bruce-r

I am a total non-swimmer, can't even manage the dog paddle, don't like to get water up my nose or in my eyes.........you get the picture. Did a helmet dive in Bermuda, and had a great time!....

And you felt safe doing this?

IMO, neither is suitable for a non swimmer

Is there a fee to use a lounge chair?

The BBQ and lemonade are free?

Is there a fee to board the tender boat to and from HMC?

How are the washroom facilities?

Thanks for coming back and posting a review.

P.S. when you read Tripadvisor reports or reviews, notice how many contributions a reviewer has made. If they have only made one or two, and they are both from the same travel destination, you can suspect them. If they have made many contributions from several destinations in multiple continents . . . that's not a tour operator pumping up his business. You'll find my report there.

 

Chad

That's excellent advice.

We are heading there on an uncoming cruise and I have myself sold on Nachi Cocum. However, I have two kids aged 12 and 9. I'm wondering if Paradise Beach would be the better bet. It isn't too crazy of a crowd at PB, is it? I want fun, relaxation -- but not a lot of out of control drunks.

You'll have a good time at PB and your kids will be happier there, IMO.

The obvious solution to your dilemma is to do a land vacation in Cozumel so you can go to both beach clubs. :D

Is there any problem getting a return taxi? We will be there in April.

Should be no problem.

Is the snorkeling at Nachi Cocom included with the cost? Or is it an additional fee??

additional fee if you go on a boat trip. Snorkeling from shore should be free, but probably disappointing.

I've been checking out Nachi Cocum for an upcoming girl's cruise March 3. I know we won't be looking for any water sports; mainly want to chill on the beach with cocktails. It sounds like Nachi Cocum would be perfect for us.

My question is, for travel to Nachi Cocum, do you just get a cab at the pier? Also, do you pay when you get there, or do you book in advance?

Reserve in advance, definitely.

While money is always a consideration, it would be poor value to go to Nachi Cocom if you really want the water toys that PB offers.

Is it safe to say that at this port, you don't have to book an excursion? You can just get off the ship and onto the beach?

Hey you!! It's Tami from the roll call board. When we get on the ship we have to "high tail" it over to the excursion desk to book one. There is only 12so we have to run!!

Why again would you want a cabana? When we go Mexico we sit by the water. Is the weather any different? It was hot in Cozumel but I didn't want to go inside- I liked the beach so would I like a cabana? Just wondering if there is a big difference in weather that would make me want to sit inside?

It is obvious to me that you do NOT want a cabana. :rolleyes:

Now give it a rest.

You should have taken a tour, comfortable chaise lounges, a stocked refrigerator and snacks. Shade if you want to pull further back and air conditioning. Table and chairs to eat your lunch.

Plus: included float mats, snorkel gear, preferred tender tickets, fresh water shower, and best of all for us when we were there the feeling of privacy.

Do the tenders run all day or just morning and evening?

Can u rent "stuff" on shore if it is waitlisted as a excursion?

Also; does anyone have a link to a map with cabana numbers and location? Thanks!:D

here ----> http://farm1.static.flickr.com/108/296583013_6fa96f5e51_o.jpg

Not a map, but this photo montage should help.

And yes, IMO a cabana is definitely worth the $, especially if there are TWO ship there the day you visit HMC.

I think they should have a seperate area for those who wish to sun topless. After all, there are passengers from all over the globe onboard and it may be acceptable in their country. :rolleyes: Lets not just be PRUDE americans.

That's a sensible suggestion.

We're ready for Gerry (hope he's ready for us LOL). We're definately going to the San G. ruins. Kind of debating with the tequilla tour, Paradise Beach, and shopping-off the beaten path. Is the wildside a must see or would it be worth it to just stick out at PB.

Where is the coral bridge in conjunction with the above?

 

Anyone that has been priviledged to use Gerry as a tourguide, can you once again post your list of places in the order you did (maybe how much time too)?

 

Thanks!

Vicky

I think the whole point of hiring a driver would be to see the wild East side of the island. Personally, I'd just skip the shopping and spend my time at Coconuts or Chen Rio. Do the ruins tour first, stop at Coconuts for lunch and bring a t-shirt for the ceiling. Then if you want you can stop at Chen Rio for a swim. After that, continue south around the southern tip if the island then back up to PB.

Don't have a map, but I do have a link to a photo of them, in order.

http://static.flickr.com/108/296583013_6fa96f5e51_o.jpg

I think you can find a map of HMC on the HAL website.

Hi all,

 

We just returned from Liberty and they offer both the SCUBA diver certification and the Open Water certification but only on the Western cruise.

 

I posted an update here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=802887&highlight=padi with the schedule.

 

The Open Water Cert is not listed on the web site. If you haven't already, go the the PADI sight and look at the medical forms. If you have to answer yes to any question, you'll need a Dr's release before you can proceed. Our instructor said many people sign up and then discover they have a problem on board. The question that got me was are you over 45 and have a family history of heart attack or stroke. I'm 51 (as of the first day of our cruise) and my mother has had a stroke. I was able to get signed off before we left.

 

Check out the other thread for current comments and feel free to ask any questions.

 

Steve

Posted earlier on the other thread.

 

Quick question, please. This thread deals principally with initial or basic certification. But what about those of us who hold a C card but haven't dived in a number of years? There aren't many dive shops in our area and only one appears to offer a PADI recertification course.

 

I've checked existing threads and found no discussion on recertification. Has anyone taken such a course while on-board to requalify for open water dive excursions? If so, would be interested in cost and time requirement (we're currently scheduled for Voyager in spring 2009 and I presume that such courses, if available, would be offered on Voyager and Freedom class vessels). Thanks,

 

T Lex

Scuba Tune-Up

Been a while since your last dive? Refresh your knowledge and skills at sea with your SeaTrek instructors. Even if you have made a dive recently, this course will boost your confidence and enjoyment. $49 USD per person.

I'd check into doing that.

 

@bruce-r

 

It is a full open water cert if you'd like I'll post a scan of my C-card. It even says Royal Caribbean International. Though some people did stop at scuba diver level but you can do that portside too.

I understand your thing about having a local shop as soon as i got home i went to one of the local shops and chatted with them about local diving. I'm currently in the process of joining one of the local dive clubs.

As to limited on time who really needs all that time to do the class work it's mostly common sense I probably could have gone through the entire course only watching the videos which was basically all the classroom stuff was. plus Steve sharing some interesting stories and making sure everyone understood everything. But that last part didn't take too much time like i said diving certs are easy. (except the rdp chart that took some people hours to get).

My 18 y.o son took the PADI course on board the Mariner in April 2007. Despite the rumors on these boards it is a full open water certification. He had a blast. All the classroom and pool work was done when we were at sea and not in port. The course fee included the 4 open water cert dives. It was a great way to get certified. We are in the upper midwest so cert dives in our area are in 40 degree water in filled in quarries - no thanks! I'll cert in the Caribbean! Of course your local dive shop is going to tell you to cert at their establishment - they want your money! The Sea Trek staff were very professional and extremely competent. I say go for it! If diving is one of your dreams - make this your dream vacation.

That is contrary to what RCI says on their website.

IMO, you really, REALLY want to do the referral where you do the class work and pool dives at home with your local dive shop where you will have the opportunity and time to get extra practice if needed.

I'd say complete the instruction/classroom stuff at a local PADI-certified school if you have access to one, and do the actual certification dives during the cruise.

I have to agree. The certification offered on the ship isn't really a full Open Water cert. that would allow you to dive on your own (with a OW certified buddy). The ship's cert. is only a Scuba Diver certification which means that you'd only be able to dive with an instructor or DM.

If at all possible, it is better to do the school work and pool dives at home before the cruise. You get a referral letter from your local dive shop, then you can do the 4 open water dives thru the ship's program.

Another benefit of doing the class work and pool dives at home is that you are not as limited on time. If you need extra help with the class work or any of the pool skills, you can much more easily spend the time at home. On the cruise you have to do everything on their schedule with no time for anything extra.

If you can't do the class work/pool dives at home, I suggest just doing the Discover Scuba dives on the cruise and plan to do the Open Water Certification at home after this cruise in preparation for the next cruise.

Today is Wear a Kilt to Work Day – the entire male staff of KTLA, the local news station is wearing kilts today (it may just be in that newsroom, LOL).

I'd wear a kilt to work, except I can't wear one under my bunny suit. I work at Intel and have to go into the cleanroom.

Nice Bruce! Hey, did you wear a real sgian dubh?

If so, how did security handle that.

Also, I notice you're not wearing ghillies. Did you find that more comfortable than having to worry about slipping laces?

I say yes, wear the kilt! I am not Scottish, but I don't think a Scottish person would mind. There is no ill-will on your part, so I think it should be perfectly fine for you to do so.

I agree. I AM of Scottish descent and I don't mind at all if some one else wears a kilt.

I've worn my kilt on a couple of cruises and it does attract quite a bit of attention.

That is the Robertson tartan. Bruce-r where the r stands for Robertson.

Who is Guy Harvey?

For those who find google too much trouble:

http://www.guyharveyinc.com/newbio.shtml