Rare 20165 Posted July 26 #1 Share Posted July 26 Has anyone used the non cruise line excursion companies to book scuba on your cruise? We are doing a celebrity southern Caribbean cruise this November and there are no scuba excursions at any of the islands. there a couple of companies i found doing a google search, viator, cruise excursion group, but i wanted to see if anyone has had experience with either of those or another one we could use. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omeinv Posted July 26 #2 Share Posted July 26 @20165 Which ports are you visiting. Chances are I know a guy. Harris Denver, CO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 20165 Posted July 26 Author #3 Share Posted July 26 35 minutes ago, omeinv said: @20165 Which ports are you visiting. Chances are I know a guy. Harris Denver, CO Heres the itinerary and we are really ok with diving at any of the islands. I have looked up dive shops on a couple of the islands and there isnt a lot to choose from and the ones i have contacted havent responded so thats the reason i have been looking at shore excursion companies. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omeinv Posted July 26 #4 Share Posted July 26 28 minutes ago, 20165 said: @20165 Great, San Juan: Don't bother. The good diving in PR is nowhere near San Juan. St. Maarten, the diving is not the best in the Caribbean, but it's not bad. I use Dive Sint Maarten. They're at Bobbie's Marina, which is either a long walk, or short cab ride from the port. You can also take the water taxi, but make sure you tell them you want to go to Bobbie's Marina, as only the smaller boat goes there. (https://www.divesintmaarten.com/) Antigua: I've dove there, the diving is not close to St. John's where the ship ports. It's quite a hassle to get from the port to the diving, so I'd recommend something else in Antigua. Saint Lucia: Saint Lucia has very good diving at Anse Chastanet. It's also one of the easiest ports to arrange diving. Contact Eget and Donovan at Eastern Caribbean Diving. It's about a 30-40 minute boat trip from the port to the dive sites, but they pick you up immediately adjacent to the ship's pier (it depends which pier your ship docks at as to exactly how it happens, but your walk will be less than the length of the ship). An extra bonus is as you're going back and forth from the port to the dives sites you'll pass countless boats with the ship's tours on full of people who paid more than you did for diving, just the views you'll get on the trip. (https://www.easterncaribbeandivingstlucia.com/) Barbados: The diving is perhaps not as good as St. Lucia, but I always have a great time here. Peter Grannum, and now his son Brandon, make it diving with friends. They'll pick you up at the port gate and return you. If wreck diving is your thing, there are many good wreck dives here, with the Stavron Ikita being the jewel. During COVID Peter went to cash only, and as far as I know this is still the case, so plan accordingly. (https://divewestsidescuba.com/about-us) Dominica: Dominica isn't an easy place to arrange diving, as many operators went out of business due to a hurricane; then before any real recovery could take place, COVID happened. However, it's worth finding a way, as the diving is excellent. I'd suggest Nature Island Diving. Simon there may be able to set things up for you, including port pick-up and return. I'd suggest starting your efforts as soon as you can here, as they can be slow to respond. (https://natureislanddive.dm/) Harris Denver, CO 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 20165 Posted July 27 Author #5 Share Posted July 27 16 hours ago, omeinv said: @20165 Great, San Juan: Don't bother. The good diving in PR is nowhere near San Juan. St. Maarten, the diving is not the best in the Caribbean, but it's not bad. I use Dive Sint Maarten. They're at Bobbie's Marina, which is either a long walk, or short cab ride from the port. You can also take the water taxi, but make sure you tell them you want to go to Bobbie's Marina, as only the smaller boat goes there. (https://www.divesintmaarten.com/) Antigua: I've dove there, the diving is not close to St. John's where the ship ports. It's quite a hassle to get from the port to the diving, so I'd recommend something else in Antigua. Saint Lucia: Saint Lucia has very good diving at Anse Chastanet. It's also one of the easiest ports to arrange diving. Contact Eget and Donovan at Eastern Caribbean Diving. It's about a 30-40 minute boat trip from the port to the dive sites, but they pick you up immediately adjacent to the ship's pier (it depends which pier your ship docks at as to exactly how it happens, but your walk will be less than the length of the ship). An extra bonus is as you're going back and forth from the port to the dives sites you'll pass countless boats with the ship's tours on full of people who paid more than you did for diving, just the views you'll get on the trip. (https://www.easterncaribbeandivingstlucia.com/) Barbados: The diving is perhaps not as good as St. Lucia, but I always have a great time here. Peter Grannum, and now his son Brandon, make it diving with friends. They'll pick you up at the port gate and return you. If wreck diving is your thing, there are many good wreck dives here, with the Stavron Ikita being the jewel. During COVID Peter went to cash only, and as far as I know this is still the case, so plan accordingly. (https://divewestsidescuba.com/about-us) Dominica: Dominica isn't an easy place to arrange diving, as many operators went out of business due to a hurricane; then before any real recovery could take place, COVID happened. However, it's worth finding a way, as the diving is excellent. I'd suggest Nature Island Diving. Simon there may be able to set things up for you, including port pick-up and return. I'd suggest starting your efforts as soon as you can here, as they can be slow to respond. (https://natureislanddive.dm/) Harris Denver, CO That is awesome information, thank you so much. St Lucia and Barbados were the two we were leaning toward and your info confirms those choices. We have dove st maarten and to your point, good not great. we would love to do the wreck, but it looks a little deep for us. we're getting old... Nice shallow reef dives are more our speed these days. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 20165 Posted August 4 Author #6 Share Posted August 4 On 7/26/2024 at 4:24 PM, omeinv said: @20165 Great, San Juan: Don't bother. The good diving in PR is nowhere near San Juan. St. Maarten, the diving is not the best in the Caribbean, but it's not bad. I use Dive Sint Maarten. They're at Bobbie's Marina, which is either a long walk, or short cab ride from the port. You can also take the water taxi, but make sure you tell them you want to go to Bobbie's Marina, as only the smaller boat goes there. (https://www.divesintmaarten.com/) Antigua: I've dove there, the diving is not close to St. John's where the ship ports. It's quite a hassle to get from the port to the diving, so I'd recommend something else in Antigua. Saint Lucia: Saint Lucia has very good diving at Anse Chastanet. It's also one of the easiest ports to arrange diving. Contact Eget and Donovan at Eastern Caribbean Diving. It's about a 30-40 minute boat trip from the port to the dive sites, but they pick you up immediately adjacent to the ship's pier (it depends which pier your ship docks at as to exactly how it happens, but your walk will be less than the length of the ship). An extra bonus is as you're going back and forth from the port to the dives sites you'll pass countless boats with the ship's tours on full of people who paid more than you did for diving, just the views you'll get on the trip. (https://www.easterncaribbeandivingstlucia.com/) Barbados: The diving is perhaps not as good as St. Lucia, but I always have a great time here. Peter Grannum, and now his son Brandon, make it diving with friends. They'll pick you up at the port gate and return you. If wreck diving is your thing, there are many good wreck dives here, with the Stavron Ikita being the jewel. During COVID Peter went to cash only, and as far as I know this is still the case, so plan accordingly. (https://divewestsidescuba.com/about-us) Dominica: Dominica isn't an easy place to arrange diving, as many operators went out of business due to a hurricane; then before any real recovery could take place, COVID happened. However, it's worth finding a way, as the diving is excellent. I'd suggest Nature Island Diving. Simon there may be able to set things up for you, including port pick-up and return. I'd suggest starting your efforts as soon as you can here, as they can be slow to respond. (https://natureislanddive.dm/) Harris Denver, CO In regards to your St Lucia recommendation, do you have any other dive shops you have worked with on that island? We arent able to get in contact with eastern Caribbean diving. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omeinv Posted August 4 #7 Share Posted August 4 (edited) @20165 I just checked with Eget. If you have WhatsApp, text her there (758) 489-4645. Otherwise, please click the link for my email in my signature, and I'll help. She also gave me this email address: diveecd@gmail.com Harris Denver, Co Edited August 4 by omeinv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 20165 Posted August 4 Author #8 Share Posted August 4 12 minutes ago, omeinv said: @20165 I just checked with Eget. If you have WhatsApp, text her there (758) 489-4645. Otherwise, please click the link for my email in my signature, and I'll help. She also gave me this email address: diveecd@gmail.com Harris Denver, Co Great, thank you. Ive emailed them a couple of times and tried giving them my whats app number so ill try to whats app the directly. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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