Western Carribean Cruise

[Ronniemu]

During the beginning of February I will be going on 7 day cruise to the Western Carribean aboard the Star Princess. Two of the ports that are will be visiting are Cozumel and the Grand Cayman. I am a new diver and have just recently been certified. Including my open water dives for certification I have only made about seven dives. There are some excursions for diving that I want to make. In Cozumel they have a two tank dives and both are drift dives. One, a maximum depth of 70 feet and the other a shallow reef dive. At the Grand Cayman there is a certified reef dive (on this dive they say for the experienced diver). The only thing they request for all dives is a open water C-card. No advanced courses are needed.

My questions are:

1) What is a drift dive?

2) If anyone is familiar with these dives, would these dives be within my experience?

3) If you made these dives before, can you give me some information about them?


The dives are given by "New Waves".


Thanks, Ronnie

 

[Vtdiver2]

During the beginning of February I will be going on 7 day cruise to the Western Carribean aboard the Star Princess. Two of the ports that are will be visiting are Cozumel and the Grand Cayman. I am a new diver and have just recently been certified. Including my open water dives for certification I have only made about seven dives. There are some excursions for diving that I want to make. In Cozumel they have a two tank dives and both are drift dives. One, a maximum depth of 70 feet and the other a shallow reef dive. At the Grand Cayman there is a certified reef dive (on this dive they say for the experienced diver). The only thing they request for all dives is a open water C-card. No advanced courses are needed.

My questions are:

1) What is a drift dive?

2) If anyone is familiar with these dives, would these dives be within my experience?

3) If you made these dives before, can you give me some information about them?


The dives are given by "New Waves".


Thanks, Ronnie

I have dove both spots you mention. I did them on a Carnival Cruise a couple of years ago.
A drift dive is when the boat drops you off at one spot and pick you up at another where the currents take you. It is "the norm" in Coz. When I did it, we were paired up, but still dove in a group of 6 plus the DM. We ended up about a half mile from where we started and the boat was there when we came up. There was also about 6 other boats from other charters, so getting "lost" would be hard. These dives would be considered novice dives, with the exception of the current and if you have your bouynacy down, should have no problem.
What are you taking for gear? Cabin space is tight on a cruise ship, if you can, get a room with a balcony so you can dry your gear without stinking up the cabin. Enjoy your trip.
C-Dawg