sckal

I've snorkeled with Roatan Ocean Adventures probably 5 or 6 times total. His Multi Stop Snorkel Hop tour is I believe about $70 pp. Herbert is a native islander, marine biologist and takes you to wonderful snorkel spots. The last is usually the drift snorkel along some amazing ridge and valley reefs beside the wall. Small local company, the employees really love to show off their reef and take great care of the guests. 

I did wind up going with Gypsea Divers today and I can absolutely concur that they are the perfect organization to do Discover Scuba and I suspect regular Scuba as well. We dove with Abel and Justine, they were patient and professional, all safety regulations and drills were thoroughly gone over to make sure we were capable before going to the reef. They pointed out all kinds of marine life as we dove while making sure we were completely comfortable. We went to a depth of 40 feet or so, and were in the water about 50 minutes.  It was a fantastic experience, I re-aclimated to Scuba after not having done it for about 5 years and one of the other students was trying it for her first time. If you book with them, you will be so very glad you did. 

I'm in Costa Maya now, last port on this same itinerary. I can highly recommend Roatan Ocean Adventures for Roatan. They go to reefs near French Key and your last snorkel is a long drift along a reef right beside the wall drop off. Smaller company, lots of personalized attention and the staff really care about their island, their guests and the marine environment. 

I took the Shark/Ray Alley to Caye Caulker, the snorkel was ok but it was cool to see all those nurse sharks and rays swimming around you. That part is in waist deep water so you just kinda stick your mask in the water. 

In Cozumel I went to Island Beach Club which actually has pretty good artificial reef structures you can access right off the beach. It's clean, has showers and lockers plus a restaurant bar and gift shop. I also didn't feel there were many people walking along the beach selling things all the time. 

Today I did discover Scuba with GYPSEA Divers behind Nacional beach Club in Majahual. I can't speak for the snorkeling but if you want to try that out, I'd highly recommend going with this outfit. very Professional, all safety guidelines are covered and their personalized attention is excellent!

I've just taken my 4th or 5th snorkel tour with Herbert and Roatan Ocean Adventures. I can recommend them very highly. Not only are they native islanders but they absolutely have a deep love of the island and the marine environment. It's a local, family run company that prides itself on the incredible customer service and tours that show off Roatan. I've had friends take land tours through them and they had the same high level experience I did.  The reef they go to is less crowded than the large tour companies use. The fish are more plentiful, there's lots of coral and sea fans too.  One of the highlights is a very cool drift snorkel which is bordered by a wall.  If you want a company whose owner and all employees really care about their guests' experience at the same time making sure the environment is protected, book with Roatan Ocean Adventures. They have both a Facebook page and Instagram page as well as website roatanoceanadventures.com. 

7 hours ago, wallyj said:

I believe the ‘key’ is if you booked and paid for SD before December 1, 2023, then you will not be subject to the new gratuity fee. If you are gifted a SD then the cost is zero, so 18% of zero is zero.
 

What reservations are you specifying you would go to GS for a credit? Are you thinking you want to cancel, if you are subject to the new gratuities L

Ok, thank you, this was definitely booked before Dec 1. I had to pay with Credit Card for the reservation, and was told to go to GS where they would give me OBC for that payment since I have a gift certificate. 

10 hours ago, dweeb said:

nope, not 1%.  they left the price the same as it was before (which included a 17% service charge to now having the same price but adding an 18% service charge.  

 

So before the price was $39.00per person  which included the 17%

now $39.00 per person plus 18% service charge = $46.02 per person.  

I had a complimentary certificate for specialty dining due to a mistake by Princess' customer service staff. I've already booked and paid for a Crown Grill reservation on my January cruise. I wonder what happens in that case for reservations already booked but at the lower price? And from what I've been told I can go to passenger services who will I guess give me credit? Has anyone had that experience?

30 minutes ago, BamaVol said:

Maybe it’s already there. Just a thought. 

Thanks, I did check just to be sure. I'll handle at port if need be. 

4 minutes ago, jsn55 said:

Read my post above ... it takes a great deal of patience to get your info entered.  If I had to do it all over again I'd not even start it ... I'd just show up with my paperwork like in the good ol' days.  Just keep trying and one day it will work ... or don't.

Yeah I saw that post. I'll check again a time or two prior to sailing but otherwise I agree, I'll let them sort it out at checkin. 

I've been on the phone twice with the Ocean Ready customer support at Princess with no resolution so thought I'd ask this forum. I'm guessing someone has had this issue.  I'm trying to enter my Payment Method using the same MasterCard I've used for at least 10 prior Princess cruises.  It gives me an error "Invalid Card Number." I have the card in my hand and I've typed the card number correctly. Anyone else have this issue and can provide guidance?

Just now, Cruise Raider said:

 

They use Jet Blue .. maybe just not on your itinerary.  

You can always request it and see what they can do.  

Ok thanks. I'm going to try to contact then directly to do that.  

I'm looking at EZAir for flights to FLL for a January cruise cross checking American and Jet Blue websites. There are Jet Blue flights that fall within the preferred arrival and departure window but EZAir only lists Delta and American? If I'm lucky enough to get an agent on the phone can I request Jet Blue? Most desirable is Jet Blue to FLL and American from FLL.  Thanks in advance for any advice. 

tootsiecurly just curious who you dove with in Costa Maya. I'm going next spring and considering Gypsea as they have good reviews. 

Yes, that's what Catherine's instructions said as well. Taxi to Hotel Nacional.  I did confirm the Discover Scuba with Gypsea, very excited! We've left time after in case I want to join a snorkel tour in the afternoon.  Thanks to all for the recommendations!

On 12/20/2022 at 9:21 AM, bruzin_for_a_cruizin said:

+1 for Gypsea. 

 

I dived with Catherine on Harris' recommendation and had a fantastic day. Mahuahal is an underrated diving destination with healthy reefs and abundant sea life, all not very far off the beach. And diving with Gypsea, I felt more like I was hanging out with friends for the morning than like I was a client.

On 12/19/2022 at 7:39 PM, omeinv said:

Please, do yourself a favor and go n with Gypsea.  Catherine and Abel are fantastic, and you’ll arrive as a customer and leave as a friend.  
 

Mahahual  has great Diving, and lots of sites that will be really good, while staying within the bounds of a Discover dive.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

Ok, thanks to you both.  I've emailed them and never heard back but will try again. It may have just been way too far in advance. 

I've done both multiple times but never in Costa Maya. I'd love opinions on this. I'd be doing this by myself in port with Princess in April 2023 as my shipmate doesn't do watersports.  I'm not worried about getting a taxi to Majahual as it's so close to the port. I've narrowed it down based on reviews to Mar Adentro or Gypsea Divers?  Thanks in advance for any advice.  

I agree with Topspot, enter by the red gazebo and swim away toward the far end. I've seen octopi, lots of blue tangs and other assorted tropical fish, barracuda, etc. If you're lucky enough to have it be low tide the depth isn't more than 10-15 feet unless you go out by the coral heads under the rope at the farthest distance from the beach. Not Roatan nor Bonaire, but certainly enough fish, sea fans, etc to make it worthwhile. 

1 minute ago, busterfla said:

Per my niece onboard, Captain announced that the pilot was due to arrive around 9-9:30pm and it would take about 30-45 minutes to drop lines at the pier.

She's about to come into harbor, Port Everglades webcam should pick her up any minute now. Are they making everyone disembark tonight?

4 minutes ago, sgacruiser said:

I wonder, if at this point, they will stay on the ship tonight and debark tomorrow morning.

Seems like that would make sense. I'd wonder if the shoreside personnel are still at the pier at this late hour to unload luggage, transport passengers to hotels, etc.

Marine traffic.com shows 1 pilot heading out to sea, but it's headed toward the cargo ship just south of the Regal

You're right I see the name, it is leaving. Hope whomever was ok.

The Port of Miami webcam appears to show a HAL ship docked at a non passenger terminal. I can't enlarge the picture enough to see the name. Maybe a medical evac?

I've snorkeled off Coki myself many times, the reef to the left toward the cliff is really good, that end of the beach is less croweded. Coki is a little more protected than the other 2 as far as waves.  Coki does have lockers, there's even a Discover Scuba facility there on the right side.  You can rent chairs very inexpensively, there are several bars/restaurants there on the beach. They do have nice restrooom/shower facilities. 

I just got back, check One Love Charters. They were amazing!  They'll customize your trip, they can take up to 6 people and you get to go to snorkel spots that are either uncrowded or completely your own to explore.  We saw several rays, a barracuda and even a sleeping nurse shark.  I highly recommend them! Reasonable rates for your group and customized tours to St. John or even to the British Virgin Islands if you prefer. They'll recommend using Smile Taxi to get to the marina, her driver was great, she dropped us off and picked us up right at the marina, plus it was great not to have to wait for the safari buses to fill up.

We were in St Thomas last week as one of our ports. I have to write about how awesome our day was!  We booked a private tour with One Love Charters for a trip to St. John with plenty of snorkeling.  Before our trip they were so very prompt to respond to all our emails with questions and asked lots of questions so they could customize our trip.  They even suggested we use Smile Taxi to get to the marina.  Our day could not have gone any better!  Their boat is in great shape and rides smoothly. The twin engines are 4 stroke so they're as economical and environmentally friendly as possible. Joe was already there when we arrived, went over the itinerary he thought would work for us to make sure we were okay with it. They'd asked in advance what we'd like to drink other than the water they provide, and had everything ready for us. Off we went to St. John for the day. The 2 snorkel spots were uncrowded and so very much better than any I'd ever seen on any ship's excursion!     Joe will also go to the British VI if you prefer.  I have been on many (50+) snorkel tours in the Caribbean, both ship's and private, this ranked in the top 2.  Give them a try, I promise you'll be glad you did.  And work with Carol at Smile Taxi for any land transportation or tours you need. She too customizes everything for you. 

Thanks to all! Billy's,Trulucks, boatyard and Southport. I'll give em a shout closer to that time.