.

 

[Footslogger]

We'll be on the Nekton in Belize in about 2 weeks. This will be my 5th cruise with them. We got married on the Nekton Rorqual in 2002. Hardly ever bring anything other than my dive gear and camera. They've got movies/DVD's onboard and an endless supply of food. They even have a pretty good supply of books to read.

Enjoy ...

'Slogger

 

[mike_s]

1.) If you bring DVD's, then take them out of their regular cases and put them in a CD case that zips up. We carried about 20-30 this way in a 6" case that was maybe 3" thick. works much better than the DVD plastic cases.

2.) Ear Plugs. Great for any liveaboard. drowns out engine noise and most importantly, people who snore.

3.) I like having an insulated coffee cup so the coffee stays warm longer.

4.) extra t-shirts. they get nasty easily when in/out of the water all day.

5.) chapstick is nice if your lips are prone to wind burn or sun burn. the saltwater will of course add to this.

6.) suntan lotion is a given.

7.) do you have spare dive computer batteries? essential for save-a-dive-kit.

8.) Saftey sausage and dive alert horn? A must-have for live aboard diving.

9.) Duct tape. don't take a roll. just wrap it around something round like shaving cream can several times. duct tape fixes everything

10.) cloth band-aids and liquid-band-aids. your feet being constantly wet will get rubbed raw in a few spots. re-enforce with above duct tape when needed.

11.) putting heavy string and thread in save-a-dive kit good for liveaboard. I had a wetsuit seem once come un-stitched. wrap thread around small piece of cardboard to save space, stick needle(s) in cardboard.

Hope all that helps.

-mike

 

[ScubaLuke]

7.) do you have spare dive computer batteries? essential for save-a-dive-kit.

I've started taking two computers on these trips. I had one fail completely on the first Nekton Belize trip I went on. Luckily somebody had one I was able to borrow for the rest of the trip.

9.) Duct tape. don't take a roll. just wrap it around something round like shaving cream can several times. duct tape fixes everything

Wal-Mart has little packages of duct tape that fit easily inside a save-a-dive kit.

10.) cloth band-aids and liquid-band-aids. your feet being constantly wet will get rubbed raw in a few spots. re-enforce with above duct tape when needed.

That's a good idea. I always have some handy. I seem to pick up a little "boat rash" on all of these trips.

Luke

 

[Darnold9999]

Alll great ideas, would never have thought about the damage to feet that much time in the water and on on deck will cause.

The spare computer idea is a good one. now I need to find a basic computer as a backup!! The last liveaboard I did had a stock of computers so was not an issue, but I gather Nekton does not keep much in the way of spare dive gear on hand if you had to borrow from someone on the boat.

 

[DiveMaven]

Gee, I would be taking a full suit instead of shorties. We did the Belize itinerary in December and although the water was in the upper 70's, the 4 dives a day really sucked the heat outta me and I was very happy I had taken my 5mil full suit. Most of the people on the boat were putting on layers pretty early in the week and nobody dove with a shorty, and my DH was comfortable in his 3mil full all week.

Oh yeah, and you might consider taking some ear drops. I took those with me for the first time and they will now be a part of my permanent travel kit.

 

[ScubaLuke]

Oh yeah, and you might consider taking some ear drops. I took those with me for the first time and they will now be a part of my permanent travel kit.

I forgot about ear stuff. I've been negligent in the past and ended up getting a wicked case of swimmer's ear after last year's trip. From now on I'll be using a 50/50 mixture of alcohol and witch hazel.

BTW, the Nekton does have some spare equipment dive computers, BCs, etc. And in a pinch they can even find a pair of fins for a guy with really big feet.
Luke