YYJValerie

Is the ferry still running to Caye Caulker.  And are there any dive operators left over there?  So would it be feasible to take the ferry over, dive there, then come back?  Perhaps the more important question to ask is how dependable are the ferries?  Or would it be better / more reliable to take the puddle jumpers flight from Belize City  to ambergris to dive?

Hi hisfirstm8 -- we're from Amelia Island! 🙂. We've done this trip before and will be returning in December.  If you like to be in the water, Sea Sports Belize does a great job and has a trip that will take you to Hol Chan Shark Ray Alley -- sounds a lot like the trip mentioned above, but Sea Sports is independent.  Their office is an easy walk from the cruise dock.  The snorkeling there is easy  -- and snorkeling with the nurse sharks, rays and turtles in an amazing experience if you've never done it before.  The Hol Chan trip includes a stop on Cay Caulker.  It's a fun stop for a drink -- go to the Split -- just ask - you can't miss it.

Forgot to mention Sea Sports Belize out of Belize City -- easy walk from the cruise port,  They have a couple of snorkeling options -- one out to the barrier reef and one to Hol Chan Shark Ray Alley with a stop at Caye Caulker.  They do a lot of cruise ship business and do a good job.

We've done this port many times.  Either take the puddle jumper flight to Ambergris or the ferry to Caye Caulker.  I've read that the flights have been less than reliable lately, so I'd probably opt for the ferry to Caulker.  Easy to get a boat /dive company out to the reef when you get there -- amazing snorkeling.  Then hang out at the Split until it's time to take the ferry back.

DO NOT book with these people unless you have a big group!!!! They will bump you!!!

I booked a package back on November 8 for a day of diving & snorkeling with lunch at the resort included as an excursion on our mid-January cruise. This was to be the highlight of our 20th Anniversary cruise. St Lucia is a bucket list destination for me and (after much research) I chose this itinerary for this specific excursion. Then Scuba St Lucia ruined our trip! They contacted me today and said we were being bumped because a large group booked and there was no longer room for us. Seriously????

While I appreciate the fact that they at least did not leave us stranded on the cruise ship pier with no pick up. They also offered no assistance booking elsewhere -- that would have a least softened the blow. We didn't get so much as a suggestion for another operator other than "there are a lot of dive operators on the pier, you can just find one when you get there." Really????!!!! And I'm sorry, but I should have at least been warned that if they had a larger group they would bump us. No such warning at all. Awful, horrible customer service!!!!!

We usually use cruises to check out various destinations then book week trips back to the ports to dive at locations we enjoyed -- usually with the same dive operator we used on the cruise. No way on earth I would book with these people again!!!!!! It's a shame as their reviews are good… but that is just NOT how you treat people!!!!!

Any idea what it would cost to just hire a taxi driver for a day to take us wherever?

Hello - DW and I just finished OW certification and are excited for some "real" diving next month on Liberty of the Seas. (We only hit 30 ft on our cert dives, but we went to 70 ft on a discover scuba dive in Hawaii a few years ago and didn't have any issues. Overall we're very comfortable in the water.) Our itinerary will take us to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. We're planning to dive Cayman, Roatan, and Cozumel, so I've been researching options and providers.

 

My first question: did we choose the right 3 diving ports? We'll be with non-diving friends so would prefer to dive only 3 of the 5 stops.

 

Next, I need some advice on Cayman. We've snorkeled w/ stingrays a couple of times. I understand the Kittiwake is a great dive, but being new perhaps a shore dive would be a better way to start off. Between Eden Rock and Sunset House I'm sold on Sunset for fewer crowds and convenience. What about Lighthouse Point / divetech though? How does it compare to Sunset? No reason to go further down the road if Sunset is everything we need, but it seems that they cater to hotel-guest divers more. For first-timers would you recommend a guide for the first dive? If so, after one guided dive do you think we'd feel comfortable doing the second dive on our own?

 

Any input on Roatan / Cozumel would be great too! I'm planning to contact West End Divers in Roatan. I haven't heard back from Scuba with Alison in Cozumel yet, so I may need to contact Aldora. Any other tips?

 

Thanks!

You have absolutely picked the best dive spots. We've done all of these ports several times. My husband is an avid diver while I enjoy snorkeling and free diving.

Just for the record - Eden Rock in Grand Cayman is one of our favorite spots. And it has never been horribly crowded when we go. The will send a dive master / guide out with divers. We have never made reservations beforehand. Just get off the ship and go there first. Sometimes we dive right away, sometimes we drop of gear and make an appointment for later. Never had a problem. Hubby has gotten some fantastic underwater shots there. The fun thing is your non-diving friends can snorkel out and follow you out to the reef. Of course they'll lose you as you go deeper and through some of the rock formations, but the reef is beautiful on the top and offers plenty for snorkelers to look at too.

Hubby dives with Coconut Tree in Roatan -- loves them and has fantastic dives with them. They do not contract through the ships, but often take divers from the ships and are very sensitive to your schedule.

your husband will love to scuba in St. Lucia. We had our honeymoon there and dove every day; it is my favorite island and looking forward to return if even for a day.

 

Fair winds and following seas

Who did you dive with on St. Lucia? Do you know if there is anyone who will take a snorkeler along with a diver?

You have plenty of time now

Generally, Carnival tells you to be back 30 minutes prior for docked ports and the last tender is usually scheduled 1 hour prior for tendered ports. Belize is a tender port.

This was the information I was looking for! Thanks!

What makes a bigger difference than that is when you are going (due to DST) and where you are sailing from.

Dec 1 out of Tampa

I'm booked on another Carnival cruise after a couple of years away... seem to remember that the time we had to be back on board was always an hour earlier than published online when we booked the cruise. For example.. the itinerary states we are to be in Belize from 9-5. Is it safe to assume that we will have to be back on board at 4:00 (or 3:00 Belize time)? This makes a big difference when booking private tours outside of Carnival!!

Thanks!