Lost Island Voyages would be a good choice for you because it is still pretty close to the same price range as Blackbeards being at $1290 per week, but they only take out 12 passengers as opposed to 24. Those 12 passengers are in 6 private 2 person cabins each with its own sink and shower. Plus there are two push button heads and 2 showers with plenty of hot water for everyone to shower daily. They also have quite a bit of deck space for sunbathing and a nice pad laid out on deck boxes making a great relaxation spot. The main salon can seat all 12 passengers and the food is great and there is a wide variety of food because they stock in the US. And while the diving is of course spectacular, the small number of people makes it easy for the crew to completely customize the trip around whatever the people on board want to do, and the crew is VERY accommodating toward this. Every week on the Avalon is different.
Bahamas Scuba Diving | Liveaboard Diving | aboard Lost Island Voyages and the office number is 305-756-7762. It's family owned and operated, so you will likely be speaking with the captain/owner on the phone if you don't reach the cook plugging away in the office.Very fun spirited crew and boat.
Exactly what LIVdiver said - been out w/ the Avalon and crew 4x now, we've already booked our trip for 2013. Such a relaxing trip with LOTS of great diving. We've taken to doing 'Dawn' dives instead of Night Dives - Ray is always accommodating no matter how wacky the request. He even helped us replicate one of the most unique dives I'd done, the Kona Hawaii Blackwater Dive. Over 4,000 feet of seawater below us, and lots of amazing sea critters in the beam of our lights! I've never done a Blackbeards, but I can't imagine doubling the # of passengers on the same size boat and being happy. In contrast, the Avalon never feels crowded - there is always a quiet nook to curl up and read, or just watch the water & sky.
