Scuba Dive Ops for Mariner

[CheshireKat]

Does anyone know who the Diver Operators are who handle the scuba diving trips that are booked through Mariner of the Seas for the following ports: Ocho Rios Jamaica, Grand Caymans and Cozumel?

 

There are 4 advanced divers wanting to dive on our December cruise. We are trying to figure out if we should book with the cruise ship or go on our own. However, if we go w/ the ship, I want to know who the operators are.

 

If you recommend not booking with the ship, what operators are recommended that can accommodate the cruise ship times?

 

PS, if this has already been discussed in another thread, please direct me there. Thanks!

[bruce-r]

Does anyone know who the Diver Operators are who handle the scuba diving trips that are booked through Mariner of the Seas for the following ports: Ocho Rios Jamaica, Grand Caymans and Cozumel?

 

There are 4 advanced divers wanting to dive on our December cruise. We are trying to figure out if we should book with the cruise ship or go on our own. However, if we go w/ the ship, I want to know who the operators are.

 

If you recommend not booking with the ship, what operators are recommended that can accommodate the cruise ship times?

 

PS, if this has already been discussed in another thread, please direct me there. Thanks!

Advanced divers wouldn't be happy with the ship's dive excursions.

 

Do people actually expect good diving in Jamaica? Personally, I'd not get off the ship there. Actually, I wouldn't even choose a cruise that stopped there, especially if I was looking for a diving cruise.

 

Grand Cayman I'd either go with http://www.neptunesdivers.com or I'd shore dive repeatedly at http://www.sunsethouse.com

 

In Cozumel I'd go with my friend Christi's operation http://www.bluextseadiving.com If she was full, I'd go with http://www.scubawithalison.com , http://www.scubatony.com or http://www.living-underwater.com

 

Lastly, you might also want to check out the Scuba and Snorkel section here on CC.

[toonjie]

As a scuba instructor who has dived extensively in Jamaica while we were at an all-inclusive, let me second what Bruce-R said above. First, Jamaica has been totally fished out due to the poverty levels and the diving wouldn't be that great even if it hadn't been. In general, the mountainous islands have poorer diving and the flat ones, like Cozumel and Cayman, have great diving. (The rivers that drain to the ocean spoil visibility.) So spend your time in Jamaica viewing the great scenery on land. Second, the cruise lines use good operators but often impose depth restrictions on them and their excursions tend to be cattle boats. You can almost always do it cheaper and better on your own. Go with one of the operators Bruce mentioned or Divers Down is another good choice in Cayman, shop is a short walk from where the tenders drop you off.