First time scuba sailing on Carnival Conquest

[mochasmommie]

My partner and I will be scuba diving for the first time while sailing on Carnival Conquest this August. We plan to be scuba certified in May with Open Water Certification at a lake, not salt water.

 

Since we're so new to scuba diving, are they any recommendations?

 

I've been looking at the tours offered through the cruiseline, but there aren't many options.

 

The ports are in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Caymen and Cozumel. And so far it looks like the only scuba they offer through the cruiseline is in Grand Caymen.

 

Perhaps going with an independent operator would be a better choice?

 

Would love some suggestions.

 

Thank you!

[MPM]

Generally I recommend an independent operator, especially for new divers. If you do some digging, you can find operators with smaller boats that take fewer people. My wife and I are diving in Grand Cayman and Cozumel this week. We will be using Neptune's Divers on Grand Cayman, and Scuba with Alison on Cozumel. Both run smaller operations (6 to 8 people), had great responses to email questions, and have received excellent reviews on these boards. Smaller operators generally give you very personalized service, which is especially helpful for new divers.

 

Be Blessed,

 

-Mike

[bruce-r]

MPM made good recommendations. There are lots more choices in Cozumel than Grand Cayman due to logistics.

 

In GCM, in addition to http://www.neptunesdivers.com you can also shore dive there at a couple of places; Eden Rock or http://www.sunsethouse.com

 

For Cozumel, in addition to the already mentioned http://www.scubawithalison.com look at:

http://www.scubatony.com

http://www.bluextseadiving.com

<---- Personal Favorite

http://www.blueangel-scuba.com

http://www.bottomtimedivers.net

 

The way shore excursions work is that the cruise line contracts with companies at each port of call to provide the shore excursions the sell on the ships. In most cases, you can make your own arrangements and cut out the cost the cruise line adds to the trip.

 

Pros of making your own arrangements, at least for diving:

• usually cost less
  
• not limited on bottom time, dive your own profile
  
• can choose a smaller boat which will be less crowded
  
• can have a voice in decided the dive site
  
• smaller operator, more personal service
  
• better choice for more advanced divers
  
• you can shore dive if you want, which is much less expensive and not dependent on someone else's schedule. Grand Cayman is especially good for this.
  

 

Cons:

• more work for you to make plans, get to the meeting place
  
• ship won't wait if you are late, but being late is highly unlikely
  

 

Going with the ship's excursion

Pros:

• easy planning
  
• gear is often included
  
• good choice for the once a year cruise diver
  
• you get to dive with other people from your ship
  
• ship will wait if you are late ( this does matter to some people)
  
• easier logistically at some ports, especially Belize, or if you arrive in port too late for the morning dive boats from private operators
  

 

Cons:

• Usually cost a bit more, sometimes a lot more
  
• usually larger boats which can usually mean more people, but not always
  
• usually predetermined dive sites
  
• usually bottom times are predetermined, or everyone has to surface when the first person is low on air.
  
• dives are often follow the leader type dives, which is especially annoying for advanced divers or photographers
  

 

I hope this will help others decide which to choose, as there is no one right answer for everyone, every time.