RWBELKNAP

Last time I was there, they were using Don Foster which is an outstanding operation.  We did two shore dives from the shop because they are right on top of the reef.  I also did my OW training through RCL at Don Foster's.

Get the fins.  They will help you with the swimming, even if you are a strong swimmer.

I am sailing on Harmony of the Seas in November with a stop in Costa Maya.  I see there are two dive options, one through ***** and one through the ship.  Can anyone tell me who the operators are for these excursions?  Thanks.

I chose Doubletree because I am a Hilton Honors member with a few hundred thousand points so the room was free.

I just returned from a week on Freedom where I got my Open Water Certification for $499. I attended class on Monday afternoon, pool-dived on Wednesday, did three open water dives in Grand Caymen down to 53 feet on Thursday, did a pool dive and 40 foot dive in Cozumel on Friday, finished up my classwork Friday afternoon and took the final test on Saturday. It does take a fair amount of time, but I think it is comparable to taking the course at a dive center and then having to travel to some other location to do your open water dives. I was able to participate in a tour in Jamaica and had time to shop in Cozumel. The ship/dive shops provide all equipment to include wet suit except snorkel, mask, and fins which you will probably want to buy yourself.

We stayed at the Doubletree in Cocoa Beach. They offer a shuttle to the port starting at 11:00 for $5/person. You buy tickets in the gift shop. The same shuttle stops at the Comfort Inn and Holiday Inn Express. When you return, you walk out of the terminal to the shuttles area and they take you back to the hotel.