Buddy Wanted: Dec 1st Cayman: Dec 2nd Cozumel

[Searanger]

Sailing on the HAL Westerdam and in these ports on the days noted. Prefer to find an independant dive operator (maybe shore dive Cayman) Since there are 9 ships in Cayman and 6 in Cozumel there must be someone looking as well. Unfortunately, HAL does not recognise that some people do indeed have their own equipment. All HAL's shore excursions are overpriced with equipment included and have placed a number of restrictions on their operators, such as depth and time. Not very exciting for experienced divers.

 

Look forward to hearing from fellow divers visiting these ports on Dec 1 and 2.

[bruce-r]

In my opinion, you won't need a buddy in Cozumel. Even though you are "supposed" to have a buddy there, in reality most of the dives are pretty much group dives. The current keeps everyone going in the same direction, so you don't really have the chance to swim off on your own. Also, if you make your own arrangements and go with one of the small boat operators, http://www.bluextseadiving.com would be my choice, you will either find a buddy or the DM will be your buddy. Some other operators to consider are http://www.divewithalison.com http://www.papahogs.com http://www.divewithmartin.com

 

In GCM, check http://www.neptunesdivers.com. I've gone out with them and you don't need a buddy to dive with them. They offer guided dives where whoever wants can just follow either Casey or Keith. If you shore dive in GCM, which can be quite good, then you will need a buddy as most dive ops there won't rent tanks/weights to a single diver. If You want the best shore dive in GCM, skip the Eden Rock site as it get lots of diving pressure from lesser experienced divers. Check out the turtle farm site by the http://www.divetech.com dive shop. You will need to take a taxi there, but it is probably worth the extra effort. You can also go on a guided shore dive there, but that will cost more.

 

Finally, check the roll call section of CC for both your sailing and those of the other ships in port with you, especially GCM. When I stopped there on my last cruise, I ended up diving with someone I met online that was on a different ship.

 

According to http://www.caymanport.com/schedule.htm the ships in port with you at GCM are:

Rhapsody of The Seas

Westerdam

Jewel of the Seas

Radiance of the Seas

Carnival Valor

Star Princess

Sea Princess

Carnival Conquest

Holiday Dream

 

If you can find any of these in the roll call section, you can inquire there for dive buddies.

 

Hope this helps,

Bruce

[Searanger]

Thanks Bruce....Yea I know I don't need a buddy at either place. However, it does cut down on the transportation costs to get to and from the dive boat location if you split it. Thanks for your recommendations......Whatever I do, I won't be diving with the ship in these location...as long as I can work between the times. The only time I will have to dive with the ship is in Jamaica as the logistics are next to impossible on your own. In Cozumel HAL docks on the far pier and Dive with Martin's location is on the other pier....kind of hard to get to...unless you know a secret.

[pajoob]

Searanger, Wish I could be there to buddy up. Beatiful diving in Cozumel. We've used Eagle Ray Divers in Cozumel. Chellie & Antonio Castillanos are great. I've listed contact info below. have a great cruise and happy diving.

 

Pajoob from Little Rock

 

www.eagleraydivers.com

 

email: chellie@eagleraydivers.com

 

ph: (intl.code) 52-987-872-5735