timetraveler
Contributor
Unlike jimbeeler, I do sometimes take cruises to dive (I also go to dive resorts: I'm at Buddy Dive in Bonaire this week). Because I prefer dives with independent operators to cruise ship dive excursions, I've done a lot of research trying to book dives with independent operators. I've discovered this: Few of the recommended dive operators cater to cruise ship passengers. Those who don't will often refund deposits if a ship doesn't make port, but they will not change their dive trip schedules to accommodate a late arriving ship and they will seldom pick up divers at the cruise terminal. So unless your time in port matches up with dive trip times, it will be difficult or impossible to dive with an independent dive operator. If you ship is delayed, making you miss the independent's scheduled dive time, the best you can hope for is a return of your deposit, but it is unlikely that you will get to dive in that port.Being late or being diverted isn't an issue with a good independent operator, you won't be their first cruise ship diver experience, they've been dealing with the unique issues of cruise ship divers for a long time. Your arrival is not a secret and good operators check in with the harbor master in the morning to confirm your ships arrival time. If you are supposed to contact them instead of them already being proactive and doing what needs to be done to be waiting on the dock when your ship does arrive, you've got the wrong outfit. If you get diverted any decent independent operator will automatically refund your deposits.