Newbies to cruise diving and boat diving!

[Bacon Bits]

A double wammmy for us! As newbies to cruising and boat dives, my wife and I have tons of questions. First should we use the cruise ships' dive excursions or go out on our own with independents? We're kinda swaying towards independents becasue of the scary stories we heard about "cattle" dive boats and the "rush off " "rush back on" the dive operator boats. Next we need some referrals for the independent operators for Cozumel and Georgetown. Nepture Divers (Georgetown) was recommended but unfortunately they're not gonna be around when we dock. So can anyone let us know of any good operators that are recommended? I've heard some good things about Bob Soto's but not sure if they accommadate cruisers. We're thinking about Eagle Ray Divers on Cozumel, heard some good things about them but just want to get more feelers out there about them.
Now that we got that outta the way, what would we need for boat dives? We're from Long Island, NY and all we got to dive is fresh water quarries such as Dutch Springs in Pa. Not much to write home about except it is FREEZING! I hear all sorts of equipment is nesscessary, ie, dry box , signalling sausages, whistles, where do you carry your "walking around" (cash) monies while diving? Money to use after the dive while heading back to tthe cruise ship terminal. Can anyone sort of clarify this since I would have to pack it in and pack it out! via a cruise ship and airliner. See alot of questions, and I got lots more.....let me get a bit on these first few first. Thanks in advance for any and all answers to these newbie questions.

 

[richhagelin]

I have posted a discussion of using independent operators versus the cruise line's operators. It is Titled "Advice for diving cruisers (or cruising divers). Everyone seems to think it is a pretty good summary of that issue. It is on this forum a little ways down the list.

Rich Hagelin

 

[Scuba Duffer]

Well, I'd have to start by asking which cruise line your going on?? If they are one of the ones with a good on board dive program, then I would recommend staying with the ships dives. The reason I say that is that you have obviously little to no experience with salt water or boat diving. You would be better off getting aquainted with the ships dive staff and having them familiarize you with things you need to know.

I have done many cruises and do a mix of ship based dives and my own ops. It can vary based on a number of things - port, operator the ship is using, ships time in port. I have probably done a dozen or so dives with cruise lines and I have yet to encounter any of the "cattle boat" horror stories. I personally feel they are just that - stories.

The quality of the dives - I have never really seen a difference and I say that from experience. We have been on 5 cruises in the last 3 years and have done a mix of self booked and ship booked dives. Personally, I think you run a greater risk of ship booked dives being cancelled because they couldn't get enough divers - they usually need at least 6. I don't think I have ever dove with more than a total of 8 people from a cruise ship, and the dive op's never added others to the boat. So, I have a really hard time seeing where the cattle boat stories come from.

Yes they are more expensive - that is the real down side. They will typically cost you $99 for something you can get sometimes as low as $65 if you book yourself. That $35 dollars will seem pretty cheap if your self booked dive op has any problems and you miss the boat. Chances are slim - but considering what you pay for a cruise, and considering when I'm on vacation I like to be worry free, it's cheap insurance.

Take Aruba for example. The operator brought thier boat to the cruise ship pier. We literally got off the cruise ship and got onto the dive boat - all 7 of us - on a 42 foot newton - hardly cattle boat. Now, had I chartered my own dives, I would have been lugging my gear through the cruise ship terminal and trying to get to my OP. Probably cost me $15 more to do it that way - but to me, it was worth it. Same with belize - the dive boat pulled up along side the cuise ship while it was anchored well off shore. We stepped from the cruise ship into the dive boat. Diving independantly in Belize means a 1 hour tender ride to shore before you look for your op.

Usually, we don't book anything ahead of time. We research the ops we want to use and take the list on board with us. Once there, we ask the dive staff (if there is some), what operators they will be using and how many people are signing up. If things sound good, we'll book the first dive with the ship and see who else will be diving with us. If things don't go so well - i.e. - lots of people or really bad divers - them we hit the ships internet and book ahead ourselves with the list brought for the upcoming ports.

The story is - don't be so fast to discount diving with the cruise line. I had a good experience in Cozumel with dives booked through our ship - all though every time in Grand Cayman, I have gone independantly with Don Fosters - just because I love the OP!!! I have also booked numerous other independant dives in St. Marteen, St. Thomas and have done it in Coz too!! It depends how hassle free the experince is going to be.

Now, I don't want to offend you, but here is something you may want to consider. You self admit you have never boat dived and have never dove in salt water. So, your gonna be in for a bit of learning. Typically, cruise ship divers are not the best in the world and based on that, a lot of them need a little help along the way. Typically, they are divers that only dive while on vacation - and there is nothing wrong with that. The boat staff will be expecting that. If you go to an operator by yourself, you may find yourself on a boat of serious divers doing a week long dive vacation. If you are as inexperienced as you indicate, I think the first scenario is the place for you. Please don't take offense to that, I say it simply as something to consider. A lot of people feel more comfortable learning things when others around them are also learning or a little unsure of what they are doing. Being the only inexperienced divers on a boat of serious divers may not be so great!

As for your money, just put it in your dive bag or gear bag. I have never had anyone take my money while I was below.

 

[Bacon Bits]

Hey thanks, no offense taken, I am and will be for a while a neophite to diving. I appreciate the advice...and I'm always willing to learn, hopefully from other peoples mistakes. I know and do anticipate that I, too, will make mistakes and hopefully I can learn from them too. We'll be cruisng on Celebrity Century doing Ocho Rios, Georgetown, Cozumel and then finally the Keys. Would you know about their dive ops? You're right about the trying to save a few bucks, but with all the stress of finding reputable dive ops and lugging our gear to the ends of the earth finding these ops maybe you got a great point here....I may hold back other divers on they're weeklong dive vacation with my stumbling and fumbling...and they would be rightfully upset about that...

 

[Scuba Duffer]

Last time we did celebrity, The Summit 10 day Western, there was no dive shop on board. They have zero dive programs - you simply booked with the excursion desk.

Georgetown is easy. I always use Don Fosters and they are close to the pier in Georgetown Harbour. Hard to get picked up though as that area is CRAZY when the ships are in. Either walk it - it'll take you about 20 minutes, ar grab a cab.

Ocho Rios - better go with the ship, I don't think there are any dive ops close to the dock. Unless you can book ahead and get picked up.

Cozumel - either way. The ships dive was good there. The operator pulled thier boat up to the pier so we hardly walked any distance with our gear. You will also find tons of op's waiting for your business as soon as you clear the cruise ship terminal. Cozumel may be one of the easiest places to arrange your own dives.

 

[Bacon Bits]

I've heard of Don Fosters, gonna check into that one. I have no clue as to how many divers are onboard....so may take your other advice and take info with us and book if there are no excursions from the ship. May also do the ship's package in Cozumel, like the idea that a boat picks u up and brings you back, that way more convient than using the tenders and hauling the gear around to the tender's dock.

 

[Furner]

If you cruise Princess, as I am, Don Fosters operates some of the ship dives. I am booking my GC dive thru the boat to avoid confusion, because I know that I will be getting a good dive op.

 

[PamJScuba]

and a new diver. I decided to obtain my certification because I wanted to enjoy diving while on my cruise.

I've been researching and checking out recommended dive operators through www.cruisecritic.com as well. If you look under ports of call and the specific place you'll be going to, usually you'll find information on the different dive operators.

Since I'm in the same boat.. he he... I'm tentativel planning the following (but if anyone here thinks I should do something different, I'm open to suggestions)...

1) Grand Cayman - This will be my first port of call and the 1st dive ever done since obtaining my OWC (and my 1st saltwater dive since I'm obtaining my OWC in Minnesota). That being the case, I've decided to take an easy dive by doing the Sting Ray City dive which is in a max of 15' of water. If time allows, I would also like to do a wall dive such as Eden Rock. I'm looking at going through the following excursion company: http://www.grandcaymancruiseexcursions.com/StingrayCityScubaDiving.htm

But I haven't ruled out the ship excursion. I'm just trying to determine if they will also do the shallow dive at Stingray City so I can do that with my friends that don't dive.'

2) Belize - this is my 3rd port of call and the second location I plan on diving. I'm definitely going to take the excursion offered by the ship for the sake of ease and that "worry free" vacation concept. I was originally looking at doing an excursion through www.coralbreezelimited.com, but they don't seem to be offering the Caye Caulker dive any longer (they just upgraded their website within the last week! and the website seems to be having problems. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. You can contact the owner through www.cruisecritic.com belize port of call forum.)... Coral Breeze does state that it guarantees they will have you back to the ship before it leaves. I wanted to do Caye Caulker with my non-diving friends so we could eat lunch together and I could still dive while they snorkel.

3) Cozumel - I plan on using Eagle Ray Divers. I've had several conversations with the owners because I was concerned about my inexperience. They've been GREAT about answering my questions. I will be in port in Cozumel from 7am to 11pm, so I know there is plenty of time to do an excursion of on my own.

Another excursion company that offers excursions in various different locations and numerous people have recommended I look into is www.shoretrips.com.

Finally, I like what the other poster mentioned about working with the ships dive personnel. I do believe that Celebrity does have dive professionals on board. I'm going on Royal Caribbean, its sister company and I've been told that all Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships now have dive professionals onboard. However, you may just want to verify by calling the cruise line and asking if dive professionals will be on you cruise.

I had not thought that I could also bring the dive operator info. with me then book at the time of the cruise either the dive with the cruise offered excursion or going with an independent dive operator. Definitely worth considering.

Pam

 

[bluwolf]

Going on my second cruise with diving. We are going out of Galveston on Royal Caribbean, hitting Key West, Georgetown, and Cozumel. Diving in Georgetown and Cozumel. Will be in Georgetown on Sep 2. Diving with Neptune Divers.

Just one commen. Someone once told me that no one will turn down wet money, but they will turn down no money. In other words, if your BC has a pocket, put your money in the pocket or in your suit. Ensure it is secure, but I never leave money on the dive boat or the shore.

 

[northcoast_diver]

...Now that we got that outta the way, what would we need for boat dives? We're from Long Island, NY and all we got to dive is fresh water quarries such as Dutch Springs in Pa. Not much to write home about except it is FREEZING! I hear all sorts of equipment is nesscessary, ie, dry box , signalling sausages, whistles, where do you carry your "walking around" (cash) monies while diving? Money to use after the dive while heading back to tthe cruise ship terminal ....

All you "need" is a swimsuit, mask, fins, and booties (short boots).

You can normally rent everything else that you need from the dive shop or cruise boat, like your reg, B/C, weight belt and weights, depth gauge or dive computer, lights, the tank of course, nobody brings tanks, and wetsuit.

Anything else is "nice to have."

You can get a soft, plastic waterproof wallet-sized pouch at your local dive shop to keep your passport and cash and C-card and hotel key-card dry in, and put this into a B/C pocket. That is very nice to have. Its also nice to put a handful of fruit-chews into the pouch, for a snack.

Its nice to bring your own 3mm wetsuit, whether a one-piece or a farmer john 3mm. But if the water is warm enough, all you need is your bikini or trunks. Still you are better off with some kind of wetsuit, or at least a 1/2 mm dive skin, to keep you warm in the water, and to protect you from stings and from sunburn.

If you own a dive computer, bring it. If not, rent one if you can.

Safety gear is whole different matter, but you dont "need" it. If you stay with the D/M at all times underwater and dont drift away from him/her, then you will be safe during your dives.

Safety gear consists of things that might help you in case you get left behind or washed downcurrent fromt he boat.

DiveAlert makes a great little air horn that plugs into your LP power inflator, between the hose outlet and the B/C inflator. They will hear you on the boat, if you blast this little horn. They won't hear a plastic whistle.

OMS and DiveRite and Halcyon make excellent inflatable safety sausages. These can be seen from a quarter mile away, or half mile with binos.

A small metal signal mirror is nice for signalling, but normally only technical mixed gas divers own these, for their bubble self-checks.

A medium sized flashlight attached to your HP SPG hose with bicycle innertubing is nice, for day or night diving or signalling at night, but normally only technical mixed gas divers own these and mount them like that as well.

A small plastic bottle of fresh water is nice, but normally only technical mixed gas divers have these, for taking drinks during long decompression stages.

Thats what is nice to have, and those other are what you need.