cruise or a 7 day trip to island.

[bigman241]

Me and dad are going to get our cert real soon. We are talking about doing either a 7 day trip to cozumel or grand caymen. Or doing a cruise ship that will hit both. One down side is on the boat we will be able to dive like three days once per cozumel and caymen plus beliz i think. As with the 7 day stay we can do 15 dive on cozumel. Seems to cost about the same. One thing is for the cruise ship we could drive to florida and save three airline tickets.
Also which is best for having a non diver in the group.

[jet126]

First off, either locale is a great place to visit and to dive. You'll have a great time where ever you choose. Both offer lots for the non diver.

However I vote for land-based. A lot of cruise ships book their day trips combo divers with snorkelers and you end up on a "cattle boat" - not fun. Land-based you will most likely dive with the same op and same fellow guests all week. They get to know you and vice versa - it ends up being a really positive experience.

[chinacat46]

If the main purpose of the trip is to dive do land based. You will get more dives at a more relaxed pace and get to know one area. For a non diver I'd say either Cozumel or Grand Cayman would be fine. If the main purpose isn't to dive do the cruise and dive when you get the chance.

[bigman241]

Mymain purpose is to dive. Dad's properly 50/50 My ant a diver. But when we where in caymen there was tons to do we hit the turtle farm. Snokled ran the hot spots like hell. If any of you know what it is. GOt a t shirt i went to hell and all i got is this crapy tshirt.
We where going to dicuss it here in the next few days. Mom and dad joined a dam timeshare which is the reason fro cutting the trip from 5 months to a few nice trips. But hey a week in cozumel or caymen has to better then 5 months in florida. MAybe.
If we did the cruise we would shoredive caymen already know the spot we want just unsure for cozumel. I guest one thing we could try is if we do the 7 day trip is to wait till like the day before and get the filler spots on the airplane cheap though around xmas might be a bad idea. I know we went to cayman on dec and the plane going was nearly empty

Originally Posted by chinacat46

If the main purpose of the trip is to dive do land based. You will get more dives at a more relaxed pace and get to know one area. For a non diver I'd say either Cozumel or Grand Cayman would be fine. If the main purpose isn't to dive do the cruise and dive when you get the chance.

[Travelnsj]

I'd do land based Cozumel. Plenty to do on the Island and OK to good diving.

[Okc_diver]

I would also pick Cozumel. you can get a 5 day 2 tank package that includes unlimited beach dives. You could get up to 4 maybe 5 depending on your surface intervals. And you could do a dive the same day you arrive (that would be 6 days of diving).

[bigman241]

very true were going to sit down and work it all out soon.

Originally Posted by Okc_diver

I would also pick Cozumel. you can get a 5 day 2 tank package that includes unlimited beach dives. You could get up to 4 maybe 5 depending on your surface intervals. And you could do a dive the same day you arrive (that would be 6 days of diving).

[Recon]

Cruise diving is "OKAY" but I will not do it again, I do NOT like being rushed to do anything... I tend to be a more relaxed guy so.... I would rather spend double the money if that is what it took to have a nice relaxing week of diving, then a couple of dives in a 7 day period that you can not wait to for .... and when they are over, you wanna let your wife get back on the ship without you so you and your buddy can make another 600000000000 dives

~Recon

[johnyringo]

Yea, what Recon said.
If you want Vegas with a few dives do the cruise. If you want to go DIVING go for the 7 day island trip. I made the mistake of doing the cruise/dive thing and it was kinda like having to hang out in Vegas with a lot of rude people (which is nice if you like Vegas, hell if you don't) for a week just to be able to get in a few rushed dives albeit in some great locations. But, hey, livin' is learnin'.

[scubagirlj]

don't become a pod person! land-based is the way to go-also, remember how many people get sick on cruise ships, it would be a shame to miss your dives because you are surrounded by sick people!!