Princess Cruise in Oct.

[Chrissie]

I am taking a 10-Day Princess Cruise at the end of October. My husband and I are new to SCUBA (we are just beginning to take NAUI lessons). We are planning on doing the following excursions:

Cozumel - Dolphin Swim & Snorkel
Grand Cayman - Certified Scuba at Stingray City
Ocho Rios - Horseback Riding
St. Thomas - Certified Scuba - I am not sure where as it says sites are chosen daily
St. Maarten - Cerified Scuba - Again, not sure where as they choose daily. Although they mention Proselyte Reef

Any comments or suggestions? Does anyone know what dive shops Princess uses at these ports?

Any advice would be definitely appreciated!!

Thanks!
Chrissie
(currently in Maine where the ocean is starting to get COLD!

 

[ScubaDobe]

I haved used Princess, but I can respond using my experiences on Norwegian.

Stingray City - a once in a life time experience, but be prepared for a stingray hickee or two - they are like a Hoover vaccuum.

Personally, I would skip the dive at St. Thomas if it's the "Captains Choice" dive excursion. They herd tons of divers like cattle onto the dive boat and they are timed dives regardless of air consumption. It is a business here, not enjoyment. The dives were fine, but you don't get your money's worth in my humble opinion.

My only dive in St. Maarten was after a storm and I couln't see crap, but I've heard it's great diving.

I personally would replace the dives in St. Thomas with diving in Cozumel. It is AWESOME diving there. A word of advice, as a newbie. The dives in Cozumel are drift dives. I had never experienced this before jumping in the water there. It is very relaxing. You jump in at one end of thee reef or wall and drift with the current until you've used your pre-determined air limit and the boat will pick you up at the other end. You don't need to fear "Captain's Choice" in Cozumel because the diving is awesome. If Princess does not have a dive offered here, message me and I'll give you the name of a place you can pre-arrange it independent of the cruise ship and they'll take care of you.

The only other piece of advice I have is watch the weather in the islands you plan on diving two weeks prior to your arrival date. If a big storm or hurricane passes through it really will stir things up and you might want to save your money for the next trip south.

PS - Born and raised in Maine...nice to meet you!