carnival cruise western carribean

[sanny179]

i am getting ready to take a
cruise w/ carnival valor.
G Cayman, Rotan, Belize,Cozumel.
so far i'm shore diving GC (devils grotto)
cruise booking Rotan(anthony's key)
Belize(8am-5pm) and Cozumel(8am-5pm) are open
i don't want to book thru cruise again
any info would be greatly appreciated
trip is april 13-20
thanks tony
trfine@verizon.net

[TX1Chica]

I really like Dive with Martin in Coz. They are located at the end of one of the pier's. Depending on where your boat dock's, you could be very close to them. I think these guys are great. You can book with them on line.

[navyhmc]

I agree with Martin for Coz., good group.

Keep in mind that dives booked through the ship are a little more expensive, but they have a definite benefit of having the ship wait for you if something happens and you're going to be late to the ship. If you book through the ship, they will either wait for you or arrange for you to meet the ship at the next port of call on their nickle. If you self book and miss the boat, it's your dime.

I have seen this happen a few times on Royal Caribbean.

[b1draper]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

I agree with Martin for Coz., good group.

Keep in mind that dives booked through the ship are a little more expensive, but they have a definite benefit of having the ship wait for you if something happens and you're going to be late to the ship. If you book through the ship, they will either wait for you or arrange for you to meet the ship at the next port of call on their nickle. If you self book and miss the boat, it's your dime.

I have seen this happen a few times on Royal Caribbean.

From the times I've dove with Royal Caribbean their prices were the same as the local dive ops in the port, maybe $5 difference.

[TX1Chica]

I think the benifit to booking your self is that you are less likely to be on a "cattle" boat. You could pick a dive opp that has smaller boats or takes less people. I didn't dive when we went on our cruise, but we did take a snorkel tour and it was on a big boat with a lot of people.

[scubasamurai]

Originally Posted by TX1Chica

I think the benifit to booking your self is that you are less likely to be on a "cattle" boat. You could pick a dive opp that has smaller boats or takes less people. I didn't dive when we went on our cruise, but we did take a snorkel tour and it was on a big boat with a lot of people.

cattle boat , i booked with the cruise and i had total 8 people on our boat. if i were you stick with the cruise line if your on the boat for sure. your covered in more than one way especially if your late, they wait. any problems with the dive people can be handled on board and usually with some sort of credit.

but any time in the water is great just remember if there is traffic and you miss the boat than get ready for a plane ride home

[georoc01]

For Cozumel, I will throw out Aldora Divers as well. We also did a dive with Dive Paradise yesterday and they picked up a couple of cruise ship divers at Hotel Barracuda.

As far as Belize goes, the issue is how far out the boat has to park from Belize city and the diving is in the opposite direction. This is the one stop I recommend booking through the cruise line as the Cunard ships use Hugh Parkeys who will pick you up at the ship.

[SHAGGY]

I will have to echo the recommendation of the others that say to book through the cruise ship. My last two cruises we seem to always leave at least one person per trip that struck out on their own.


shaggy