I'm planning a family trip for 12: 4 experienced divers (keys, bonaire, caymans, cozumel), 4 newbies (cozumel), and 4 non-divers, (shoppers and lovers of comfort), all ranging in ages between 13 and 76.
Not enough for non- divers on Bonaire (though it is my favorite!), Caymans a bit too costly (any suggestions?), would like to go somewhere besides Cozumel (not crazy about drift diving--how do you see the little critters?)--any thoughts on Belize, Roatan, Barbados? (76 year old grandpa prefers the colonial influence over third world adventurous flavor).
thanks so much!
kathy
Axeman
October 16th, 2003, 07:07 PM
I have a friend from Barbados and he says the diving is great. I have heard good things about the shopping and people.
sorry but that is all I have :)
Charlie99
October 16th, 2003, 07:38 PM
Excellent for the non-divers, including the 76 year old that isn't hot for 3rd world adventure.
Cancun has some pretty nice reefs with tons of fish life., as well as the same sort of artificial wreck as Cozumel's Felipe X (sp?). To the south there is some nice Cenote diving.
I think Cancun gets overlooked as a dive destination simply because it is so close to the spectacular coral formations of Cozumel. While the coral formations in Cancun are much lower profile, the reefs were full of fish and I had a nice time diving there, while my wife and her sister enjoyed the town.
Tim Ingersoll
October 16th, 2003, 07:44 PM
Welcome to Scubaboard! Where are you starting from? What is your budget? As most on this segment of the board know I am a big fan of the Turks & Caicos although you might not have a lot of stimulation for the shoppers. How important is that?
RoatanMan
October 16th, 2003, 07:58 PM
I would skip both Belize and Roatan.
Belize diving is best from the cays. There is nothing else to do besides tan and drink.
Roatan is really only suitable for divers. I love it a lot, but I can't recommend it for your needs.
You hit it on the head- Cozumel and Cayman. I've stood on just about every rock in the Caribbean, and those are the only two I can recommend that have even marginal diving plus some non dive activity. There are any number of islands that have lesser qualities of diving experience but have lots to do topside (Jamaica for one), but few that offer the combo pack that you mention with Cayman and Cozumel.
A little something for everyone, not a lot for anybody.
Just my $.02 worth.
ronrosa
October 17th, 2003, 04:06 PM
Curacao. Although I've never been there, I here it is the best place in the Caribbean for diver/non-diver groups.
divegeek
October 17th, 2003, 10:04 PM
ronrosa once bubbled...
Curacao. Although I've never been there, I here it is the best place in the Caribbean for diver/non-diver groups.
That's where my travel agent recommended. I think we're staying at Breezes. This way I (& No.1 son) can dive while wife and No.2 son, can have the "resort experience"
I've did some research before making the reservation and it seems like a lot of good dive locations. It was also a lot less $$$ than Turks.
IzzyTahil
October 18th, 2003, 07:40 AM
2nd on Curacao for your needs. Good balance for everyone.
kathy miller
October 30th, 2003, 11:36 AM
Thanks for all the advise! I saw a very inexpensive ($400) 7 day cruise that visists Roatan, Belize, Cozumel, Caymens which may be an option as well, though we aren't cruise people...but, it is a little bit for everyone. we are leaning toward Curacauo--I have read where there is a lot of trash in the water. Anyone experience that? That would be very disappointing> thnks again for all your input!
Tim Ingersoll
October 30th, 2003, 12:48 PM
Who is the cruise with? We did Norwegian on the same itinerary.
Damselfish
October 30th, 2003, 12:58 PM
kathy miller once bubbled...
I have read where there is a lot of trash in the water. Anyone experience that?
Where I've seen trash is mostly on the bottom offshore from some of the more popular public beaches. Always a drag to see trash, but it's not that bad, does not affect diving quality.
kathy miller
October 30th, 2003, 02:39 PM
It was Norweigian Sun, I think...rack rate $900, sale $400. How did you like the trip? did you feel rushed with the diving? Enough for non- divers on the ship? It seems like a good way to get a little taste of everything, and then decide where to come back for a future one-stop trip.
dreaming of diving.....
Tim Ingersoll
October 31st, 2003, 09:35 AM
Okay here we go. . . The ship was very new. It was okay. I am not much of a cruiser. My wife (non-diver) loves cruising so we made a deal. I told her if she could find a cruise where I could dive in four different places I would go. Sure enough. . .we went. We went with another couple where the guy is a diver and the wife is not. The specialty restaurants are worth the extra money on the ship. I really liked the sushi bar and French restaurant. You can get a lot of info. on "cruisecritic.com" if you are interested. My advice is to get a good book, bring your own booze and stay away from the money oriented activities on board. The wives on the other hand tried every activity on board from line dancing to bingo and had a ball. Just not my style. C'est la vie.
The ship sponsored dives are generally cattle boats with limited depth and bottom time. If you can set up your own - do it. We used Aldora in Cozumel and they are very receptive to cruisers. Charter your own small boat and they will take you wherever you want. Best experience of the trip. You can research on this board and do the same thing in Grand Cayman. The ship op in Grand Cayman was Red Sail Water Sports. Ship sponsored. Okay diving within sight of the ship. Crowded and rushed but okay. Roatan was ship sponsored with Anthony's Key Resort. Very nice. Don't miss this one. Belize was with Aquadives. Very long (almost two hours) boat ride to some mediocre diving. The boats were in bad shape, we got pretty banged up, and if I was going to skip one this would be it (We called ourselves Scuba Warriors after this one).
On the itinerary I would return to Cozumel. I knew that going in because I had already been there a couple times. Roatan was pretty good but not much topside. Grand Cayman was okay but too much topside if you know what I mean. Belize was a dog but I have been told that it is unfair to judge it based upon the dives we did. Good luck! Let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
kathy miller
October 31st, 2003, 02:12 PM
Thanks, Tim!
just the kind of info we need to help plan a great trip for everyone...
kathy
sigelr
October 31st, 2003, 06:10 PM
I've not been to Curacao so can't compare but I know Aruba has some shopping as well as gambling/casinos for night time entertainment (not my thing - I'd rather throw my money away on dive gear etc. but a lot of folks like that aspect of the available entertainment). The diving is okay - not the best I've done but certainly not the worst either. More wrecks than reefs. The Jeep safari trips are fun and not to be missed but are for the heartier souls that can take being bounced around all day. We stayed at an all inclusive resort (the DiviDivi - I think?) and the rooms and food were not bad at all. The natives are friendly and there doesn't seem to be the oppressive poverty that you see in some parts of the Caribbean hence we felt very safe and welcome. Again, just another option for you to perhaps learn more about should you be so inclined. Good Luck.
sharon
November 3rd, 2003, 01:31 AM
Curacao is a great island for divers and non divers alike. It is one of my favorite places in the world. Since you are traveling with a large group, you may find Breezes or Lions Den good reasonable places to stay. Both are in the main town, but you will need a car to get out and about on the island, so you could really stay anywhere. The island is not that big. We always stay out on the westend at Allwest Apts/dive center in Westpunt. Small place, really laided back and cheap. Need to cook your own meals or go into town for meals, there are a couple of restrurants out on the westend but they close early. It takes about 45 minutes to get to town. Since we stay for 3 weeks, we don't mind cooking and night diving most nights. We go out 2 or 3 times a week for dinner. Capt Don's Habitat and Sunset Waters are both very nice and only about 25 minutes from town. I have done many dives on Curacao, mostly shoredives on the west end, I don't recall seeing any garbage underwater. Saw plently of trash along smaller roads, main roads are pretty clean and good to travel on. Get off the beaten path and you will find trash. Since I have not done any dives near the main town or east of there, I may just be unaware of this problem. Lots of things to do on the island for non divers, great snorkeling, great museums, markets, stores, beaches, gambling, golfing, caves, and don't miss the sea aquarium and ostrich farm. Hope you have a great trip where ever you end up going.
LibbyinDC
November 3rd, 2003, 08:08 AM
Hi there! Just thought that I would put my two cents in here on the Norwegian Sun...
I actually like cruising and I LOVED the Norwegian Sun. It was honestly the best of all worlds for our group. I went with my parents for a little getaway from my hectic schedule in DC. We all met up in Miami and went to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Roatan and Belize. It was honestly one of the best vacations I have ever had. There was a ton of stuff to do during non-port times, all of the food was there and ready whenever you wanted (courtesy of the Freestyle dining) and there were four different ports of call. At the time, I wasn't fully certified, so I did resort courses. We dove in Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Roatan. Then, we did the snorkeling excursion at Shark-Ray alley in Belize. Roatan was by far my favorite at the time.... although I have subsequently become somewhat of a Cayman junkie since we got certified there.
Although all of the dives seemed to be more of the cattle car variety, I have to say that I enjoyed every minute of it. Also, Anthony's Key Resort really worked to try and make sure that everyone got a great experience in Roatan. Also, you need to keep in perspective that there were really not that many divers on the 'cattle' boats... I would say that the max that I experienced were about 20 or so. The same is true for other cruises that I have been on with NCL. (We recently did a cruise to the Eastern Caribb. on Norwegian Dawn when we were certified divers and the same was true for that trip.)
While it might be nicer to reserve with a smaller dive op for your port of call, it is very easy to just book through NCL. Also, you need to be mindful of the time constraints at port because the ship will leave without you if you are not there.
Good luck!
LB
Tim Ingersoll
November 3rd, 2003, 08:34 AM
[QUOTE]LibbyinDC once bubbled...
[B]Also, you need to keep in perspective that there were really not that many divers on the 'cattle' boats... I would say that the max that I experienced were about 20 or so.
I guess I have been spoiled by the six-pack boats in Cozumel!
We recently did a cruise to the Eastern Caribb. on Norwegian Dawn when we were certified divers and the same was true for that trip
Where did you dive? What was the itinerary?
While it might be nicer to reserve with a smaller dive op for your port of call, it is very easy to just book through NCL. Also, you need to be mindful of the time constraints at port because the ship will leave without you if you are not there.
Check out Aldora. They are right near the cruise ship pier and go out of their way to accommodate the cruisers who don't mind paying a little more for better service and diving.
Craigus
November 3rd, 2003, 10:35 AM
I know your question had to do with Caribbean destinations, but, if you can afford it, think about Hawaii, more particularly Maui. No doubt about having the best of the best for both the diving crowd and the non-divers, too. Most of our dive buddies live on the east coast and would never spend the time or money to go to Hawaii. We live on Alaska, so it's six of one/half a dozen of the other for us. We'll take the liveaboards in the Caribbean but the shore life in Hawaii.
Whatever you do, have a great time!
Let's get wet! :tree: :tree: :tree:
Eric.
bridgediver
November 3rd, 2003, 02:38 PM
sigelr once bubbled...
I've not been to Curacao so can't compare but I know Aruba has some shopping as well as gambling/casinos for night time entertainment (not my thing - I'd rather throw my money away on dive gear etc. but a lot of folks like that aspect of the available entertainment). The diving is okay - not the best I've done but certainly not the worst either. More wrecks than reefs. The Jeep safari trips are fun and not to be missed but are for the heartier souls that can take being bounced around all day. We stayed at an all inclusive resort (the DiviDivi - I think?) and the rooms and food were not bad at all. The natives are friendly and there doesn't seem to be the oppressive poverty that you see in some parts of the Caribbean hence we felt very safe and welcome. Again, just another option for you to perhaps learn more about should you be so inclined. Good Luck.
We choose Aruba as well. We're leaving next month. Out of the ABC's it was reported that the beaches are the best in Aruba - which is a HUGE consideration for my wife! I love wreck diving so it should be good. I'll let you now when we get back
scubamax
November 9th, 2003, 12:06 PM
I have been to both Aruba and Curacao, and both have topside activities for non divers. It just depends on what your party wants to do....Curacao is a bit less arid and has more nature (parks, reserves) and cultural related choices than Aruba, but Aruba has better beaches and shopping. Aruba has more full-service high-rise "resort" properties which makes it feel a bit more mass market, whereas Curacao feels a bit more genuine,(which you may or may not want (warts and all) on a vacation.
I only dove in Curacao, but from my research and other opinions it has the edge on diving over Aruba.
In short:
Bonaire: Great diving, fewer topside activities
Aruba: Most touristy destination, diving not as good as Bonaire
Curacao: Best compromise of the two.
Scubamax.
grhvictoria
March 1st, 2006, 05:04 PM
Hi
I have been to Belize twice and contrary to someone else report there is a lot to do when you are not diving eg-Mayan ruins, jungle treks to see howler monkeys, jungle walks to the Blue Hole etc, many great restaurants, great people nice beaches etc, etc all at a very reasonable price. We will be returning in March to be certified-staying in San Pedro. Check Belize web site , you won't be disappointed.
