Anyone know the name of the dive operator that runs the excursion for the Princess belize dives? Interested in info what folks thought of them. Thanks.
Princess Belize Dive Op
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scuba jeff
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carlislere:
I am 99% sure it is Hugh Parkey's. Here is there web site: http://www.belizediving.com/
Contact them and they will let you know if they have the contract for Princess.
I am diving with them in 3 weeks, so I cannot give a review yet.
Corigan
Contributor
scuba jeff:
I dove with Hugh Parkey's off of NCL. Great Op. Had about 20 divers or so onboard, but it was no problem for the 48' boat they were using. I didn't feel crammed in the least. Had plenty of nice cold sodas and drinks, as well as plenty of fruit and such for the SI. They do a good job of breaking down the boat into groups based on experience level. Each group is only 4-5 people and led by a DM. All groups go different directions on the reefs so you don't even feel crammed. I had 2 dives at the turnaffee atoll, Jo Jo's Split and Lee Ellen's Mellons. Both were really cool, but Lee Ellen's Mellons was definately the better dive for cool reef life. It was really nice we basically just paired off with buddies and took a guided tour. The DM's were top notch as well writing down ID's of corals/fish. They also had tons of different hand signals for all the various reef life they were pointing out. When I go back to belize for a nice vacation I am definately going to be diving with Hugh Parkey's.
Matt
scuba jeff
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Matt,
Did you see much Sealife when diving the Turneffe Atoll?
Also, with Hugh Parkey's, do they allow you to stay down until you are low or does everyone in your group surface at the same time? Thanks!
Did you see much Sealife when diving the Turneffe Atoll?
Also, with Hugh Parkey's, do they allow you to stay down until you are low or does everyone in your group surface at the same time? Thanks!
Corigan
Contributor
Plenty of Sealife. Sea Cucumbers, Conch's, Cleaner Shrimp, Spiny Lobsters, Groupers, Big Ray's, Pair of Barracudas, Some Angels, Etc. Tons of Barrel Sponges. Some bottlenose dolphins followed us on the surface two/from the atoll when passing through lagoons.scuba jeff:
That is another good thing about this operation. To answer your question, no everyone was not forced to ascend at the same time. The DM would check air consumption periodically. When you got low on air, usually someone else in the group was low right there along with you. The DM would have the two divers that were at their rock bottom pair up and go do your safety stop on one of the many lines they had down. The DM would keep guiding the tour for the divers who still had air. Was very cool, they didn't treat you like you were on a Cattle boat. They let you pretty much do what you wanted to with your group and showed you the sites like a good DM should. I really liked my DM too, he was a pretty cool guy. His name is Myron, if you get to dive with him you will not regret it. He asked me if I was a tech diver.
I said no, I'm a new recreational diver and his response was.. "You look like a tech diver." I just laughed. I guess he liked my Rig. I got to dive with a scubaboarder too in my group so it was real cool. JustVincent was on the cruise/charter we were on and he got put in my group. Hope you had as much fun as I did Vince. I'm sure you'll have a great time Jeff. These guys were a class act. They ran there ship very tightly and definately know how to group divers properly. The advanced divers on the boat definately were grouped up and dove a completely different profile than the new divers did. They didn't bother you by wanting to setup your gear, but would help you if you wanted it. The cruise ship I was on had to anchor and tender into belize. The dive op picked us up right at the gangway on the cruise ship and we hauled out to their dive-op out near the atolls. This is for the people who need rental gear to get what they need and then buzz on out to the atolls. Turnaffee was great, I only saw one other dive boat the whole time I was out there. Beautiful reefs, warm water, nice viz, and beautiful islands. I would love to just stay out on the Atoll for a nice 8 day vacation.. Matt
OP
This is outstanding! Thanks for the info, guys.
scuba jeff
Registered
carlislere:
Matt,
One last question. What NCL boat were you on. I will be on the NCL Sea in 3 weeks. I am looking forward to diving in Cozumel, Belize, and Roatan. I am guessing you were on the NCL Sun or the NCL Sea. What other dives/dive ops did you use?
I am using Eagle Ray Divers in Cozumel and Subway Watersports in Roatan.
Corigan
Contributor
scuba jeff:
I was on the NCL Dream out of New Orleans. I just used AKR in Roatan. Pretty decent op, but from the sounds of it I would have rather used Subway Watersports. Never used Subway, but AKR just herded all the divers together and chucked them in the water as a big grip and did a huge cattle tour. From all the reviews I have read here, Subway is the place to go in Roatan. I was with my Girlfriend and so I didn't do much diving on the cruise except in Belize and Roatan. The Reefs were amazing in Roatan. Jan 2006 I'm going to be on adventurer of the sea out of San Juan. Looking forward to that trip.
Matt
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carlislere:
Unless it's changed, the Dive Op. is Hugh Parkey, and they're excellent.
I have a couple of excellent dives with them, and wished I could have stayed longer.
The boat and rental equipment are maintained in first-class shape, and the guys on the boat run the whole operation on a carefully created plan.
I'd dive with them any time.
Terry
alanconstant
Registered
We were on the Grand Princess out of Galveston in November (I assume that's your ship). Hugh Parkey is a very professional operation; the 23 divers on our boat were all well taken care of. N.B. The ship is often late into port; the second dive turned into a night dive and we did not bring our lights.
More on our cruise:
We took the #1 bus to Dive Tech for some decent and inexpensive shore diving.
Alison Denis accomodated us despite the late port call in Coz; She moved her a.m. boat to 11 a.m. and we had a great time. She is great!
Costa Maya: Tanya at Blue Ha was very good, but I thought the vis, reef health, and fish life were just okay.
More on our cruise:
We took the #1 bus to Dive Tech for some decent and inexpensive shore diving.
Alison Denis accomodated us despite the late port call in Coz; She moved her a.m. boat to 11 a.m. and we had a great time. She is great!
Costa Maya: Tanya at Blue Ha was very good, but I thought the vis, reef health, and fish life were just okay.
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