Blackbeard Cruise tips

[Torcatdog]

My wife and I are heading to the Bahamas for a cruise with Blackbeard Cruise's. Any travel tips from past guests?? We are new to scuba and investing in new gear is an exciting and expensive part of the start up. Our diving gear is in hand, but I have questions about purchasing new equipment bags appropriate for the trip. I plan to pack a mesh bottom duffle bag with BCD, fins, mask and clothes inside of a hard side travelock 2000 check on bag, and carry my reg and computer in a waterproof backpack with essentials as a carry on. I will leave my hardside on shore and manage the duffle and dry/backpack on the boat. Any favorite bag layouts from experienced liveaboard patrons?? I'm thinking $125 for the duffle and a little less for the back pack. Times 2 for 2 new divers.

Best regards, Tori and Dani
:14:

 

[HarryWhisman]

Your BC will be mounted on your secured tank. The rest of your dive gear goes in a bench locker. No place for dive luggage on board.

Take a cushion to sit on.

Type Blackbeards in the search box and you'll find lists galore of stuff to take. That's what I did and it paid off big.

You're going to love it!!

Take a cushion for your wife too.

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

Sounds like some fun! Welcome to SB!

 

[murphdivers286]

I can't help you with this poll, because I have never been on a liveaboard trip. I have heard a lot about them, but never experienced them for myself. Good luck in obtaining the information you are looking for.

 

[mnj1233]

My wife and I are heading to the Bahamas for a cruise with Blackbeard Cruise's. Any travel tips from past guests?? We are new to scuba and investing in new gear is an exciting and expensive part of the start up. Our diving gear is in hand, but I have questions about purchasing new equipment bags appropriate for the trip. I plan to pack a mesh bottom duffle bag with BCD, fins, mask and clothes inside of a hard side travelock 2000 check on bag, and carry my reg and computer in a waterproof backpack with essentials as a carry on. I will leave my hardside on shore and manage the duffle and dry/backpack on the boat. Any favorite bag layouts from experienced liveaboard patrons?? I'm thinking $125 for the duffle and a little less for the back pack. Times 2 for 2 new divers.

Best regards, Tori and Dani
:14:

I echo the suggestion of a cushion to sit on. Your bags brought aboard will be useless as all gear is set-up for the duration of the trip. I found the trip very nice for the price. Tips around $100 each depending on your frugality. Food was very good. Crew very helpful. Dont miss the shark dive at Bull Run its a great dive before during and after the feed. Watch out for the sand fleas on Bimini beaches. Leave underwear at Last Place on Earth. Be sure your wife knows in advance that you have never met Jackie at the Angler!!!!!!!!

 

[DandyDon]

You will not need a gear bag on the boat, as you two will share a cubby hole for small stuff and your kit will remain set up all week. Soft duffels for the room are best, and the back pack does not need to be waterproof.

Do take a water resistant jacket with hood for each, a Safety Sausage & Storm Whistle on each BC, dive lights, CDs glued to each other, and maybe a slate.

Have fun...

:cowboy2: don

And don't be shy about posting. Click Forums above, tour the long list of choices, and jump in anywhere you're qualified. PM me with any questions, and I'll try to find a pretty good answer.

 

[Rafael]

Welcome to the SB!

 

[Torcatdog]

Well I am back from the trip and though I would relay my opinion regarding the poll. We did well with a soft sided duffel with drainage for the gear. Once set up on the tank our duffel was collapsed and stored beneath our mattress. We used a dry bag to store our clothes in. This was benificial because space in the bunk is at a premium and we could put items in the drybags and store them in the dive storage bins above board. There was a lot of room in the seat/bins on deck. Our travel bags and reg storage bags were left on shore at the house/office during the trip.