Trip Report - Diving on Grand Princess Cruise

[Daylonious]

Well, I was a little disappointed in the cruise - all retirees and the like. (There's only so much ceramic painting and gemstone looking I can handle in a week). It rained every day. As a single guy my only two choices for female companionship on the boat were 3 or 80 years of age - both in diapers.

Cruise sailed from Galveston and went to Majahual, Belize City, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel.

NOW, as far as the diving goes -

Majahual - diving was so/so.. any dive beats a day workin as they say, so we did two dives roughly 60feet on a couple of reefs for 45min a piece - not too much fish activity, and I had to wait for the three newbies on the boat to finish vomiting before I could get into the water (they made us all backroll at the same time as a group - kinda annoying when you're all suited up and hot and just want to get in the water) - We dove with Dreamtime Diving - ship charged $150 for a two tanker, I think DT normally charges $70 or so. Still it was great to be in the sun and the viz was great with no current.

Belize - I've been to Ambergris Caye before, so I know the fish activity in Belize is fantastic. We dove Turneffe Atoll....Did two coral walls, 75ft - saw the biggest nurse shark of my life (about 7 feet, head was about 3 feet wide) - so that was cool. (Again, cruise ship charged us $150). Dive was with Hugh Parkey's Dive Connection - first time I've ever had a guy actually put on my fins for me (on the dive platform before doing a giant stride off the boat). They also had fresh fruit and drinks and stuff on the boat, a real 1st class operation. It was overcast so it was a little dark when we were doing the wall, but again the nurse shark made it all worthwhile.

We diverted from Grand Cayman and instead went to Playa del Carmen (which I'm still not very happy about) - BUT I did get dive the Cenote Dos Ojos - now THAT was amazing. It was like diving in Carlsbad Caverns - water was 300ft + vis - it was magical. - Two tanks were $90 for a full cave diver to lead you through. It turned out to be only me and the DM, so it was like a private tour - I still can't get over how clear that water is. ( $35 each way for the taxi ride to Hidden World from downtown Playa) The cruise ship didn't offer any diving, so I had to scramble to get some in. I first went to Tank Ha, and the morning boat had already left. However Desiree called Hidden World and setup my two tanker for me - she was really great helping me out like that.

Cozumel - Naturally the best dive was on the last day. I did 3 tanks with Dive with Martin - 100, 100, and 65ft. Saw my first octopus, my first fireworm, got some great nurse shark and turtle shots. It was my first time diving in Coz, so my first drift dive was an experience. We did two tanks on the north side (San Juan) and the current was ripping. I think that's as close to flying as you get. The third tank we did at Playancar (I *think*) All three tanks (setup on my own, not the cruise ship) was $80.

I'm scanning some of the better pictures that came out, and I'll post them up later on this afternoon.

**sorry about the pic quality, I scanned em in and color corrected best I could. I was shooting film and I'm still VERY much a novice photographer***

 

[billeelou]

Thanks for the report. I am doing the same cruise tomorrow, but have signed with Maya Palms in Majahual and trying for Seasports in Belize if the French Canadiens signed up will let me tagg along and then SEALIFE in PDC and of course Dive With Martin in Coz,,,,will let you know how I fared....thanks again

 

[joemdiver]

Thanks for the great info. Going on my first cruise - dive trip myself in March. I'm not too worried about the action on board though. I'll be with family. My dive buddy for the trip is my newly certified 12 year old son.

Real good to hear another good review of Hugh Parkey's. We'll be using them in Belize and NCL charges $140 so not much different. I did get to talk with one of the dive masters a couple of weeks ago at a "Exotic Travel Show" here in Chicago. I was very impressed with them. I'll be sure to post a review when I get back.

 

[mostlyirish]

Thanks for the report. Appreciate your insight.

 

[Daylonious]

Oh and if anyone can ID my "vampire fish" in my pics that would be a big help. thanks!

D.

billeelou - can't say enough good things about Hugh Parkeys - they had fresh melon and plenty of softdrinks/water on board for everyone. And no lie, they have a guy that *puts your fins on for you* before you giant stride off the boat.

The only downside to their operation is we had about 22 people on the boat, in groups of 4. I was in group 4, and we had to wait TIL GROUPS 1-3 GOT IN THE WATER and down before we could make our entrance all together.

It's a minor nitpick to be sure, I just like to jump in, dive my profile, and come back. I did a LOT of waiting on these dive trips.

 

[ward]

Thanks D!
Looking forward to the cenotes when I visit next month, will try and get to Dos Ojos for sure (still deliberating on whether to choose Majahual or Tulum as a base - luckily I'll have a car ;-)).

 

[Scuba Jerm]

Sounded like a lot of fun diving.... sorry to hear about the boring cruise part,

I've heard alot of good things about Cozumel and I cannot wait to see what it's like. Thanks for the report, it was very detailed.

 

[Vtdiver2]

When you dove Belize with Hugh Parkey's, your DM wasn't named Elvis was he? I dove with them 2 years ago. Like you said, first class Operation. I want to go back and do it again.
C-Dawg

 

[Daylonious]

We had a Jesus, but not an Elvis... ;-)

D.

 

[scubaPT]

Dove with Hugh Parkeys in May 2004 with Elvis as DM. That guy really knew his fish ID. Would love to get back there sometime.