First Liveaboard -- what to consider and expect....

[jmsenger]

What do you use the clips for? Hanging up wet items? Keeping your gauges and octopus secure?

Hanging your bathing suits, towels, shirts, etc., up to dry. Nothing worse than a wet bathing suit and damp wet suit first thing in the morning.

 

[diversteve]

What do you use the clips for?

On the old Nekton boats everybody clipped their wet stuff to their hangers, and tied/clipped off the hangers to the rail they hung on. Usually there was a pretty stiff breeze since it was on the top deck. One night the boat went thru a squall so a crew member and I caught most of the stuff that wasn't before it blew overboard. Missed a few t-shirts but we got all the skins.

 

[diversteve]

.initially thinking of Bahamas / Caribbean (easy flight from the US and calm waters / interesting vista....) this Nov/Dec/Jan timeframe.....

Generally the roughest part of the Cayman Aggressor trip is when they move over to the Sister Islands. Sometimes in the winter months they won't even try. If you have seasickness issues, the ones where they still think they can - and often do - might be the worst. Also no matter what happens later in the week you still have to come back to Georgetown to fly out.
Aggressor publishes past trip summaries - either in their forum here or on their Cayman Aggressor thread in their forum. You might review them for your timeframe to see if they did/did not go. 90% of what Aggressor would dive if they had to stay around Grand Cayman can be done with day boat operators - some of it even from shore. Their last dive is Devils Grotto in Georgetown Harbor. A 100 yd. swim from Eden Rock and you're at the exact same spot.

Probably the most stable boat is Aquacat. Or Cuan Law - that boat is so big and wide that I think it's probably really stable. Most of the BVI diving is done off anchorages in the shelter of the islands so it's probably pretty calm most of the time. Scuba Diving Live-aboard in the British Virgin Islands

Most of the dives are not deep or demanding, though for the experienced we have a selection of challenging dives. There are some deep sites in the BVI but most of the diving is shallower than 80 feet. Surface conditions are normally quite calm. The 8 to 10 inch tidal range normally doesn't generate swift currents. Another advantage of diving aboard Cuan Law is that Captain won't hesitate to crisscross the islands to put you into the best conditions each day. You can be certain of enjoyable diving any time of the year.

I "third" the T/C Explorer. They only make 2-3 crossings open ocean and the rest of the time they're near the coastline of one of the uninhabited islands. I can only remember one dive where we didn't see land in some direction. Once off West Caicos the boat tore the mooring out so the captain told us he might have to move the boat to keep it off the rocks - we were that close.

Two advantages for you Explorer vs. Aggressor. One is that most of the cabins are main deck or above - there's only 3 belowdeck. All the upper ones have large windows - IIRC our room had two of them several feet across. So no sense of confinement. All of the Aggressor cabins are belowdeck and only have portholes. I can get almost get a litttle queasy watching the ocean that close at times.

The other talks to your other point - Explorer has a third public deck - the flybridge. So some of the pax stay in the lounge, some on the sundeck above and some on the flybridge during surface intervals. It's got padded benches, tables and they stock soda/beers in the refrigerator. I even slept up there twice - not sick but insomniac. We had a regular group of 8-9 that met/talked up there daily when we weren't diving.

Also look at capacities. In the winter months some of those trips fill up since people want to get away. Cuan Law takes 20 max - all 10 cabins are either twin/double floor beds. Aquacat has room for 22 - 30 at full capacity if they fill the 3rd bunk in some rooms. T/C Explorer is 20. Carib Dancer only has capacity for 14 and one is a quad so unless four singles want to share they may only put a couple there. Saba/St. Kitts Explorer only has 9 staterooms. If you're a couple and get one with an extra single upper bunk, they won't fill it either. It's a good place for all your junk during the week.

We were on T/C Explorer when it was full (discount week) The only issue was a little crowding on the dive deck on those few dives we did as drift dives since everybody has to gear up and jump at the same time. But they have both the dive deck in back and two side exits. The rest of the time we sat in the lounge a few minutes and watched (glass doors) till most people left. Once I was diving by myself and by the time I got to the back I was the only one still on the boat.

http://explorerventures.com/specials.html might have some options that will work for you. Anything in the next couple months that's still open is likely not going to be a full boat - hence the discount. Call them and ask - ask for Mary if she's still there. They'll tell you which trips are the least full.

The only liveaboard I've ever been on with kids is the defunct Nekton. And they were 4 well mannered teens with their parents. Partly I think that's because not only do kids get charged the same rate - they're taking up a space everywhere - but their parents also have to fly them there. Nekton used to leave out of Ft. Lauderdale and in fact their father mentioned they lived near Jacksonville and had drove down that day.

The only exception would be the Aggressor Family weeks.

A purser told me if you tip in cash the crew gets it immediately vs. waiting for their corporate office to cut them a check - which they can't cash till the next time they're back in port. I charged my extras (fuel surcharge, port fees etc.) but she said they appreciated that I tipped cash. If someone does something special for you either tip them privately or allocate your tip - otherwise it's split evenly.

 

[KathyV]

...Probably the most stable boat is Aquacat. Or Cuan Law - that boat is so big and wide that I think it's probably really stable. Most of the BVI diving is done off anchorages in the shelter of the islands so it's probably pretty calm most of the time. Scuba Diving Live-aboard in the British Virgin Islands

I haven't dived the Aquacat so I can't comment but I am not sure that "stable and wide" are always the best parameters for a seasick-free liveaboard. We did at least 3 liveaboard cruises on the old Nekton boats and they sure were stable and wide! So much so that they used to advertise "No Sicknesses" but I was very, very ill on the Nekton Pilot when we crossed from Florida to the Bahamas. I don't remember being ill on Nekton liveaboard cruises to St. Croix and Belize, but I don't think we were doing any deep water crossings. I got ill crossing to Little Cayman on the Aggressor; but as I've said - I had a rough first night but then my body adjusted and I was okay for the rest of the trip.

BTW, does anyone know whatever happened to the old Nekton liveaboard boats? I had some good times on those trips! (Thanks for the picture, it brought back some happy memories!)

 

[ev780]

<snip>

• --- obviously can't be on Dramamine (maybe lower dose?)

Why not? Not obvious at all. Works like a charm for me. Makes me a little drowsy for the first couple days but then I adjust to it.

 

[Cali_diver]

If you are worried about diving and dramamine... most of the long distance/deep water travel occurs during the night or on first day. So, just take your meds after your dives and sleep like a baby.

 

[diversteve]

BTW, does anyone know whatever happened to the old Nekton liveaboard boats? I had some good times on those trips! (Thanks for the picture, it brought back some happy memories!)

They're still rotting away in the yard. Looks like they've let them both settle to the bottom also - a couple years ago they were still floating.

Webcams

Cay Sal around 05-06':

 

[Bearkeley]

Wow - thanks for all the tips! Now can't wait to go! I did the Dramamine thing on a recent cruise and yes, after day 2, I had no need for it! Less drowsy formula worked great so guess I will be fine. I will continue my research, but any specific thoughts on a sailboat? Seems like you guys all opted for the larger boats but ran into Juliet....max of 12 divers and does Bahamas or Turks this winter....does Mona Island too , but wouldn't enjoy constant chops...

Also, is it safe to assume waters are calm once you are at dive sites? Assuming they cater to beginners and probably want it to be enjoyable but thought I'd ask....with bigger boats than land based ops, wonder if they are more 'daring' and would allow dives despite rougher than normal waters?

 

[KathyV]

They're still rotting away in the yard. Looks like they've let them both settle to the bottom also - a couple years ago they were still floating.

That's too bad, thanks for letting me know.

---------- Post added September 21st, 2014 at 03:10 PM ----------

Wow - thanks for all the tips! Now can't wait to go! I did the Dramamine thing on a recent cruise and yes, after day 2, I had no need for it! Less drowsy formula worked great so guess I will be fine. I will continue my research, but any specific thoughts on a sailboat? Seems like you guys all opted for the larger boats but ran into Juliet....max of 12 divers and does Bahamas or Turks this winter....does Mona Island too , but wouldn't enjoy constant chops...

Also, is it safe to assume waters are calm once you are at dive sites? Assuming they cater to beginners and probably want it to be enjoyable but thought I'd ask....with bigger boats than land based ops, wonder if they are more 'daring' and would allow dives despite rougher than normal waters?

I have never been on the Juliet so I can't give a personal opinion, but their website says that cruises include divers, non-divers, and snorkelers - so I don't know how many diving opportunities you would have. The other boats that have been mentioned are dedicated to divers so you will have the chance to do a lot of dives and at the nicest sites. Plus the dive decks are designed for the ease and convenience of the divers.

Weather is variable and sometimes the water is choppy, but the Captain will try to find the best sites for your dives. You can always decide to sit-out a dive if you aren't comfortable (nobody cares, you can dive when you feel like it.)

I'm not sure what you mean by "caters to beginners" but a divemaster will be in the water on every dive and you will be welcome to spend the dive with him/her if you wish. They are willing to be attentive, or they will leave you alone, according to your preferences.

 

[diversteve]

but any specific thoughts on a sailboat? Seems like you guys all opted for the larger boats but ran into Juliet....max of 12 divers and does Bahamas or Turks this winter....does Mona Island too , but wouldn't enjoy constant chops

I opted for the larger boats both outside and inside due to your requirements. Cat Ppalu is another option - it's a smaller cat - if you want to forgo most of your privacy to eat in smaller spaces with everyone else and only have the single deck to relax on between dives. No ensuite on the Cat either and you close your door at the foot of your bunk. Tight galley also - it's about a 65' cat.

Since you seemed interested in not having to be in the middle of a lot of folks constantly I didn't mention Juliet. I'm pretty sure a single hulled sailing vessel is going to pitch a lot more also by design. Altough it may less than some due to size/beam.

You know Juliet is smaller inside right? Definitely shorter in headroom due to the ship design. And only two cabins are ensuite. (with head - they all have a sink) Virtual tour of Juliet | Liveaboard Diving Vacations - Juliet Sailing and Diving vs. Explorer: http://www.explorerventures.com/gallery/images/turksgallery/images/image24.jpg I'm pretty sure our room had two windows also.

And the public spaces on Juliet are smaller also. Juliet: Live-aboard diving in the Bahamas on Juliet

This is T/C Explorer's Sundeck shot from the Flybridge I mentioned in my last post: http://www.explorerventures.com/gallery/images/turksgallery/images/image2.jpg And the lounge below it: http://www.explorerventures.com/gallery/images/turksgallery/images/image3.jpg 20' of length buys you a lot more room. Most of the cabins are down the hall, the stairs go up to the two premium cabins located at the front of the sundeck area. - along with the pilothouse and crew quarters. Here's the flybridge - http://www.azurerealm.com/albums/Turks-and-Caicos-Explorer/topdeck.jpg and the dive deck behind the lounge. http://www.azurerealm.com/albums/Turks-and-Caicos-Explorer/divedeck1.jpg


Not that I'm panning Juliet - in fact I'm glad they're back in operation. They're about the only LOB diving Mona which has been on my list for years.

wonder if they are more 'daring' and would allow dives despite rougher than normal waters?

They treat you like grown-ups based on your experience level. Nobody holds your hand unless you want/need that. I have never been on a DM escorted LOB dive except when we drift because they want everybody to stay together for those - otherwise we like to go off on our own. Often contrary to the direction others go - I like to see things before others scare it off.

Unless it's unsafe for reboarding or lightning the dive deck is usually open. LOB divers tend to be more experienced than what some shore operators see. One dive off the Bahama Banks it was really pitching bad - water off the Bank generates some current - people were getting sick that normally wouldn't. It was a night dive and 4 chose to still do it - not us - and they had a hell of a time getting back to the boat. Actually on the Nekton so we stood on top and watched their progress.