Partial trip report from the soggy Caribbean Explorer I

[WOODMAN]

Well, I managed to reaquire an internet access, so I will tell you of my tale of woe from the eastern Bahamas. My wife and I are currently sitting on the Caribbean Explorer I which is docked in Georgetown harbor on Great Exuma Island, which is where it has been stuck since Monday afternoon when Tropical Storm Noel came to visit. Noel liked us so much that she decided to hang around, and is only now moving out of the area. We did manage to get in about a half dozen dives on Sunday and Monday morning, before the weather drove us back to Georgetown, but that was about all for that. I just hope that the airport is open in time for our departure on Saturday afternoon, as it was still closed at last word. Georgetown is also pretty much shut down, with about a foot of water over the roads in many places. I am glad that we are on a fairly large boat, and shudder to think what this would have been like had we been on one of the smaller liveaboards:11: The crew of this boat has done everything they can to help ease the situation, and the DVD has gotten a real workout. I suppose that this is the risk you run when you travel here at this time of year, but we didn't expect to get nailed so precisely and completely. I am sure there are many others who will commiserate with me, but the situation still stinks. Oh well, better luck next time, I suppose. I will try to update this later, if my internet connection holds up. Woody

 

[CLEAR BLUE]

Wow....really sorry to hear about your trip!

 

[WOODMAN]

Well, the weather has completely cleared, and it looks just like the tourist brochures out there. Just in time for our return trip home tomorrow. I suppose that I should be grateful that Noel didn't screw that up as well. I guess we will just have to try this again next time. I cannot fault either the boat or the crew- they have striven mightily to make this mess as bearable as possible, and I will look forwards to trying this again with them next year. I am thinking maybe Aprilish? I will see what Johnny the purser has for advice. He has been with this boat longer than most of the others. Yessir! Adventures in Paradise! Boy, that dates me, doesn't it? Woody, all dried out now-

 

[robint]

glad to hear you are safe and taking the "situation" in stride. Did they offer you a deal on another trip? I know most liveaboards offer hurricane protection promises regarding missed dive days. Yes?

 

[WOODMAN]

glad to hear you are safe and taking the "situation" in stride. Did they offer you a deal on another trip? I know most liveaboards offer hurricane protection promises regarding missed dive days. Yes?

Well, I don't know yet. The captain advised me to watch my e-mail for a communication from the owner of the company, so I will keep you advised here. Our departure from Great Exuma was memorable. The ship's purser Johnny told us that we couldn't take a taxi back up to the airport, as there was too much water still flooding the roads. "But not to worry", he said. "We have arranged alternate transportation for you!" This turned out to be a giant flatbed truck with a boom winch mounted on it. We tossed up all our luggage and then scrambled up there and took up positions sitting on the baggage. The sight was something to see. I managed to get a position right behind the cab of the truck, and got a birds eye view of the road in front. Man, what a ride! The road was badly submerged in about 8 places, and we passed a couple of cars that had tried to ford the water and not made it. One was submerged up to over the hood. The truck just waded right through, though, and was well worth the 12 bucks a head that the ride cost. We reached the airport without mishap, and no one fell off, although I don't think any of us was in much of a hurry to try that again soon.:no Aside from there being no air conditioning in the terminal, and all the fans were broken, and our American Eagle plane was two hours late in arriving so we had to sit in that sweltering terminal for 6 hours, we had no further problems. Yessir, the trip of a lifetime! And if we never have another one like it, it will be too soon. I think we will go back, however. There is too much that we missed, and I am sure we will have better luck next time. Maybe late April or so? We will see. Woody

 

[WOODMAN]

I just received an E-mail from Explorer Ventures, and once again, they have shown themselves to be the class act in this industry. Clay McCardell, the president (and owner, I think) has offered everyone who was on this washed out voyage another make-up trip, free of charge, on the same boat, and to be taken before the end of 2008. I can't imagine a fairer response to the situation, and will be most definitely taking him up on his most generous offer. We will be returning to the southern Bahamas and the Caribbean Explorer I, and hope to see Captain John Franks and all the rest of the gang again as soon as we can swing it. Now all I have to do is set it all up once again.:25: Maybe late April or early May this time? Woody

 

[BTravlin]

I must say that you took this a lot better than I probably would have. Glad to hear Explorer is taking care of you. Hope your makeup trip is top notch!

 

[NTSilver]

Woody
Sorry to hear your trip was rained out. We were on CEXII in early October and had great weather. It's great that you get another trip.

 

[under water]

Your next trip might have better weather and better diving, but I bet you will remember this trip longer and get more "stories" out of it. There is something about those "out of the ordinary" trips that create the best memories.
Good to hear that Explorer is providing the free dive option.

 

[tstormdiver]

I just received an E-mail from Explorer Ventures, and once again, they have shown themselves to be the class act in this industry. Clay McCardell, the president (and owner, I think) has offered everyone who was on this washed out voyage another make-up trip, free of charge, on the same boat, and to be taken before the end of 2008. I can't imagine a fairer response to the situation, and will be most definitely taking him up on his most generous offer. We will be returning to the southern Bahamas and the Caribbean Explorer I, and hope to see Captain John Franks and all the rest of the gang again as soon as we can swing it. Now all I have to do is set it all up once again.:25: Maybe late April or early May this time? Woody

A buddy & I were on the CEXI last May. We had a great time, even with a few storms showers around. We were able to get in all our dives & saw lots of really cool stuff. We had a couple on our trip who said that they had tried to go on a previous trip on the CEXI, but couldn't due to mechanical issues on the boat. The company put the passengers up in a 5 star all- inclusive resort with priority on the resort's diving trips plus a make- up trip on the CEXI. To me that's customer service! From all that I have heard & experienced, I would give Explorer Ventures 2 thumbs up on their service & wanting to keep their guests happy.