Odd question regarding the Nekton Pilot

[WOODMAN]

Well, we are just about ready to try our first trip with the Nekton people, and are focusing on the Pilot for one of their Medio Reef runs this early fall. I have an unusual question, though. I am constantly fighting 'the battle of the bulge', and have developed a system for providing low calorie but tasty beverages for me to guzzle, but this requires a place to keep a gallon pitcher of drink in some type of a cooler. Now, I know that the boat provides a cooler for guests to keep their private drinks in, and I was wondering if it could accomodate the afore-mentioned gallon pitcher? Any insights here would be appreciated. Woody

 

[eab]

I was wondering if it could accomodate the afore-mentioned gallon pitcher?

Woody,

You will find that the coolers on the Nekton boats aren't your usual party coolers. They're just about the size of your home fridge tipped on its side. Once you'll see it, you'll laugh at your concern about whether it'll fit a one-gallon container as it probably could fit 100!

Enjoy your trip.

Eileen

 

[robint]

we just returned from a trip on the Nekton Rorqual and most of the beverages were "Crystal Light" which is sugarfree. There were flavors like Peach tea, Lemon-lime, Mango, Orange, Fruit Punch... there was also several pitchers of regular tea, a Gatoraid, and Orange juice. These were kept out on the counter all day and filled as needed. Also a large pitcher of water. I brought individual pkgs of Crystal Light green tea in case I wanted to mix my own, but since they had the others already premade I never even opened my box.
The cooler usually has people's beer and sodas in it along with ice. If you really want to put a gallon container in there, I am sure they would let you. But I would just take the mix you want to use in case they don't have it onboard and make it yourself as needed.

robin

 

[cappyjon431]

If you are going on the Pilot, you can always ask Arminda (the chef) to store your pitcher in the fridge in the galley. Whenever you need access, just have a crew mewmber get it for you. The guest coolers on the o2 deck are quite large, but you wouldn't want another guest to accidently tip your pitcher over while retrieving their beverages or when the crew is replenishing the ice. Arminda (and whoever the relief chef might be) make these types of accomodations all the time.

 

[Doc]

All the right dope as above, but what we always do- everywhere we travel- is to take one of thos big 48 oz. thermal mugs.

Fill with water, stir in drink mix, add ice and you're off to the races.

Actually, the Nekton got me hooked on the sugar free Pink Lemonade. They serve Crystal Light, but we found the Wyler's Brand (JelSert Corp) to be about 1/3 the price. We buy it at Super Mallwart and have taken it all over the world diving. We leave the thermal mugs behind with the boat boys.

One of the most entertaining moments on any liveaboard occurred as the former Nekton Chef, (The picture of what anyone would call hyperactive) Jerra, quite animatedly pointed at the various pitchers of drinks. "Tea, Hawaiian Punch" and then she pointed at the Pink Lemonade and paused, only in her best theatrical timing to then label it, "Pink Stuff !".

For us, the name stuck.

 

[cappyjon431]

All the right dope as above, but what we always do- everywhere we travel- is to take one of thos big 48 oz. thermal mugs.

Fill with water, stir in drink mix, add ice and you're off to the races.

Actually, the Nekton got me hooked on the sugar free Pink Lemonade. They serve Crystal Light, but we found the Wyler's Brand (JelSert Corp) to be about 1/3 the price. We buy it at Super Mallwart and have taken it all over the world diving. We leave the thermal mugs behind with the boat boys.

One of the most entertaining moments on any liveaboard occurred as the former Nekton Chef, (The picture of what anyone would call hyperactive) Jerra, quite animatedly pointed at the various pitchers of drinks. "Tea, Hawaiian Punch" and then she pointed at the Pink Lemonade and paused, only in her best theatrical timing to then label it, "Pink Stuff !".

For us, the name stuck.

Sorry to correct you, but the "pink stuff" has been and always will be Crystal Light Strawberry Kiwi-- I worked on the boat for eight years (including Jerra's entire length of employment) and developed a severe "Pink Stuff" addiction. Years later, I cannot walk down the Crystal Light aisle of the grocery store without getting a case of the "shakes." I'm in recovery, I haven't had Strawberry Kiwi for three+ years, but God help me if I ever go back on the Pilot.

 

[DiveMaven]

If you want to take a gallon jug and keep it in the cooler, no problem...but I'd say make sure the container has a screw on lid to secure it. It would be far too easy to tip it over while rooting around for a beer in the ice.

 

[scubadiverjohn]

No problem with storing your gallon jug but.... my experience was they were a little short on ice to put in the cooler.

 

[AnneO]

Cooler is huge. No problem fitting a gallon jug. I was on nekton pilot last Nov for thanksgiving trip. Just so you know they do serve crystal light on board, always have a pitcher on the counter ready to use. Food is great,
If Arminda is still onboard she's a great cook and usually salads available

 

[cappyjon431]

I was sad to hear that Nekton had to let Arminda go because of visa/immigration issues. Ever sincew 911 it has been increasingly difficult to hire foreign nationals on US flagged vessels. From what I understand, the Nekton office got her a job on another liveaboard.