PADI dive certification on ships?

[PhDUnderTheSea]

A number of years ago I received my PADI certification. However not having dived in 2 or 3 years I'd like to go through the courses as a refresher and training again. I can either do this during our pre-cruise stay in Florida or in an island, but was wondering if they offer dive classes onboard the ship and if so what does it cost? We have a large onboard credit and was thinking it may be good to put towards a class.

 

Best-

 

Steve

[Clarea]

They do offer dive certification on certain ships. You can find info on cost in the excursion section of your pre-cruise planner.

 

My wife did this a few years ago in Allure and was surprised at how much time it took away from the cruise.

[Ocean Boy]

I was going to ask if you really want to be tied to a schedule and have to study while you are on a cruise? The pool time will be early in the morning as that is really the only time available when passengers are not over running the pool.

 

I don't know the cost and personally would not do it while aboard ship but it is available if you are so inclined.

[PhDUnderTheSea]

I was going to ask if you really want to be tied to a schedule and have to study while you are on a cruise? The pool time will be early in the morning as that is really the only time available when passengers are not over running the pool.

 

I don't know the cost and personally would not do it while aboard ship but it is available if you are so inclined.

 

I have completed the course many years ago. I feel like I am fairly proficient in the materials. But it has been a few years since I have been diving and as such I would feel more comfortable going through the course again and having some practical application. As we are trying to use up an OBC it may be better to do this on the ship than to do it pre-cruise.

 

We are usually up by 6AM for exercise, waking up at that time for something I enjoy is no bother but I recognize that is not the case for most on vacation.

 

Best-

 

Steve

[BillOh]

They do offer dive certification on certain ships. You can find info on cost in the excursion section of your pre-cruise planner.

 

My wife did this a few years ago in Allure and was surprised at how much time it took away from the cruise.

 

Does he need the full certification? Allure/Oasis offer a refresher course that's only a couple hours long and it was kind of fun being in the Aqua theater pool.

 

[PhDUnderTheSea]

Does he need the full certification? Allure/Oasis offer a refresher course that's only a couple hours long and it was kind of fun being in the Aqua theater pool.

 

 

Even better. A refresher course is the reason for asking as I am already certified. Do you remember the cost of the refresher course?

 

Best-

 

Steve

[Ocean Boy]

I have completed the course many years ago. I feel like I am fairly proficient in the materials. But it has been a few years since I have been diving and as such I would feel more comfortable going through the course again and having some practical application. As we are trying to use up an OBC it may be better to do this on the ship than to do it pre-cruise.

 

We are usually up by 6AM for exercise, waking up at that time for something I enjoy is no bother but I recognize that is not the case for most on vacation.

 

Best-

 

Steve

I'm up and out by 5 AM every day. That is how I know what time the dive class is in the pool!:D

[BillOh]

Even better. A refresher course is the reason for asking as I am already certified. Do you remember the cost of the refresher course?

 

Best-

 

Steve

 

$65 on Allure in 5/13.

 

PS, the people at Crown and Anchor had no idea this existed. I read it in a previous review and on boarding day I asked about it at the Sea Trek Shop..

Edited December 26, 2014 by BillOh

[PhDUnderTheSea]

$65 on Allure in 5/13.

 

PS, the people at Crown and Anchor had no idea this existed. I read it in a previous review and on boarding day I asked about it at the Sea Trek Shop..

I will head for Sea Trek Shop after boarding and ask about a dive refresher course. Thanks for the heads up.

 

Best-

 

Steve

[geocruiser]

Have you checked your local dive shop to see if they offer it?

[Diver2014]

I have my PADI instructor certification and have been on 28 cruises.

Once you are PADI certified, it is a lifetime certification. You are correct in wanting a 'refresher' course which many cruise ships offer. It is not a certification course, you do not take a written exam or have to pass a 'test'.

 

A refresher is for in water experience to practice skills and getting comfortable in the water environment and reestablish the confidence you need to enjoy diving. Contact the cruise line directly to inquire about a refresher course on your ship. Most do offer a course for first timers and rusty divers.

Edited December 26, 2014 by Diver2014

[Ladzen]

I saw this and it got me to thinking I should do the same. I can report that Royal does offer the option only on Freedom class and Voyager class ships. I am including a link directly do Royals information for your convenience.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/experiencetypes/product.do?pagename=onboard_prod_scuba_in_the_pool

[AtlFolks]

If you are going to do an OW dive on your cruise, do a skills review at your local shop where you can get some one on one time with a Divemaster or instructor. Then, do the thing on the ship for extra practice - sounds like fun, especially on Oasis.

[Jimmers]

Does he need the full certification? Allure/Oasis offer a refresher course that's only a couple hours long and it was kind of fun being in the Aqua theater pool.

 

 

Thanks for the headups on refresher on the Oasis. The wife and I did the full course on the Navigator years ago and we'd like to get a refresher before we do any more diving. At the online site someone else posted it says it's $100 pp. Do you remember how much time the refresher took?.

 

The full course was convenient for us but it took a lot of time out of our cruise. Two cruises actually, because as I recall the cert we got on board the Navigator was just a partial. We had to do our 200 yd swim and open water dive in Grand Cayman on a second cruise.

Edited December 31, 2014 by Jimmers

[AtlFolks]

Also, be aware the SCUBA Diver certification IS NOT the same thing as Open Water certification. SD's require the supervision of a Divemaster and have depth limits as its what's called a "resort course", while OWD's have full recreational privileges. My advice FWIW is to get certified properly before a trip and then enjoy the vacation without the stresses of training.

 

 

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[klemeci]

On a visit to the SeaTrek shop on Quantum last month, we heard that RCCL will be phasing out the scuba cert program on-board, including the on-board program staff. Sounded like the SeaTrek shops would remain open for sales, but that the tank fills and instruction would no longer be offered. We did the Scuba Diver training on-board Explorer OTS and our certs at St. Maarten, and we went on to do Open Water certs through a local dive shop (with open water certs in a quarry). I was glad they offered the program, and it was less expensive overall and a much nicer experience.

[Jimmers]

Thanks for the headups on refresher on the Oasis. The wife and I did the full course on the Navigator years ago and we'd like to get a refresher before we do any more diving. At the online site someone else posted it says it's $100 pp. Do you remember how much time the refresher took?.

 

The full course was convenient for us but it took a lot of time out of our cruise. Two cruises actually, because as I recall the cert we got on board the Navigator was just a partial. We had to do our 200 yd swim and open water dive in Grand Cayman on a second cruise.

 

 

EDIT: Sorry about that BillOh, don't know how I missed that you had put that info in your post:D

Edited December 31, 2014 by Jimmers

[cruzinisgood]

We are going to be on the Navigator in April. We have been diving for over 25 years. Last dive was 2 years ago. We are looking at taking the refresher course if it still available. Has anyone taken it? How long is it. One day, a couple hours??

Also we are looking at maybe doing it at home.:p

[Diver2014]

you can take a 'Scuba Tune Up course for $100pp on Navigator according to the RCCL website

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/experiencetypes/product.do?pagename=onboard_prod_scuba_in_the_pool

 

Once you're in the water, you'll find it only takes a short time to become comfortable again....be sure if you rent equipment that you are familiar with your BCD and reg and make sure you have enough lead on your weight belt.

So many people do not put on enough weights and tire themselves out trying to stay down. I schlep my own dive gear most of the time but since I live in Miami, that's no big deal - just an extra suitcase to give to the porters.

Let the dive master know you may need a few minutes to adjust your bouyancy and get comfortable....then enjoy! It's a whole different world down there! :p

[AtlFolks]

I don't want to hijack this thread - but, IMHO, when taking a SCUBA skills update, buoyancy control should be part of the program. Too much lead equals too much air consumption. Divemasters always carry extra lead for divers who need more.

 

I think $100pp is a lot for a SCUBA skills tune-up. Do it at home with less stress and then enjoy the dive on the cruise.

 

 

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[PhDUnderTheSea]

All top info. Thanks.

 

Best-

 

Steve

[Diver2014]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. On Nov 5 while in Grand Cayman, I dove with Don Foster's as a shore excursion with 7 other divers. Two divers spent their entire dive trying to stay down, even after squeezing all the air out of their BC's. Needless to say, they were escorted back to the dive boat by the 2nd divemaster when they became low on air from all the struggling, not much more than half way thru the dive and no, the divemasters did not carry extra weights. They missed the best part of the dive. I watched the refresher course in the ship's pool the day before and I think it is worth the $100. The dive shops here in south Florida charge that much and more for refreshers. I think it would be a fun part of a cruise. But, I've only been diving for 25 years, dive at least twice a month and have my PADI instructor certification, so what do I know? :cool:

[AtlFolks]

It's too bad divers missed part of a good dive. I've always seen DM's carry extra weights and I've heard of Don Foster's, so I find that interesting. As an instructor you know more weight = more air, and more chance for less experienced divers to stir up sand unless it's a deep dive or a drift dive. Not challenging your expertise, just chatting - it's what divers like to do. Cheers! SSI Master Diver and DM Candidate. 😉

 

 

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