Cruise Ship vs. Dive Liveaboard

[curlyqlink]

Anyone had experience with both? How do they compare-- specifically, in terms of food and and accomodations? I don't expect vast wine lists, formal nights, and casinos... not on a 100' foot boat. I'm just wondering if liveaboard dive boats are something a non-diving S.O. would willingly endure. What I fear is a spartan nightmare of baloney sandwiches, warm beer, and green-gilled guests being tossed around aboard an unstablized vessel in the open sea.

[scubaran]

Anyone had experience with both? How do they compare-- specifically, in terms of food and and accomodations? I don't expect vast wine lists, formal nights, and casinos... not on a 100' foot boat. I'm just wondering if liveaboard dive boats are something a non-diving S.O. would willingly endure. What I fear is a spartan nightmare of baloney sandwiches, warm beer, and green-gilled guests being tossed around aboard an unstablized vessel in the open sea.

 

I've done both and I really wouldn't recommend it for a "non-diving S.O.". While they could sun on the deck or snorkel off the boat, the liveaboards are really geared towards diving, diving, and more diving. As far as the accommodations, we had private cabins with a small bath and I'd describe the atmosphere more like a B&B. The food was actually very good and was served family style. Our cabins were lightly cleaned once a day and the water was calm and clear the whole time. We dove 2 dives in the morning, 2 dives in the afternoon, and 1 dive in the evening. So 5 hours or so were spent away from the boat (and your love ones). That didn't count set up/tear down, eating, etc. So if you brought a non-diver they'd either want to really do nothing and relax or didn't mind you being gone all the time in the water. Sorry, but even though non-divers are invited, the cost of a live aboard could probably be more wisely spent on a vacation you could both enjoy equally.

 

Randall

[simonv]

The quality varies greatly depending on the operator. You need to check around. Food is generally good and wholesome, but no baked Alaska. Even on the most luxurious liveaboard accomodations don't compare to a cruise ship. Some don't have private bathrooms. But what you will get is the ultimate diving experience in hard-to-get-to-places, and an itimate interaction with native crew. We are non-divers, but we enjoyed snorkeling on liveaboard tremendously, and will do it again at the drop of a hat.

 

Some liveaboards aren't snorkeler-friendly. Before you book, you should make sure they'll take care of your non-diving partner. If she doesn't even snorkel, then I think she'll be bored stiff.

[scubadiver888]

Anyone had experience with both? How do they compare-- specifically, in terms of food and and accomodations? I don't expect vast wine lists, formal nights, and casinos... not on a 100' foot boat. I'm just wondering if liveaboard dive boats are something a non-diving S.O. would willingly endure. What I fear is a spartan nightmare of baloney sandwiches, warm beer, and green-gilled guests being tossed around aboard an unstablized vessel in the open sea.

 

I have not been on a live-a-board dive ship. The reason being my wife is not a diver. When we go on a cruise I go for the food and diving. She goes for the food and activities/shore excursions.

 

I've been told that on a live-a-board she would spend most her time by herself (she can hook up with other people on a cruise ship while I'm off diving) and there wouldn't be much for her to do.

 

I did find one exception. The Cuan Law. You can find out more about it at http://www.bvidiving.com. This looks like something both a diver and non-diver would enjoy. Mind you, they stick to the British Virgin Islands (BVI). You could probably find land based accommodations and get a local dive shop to take you to the same places. For example, look at http://www.bvidiving.com/itinerary.html. The RMS Rhone is right near Salt Island. A cruise ship would dock at the same place the Cuan Law starts from. I've gone to the RMS Rhone, did two dives and returned to Road Town by noon. My wife has taken a shore excursion from Road Town to the Baths (number 6 on the map) and been back by 1pm. In other words, the area the Cuan Law covers is really quite small.

[2112]

I have dove Mike Ball's "Supersport" live aboard in Australia and the Blackbeard's Cruises "Morning Star" in the Bahamas A non-diver would hate any liveaboard on the Great Barrier Reef as the boat is always a long distance from land and unless you are diving there is nothing to do. On the Blackbeard's Cruises trip in the Bahamas there were a couple non-divers aboard and they seemed to have a good time. They stop at a few out islands and offer fishing and a few other activities. However, think of the Blackbeard's trips as camping. You sleep in bunk beds and share a marine head. Not ever remotely a similar experience as a regular cruise.

[satxdiver]

I have been on many Aggressor and Peter Hughes live-aboards. As others have said, live-aboards are dive, eat, sleep. Five dives a day will pretty much take up all your time. The food is hearty but certainly not even 4 star. For clothing all you need is shorts, tshirts and jacket if it gets chilly. Several boats I have been on will not allow you to wear shoes. I have seen non-diving partners along and they seemed to adjust. If you do not dive, bring books to read or something else to pass the time. There is nothing to do and they do not call at ports.

 

I have been on Blackbeard's three times when they were sailing out of Miami on 65 foot sailboats but only with a group of friends. This is basic living conditions and not much else! One shower on board for all 20 divers with one or two showers allowed for the week! It is extremely rustic. We had a good time because we knew each other and we made our own fun time. They probably still remember some of our antics.

 

I tried scuba diving on a cruise and decided it was not worth it. I only use my own equipment except the tank and weights. Dragging the equipment around was a real pain. Then there is the limited time problem before the ship sails again so it is hurry up constantly. So now I go on live-aboards (TCI in August on Aggressor) to dive and cruise ships to party.

 

My DW is not a scuba diver and in fact will not even put her head in the water which rules out snorkleing as well. So I go on scuba diving trips with the guys and we go on cruises together. It has worked well over the years. Incidentally most of the live-aboards I have been on were mostly male with a few or no females aboard. It would seem that other couples have came to the same conclusion.

[KJHorton]

Just got back from the Nekton Pilot liveaboard. Talk about an awesome trip. Set up our equipment once and then sleep, eat, dive, nap, dive is about all we did. Warm showers, towels, and cookies after our dives. We had our own cabin/bath, food was good and plentiful but not gourmet, and it was about a 50/50 male/female mix.

 

I'd do it again in a minute but I think a non-diver would be bored to death.

[SantaAna,CA]

I use the cruise ship as my "liveaboard". I dive in almost every port when I sail the Caribbean. I like dressing for dinner (and having those around me dressed for dinner!), excellent cuisine, spacious cabins and lots of elbow room. For those reasons, I haven't been on a liveaboard.

 

I consider myself a person who loves luxury cruising and dives on the side. Alot of people don't really care about those luxury items. And they pay alot less! ;) I don't know if I'd like a liveaboard because I'm rather fussy about these things.

 

Jane

[satxdiver]

Probably not SantaAna. The staterooms are small and generally have bunk beds built into the wall. The shower is really small. The food is good, nutritious and plentiful but certainly far from gourmet. Dinner requirements are shorts/pants and a shirt. No bare chests or hairy armpits are allowed. Most wear shorts and a tshirt and yes, swim suits that are dry are allowed. Most are barefoot but some do wear sandals, etc. Note that some liveaboards do not allow shoes to be worn on the ship. They do have wine, beer and liquor on board and it is included in the price. You serve your self so no need to tip the bartender to make you a stiff drink. You can bring your own onboard. However once you take a drink of alcohol your diving is over for the day.

 

The upside of all this is that you configure your dive gear onto the tank for the week and put the rest of the gear in your personal locker on the dive deck. When you return from the dive, you put the tank with BCD back into your assigned holder and remove the regulator from the tank. This signals the crew to refill the tank in place and put on the cap. The cap means it is ready to go, so put the regulator back on the tank, check the pressure and dive again.

 

No schleping gear back and forth or having to reconfigure your gear after each dive. No wet gear to worry about. You use your own gear (or rent it for the week), so you know how it works. No forgetting anything before a dive, it is in your dive locker usually under your seat by your tank/bcd. Your wet suit is hanging on the rack nearby. All very easy.

 

When you reboard after the dive, there are hot showers on the dive deck or in your stateroom minutes away. The crew will hand you a nice dry warm towel immediately upon reboarding. Now that is luxury. You go up to the top deck and rest on the loungers during your surface interval while the crew comes by with some snacks - served to you in the lounger! You may or may not have taken off your wet/dry suit or skin but certainly only have on a swimming suit.

 

You dive twice in the morning, twice in the afternoon and one night dive after dinner. After the night dive you are greeted when reboarding with hot chocolate and a warm towel.

 

There is a large difference between dive liveaboards and cruise ship diving.

[cwc]

Luxury "liveaboard" diving Regent's Paul Gauguin in Tahiti.

 

The marina crew keep and clean all the gear for us. If you didn't bring any gear, they will provide them for free. The dives are launch from the back of the ship on an inflatable zodiac. You can pre-order room service (full menu) before hand and when you get back to your room after the dive. HOT FOOD (pizza! lamb chop!...):eek:

[sceneisle]

We spent a week on a live-aboard dive boat (Gulf Stream Eagle), snorkeling with dolphins off the island of Grand Bahamas. The living conditions were spartan. Our cabin was approximately 6.5' long, wide and high; with no portholes/windows. A crew of 5 and 18 passengers shared two toilets/showers. The food was plentiful and decent but the choices of entrees was pretty limited. There is no comparison between a cruise ship and a live-aboard with respect to luxury, food and on-board activities; but the experience of snorkeling with dolphins in their habitat was well worth any inconveniences we experienced...............a trip of a lifetime!

[bruce-r]

Anyone had experience with both? How do they compare-- specifically, in terms of food and and accomodations?

I've been on both. The major difference is that liveaboards focus on diving while cruises are floating resorts that occasionally stop where you are can dive if you are willing to make the effort.

 

I don't expect vast wine lists, formal nights, and casinos... not on a 100' foot boat. I'm just wondering if liveaboard dive boats are something a non-diving S.O. would willingly endure.

Wouldn't that really depend on the specific S.O.? I would have to say that I wouldn't expect my S.O. to enjoy a week on a liveaboard unless it was either http://www.cuanlaw.com or http://www.aquacatcruises.com which both offer non-diving activities in addition to plenty of dives.

 

What I fear is a spartan nightmare of baloney sandwiches, warm beer, and green-gilled guests being tossed around aboard an unstablized vessel in the open sea.

While the boats are usually not stabilized (some are multi-hulls and thus more stable) the rest of your concerns are unwarranted. The food us usually quite good and the beer is refrigerated. Most guests are repeat customers and know if they are likely to experience seasickness and take necessary precautions.

 

On liveaboards, most food is served buffet style, but not on the Nai'a in Fiji. They do table service. A menu is offered the day before for you to make your choices.

 

Basically, if the diving is the most important aspect of the trip, then a liveaboard should be your first choice, and with the exceptions I've already mentioned, non-divers should generally be left at home.

 

If you want the "resort" experience with perhaps the chance to make a few dives, especially if you have to travel with non-divers, then a cruise is probably a good choice for you.

 

I consider myself a person who loves luxury cruising and dives on the side. A lot of people don't really care about those luxury items. And they pay alot less! ;)

Uh, NO they don't. liveaboards definitely cost considerably more than a cruise would.

 

I don't know if I'd like a liveaboard because I'm rather fussy about these things.

No, you wouldn't, probably not even a high end liveaboard.

[simonv]

Uh, NO they don't. liveaboards definitely cost considerably more than a cruise would.

 

It depends on which cruise line, luxuary or mass market line. Santa Ana cruises on Seabourn, one of the top three luxuary lines. It certainly costs more than any liveaboards. But if you are taking Carnival, RCL and other mass market lines, then cruise would be cheaper than liveaboards.

 

There's no comaprison to the diving experience of a liveaboard and a cruise ship excursion. Liveaboards usually go to areas that are too far to reach and dive and back in one day. Sites are almost always more pristine than any place a cruise ship excursion or land-based dive operation can take you.

 

It comes down to what you want - cruising with diving thrown in as a diversion, or a heavy-duty diving and the ship as means of transportation.

[bruce-r]

It depends on which cruise line, luxuary or mass market line. Santa Ana cruises on Seabourn, one of the top three luxuary lines. It certainly costs more than any liveaboards. But if you are taking Carnival, RCL and other mass market lines, then cruise would be cheaper than liveaboards.

For example, fares on the higher end Turks & Caicos Aggressor II:

Jan. 6, 2007 - Jan. 5, 2008 .............. master $2,495; deluxe $2,295; twin $2,095; quad$1,595 (PLUS $350 full surcharge)

Jan. 5, 2008 - Jan. 3, 2009 .............. master $2,495; deluxe $2,295; twin $2,095; quad $1,595 (PLUS $350 full surcharge)

Jan. 3, 2009 - Jan. 2, 2010 .............. master $2,895; deluxe $2,595; twin $2,395; quad $2,195

Jan. 2, 2010 - Jan. 1, 2011 .............. master $2,995; deluxe $2,695; twin $2,495; quad $2,295

 

How do these fares compare to Seabourn fares?

 

There's no comaprison to the diving experience of a liveaboard and a cruise ship excursion. Liveaboards usually go to areas that are too far to reach and dive and back in one day. Sites are almost always more pristine than any place a cruise ship excursion or land-based dive operation can take you.

 

It comes down to what you want - cruising with diving thrown in as a diversion, or a heavy-duty diving and the ship as means of transportation.

I agree with you on these points.

[SantaAna,CA]

Bruce, you asked about comparison fares. I just booked a two weeks' cruise on Seabourn's Pride, Barbados to Ft. Lauderdale. At a 150% single supplement (unfortunately the 125% supplements were sold out), the total comes to about $7400 for the two weeks. As you can see, much more expensive than a liveaboard. Actually, the only liveaboard I found that rivals Seabourn (when it comes to cost) is Peter Hughes. They are merciless when it comes to booking a single cabin and charge a very high premium for it.

 

On Seabourn diving, of course, is not included. This is just so you know just how much more you pay for those small, all inclusive ships!

 

Jane

[simonv]

If not for the single supplement, Sant Ana is paying $352 per day. It's an excellent price for Seabourn. If I find that price for Silversea, I get totally excited. Normally the per diem price for the top tier cruiselines runs around $500 plus per person double occupancy. On liveaboard I see you can get a master suite for $360. Cruise and liveaboard - which is cheaper? It all depends.

[OHCruisinDad]

We just completed a 4 day - 3 night live aboard on the Great Barrier Reef. We were on Coral Princess Cruises' Coral Princess II. In addition to diving, they offered extensive snorkeling and glass bottom boat tours of the reefs we visited. It was a great balance for divers and non-divers alike. Some dives were from the dive platform and some from beaches on the islands we visited. The ship was comfortable and the food very good and very plentiful. Meals were buffet style with open seating. The bathrooms in the cabins were bigger than RCL's normal cabin bathroom.

 

The Coral Princess II has a passenger capacity of 46 and there were 32 when we were on board along with a crew of 12 that included a marine biologist and a divemaster. We saw all kinds of sealife including small reef sharks, humpback whales, large wrasse, sea cucumbers, urchins and even eels, along many other fish varieties. They even have a couple of single cabins in the ship. You do bounce in heavier seas as there are no stabilizers but it was worth it. Check them out at www.coralprincess.com.au