Natasha has mentioned the possibility of doing a diving cruise made up of scubaboarders as a group. This would possibly be the western Carribean and include diving.
Is this something that you would be interested in doing?
I like the idea and think its worth kicking around to find out if enough people would be interested so Natasha knows whether or not to pursue the idea.
ckharlan66
August 17th, 2002, 01:09 PM
I would be interested, but as usual it would be based on cost and times.
Chad
jbd
August 17th, 2002, 01:19 PM
time of year or dates of the cruise but can I suggest selling your drysuit and BP/wings to raise the necessary funds :D
ckharlan66
August 17th, 2002, 01:25 PM
"I can't help with....
time of year or dates of the cruise but can I suggest selling your drysuit and BP/wings to raise the necessary funds"
Not worth it....sorry Natasha.
Chad
scuba-sass
August 18th, 2002, 02:32 PM
Another trip arranged by Natasha? Do I HAVE to?!?
Anyone who isn't enticed by this idea either hates cruising, or should have their head examined. Natasha is a fabulous scuba-vacation planner. I'd travel with her anywhere!!!!
When and Where Darlin'?
Scuba-sass :-)
lplace
August 18th, 2002, 05:11 PM
Sounds like fun to me, if I can afford it.
Logan
Dee
August 18th, 2002, 08:11 PM
scuba-sass once bubbled...
Another trip arranged by Natasha? Do I HAVE to?!?
Anyone who isn't enticed by this idea either hates cruising, or should have their head examined. Natasha is a fabulous scuba-vacation planner. I'd travel with her anywhere!!!!
When and Where Darlin'?
Scuba-sass :-)
I'd much rather spend my limited vacation time underwater and soaking up local color, not speeding over it in a floating hotel.
Natasha's part is the only high spot in the idea!
Natasha
August 18th, 2002, 11:11 PM
A thread about a dive trip I can be on, and I didn't even start it. Awesome! Thanks JBD.
Like Dee said cruising is not for everyone. But if you have other interests on vacation, other then diving, then it is a perfect trip.
Cruising allows you to see different ports, and decide where you would like to go back, and spend more time. It allows you to eat as much as you want without getting a check after the meal! It also really allows for bonding with your friends more then maybe any other trip could.
I really LOVE to cruise.
Let's leave this thread here for a few more days, then I'll move it over to Group Trips and we can see if there seems to be more interest.
If so, we'll start talking about dates and prices. Another good thing about cruises is that there are several different price ranges on the same ship to choose from.
This makes it affordable for most everyone.
Thanks again guys. I'd love to put this together.
P.S. Sass, when is Lydia's Spring Break?
scuba-sass
August 19th, 2002, 10:30 AM
Hi Natasha,
Lyd's break is March 15 - 31. That would be a perfect vacation time for us, but ofcourse, may not work for everyone...
Not that we can afford to go back there right away, but have you seen the deals that Princess in offering on the former Rennaissance R-3&4 in French Polynesia? $1,000 for a balcony cabin on a 10-day cruise. Incredible!
Happy Divning,
Scuba-sass :-)
Natasha
August 19th, 2002, 11:37 AM
Lydia's dates work for me. I would like to offer a trip during those dates.
So don't plan on being anywhere, but with us then! Ha!
So now we have the date time frame.
I'll do some work and see what the price ranges are from inside, outside, and balcony cabins going to the Western Caribbean.
Hopefully, enough other people will want to cruise.
If not, we can still go to Curacao or Cayman then, right?
Yes, I know Princess is showing some good rates now.
1000.00 is great for a balcony!
chepar
August 19th, 2002, 03:41 PM
jbd once bubbled...
Natasha has mentioned the possibility of doing a diving cruise made up of scubaboarders as a group. This would possibly be the western Carribean and include diving.
Is this something that you would be interested in doing?
Me me me!! I love cruises - I would LOVE to go.
Unfortunately, my vacation time (and dollars) for the next couple years have already been spoken for. Flying over for a Caribbean cruise would constitute a "big" vacation for me.
Maybe if you guys plan a group trip a little closer to my side of the world (where I have to fly only 5-6 hours vs. 16, hint hint ;) ) I can make it.
If you guys go, have fun!!!
Padipro
August 19th, 2002, 08:31 PM
My wife and I are looking for a good idea for a vacation that involves some diving and also some relaxing time for her. She dives but is not as passionate it about it as I am. Is there any chance you might be able to do the trip sometime in October?
The only problem I can see with going is if these airlines start folding up from bankruptcy. Both my wife and I work for airlines and hers is one that isn't doing to well right now. As long as she still has a job around that time we're planning on a trip of some kind but haven't desided what. I think she'd love doing something like this.
Scott
scuba-sass
August 20th, 2002, 08:20 AM
Natasha,
If folks want MORE diving, what about a live-aboard?
Scuba-sass :-)
Natasha
August 20th, 2002, 09:11 AM
I moved the thread over here, since it will hopefully turn into a group trip.
No the live a board is not what I'm looking to do this time. I want this to cater to the non diver as well. The casino, shows, shopping, eating, relaxing crowd, is who this trip is also geared to. ( Besides the diver)
Someday though, I'd like to offer the live a board for the Great Barrier, or the Red Sea.
Anyway, back to the cruise.
I'm considering the Costa Atlantica for this group. This is a 85,000 ton ship. She takes 2100 passengers, so we can all fit!
The ship leaves from Ft Lauderdale.
It will stop in Key West first.
Then Cozumel. Then a day to sail at sea and enjoy the ship.
Then Ocho Rios Jamaica, Grand Cayman, A day to work on the tan at sea again, and back to Ft Lauderdale.
The average price will be 1000.00 a person. You can go up a bit or down depending on the cabin catagory.
Sound good? If so, I will block space for March.
So sorry but October is not a good time to go to these ports due to the weather.
scuba-sass
August 20th, 2002, 01:03 PM
Hi Natasha,
This plan is probably not right for us. Two At-sea days would have Lyd and I tearing our hair out. I'm sure it's perfect for lots of people, so have fun!
Scuba-sass :-)
lplace
August 20th, 2002, 01:29 PM
Unfortunately I can't do March as my wife and I are both teachers, we would love do to something in the summer, however.
Logan
Taytoe2000
September 6th, 2002, 03:29 PM
I am looking into planning a cruise/dive trip for my husband's 40th B-day in March 2003. I found a cruise on Royal Carribean, leaving March 22, 2003 and returning March 29, 2003. Departs out of Tampa, FL. Ports of call are Grand Cayman, Belize City and Cozumel. I haven't priced it yet, but I found a website, vacationstogo.com, with lower prices offered compared to what my travel agent was giving me. I would definitely be interested in doing a criuse with a group, if it were possible. I will keep the reading the board. :D
chris_b
September 6th, 2002, 03:57 PM
Natasha once gurgled...
The ship leaves from Ft Lauderdale. It will stop in Key West first. Then Cozumel. Then a day to sail at sea and enjoy the ship.
Then Ocho Rios Jamaica, Grand Cayman, A day to work on the tan at sea again, and back to Ft Lauderdale...
Natasha, does your cost estimate include diving? When and where would we be diving?
Thanks
Chris
DiverG
September 6th, 2002, 09:53 PM
Taytoe2000,
Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Your travel agent may be including all costs associated with a cruise such as port fees. The web site may only be quoting you the cost of the room.
DiverG
IndyScott
September 6th, 2002, 10:42 PM
Sounds fun but I would have to schedule a year in advance.
;-0
Natasha
September 7th, 2002, 10:22 AM
I was putting this out as a 'feeler'. I know some divers have mixed feelings about cruising.
If we can get 16 people commited to going, we will be considered a group. Yes, we get better prices as a group and I wouuld be able to book it in the group department.
The price I just randomly put out was just for the cruise and not the dives. ( DiverG is right about the port charges)
The best way to dive in the port, or should I say the "least expensive way", is to shore dive.
There is a huge difference in price. Boat dives can run 75.00 for two tanks. Shore dives can be 8.00 each.
I would want to shore dive in Cayman, probably behind Sunset House.
Same for Roatan behind Coco View.
Then if we wanted to spend a bit more we could boat dive in Cozumel and Belize.
DiverG
September 7th, 2002, 03:42 PM
I'm sure Natasha already knows this, but if you choose to do boat dives make your own arrangements separate from the cruise line. It'll cost you more if you use the cruise ship to book plus you'll probably be highly restricted as to your dive profiles.
