Royal Caribbean Cruise to Aruba, Curacao

[get_tanked]

Hi - My wife and I are currently looking into a cruise on Adventure of the Seas this August. The itenerary includes Aruba, Curacao, St. Maartin, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico. I probably won't get to dive on every island, but so I'm wondering if anyone can tell me which of these islands would be the best ones to dive?

Also, I'm looking for anyone with experience/opinions of either the dive operations that Royal Caribbean uses on Aruba and Curacao, or any recommended independent dive operations. Thanks!

 

[crpntr133]

I dove Aruba last year an loved it. I have heard that Curacao diving is ok compaired to Aruba.
As for Dive ops on Aruba, either Dive Aruba, they have a web site..divearuba.com. or Pelican. I think most on the board will agree with the dive op suggestions. You might also want to book your own dives, they should be cheaper.

 

[diveborg]

In my opinion, here is how I would rate these islands.

1. Cuarcao. I've done that itinerary and Curacao was hands down the best diving. I went with http://www.caribseasports.com/ and give them my recommendation. Nice people, nice boat.
   
2. Aruba, The sites I went to were not nearly as healthy as the sites in Curacao, still there are probably some good sites, if you don't go with the ships operator. They use Redsail, mooooo. They stick to a schedule, if it is Tuesday, we dive Harbor Reef / Pilot Boat, and they also limit bottom times so they can stay on schedule. I though the wreck of the Antilla was way over rated.
   
3. St. Thomas. I did a shore dive from Coki Beach which was nice and inexpensive plus it allowed me to go with my non-diving family. www.cokidive.com I think there are better sites if you do a boat dive. I'd check with Chris Sawyer diving or Admiralty diving.
   
4. St. Maarten. I probably wouldn't dive here again, and if I did I wouldn't go unless the ocean was dead flat calm, and even then, I wouldn't expect much. Orient beach would be more entertaining.

I would make my own arrangements. I was not worried about getting back to the ship on time. Dives are in the morning and you are usually back by 1:00 pm. I won't think anything less of you if you do go with the ship's excursions. They are geared toward the once-a-year cruise diver who wants/needs a little more supervision than I want.

Hope this helps,
Bruce

 

[deepstops]

But then again, I stopped in Aruba on Brilliance of the Seas in early December and Red Sail ran three of us out and I had a great experience.

 

[doole]

I once went diving from a cruise. We stopped somewhere in Bermuda and took our gear bags to the dock, found a phone and from there located a taxi and a dive shop. Went to the dive shop which was just a little dingy but worked, packed our gear into it and set sail. The dive site?

Not too bad but 300 yards from where the cruise boat was moored!

 

[diveborg]

But then again, I stopped in Aruba on Brilliance of the Seas in early December and Red Sail ran three of us out and I had a great experience.

Glad that you had a good experience. I didn't know that they ran smaller groups too. I have seen their large boats out and they looked pretty crowded. I never fault someone for taking the ship's excursion.

 

[skogler]

I am going on the Adventure of the Sea in June. We stop at St. Lucia, Barbados, and Antigua, along with St. Thomas and St. Maarten. I have been to Coki Beach a few years ago. There are two reefs. It is a shore dive to about 40ft. Easy, inexpensive, and good with non divers. They pick you up at the cruise dock and you catch a cab back to the ship. I may do it again in June. Two dives are around $60 if you want a guide. Otherwise even less without.

Scott

 

[DiverG]

Hi - My wife and I are currently looking into a cruise on Adventure of the Seas this August. The itenerary includes Aruba, Curacao, St. Maartin, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico. I probably won't get to dive on every island, but so I'm wondering if anyone can tell me which of these islands would be the best ones to dive?

Also, I'm looking for anyone with experience/opinions of either the dive operations that Royal Caribbean uses on Aruba and Curacao, or any recommended independent dive operations. Thanks!

I did that trip a couple years ago as a group trip. I don't remeber which dive ops we used in each port as the group leader made arrangements seperate of the ship.

The one thing I don't like about diving on a cruise is that most of the time you do not have much of an opportunity to explore the islands and do diving. Aruba is the exception for Royal Caribbean because you pull into port in the morning and don't leave till about 1AM. Had a great time diving, and doing a sunset sail.

If you do not dive in St Maarten, and you like sailing I would recommend doing the 12 meter challenge shore excursion. You get to race 12 meter Ex America's Cup yachts., I had a blast, and was the highlight of my trip.

Whatever you do you'll have a great time.

 

[michaelaz]

In curacao look up sunset divers ,look up Mike or Steve , both great guys, steve is a master instructor.

 

[mike_s]

Diving Aruba was good, but not as great as some other locations.

Dive the Antilla while there. It's a 400+ foot german freighter sunk in about 55 feet of water during WWII.

I used Pelican and they were very good, but I've heard good things about Dive Aruba and Unique as well.