2008 Emerald Princess Scuba Cruise * November 10, 2008

[Zsuzsika]

Cruise Critic is sponsoring the third annual Scuba Cruise aboard the Emerald Princess on November 10, 2008. A dive package for five of the six ports of call is available to the certified divers in the group. Information about the cruise and dive package can be had by visiting the Group Forum at Cruise Critic or by requesting an emailed group brochure.

The 2008 Scuba Cruise is a 10 night cruise that departs round trip from Fort Lauderdale with the following itinerary:

Itinerary

Day 1 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Day 2 - At Sea
Day 3 - At Sea
Day 4 - Aruba
Day 5 - Bonaire
Day 6 - Grenada
Day 7 - Dominica
Day 8 - St. Thomas
Day 9 - At Sea
Day 10 -Princess Cays
Day 11 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

This cruise is classified as an Exotic Southern Caribbean itinerary - a divers dream come true. The Emerald Princess is Princess Cruises newest ship at the moment, coming into service just this past Spring (2007). Our optional group dive package includes a two tank dive in each port of call.

There will be two days at sea on this 10 day cruise to begin with and one day at sea on day 9 towards the end of the voyage. Those first two days at sea will allow you to get to know the ship and the people in the group. If you are planning to dive with the group, the divers will get together on one of those days at sea to discuss the busy week ahead.

Our group will not have a fixed dining time, unless you want one for your party. You can eat when you want, with whom you choose at any dining venue on the ship. There will be a total of two formal nights on the cruise; one at the beginning and one towards the end.

In the evening, you'll find shows, lounge acts, karaoke, the casino and other entertainment venues going all night long. There's a daily newsletter outlining your choices delivered to your room every night.

There will be a new port of call every day five days in a row where we will offer diving and a stop at Princess Cays, the cruise line's private island, on the last day of the cruise.

There are pros and cons to a dive vacation that's also a cruise. However, most people, after doing one, opt to continue to cruise and dive. Princess Cruises does an exceptionally good job in combining excellent dive ports with a low key, less structured cruise experience. Thanks to anytime dining, you can call the shots as to when to eat and with whom. The Emerald Princess has comfortable staterooms and excellent amenities as well as a great spa.

One huge benefit, I am told, for divers traveling with non-divers, is the ability of the cruise to keep everyone happy. Although I don't expect many group members to be with kids this cruise,( given it's in early November) it's nice to know the ones that do will have the option of daycare and babysitting. Remember, you don't have to dive in every port of call. It's good to spend time with your family and friends, and a cruise like this will allow you to do both

If you plan to bring some or all of your own equipment, I recommend you do so in a rolling duffle, as we will be shlepping our gear in port. We always travel with our own equipment, and most members of past scuba cruises who rent equipment all seem to agree that diving with your own gear is the way to go. If you can only afford to invest in one piece of equipment, it would be a regulator and dive computer.

Your gratuities will automatically be billed (at $10pp per day) to your shipboard account. You can adjust this amount, or remove it altogether if you prefer to tip with cash. You should also bring along some cash for dive boat tips, if you plan to dive with the group. There is usually at least one ATM machine on the ship, and you should be able to cash traveler's checks at the Guest Relations desk, but obtaining a cash advance on your credit card or shipboard account will be very expensive. There will be a safe in your cabin where you can store small valuables and your money.

All your shipboard purchases, including those made in the gift shop, go on your shipboard credit account. You can add money to your shipboard account to prepay for some anticipated expenses like tours, alcoholic beverages, and souvenirs.

It's recommended you fly into Fort Lauderdale the day before if you have to change planes, since you don't want to risk airline delays. Members often ask me about how much one can expect to spend while on a cruise. A lot depends on how much you drink and how you spend your money. Our dive package will require you to pre-pay for your dives before you cruise, so that is one expense you will have had covered before you ever step foot on the ship.

I know people who go on cruises who check-out on the last day with nothing more than their ($10 per person per day) gratuities on their shipboard account. They bring most of their own alcohol and wine and limit their spending to purchases made in the ports of call. On the other hand, I have seen people check out on the last day with 10 pages of charges on their shipboard account! It's very easy to rack up a huge tab if you enjoy drinking! As I said earlier, some people anticipate what they will spend and buy additional shipboard credits that are there for you to spend. One couple I know of put $1000 on their shipboard account last year and spent all of it on alcoholic drinks and in the spa. When they checked out, they had a $0 balance and nothing was billed to their credit card on file.

If your idea of the perfect dive vacation is doing multiple dives per day and your goal is to dive a lot, a scuba cruise is not for you. You will have the ability to do 10, possibly 11 dives while on the cruise. Because each dive operation we dive with will be a first for most divers, you can plan on the dives being somewhat more conservative than what you would do if you dove with the same dive operation day after day. That said, we do make every effort to customize our dives to meet the needs of both the novice and more experienced diver.

A cruise provides a very comfortable home base, that allows you to dive multiple locations, eat decent food, decompress while enjoying a show and stay in touch with home via easy internet access. All that aside, only you can decide if a cruise is right for you.

Please don't hesitate to request more information!

Thanks.

Suzi
Dive Group & Cruise Coordinator

 

[Zsuzsika]

If you are a diver who has never considered taking a cruise vacation, this posting will help address a few more issues concerned with the 2008 Scuba Cruise aboard the Emerald Princess.

I have been getting a a number of emails from experienced divers who have never considered taking a cruise before. Most are familiar with land based dive resort vacations and Live-Aboards, where the focus is more on diving than anything else. Many share the concern that the emphasis will be more on the cruise than the diving; that they will be bored or not fit in or feel uncomfortable with the formal atmosphere on a cruise ship. What ever the reason, people are implying that they cannot picture themselves being confiled on a cruise ship for any lenth of time and wonder about the quality of diving when you dive in a new port every day.

The reality is a dive vacation combined with a cruise is not for everyone. As I have said before, the diving tends to be more on the conservative side, as each dive operator we contract with gets only one chance to dive with you. Unlike a land based dive vacation where you can dive and get to know the place fairly well when you are not in the water (which is what makes going to a new dive destination so interesting), you will have to choose between diving in a port or touring the surrounding area as there isn't enough time to always do both.

As is the case with most vacations, there are pros and cons to take into consideration before deciding to join us. How much you spend on your cruise accommodations in large part depends on the type of stateroom you select. Diving in the ports of call is not included, therefore, you will want to budget around $500pp (give or take few dollars) if you plan to dive in each port. Although most of your meals and entertainment on the cruise is included, there is the additional cost for drinks and anything else you buy off the ship. If your ideal vacation includes diving multple tanks every day along with a few night dives or a stay in one location to get the most out of your visit, then this scuba cruise is probably NOT for you. A scuba cruise will 1) give you a brief introduction to the ports of call, 2) give you a taste of what diving is like there and 3) help you decide if it's worth a return visit.

One issue that comes up a lot and has to be addressed has to do with transporting gear. When you vacation at a land based dive resort, you generally are allowed to leave your dive gear on the boat, in a nearby dive locker or shed or in a hotel room a few steps away. Diving while on a cruise requires a more little creativity, as you will be transporting your gear off the ship, into a cab, then a dive boat and finally hauling your wet gear back onto the ship.

But combining a dive vacation with a cruise does have beneits - so much so, that more and more divers are taking cruises - just ask PADI, who now partners with Princess! I have been leading cruise groups since 1994 and have found Princess to be among the most dive-friendly cruise lines out there. That's not to say I don't lead dive cruise groups on other lines. But Princess tends to visit more dive friendly ports of call, offers an upscale yet casual atmosphere, and is willing to work with dive groups like this one, to insure members have a positive experience .

Like an all inclusive dive resort, this cruise aboard the Emerald Princess will include all your meals but no soda or alcoholic beverages (I have yet to go to a dedicated dive resort where alcohol was included). Unlike dive resorts, you will find the food quality and the choice in dining venues to be far superior. With Princess' Personal Choice Policy, you can eat anytime, anywhere. Casual dress is the norm. with more entertainment choices at night that include M.U.T.S. (big screen Movies Under The Stars), production type shows, illusion and comedy acts, a disco, nightly lounge entertainment and one of the largest casinos afloat.

It's true there are two Formal Nights - one is scheduled for the second day of the voyage (which happens to be a day at sea) and one towards the end of the voyage. Formal nights with Princess are more low key thanks to Anytime Dining, but the expectation is for everyone involved to dress up. Much of the formality associated with Formal Night - lining up to meet the Captain and attending a structured cocktail party determined by your dining time - has been done away with by Princess. Instead, bars in and around the main lobby areas of ship on multiple floors serve free drinks for about an hour, around 6pm and 8pm. You don't have participate; a lot of people pass on the free alcohol that's served the first Formal Night (a creative cruise line ploy to get you to dress up ). Although the formal restaurants on the ship will require you to play dress-up on both Formal Nights, there are a number of casual dining venues that don't require you to play along.

Compared to other cruise lines, where your dining choice is to eat early or late, Princess offers you more freedom to eat when you want, where you want. You can still get a more traditional cruise experience, where you are assigned a seating time with the same people all week long, if you prefer. For more information about Princess' Personal Choice Policy and Any Time Dining, please click on the hyperlink that will take you to an article about how dining works on the Emerald Princess.

Many people who have spouses and family members who are non-divers, young kids in need of daycare or babysitting find a cruise to be the perfect "compromise". Non-divers will find lots to do on the ship and in each of our ports of call. No one says you have to dive in each port (though you will find that most divers in the group probably will). You can do a little research and figure out in which ports you want to dive, and see the sights with your loved ones on days you don't. The ship provides free daycare during the day up through 10pm and optional babysitting for a fee later on. Parents find this an invaluable service, as it allows them to bring their little ones along, leave them on the ship while in port, and return knowing they have been safe and cared for.

My husband and I are in our 40s, and have logged close to 200 dives each. We still very much enjoy going to dive resorts; but as we get older, we no longer have the desire to spend all day and night diving. We like the upscale cruise experience that Princess offers. We enjoy going out to dinner, taking in a show, listening to music or going out to a movie at night. Having state of the art workout facilities at our disposal is also a huge plus.

Accommodations on a cruise ship tend to be comfortable, but small, and compact unless you get a suite. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for; the size of you stateroom will probably be smaller than a hotel room at a dive resort. Most people don't spend much time in their stateroom, and find them to be more than adequate. The room steward will clean your room every morning and turn down your bed each evening. There is free 24 hour room service (you need to tip, though) and if you get a room with a balcony, you will have a place to dry out your scuba grear.

Lets face it, when you are looking at spending this kind of money for an 8 day vacation, it's important to know what's in it for you. Please don't stop here - I strongly recommend you do your own research. A good place to start is at our group forum, where you will find a lot of information about the cruise and dive package. Besure you request a copy of our group brochure. It's important to know who the group leader is and who generally will be inclined to book a group cruise such as this, as these are the people with whom you will be diving and spending time with on the cruise. Equally important is to get a handle on what the cruise includes and does not include, what to expect as far as kids are concerned, and finally what makes this group so special.

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[Zsuzsika]

Dive Package Information

We are offering a group dive package in the ports of call, so we wanted to make sure people interested in the group had an idea of the cost and how it compares to diving on your own or diving with the cruise line.

If you are a certified diver, you know that scuba diving is an expensive sport. I do what I can to keep the cost down, and hope after further examination, you will agree that diving with the group is the best way to go. However, please note that you are under no obligation to dive with the group. In fact, I have a list of quality dive operations in each of our ports of call that I'd be happy to disclose to you if you prefer to make your own arrangements.

As you look through the price list, I want to point out a few things. Joann, our group dive coordinator at ShoreTrips wanted me to let you know that none of the dive shops used for the group at our ports of call run cattle boat operations. They limit the number of divers, include tansportation and a lot of extras you won't get elsewhere. Joann is a diver and visits all the dive operations used by ShoreTrips regularly - she just returned from her latest dive trip last month - their version of quality control (I wish I had her job!).

More often than not, the published rates at ShoreTrips will be less than what the cruise line would charge. That's not the case in St. Thomas; she put together a dive package for the group at the premier dive operation on the island. I could have gone with a lesser dive operation, but felt it was worth paying a little more for individual attention and quality. I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but I have come to trust Joann's input. I could have made arrangements on my own in St. Thomas, but when I factored in the price and the cost of transportation, I felt what Joann could offer the group was better than what I could do on my own. The dives offered through Princess include transportation. On our particular sailing, which is so popular with divers, the ship's dive groups are expected to be large.

1. The cost to dive all five ports of call with the Scuba Group: close to $452
If you were to dive with the group in all five ports of call (through ShoreTrips), you can expect to pay close to $452 - that's including the dives in Dominica, which we expect to cost around $100 - give or take a few $.

2. The cost to dive all five ports of call with Princess: $555If you booked your dives through Princess, the cost to do so would be $555 - about $100 more than our group's cost. You'd be silly to consider going this route!

3. The cost to dive all five ports of call on your own: About $422
I won't argue with you that booking your dives independently will save you the most money. If you do so, based on my research, it will cost you around $422 - a savings of around $30 over our rates - to book all your own dives. I found most dive operators will require a non-refundable deposit (the main reason I chose to go with ShoreTrips), will have larger dive groups and will not include tranportation.

You save the most money in St. Thomas (around $23) followed by Grenada (around $14) and Aruba ($8) if you make arrangements to dive there on your own. It's cheaper to dive with the group in Bonaire and probably also in Dominica. If you factor in the cost of transportation, about the only port where you will save a significant amount of money if you do it yourself is in St. Thomas. I anticipate a few people to do just that!

Members who plan to dive in all five ports of call with the group will find the cost to do so reasonable. Most I think will agree that it's worth it to dive with the same people all week. I also think they will appreciate the individual attention, smaller groups and free transportation associated with the group dive package. Nobody wants to experience a port cancellation, but it's nice to know that if we can't get to a port for whatever reason, ShoreTrips will either refund 100% of money paid for dives in that port or make arrangements (in the event of a last minute itinerary change) to dive somewhere else.

4. Which Ports to Dive, Which to spend with non-DiversPeople who do not intend to dive in each port of call (I expect 50% to fall into this category) always ask which ports I recommend the most. All the ports of call we are scheduled to visit on this cruise have great diving, so it's kind of hard to choose. But if I had to, I'd recommend Aruba, Bonaire, Dominica and St. Thomas.

We arrive in Grenada around noon and stay until 7pm - we will be scheduled to dive 2 tanks in the afternoon. If you dive, there won't be much time to see the island or do much shopping. There's a lot of interesting things to see and do topside in Grenada, so it might be a port worth seeing with non-diving family and friends.

We are in the other ports all day. If you dive with the group, you should still have some time in the afternoon (with the exception of Bonaire) to explore the island or to do a lttle shopping. Most divers are anxious to get wet, so I expect us to max out in Aruba. And since St. Thomas is our last port of call, I would also expect to max out there. If you are traveling with non-divers, I recommend you research the ports of call and figure out which ports are best to spend topside.

I hope you will take into consideration the benefits of diving with the group, including priority tendering, my shipboard services as your group dive leader and the camaraderie associated with diving with new freinds all week long! Please don't hesitate to post a reply if you have any questions.

Prices:


Aruba $83
Day 4 November 13, 2008
8am-5pm
2 tank boat dives

ShoreTrips Dive Package Cost: $83
Cruise Line Cost: $99pp
Independent Dive Operator Cost: $75pp

Bonaire $51
Day 5 November 14, 2008
7am-2pm

ShoreTrips Dive Package (1 tank boat dive, unlimited shore diving) Cost: $51
Cruise Line Cost (2 tank boat dives): $129
Independent Dive Operator Cost (2 tank boat dives): $60

Grenada $110
Day 6 November 15, 2008
12 noon - 7pm
2 tank boat dives

ShoreTrips Dive Package Cost:$110
Cruise Line Cost: $119
Independent Dive Operator Cost:$96

Dominica (Count on it being about $100)
Day 7 November 16, 2008
7am - 5pm
2 tank boat dives

ShoreTrips Dive Package Cost: TBA (should be around $100
Cruise Line Cost: $109pp
Independent Dive Operator Cost:$106

St. Thomas $108
Day 8 November 17, 2008
8am - 6pm
2 tank boat dives

ShoreTrips Dive Package Cost:$108
Cruise Line Cost: $99
Independent Dive Operator Cost:$85

 

[Zsuzsika]

Grenada

Grenada $110
Day 6 November 15, 2008
12 noon - 7pm
2 tank boat dives - 5 hours
Max 10 divers

Dive Description:

The Emerald Princess is scheduled to arrive in Grenada around noon, but should actually be there a little sooner. We, as a group, will assemble and debark the ship as soon as we are given the okay. We will be picked up at the pier and transported to the dive operation soon after disembarking the ship. Count on diving taking up pretty much the entire day - I know they put 3.5 hours on the ShoreTrips site, but based on what Joann, our dive coordinator, told me, expect to be out most of the day. I suggest you grab a bite to eat before heading out to dive.

The Dive Grenada has limited the number of divers to 10, though if more people are interested in diving with us in Grenada, I will see what I can do to get another dive boat. Of all the ports, this may be the only one where we end up with only one small dive group.

We have made arrangements to dive the Underwater Sculpture Park while in Grenada. If you would like to see what this dive site looks like - it's quite famous, though I have never heard of it - please check out the video available on the web (do a search). My understanding is we will be diving two tanks while in Grenada - the sculpture park and a reef dive. The Sculpture Park has become quite a tourist attraction, and there is a lot on the internet about it. There is also supposed to be a very nice reef nearby and a wreck. The dive operation is family owned and relatively small, known for personalized service.

 

[Zsuzsika]

Bonaire

We will be arriving in Bonaire early in the morning (before 7am) and will be walking off the ship and over to the Divi Flamingo Resort, about 5 minutes from the pier once we get the okay to debark the ship. It's going to be very important to get off to an early start - the sooner we get off the ship, the better! We will all be required to pay an additional $10 for a Marine Park tag and do a brief check-out before boarding the dive boat.

My husband and I spent two weeks at the Divi and did two dives with them every day we were there in addition to dives from shore in the afternoon and evening. At the Divi, the dive boats return after completing each dive. When we were there, the two large dive boats left every morning around 9am - I am guessing they will have us on the same schedule. I am not 100% sure, but I think Bonaire should be one hour a head of ship's time, so our 7am is their 8am - all the more reason to make a swift exit.


Bonaire $51
Day 5 November 14, 2008
7am-2pm
1 tank boat dive, unlimited tank fills for shore diving - 5 hours
Max 16 divers

Bonaire's pristine reefs and diverse marine life are unique to the Caribbean. Because the waters around Bonaire have been protected by an actively managed marine park for the past 25 years, Bonaire today ranks amongst the top four best diving destinations in the world

Your day will start with a brief (required) orientation dive with the shop, and then you'll be able to dive the house reef.

Bonaire is known for its fabulous shore diving so we've included unlimited shore diving from the dive shops beach and dive dock. The reef is just 20 yards in front on the dive shop. Just gear up and step off into 12 feet of clear blue water. The reef quickly drops down to 120 ft, right in front of the dock. There are lots of fish below the dock and the reef is very good, with lots of tube sponges, parrot fish, trumpet fish and anemones.

We know you also want to get out on a boat dive so we've arranged a morning One Tank boat dive. They have the best boat fleet in Bonaire. Each boat has has plenty of shade, iced water, fresh fruit and full safety equipment. Best part is NO Back Rolls, just any easy stride off into the water. The boat dive depth is a maximum of 60'.

Diving conditions in Bonaire include no strong currents, no big seas and short boat rides- keeping your topside time comfortable- while good visibility, dense coral growth and a multitude of brightly colored reef fish allow you to enjoy our underwater wonderland.

If you have members of your party who are not divers, they can come along and use the hotel's casino and beach for $5 (paid at the resort).

 

[Zsuzsika]

Dominica

Dominica
Day 7 November 16, 2008
7am - 5pm

Cost: $118pp
Departure Time: 8:30am
Dive Package: 2 tank boat dives
Max Number of Divers: 16

The group dive package put together by ShoreTrips in Dominica will be with the dive operation located at the Castle Comfort Dive Lodge in Roseau called Dive Dominica. We will be doing a two tank boat dive to the Marine Reserve at 8:30am. The cost is $118 without rental gear. With a complete dive equipment package, it will run you $171 (a bit pricey, if you ask me)! The dive operation has requested that our group members make their reservations well in advance if we want the boat to ourselves. They have several very nice dive boats and which we end up in depends on the size of the group. The Marine Reserve is 20 minutes by boat to the south of Roseau. I have never been to Dominica, but I understand the diving is very good.

From the Dive Operation:

The waters of Dominica are protected: the Southern end of the island is the Scotts Head Soufriere Marine Reserve, the north being the islands first marine reserve, the Cabrits Marine Reserve. The divemasters and instructors employ a strict "look but don't touch policy", and ask that the only things you leave are bubbles, taking only pictures, wonderful memories, and garbage. All visitors to our island of natural wonders are required to pay a small marine park users fee which goes back into maintainance and upkeep of moorings and the parks.

All dive sites have permanent moorings and there are plans for more up and down the coast as more sites are found and explored. The possibility of new protected areas is also being explored to preserve this pristine underwater environment. Unlike many of our neighbours, the sands of Dominica are predominantly dark to black, this tends not to reflect light and gives the impression of very dark deep water, this is not the case in many areas. The mooring of private/charter yachts is forbidden in these areas and safe areas to anchor or moor in front of hotels along the coast are easy to find. All diving in our waters is required by law to be done through a dive centre.

Although the dive-staff pride themselves in being able to point out the rare and uncommon, the deep waters off the island also draw in big pelagics from time to time on all sites, so make sure to look up once in a while, you never know what's out there, whale sharks, dolphin, and on one occasion a pilot whale have cruised close by groups of divers intent on finding the hidden creatures on the bottom. Many of the world's top underwater photographers make Dominica a regular stop, some anually. New species of invertebrate were found in 2001 on a very shallow dive off the shore. Flim crews from National Geographic, The BBC Natural History Unit, and film crews from Japan are regular visitors, filming on the reefs and the many marine mammals offshore. Creatures such as frogfish and seahorse, rare in other regions are common here, as are many others.

As with all sites here, "the slower you go, the more you will see", the reefs are granite based, so there are comparatively few spaces for nocturnal and hard to find species to hide by day, this is what draws photographers and marine creature watches to our island.

 

[Zsuzsika]

Aruba

Aruba $83
Day 4 November 13, 2008
8am-5pm
2 tank boat dives - 4 hours
Max 12 divers

Aruba, for us, was a mad dash. We were constantly driving across the island, seeking out the best available on one of the best vacation spots in the Caribbean. Nancy and Eric definitely qualified, having been in business for 25 years. Our meeting with them exposed not only their interest in water-related activities, but their creativity and professionalism.

Our Aruba dive shop's policy of small dive groups enables them to keep their dive trips unique. Unlike large group diving, attention is focused on the individual. The staff and guests are happier as a result!

In addition to its live reefs, Aruba has a number of artificial reefs such as shipwrecks and airplane wrecks dating back to World War II. Some of the most beautiful shipwrecks in the Caribbean are located here. Each dive site contains hundred of species of tropical fish and coral.

Divers can expect to see Angelfish, Filefish, Trumpetfish, Coronetfish, Sergeant Majors, Grouper, Snapper, Goatfish, Cowfish, Parrotfish, Pufferfish, Barracuda, Moray Eels, Lobster and Octopus. Less frequently one might catch a glimpse of a Sea Turtle, a Stingray or a Manta Ray.

The reefs are home to Brain Coral, mountainous Star Coral, Soft Coral (Gorgonians), Sea Fans, Elkhorn Coral, and Staghorm Coral. Sea Anemones can be found nestled amongst the plentiful coral.

Your dive master will decide on your dive sites just prior to heading out and base his decision to do a shore or boat dive on the water and weather conditions.

 

[Zsuzsika]

St. Thomas


St. Thomas $108
Day 8 November 17, 2008
8am - 6pm
2 tank boat dives - 4 hours
Max 12 divers

We are scheduled to dock in St. Thomas around 8am, but I expect we will be there a little sooner. Our group will probably be allowed to go through the mandatory US Immigration check first thing in the morning with other priority passengers, but there is no way to confirm this until we are aboard the ship. Plan on the process to take less than an hour (a lot less if we get priority status) however, you never know, so be flexible. The dive operation knows we are on the cruise and having to go through this process, so no worries.

After we disembark as a group, we will be transported to the dive shop. Chris Sawyer, the dive operation selected for the group, is top notch and very customer service oriented. It receives great feed back from divers and I am confident we'll have a great time. If you have a preference in dive sites, let me know. They really want to taylor our dives to the needs and desires of the group.

From the dive operation:

Dive the Caribbean of your dreams with your experienced team who knows every part of the underwater scene around St. Thomas. Enjoy a two tank dive with this 5 Star PADI facility.

This dive shop offers the very finest diving experience in the Virgin Islands. We dive in small groups to all the outstanding dive sites in the Virgins. The trips are very well organized and very safety oriented.

They have been in continuous operation for nearly 26 years. Our boats and gear are top notch. All sites are chosen daily depending on sea and weather conditions. Dive depths are generally 60' and less. Nitrox available. The most common comment I hear from guests is "You have the finest program and crew I have ever seen."

 

[Zsuzsika]

2008 Scuba Cruise Dive Package Update

The optional dive package for the 2008 Scuba Cruise aboard the Emerald Princess is now confirmed; it's being offered through ShoreTrips.com. All dives in the ports of call have been coordinated for our group at quality dive operations known for personal service and for delivering a safe and enjoyable dive experience. The dive package includes dives in Bonaire, Aruba, Grenada, Dominica, and St. Thomas. You are welcome to make arrangements through Princess Cruises to dive on your own in Princess Cay, the cruise line's private island, but remember, we go there the day before we return to Fort Lauderdale. All dives offered by ShoreTrips include transportation to the dive boat.

The dive package is optional and is not included in the price of the cruise. You must purchase your dives in advance of the cruise from ShoreTrips. You must be booked on the November 10, 2008 Cruise Critic Scuba Cruise aboard the Emerald Princess through CruCon Cruise Outlet, the group's booking agent to qualify for the dive package. You also need to be open water scuba certified with a valid C-Card. You are not obligated to dive with the group and are welcome to book the cruise and make your own arrangements to dive in some or all of the ports of call. However, if you choose to dive on your own, you will miss out on some social activities planned for the dive group.

Scuba Cruise Members are encouraged to purchase their dives from ShoreTrips as soon as possible. All divers are required to add their names to the dive boat list at the group forum before purchasing their dives from ShoreTrips. Divers may dive in some or all of the offered ports of call. Non-divers are welcome on the cruise, but only open water certified scuba divers will be allowed to dive with the group. Some dive operations allow non-divers to come along; please contact Suzi, the group leader, for the cost and for a list of dive operators who welcome snorkelers and non-divers on the dive boat.

It's recommended you visit the group forum for updates and information pertaining to each dive operation in our ports of call. And don't forget to notify the group leader after you have booked the cruise.

To purchase your dives, simply visit the online group page at ShoreTrips. The dives in each port of call can be purchased all at once or one at a time. After you pay for your dives, ShoreTrips will email you confirmation of your payment and a dive voucher for each port of call. It can take up to 48 hours for your dives to be confirmed by the dive shop on the island. I recommend saving the voucher in a file on your computer, since you will need take a copy of this voucher with you on the cruise.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the group leader via email Monday through Friday. Emails received on weekends and holidays are checked the following business day.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Day 2 - At Sea
Day 3 - At Sea
Day 4 - Aruba
Day 5 - Bonaire
Day 6 - Grenada
Day 7 - Dominica
Day 8 - St. Thomas
Day 9 - At Sea
Day 10 -Princess Cays
Day 11 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL


Aruba
Day 4 November 13, 2008
8am-5pm

Cost: $92pp
Departure Time: 8:45am
Dive Package: 2 tank boat dives
Max Number of Divers: 16

Equipment Rental Rates:

Tanks, Weights and Weight Belts are included. BC vests and regulators are available for rent for $12.50 each, payable directly to the dive shop at the time of the dive.

Bonaire
Day 5 November 14, 2008
7am-2pm

Cost: $51pp
Departure Time: 9am
Dive Package: 1 tank boat dive and unlimited shore diving
Max Number of Divers: 16

Equipment Rental Rates:

Full gear pkg incl wetsuit....$34.00
Full gear pkg w/o wetsuit....$27.00

Regulator ..............$10.00
BCD ....................$10.00
Dive Computers..........$13.50
Mask, Fins, Snorkel.....$10.00
Shortie Wet Suit........$6.00
Underwater Flashlight...$7.00

If you have members of your party who are not divers, they can come along and use the hotel's beach for $5 (paid at the resort).

Grenada
Day 6 November 15, 2008
12 noon - 7pm

Cost: $122pp
Departure Time: 1:00pm
Dive Package: 2 tank boat dives
Max Number of Divers: 16

Equipment Rental Rates:

No charge for rental equipment.

Dominica
Day 7 November 16, 2008
7am - 5pm

Cost: $118pp
Departure Time: 8:30am
Dive Package: 2 tank boat dives
Max Number of Divers: 16

Equipment Rental Rates:

$171 including all dive gear.

St. Thomas
Day 8 November 17, 2008
8am - 6pm

Cost: $120pp
Departure Time: 9am
Dive Package: 2 tank boat dives
Max Number of Divers: 16

Equipment Rental Rates:


No charge for rental equipment

Cancellation Policy:

ShoreTrip's policy is to refund all tours and excursions if the ship doesn't make port in time or doesn't make port at all. They will also give you back your money if the vendor has to cancel due to equipment or weather problems.

You must contact ShoreTrips within 12 days after the date you were scheduled to dive to tell them that your cruise ship or the vendor prevented you from going.

You may cancel your ShoreTrips booking and receive a full refund up to 11 days before the the actual date of your reserved dive. At 10 days outbound, all trips become non-refundable.

To cancel your dives, log into Welcome to ShoreTrips® - Your Guide to Shore Excursions with your User Id and Password. Then click on "View Bookings" and click on the garbage can icon next to the booking. This will cancel your booking and refund your charge card in full.

 

[Zsuzsika]

As of April 8, 2008, there is room for only six more certified scuba divers. Although we currently still have good stateroom availability in the cruise group, we are limited by the size of the dive boat as to the number of divers who can dive with the group in each port of call. Please note that this limit does not apply to non-divers in the group.

If you would like more information, I recommend you visit our group forum.

Good luck!