Belize Sun Dancer vs Belize Aggressor

[surgeman]

I am planning a trip to Belize and am interested in either the Aggressor or the Sundancer. The aggressor is $200 more but I am concerned the the Sun Dancer as one poster has put it "is showing its age" and although I know the company was bought from Peter Hughes Co I am still concerned by the distant Belize tragedy and the more recent Caribe Dancer issues. I don't want to spend an extra $200 if I don't need to and yet if indeed it is only a $200 to travel on a well tried and tested boat (the aggressor) do I want to mess with my vacation for only $200.

I know the diving will be identical.

All thoughts are much appreciated.

Jon

 

[tdchandl]

Heading there on friday stay tuned.

 

[BTB79]

I was on the Dancer in August and loved it. The crew was amazing and the diving was great. Cabins were pretty standard from what I've seen on liveaboards (did the Kona Aggressor and Truk Odyssey in 2013 as well) and the food was really good as Jerry is an excellent chef. The dive deck and sun deck were comparable to the other two boats as well.

I can't comment on the Aggressor as I've never been on it but I don't think you'll regret going on the Dancer.

Either way, I'd say go with what makes you feel the best about your investment. $200 is a good bit of money but isn't much compared to the overall cost of a liveaboard trip in most cases.

Enjoy!!

 

[Doubler]

The crews swap back and forth. They do the same itinerary and usually anchor in sight of each other. I have been on the Belize Aggressor five times and love it. The guests on the BAIII tend to be older IMO. The dive deck on the BAIII is larger than the Dancer and the cabins are bigger on the Dancer. Both are good boats. Suggest you fly in on Friday and stay at the Radisson. Both boats tie up atbthe Radisson pier. We also stay Friday night at the Radisson as it eliminates the "get off the boat" by 0800 syndrome and gives you a comfortable place to hang out until your flight instead of the airport. Have a great trip.

 

[BigJimDiver]

My son and I did the Dancer 8 months ago. It is a little bit older than the Aggressor, but well maintained and pretty clean. Food was great. We were within sight of the Aggressor most of the trip, and while never onboard from what I've read here the Dancer's cabins are bigger but the Dive deck is bigger on the Aggressor. I'd say you won't go wrong with either.

 

[Brodydog]

My husband and I did the Dancer last year and found absolutely nothing wrong with it. For me the deciding factor was that there were 2 of us going on the trip so for $400 savings for both us, decided on Dancer. Now that I have been I would go back on Dancer even if it was only $200 savings. That is money I can spend elsewhere and absolutely nothing bad about the Dancer boat.

 

[tdchandl]

We had a fabulous trip on the Dancer last week. Crew outstanding, food excellent, diving fantastic. Some equipment issues on both dancer and aggressor during the week but did not interfere with the dive schedule. They have a new practice of removing your fins for you in the water when you return to the ladder. Was a skeptic but now very much spoiled. Rooms very nice. All and all an excellent trip. Megan and team, with all their energy, made the week very enjoyable going out of their way to please. We'll worth it.

 

[diving4ever]

They have a new practice of removing your fins for you in the water when you return to the ladder. Was a skeptic but now very much spoiled.

Really? Tell me more.
Lazy diver is intrigued.

 

[ronscuba]

Yes, Dancer has a crew member in the water near the ladder. You swim up to the ladder, they remove your fins for you in the water. The spoiling continues. Hot water showers on the dive deck and another crew member wraps a hot towel around you when you finish your shower.

Some people say the Aggressor tends to attract an older crowd compared to the Dancer. Was true the week we did Belize.

 

[KeithG]

Have done the dancer multiple times. Same itenary so no difference their. Dancer is a bigger boat. Has rooms on multiple levels. Aggressor is all below deck with small port holes. No hard liquor available anymore, just beer & wine.

I am not sure about the old vs young crowd or the larger dive deck claims.

Dancer Fin removal service was a new feature. Kind of weird at first, but I grew to love it. Missed it a few times when our night dives stretched a little long..

Jerry does a great job in the galley.