I swear I'm reading archives, but...

[freeda76]

Hiya. I'm PADI Open Water Certified in Michigan but relatively inexperienced. I'm looking for the longest dives, shortest transport required, with operators that will keep an eye on me. I especially like anything with promise of big critters like sharks and dolphins, etc.

 

4 stop Carnival cruise in November:

 

Cozumel

Belize

Mahogany Bay

Grand Cayman

 

Specific provider names are appreciated very much!

 

Now, back to the archives...

[Capt_BJ]

I'm PADI Open Water Certified in Michigan but relatively inexperienced

 

meaning you have never done a really open water dive?

 

I recommend you stick with the cruise excursions ... they are used to novices. Let them know you are a newbie

 

I'll not give you 'roll you own' references because it does not sound like you are ready for them. No disrespect intended but people book private trips because they want to go outside the lines of a standard tour. You do not sound like you are there yet.

 

I'll give you one hint. Consider a shore dive (or two) at Sunset House on Cayman ... contact the dive shop e-mail (see web page) and you can have an escorted dive. Most Cayman 2 tank trips start with a DEEP wall dive ... unless I'm mis-readin g you a 100 foot dive may not be a good thing for you yet.

 

This is all meant in the spirit of be safe and have fun ..

 

dd and I about to drop for a night dive, Sunset House, March 13

 

[freeda76]

I'm PADI Open Water Certified in Michigan but relatively inexperienced

 

meaning you have never done a really open water dive?

 

I recommend you stick with the cruise excursions ... they are used to novices. Let them know you are a newbie

 

I'll not give you 'roll you own' references because it does not sound like you are ready for them. No disrespect intended but people book private trips because they want to go outside the lines of a standard tour. You do not sound like you are there yet.

 

I'll give you one hint. Consider a shore dive (or two) at Sunset House on Cayman ... contact the dive shop e-mail (see web page) and you can have an escorted dive. Most Cayman 2 tank trips start with a DEEP wall dive ... unless I'm mis-readin g you a 100 foot dive may not be a good thing for you yet.

 

This is all meant in the spirit of be safe and have fun ..

 

 

 

Well, our open water dives take place in Lake Michigan. Not ocean dives, but not small current free lakes, either. It's hard to really come up with any comparison, as the Great Lakes are their own special breed.

 

That said, fair enough! My goal is to be as safety conscious as possible and not overstep our skill level. I'm old enough that my ego isn't bigger than my brain these days, and no offense is taken by someone urging caution.

 

From everything I'm reading, the cruise providers are pretty hit or miss and their gear is junk. We're bringing some of our stuff with us but not everything.

[Capt_BJ]

From everything I'm reading, the cruise providers are pretty hit or miss and their gear is junk

 

I've read this too ... my 30+ years of diving the Carb' esp'ly from cruises does not find it to be true . . .

 

but I've been diving the Carib for over 30 years ... some from cruise excursions, some roll my own, some week long island stays, and some arranged by the port agent because I was the Ship's Captain and wanted to dive.

 

Cruise lines do NOT contract with companies that provide junk equipment or consistently get bad reviews from their pass'grs. This is why IMO in some ports you find no excursion altho others say 'great diving'. IMO, When a line discovers the contractor IS providing junk (which does happen on occasion) they are not the contractor for long.....

 

I HAVE seen junk equipment during roll my own dives in places where the cruise lines would not even set up a tour - fortunately I had my own stuff; all I bought was a tank and a boat ride. I often found myself diving in places I would not otherwise - but I had days to kill as R&R (better to dive then swill beer)

 

But I only speak from close to 40 years of experience diving in the Carib .. first in 1973 and as recently as a few weeks ago, and scheduled for some more next week.

 

I leave on a cruise in a few days and plan to dive with the line' provider .... I've been with them b4 and have no problems with them.

 

A diver with EXPERIENCE can choose a dive shop with some degree of confidence based on experience. A newbe depends on other's experience or stays with strong recommendations. I think a cruise line contract is a strong recommendation. You may not.

[freeda76]

Let's see, the cruise line offers this for scuba at my stops:

 

Cozumel

- 2 hour Beginner Scuba with classroom segment to cover basics. No depth specified.

- 4 hour Certified 2 tank dive through Sand Dollar, Santa Rosa Wall at 70 feet and San Clemente Reef at 35 feet per reviews on cruise site. Private divemaster available for $45 extra.

 

Belize

- 5 hour Turneffe Atoll with Hugh Parkey's. Reviews on cruise site say first dive is 80 feet, second is 50. Private divemaster available, cost not listed.

- No other scuba options

 

Roatan

- 4 hour Beginner Scuba with classroom segment to cover basics. 40 feet.

- 4 hour Certified 2 tank dive through Anthony's Key Resort. First dive, per reviews, is 79 feet, second dive is 63 feet. Private divemaster available, cost not listed.

 

Grand Cayman

- 3 hour Beginner Scuba with classroom segment to cover basics. 40 feet.

- 2 hour Certified Shore Dive around Casuarina Point Reef through Don Foster's. 50 feet.

- 4 hour Certified 2 tank dive through Don Foster's. Locations in reviews varied, but looks like 85 feet first dive, 50 or so second dive.

 

Thoughts?

[sparkinator]

I really liked Barefoot at Roatan. They were really attentive to my son and I. We were really novices when we went with them a couple of years ago. They had 2 DM that went with every group (when we went). One led, and the other followed just to ensure everything went OK.

 

Aldora in Cozumel was good diving as well, but a little less supervision. Edgar was our instructor, but we had 5 diving and with the current, he led the dive, but we were pretty much on our own. (Not a bad thing, just how it was). We weren't used to the current, and it was a bit over-whelming t new divers. We dove Santa Rosa wall as well. Aldora uses steel tanks, and you definitely get more bottom time with them.

 

I would use both again, without hesitation.

[Laurie S.]

For a new ocean diver I would recommend Dive With Allison in Cozumel, Seasports Belize in Belize, Eden Rock or Sunset House in Grand Cayman, and Barefoot Divers in Roatan. I dove as a new diver (seven dives) with the ship's excursion when I started out and I do not recommend it for beginners. You will not get the closer attention that you need at this point. I did the Don Foster's Dives for my 12th and 13th dives. They put more than 40 divers in the water at the same time. Even broken into two groups, it was way too many divers in the water. When I showed my card at the shop, the owner said we would be going to 80 feet. When I expressed my concern, he said you're certified, you can go that deep. I was not AOW at that time.

[skittl1321]

When I showed my card at the shop, the owner said we would be going to 80 feet. When I expressed my concern, he said you're certified, you can go that deep. I was not AOW at that time.

 

 

This was my concern with cruise ship dives- so many of them seemed to go beyond what I was comfortable with as a beginner. Cozumel the dive (Sand Dollar, I believe) often went to Santa Rosa wall, which is very intermediate; Roatan Anthony's Key said the first tank goes to 80 feet. As a beginner who has never been in true open water, just little lakes, I'm not ready for that.

 

Booking privately, I was able to 'interview' operators that would make sure the dive allowed me to stay above 60 feet. The cost was usually the same, but our group would have only 8 in the water.

 

I know those 'depths' are arbitrary, and I really don't care about 63 feet vs 59 feet for my imaginary line; but the 20 foot difference to 80 feet is big. I feel much more comfortable diving with someone who is going to respect the idea that a beginner might not be ready for that.

 

If the private operator doesn't want a beginner, well, I was very upfront, and they can turn me down!

[BillOh]

I recommend you stick with the cruise excursions ... they are used to novices. Let them know you are a newbie

 

There is probably merit to that, but I wouldn't go absolute on that statement. I dove with a cruise line (RC) sponsored dive in St Thomas and wasn't that impressed with them and then 2 years later went with Blue Island Divers in St Thomas hired privately. My correspondance with them prior to my dive made me comfortable and it ended up being the DM and 3 relatively new divers. They good us to a suitable location and we had a great time (I didn't know the other two)

[freeda76]

That was part of my concern with doing the cruise dives, is that the depths seem high and the supervision seems low. I thought that by hiring privately that I could ensure more supervision and allow for my present ability level.

 

I have emailed with Alison, and she has no openings on our Cozumel day.

 

The alternative would seem to be using the cruise providers but paying extra for the personal dive master.

 

If I'm sticking to 60 feet, are any of these locations not worth the dive? Will there still be interesting things to look at from 0-60 or does all the good stuff start at 80?

[FlightMedic555]

I am sure that for all of your dives you will be with the divemaster and you will have to dive as a group. What this means is that when one person gets below the defined minimum quantity of air remaining all will surface. This will usually mean about 45 minutes underwater, give or take 5 minutes.

[Laurie S.]

In Cozumel, also check with Dive with Martin, Aldora, Blue XTSea, and Opal's Dream. I've dived with the last two, and was very happy. From what I've heard, I believe Dive With Martin is the most suitable for a new diver.

[Laurie S.]

Forgot to answer the rest of your question, yes, all four of the places have beautiful things to see at less than 60 feet depth.

[Laurie S.]

This was my concern with cruise ship dives- so many of them seemed to go beyond what I was comfortable with as a beginner. Cozumel the dive (Sand Dollar, I believe) often went to Santa Rosa wall, which is very intermediate; Roatan Anthony's Key said the first tank goes to 80 feet. As a beginner who has never been in true open water, just little lakes, I'm not ready for that.

 

Booking privately, I was able to 'interview' operators that would make sure the dive allowed me to stay above 60 feet. The cost was usually the same, but our group would have only 8 in the water.

 

I know those 'depths' are arbitrary, and I really don't care about 63 feet vs 59 feet for my imaginary line; but the 20 foot difference to 80 feet is big. I feel much more comfortable diving with someone who is going to respect the idea that a beginner might not be ready for that.

 

If the private operator doesn't want a beginner, well, I was very upfront, and they can turn me down!

 

 

Also, after that conversation at the shop, on the first dive, I ended up going to 82 feet on my own. :D I was sitting waiting for the mass of divers to go through a one-at-time swimthrough and saw that I was at about 78 feet. I wanted to break 80 since I was so close, so I dropped down a bit. There was no DM with us as we were waiting to go through that swimthrough, btw.

[freeda76]

And I forgot to say thank you to everyone for your thoughts so far!

[Lefty Writer]

I'd like to suggest Chucho Divers for Cozumel. We used him this last April and loved his service. We've used Scuba with Alison before, and are booked with her in December. Chucho and Alison both operate out of Caleta Marina, which is a very short and inexpensive cab ride from the cruise terminal. Chucho will tailor the dives to fit your skill level.

For Grand Cayman, we used Cayman Turtle Divers and have booked with them again as well. They are a small operation, and will pick you up right outside the cruise terminal. JT, the manager, is very good at returning e-mails in a timely manner. They will also tailor your dives to your skill level.

[freeda76]

I'd like to suggest Chucho Divers for Cozumel. We used him this last April and loved his service. We've used Scuba with Alison before, and are booked with her in December. Chucho and Alison both operate out of Caleta Marina, which is a very short and inexpensive cab ride from the cruise terminal. Chucho will tailor the dives to fit your skill level.

For Grand Cayman, we used Cayman Turtle Divers and have booked with them again as well. They are a small operation, and will pick you up right outside the cruise terminal. JT, the manager, is very good at returning e-mails in a timely manner. They will also tailor your dives to your skill level.

 

Alison's all booked up that day, but I have an email in to Chucho and am just about to email Cayman turtle divers! Thanks so much for the suggestions.

[freeda76]

Alison's all booked up that day, but I have an email in to Chucho and am just about to email Cayman turtle divers! Thanks so much for the suggestions.

 

Talked to Cindy at Chucho's. Private boat $200, plus $40 for gear/tanks, and they'll tailor it to us. Sold! Thanks again for the suggestion!

[Laurie S.]

Sounds like a great deal, enjoy! :)

[Lefty Writer]

Talked to Cindy at Chucho's. Private boat $200, plus $40 for gear/tanks, and they'll tailor it to us. Sold! Thanks again for the suggestion!

 

Glad to help.

I just noticed your dates. May I ask which ship and sail date? The reason is my wife and I are booked on the Carnival Liberty, sailing 11/30, with that same itinerary.

[freeda76]

Glad to help.

I just noticed your dates. May I ask which ship and sail date? The reason is my wife and I are booked on the Carnival Liberty, sailing 11/30, with that same itinerary.

 

Carnival Legend, on Nov 3. :)

[Lefty Writer]

Oh, yeah.....

We booked with Sea Sports Belize in, well, Belize and Subway Watersports in Roatan.

This will be our first experience with either of these dive ops, so I can't comment on their operations. The booking process was quick and easy, though.

Subway Watersports offers 100 cf tanks at no extra charge, so that's a nice bonus.