Cruise Ship Diving

[robint]

We never cruised until my hubby had hip surgery and was out of diving for awhile. We went on a cruise not planning to enjoy it, just a getaway. But we loved it, and have done several since.
Diving from a cruise ship can be okay. We had some fantastic dives in Roatan just a few months ago. Good dives in Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Used the ships excursions for each due to port times, except for Roatan where it is Anthony's Key and we wanted to dive with them regardless. We take our own gear, get a balcony room so we can sit it on balcony to dry for a few hours after the dives.
It can be a hassle having to go back on the ship after diving, rinse gear, put it out to dry...etc. Would be less of a hassle to use rental. We just figure we own the stuff, might as well take it.

And as far as which cruise to take.... there are so many lines and they all appeal to different people. Price is often a motivator for some. We do Carnival and love it. More casual and easy going that some of the others. We cruise for the ports, not the party or fancy stuff.

robin

 

[Bison]

I cruise at least once a year and I have found diving from a cruise ship can be a pleasant experience. Cruising allows the non diving family and friends to have fun doing their own experiences while my wife and I were off diving. Everyone was having a great time. If the dive operator has good reputation I'll book them through the cruise ship. You need to keep in mind how long your in port if your going to book a private charter or do shore diving. I usually bring my own gear but at some of the well known dive shops I tried gear rentals, helped decrease luggage with my large family, and It was like new gear. It was a nice way to try on/demo some other brands. In the end its a vacation and your diving how can you not find a way to enjoy it.

 

[buck3647]

So, I'll start by saying I've never been on a cruise. Neither has my wife. We've done several dive vacations together Florida Keys, East Coast, FL, and two Scubaboard Invasions (Cozumel, Roatan). All good. However, we've been talking about a vacation next spring that while it might include diving it will not strictly be a dive trip. In part because I want to include my adult child (diver) and 17 year old child (non diver).

Cruises have come up repeatedly in conversations with friends and family who do not dive at all. They make cruising sound pretty appealing.

I've read numerous times on scbuaboard that the sites used for diving by cruise ships are pretty lame. Anyone care to weigh in on the subject? I'm assuming I won't get anything like the fantastic diving I had in Cozumel or Roatan, but are the dives worth doing?

I don't have a particular cruise line or destination picked out.

As an avid scuba diver and living in S Florida where all the fish and reefs have been destroyed compared to other reefs. Using a cruise as a taxi just makes sense. Those in the family that do not dive have options. My belief is that any ship that stays above the water is a good cruise. take a peek at my cruises on youtube the Real David Pressler currently booking Jan 20 out of Mauritius Madagascar Seychelles Reunion Island 14 days $2,500 Costa

 

[2airishuman]

So, I'll start by saying I've never been on a cruise ... we've been talking about a vacation next spring that while it might include diving it will not strictly be a dive trip. In part because I want to include my adult child (diver) and 17 year old child (non diver).

Cruises have come up repeatedly in conversations with friends and family who do not dive at all. They make cruising sound pretty appealing.

Depends what you like.

The best part about cruises is that they provide a safe, relaxing environment, and you have access to a variety of meals and entertainment with zero planning on your part. They also allow you to see a greater variety of locations on a single trip than would be possible any other way. My wife and I go on cruises and enjoy them. A particular benefit, in many situations, is that you can share a cruise with friends or family members without having to reach agreement on, well, anything -- you just do things together when it makes sense, and if they want to see the ruins and you want to dive, you can do that. Cruise ships are also a good environment for people with more limited mobility as long as they are willing to remain on board during the ports of call.

There are two major drawbacks, for me. The first is that the shore windows are short. Typically you get around 5 hours of time to be engaged in an activity on shore, out of a typical 7 hour shore window, because you don't get off right away, want to get back on a little early, and because it takes time to take the shuttle or taxi or whatever in most cases. Consequences of this is that all your sunrises and sunsets will occur on board, and you will not see any local night life.

The second drawback is that there's nothing organic about the onboard experience itself. There may be an Italian and French and Caribbean themed restaurant but these spaces are not designed, run, or staffed by people with connections to these cultures.

I've read numerous times on scbuaboard that the sites used for diving by cruise ships are pretty lame. Anyone care to weigh in on the subject? I'm assuming I won't get anything like the fantastic diving I had in Cozumel or Roatan, but are the dives worth doing?

I have always booked my own diving rather than go through the ship. I have had fantastic dives while in port in Cozumel, GC, and Key West. During the booking process they ask about dive history and I make it a point to mention some recent wreck dives I've made from shore in Lake Superior. I have never felt like I've been taken to substandard sites. I have brought my own gear except for tanks and weights.

 

[KeithG]

There are different types and kinds of cruising. Some you could dive from, others not so much. Some you might like, others not so much.

I am told the most common cruise is the floating buffets that bop around the Caribbean. Full of Newly Wed, Over Fed and Nearly Dead. We have never considered one of those.

We have been on a bunch of cruises, but never considered diving as an activity as the water was either way too cold (for me) or just not suitable for diving. Our first cruise was from Alaska down to Vancouver during September. We put our parkas on and sat in the sun on our balcony sipping champagne while we watched the wilderness scenery go by.

Can a LOB be considered a diving cruise? Great diving, not much cruising.

 

[ronscuba]

Cruises are not for everyone, but they do have their advantages.

- group with mixed interests.
- family with mixed interests or ages
- can be very affordable
- sample several different destinations in 1 trip

Have friends or family members that don't dive, but you would like to vacation together ? How about a cruise to Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao ?

 

[hilljo88]

I've cruised and dived several times. Here's what I do: check the ports the ship stops in, and the arrival and sailing times at any port that might have good diving. Then check scubaboard or other source for reviews of dive shops. Contact the dive shop directly with details of when the ship will be in port. Some shops only run morning trips which you likely won't be able to make. Usually shops will arrange to pick you up and drop you back at the ship. You can either rent all equipment from them or bring your own, although your cabin will get crowded and gamey after a few dives. Cruise ships might do ok booking something for you, but I prefer to nail down the details myself, and its cheaper to go direct.

 

[KeithG]

Cruises are not for everyone, but they do have their advantages.

- group with mixed interests.
- family with mixed interests or ages
- can be very affordable
- sample several different destinations in 1 trip

Have friends or family members that don't dive, but you would like to vacation together ? How about a cruise to Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao ?

+1 on interests (common, not mixed interests)
-5 on affordable...mostly in my world...

We love cruises, but not a buffet divish cruise (we prefer a LOB). We do mostly nature / expedition cruises, but a few cultural cruises. None of these hint at diving. For culture think a river cruise with 200 of your best (new) friends floating down the Danube drinking great beer and bad wine for a week trying to find vegetables as you pig out on pork products. For expedition think 10 days with 118 of your best (new) friends trying to get to Antarctica. Or the Arctic. Big smallish boats. Nothing guaranteed. Weather permitting. Guys with guns protecting you from polar bears..

 

[Bison]

Cruise Ships/ vacations are changing every moment. The notion of lazy buffet boats floating around is a stereotype or misconception. The new ships produced within the past year alone are larger with more amenities and uniques experiences than ever before and everyone can have a good time. The running track/workout area with trainers are present. The Spas are bigger than ever. The new ships even have large water parks and outside play areas. The idea of 5 star dining and entertainment for the entire group/family is a bonus since not everyone is a diver. The idea of visiting different ports to dive only makes it even better. If you want to be active and enjoy the activities of the ship/ports the options are there. Cruises or any vacation is what you make of it.

 

[ronscuba]

The larger ships are not necessarily better than the smaller. More amenities, but also more people, more crowds, more noise, lower quality food because they have to feed so many people.

Cruises have worked great for my family vacations. This past summer on the new mega sized, 5,200+ passenger Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas was fun, but we all said next family cruise, a smaller boat would be better for us.