RCL 2 tank scuba dive - Grand Cayman

[cpayne]

Husband is looking to possibly book a 2 tank dive in GC through RCL.  Typically we do NOT book through the ship due to higher costs and crowds for their excursions.  However, in this instance it's looking like it's a good idea. 

 

The price is not much different thru RCL vs an independent operator which was surprising.   Scuba diving attracts a limited audience since you need to be certified so crowds on the ship provided dive excursions are usually not a problem.  Also, given our Cuban itinerary the average age on our ship is much higher than typical.  The older the crowd typically the less divers you have.  

 

The reason we are thinking the ship excursion, though, is due to this port requiring we take a tender boat to shore.  RCL gives priority tenders to those who book excursions with them. Fair enough.  Every one else gets off after that.  No guarantee when you will be on shore.  We dock at 8 and most dives leave between 8 or 9.  Was going to be really tight.  For roughly the same price we eliminate the stress of trying to get to shore in time.  Also, some times with dives in a tender port the dive boat will pick everyone up directly from the ship and off you go.  They don't make you go to shore in the tender, load another boat and then go from there. 

 

Questions: 

 

Has anyone ever done the RCL 2 tank dive in Cayman?

 

If so, does the dive boat pick you up at the ship or at the tender dock on shore?

Approx what time do you return?

Where do they dive? 

 

Any input greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

 

[TravellingBritNY]

Dive boats will leave from their docks, they won't pick up from the ship - you have to tender ashore then head to the dive boat.

 

Docking at 8 for a boat departure between 8 and 9 isn't tight, I would say that it was pretty much impossible, unless it's a 9am departure and you can be on the very first tender.

 

I believe that there are some dive ops that will take our cruise folks, depending on their schedule - the Lobster Pot Dive Centre might be able to get you what you need.

 

Bear in mind, though, that there are some awesome shore-diving opportunities on Grand Cayman - get a taxi to Macabuca - there is a really nice mini wall dive there (max depth around 70 feet) - the staff there are excellent.  It's not a bad spot for some lunch, too.  As a second dive you could do Lighthouse Point (also up the same direction) or head down the other side of George Town to Sunset House and go and kiss the mermaid.

 

Hope you get to dive Cayman - it's awesome!

[cpayne]

Husband does not like shore dives.  Checked with Lobster Pot earlier this wk.  They are right there in Georgetown which is why I contacted them.  They go at 9 am so also too tight of a time frame for comfort.   Seems to just make more sense given the variables to book thru the ship. Just wish we knew more about their experience in advance.  This advance planner prefers details.  😉

[TravellingBritNY]

Well, maybe I can help - why does your husband not enjoy shore dives?  The opportunities on Cayman may be different than he is used to, and it would be a shame to waste an opportunity if it could work.

[cpayne]

He has approximately 75+ dives  so he has done a few shore dives.   He prefers the ease of walking on the boat, equipment is all there waiting for you, load up, and roll out of the boat.   I think it’s just easier. He also doesn’t like getting the sand in his equipment and traipsing to the beach dragging everything. He has dove in GC several times. If he hadn’t he might be more open to a shore dive if that was easiest option from a time perspective,   I think a dive through RCL will work.  Just curious as to the details of the dive.

[Capt_BJ]

for the record

 

a shore dive at Sunset or Eden is different than your memory

 

here the site is 'iron shore' which is old dead coral that extends right up to and beyond the shoreline

 

 

at Sunset when you use their entry point you jump from a concrete facing straight into about 12 feet of water (picture 1) then swim a few yards to where the coral fingers are found running out from the shore (picture 2).  the dive shop is steps away ... when you exit there is a rinse tank and shower "right there" .... Eden Rock dive shop is similar (altho when I was there a few weeks ago was looking pretty rough and in need of some attention) IF the swell is acting up you can sometime 'save a dive' by making entry at Sunset's 'sea pool (p3)' which is a semi protected area for in/out with an opening to the sea. (also good for newbies) There are ladders similar to those on boats for getting out ... but the shore is a lot more stable than a boat!!  <p.s. the cost of a self guided shore dive is the cost to rent the equipment .... no fee for use of the ocean ... no fee for a dive master or use of the boat .... save that for libation at My Bar after the dive.  If you WANT an escorted dive they can be arranged but frankly the navigation is pretty easy - if you swim EAST you eventually hit you head on the shore. the main sand chutes run east/west as you can see>

 

 

Edited January 18, 2019 by Capt_BJ

[Capt_BJ]

a couple of additional points to ponder

 

* who RCCL had the contract with last week is not necessarily who they will use next week so take any comment along those lines with a grain of salt IMO. There are a bunch of dive ops on GC

 

* I mentioned in a reply 2u previously that at the time of your trip there is an increased risk of a Sunset shore dive being impossible because of wind and seas direction - even if not SO severe that tendering is impossible. POSSIBLY .... RCCL having large ships calling at Cayman, they contract with a larger operator AND if so they may be more able to make a last minute adjustment to dive on the north or east side of the island.  Often when diving is not good on the typically dove west side, conditions ARE good to the north or east.

 

What I'm saying is ... in this case booking with the ship excursion may offer advantages . . . 

 

do you feel lucky?  Well, do ya?

 

{this is a reason I like Sunset House for my longer GC dive vacations.  They have boats at their primary location on the west side and from there can easily dive the 'main wall sites' off 7 mile beach AND quickly run around to the east side if conditions dictate (they will run the boats around and LOAD folks at a pier on the east side if necessary).  AND they have boats already pre-positioned for north sound dives to support there sting ray city trips .... so morning dives up here are a quik diversion as well ....}

[bob.kellerman]

Strongly recommend you try the Lobster Pot Dive Center.

They have their own dock about 250 yards from the Cruise dock - although they will pick you up from opposite the cruise dock if you want them to.

 

The Lobster Pot boat goes at 9am in order to accommodate the cruise ship timetables. They know all the schedules and have turned this into a fine art - they get you there, give you a great time and get you back in good time for lunch - or if you are pushed - the last tenders.

Their boat is a 26 foot dusky with never more than six divers and always two or three instructors on board to guide you. Its a long way from the usual "cattle boat" approach of the Cruise line organised excursions with the "big operators." Leaving their dock at 9am they can usually pick and choose the best of the deep wall dives as most operators leave at 7:30am and have already left the mooring buoys by the time you need them. All the best deep dives are up in the north west which in the fast boat they have takes no more than ten minutes. These guys know the best sites on the west and make sure they get you there. When current and water allow they will often head to the south west where the coral is also fantastic. Kittiwake too if you want it.

They have everything you might need too - regs, wetsuits, computers, fins, masks and nitro available too. 

 

The shop is headed up by co owner Mike - an Englishman with a great sense of humour and the ultimate professional. Mike will do his level best to accommodate your needs - weather permitting, he'll get you a good dive somehow. His team reflects his personality and professional standards too so you are guaranteed a good couple of dives.

 

They have developed a strong reputation with cruise shippers - suggest you have a look at their Trip Advisor reviews.

 

 

 

[kac911]

On 1/17/2019 at 1:41 PM, cpayne said:

Husband is looking to possibly book a 2 tank dive in GC through RCL.  Typically we do NOT book through the ship due to higher costs and crowds for their excursions.  However, in this instance it's looking like it's a good idea. 

 

The price is not much different thru RCL vs an independent operator which was surprising.   Scuba diving attracts a limited audience since you need to be certified so crowds on the ship provided dive excursions are usually not a problem.  Also, given our Cuban itinerary the average age on our ship is much higher than typical.  The older the crowd typically the less divers you have.  

 

The reason we are thinking the ship excursion, though, is due to this port requiring we take a tender boat to shore.  RCL gives priority tenders to those who book excursions with them. Fair enough.  Every one else gets off after that.  No guarantee when you will be on shore.  We dock at 8 and most dives leave between 8 or 9.  Was going to be really tight.  For roughly the same price we eliminate the stress of trying to get to shore in time.  Also, some times with dives in a tender port the dive boat will pick everyone up directly from the ship and off you go.  They don't make you go to shore in the tender, load another boat and then go from there. 

 

Questions: 

 

Has anyone ever done the RCL 2 tank dive in Cayman?

 

If so, does the dive boat pick you up at the ship or at the tender dock on shore?

Approx what time do you return?

Where do they dive? 

 

Any input greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

 

Cheri, I'm wondering what your husband decided to do about diving in Grand Cayman.  We have the same quandary on an NCL this Dec.  I generally hate cruise ship trips, but this one is only $10 more per person (than posted rates for Lobster Pot as recommended several time on CC) and since it's a tender port it seems like it might be a good time to make an exception to my general hate, in the interest of ease.  

 

For others weighing in, since we have to rent gear anyways (we are opting not to bring it due to space and weight) I think we'd prefer a boat to shore diving, although it's not out of the question; what it really boils down to is I'm just not interested in doing research as to where to go, how to get there, what to do with my stuff, etc  - since we won't have a beach sitter.  We are both well experienced divers (I'm a former instructor and DH probably has 150 dives) so the need for individualized attention isn't really an issue.  

 

TIA,

Kelly

 

 

 

[cpayne]

My husband ended up booking his dive thru the ship for the exact reasons you mentioned.   However, it did not end well.  The day before our ship arrived in GC we received a notice in our cabin that RCL cancelled the excursion bc he was the only person to sign up for this excursion.  Needless to say hubby was not happy.  With less than 24 hr notice and being onboard the ship their wasn’t enough time to find an alternative dive option.  

 

Good luck and hope you have fun whatever it is you decide to do! 

[kands6191]

cpayne, thank you for the follow-up.  We were searching the boards because my husband and his friend want to dive in GC but both have a lot of OBC that they will be getting from the TA once on board.  We were concerned that the dive excursion may be full if they wait until they are on board to sign up.  They previously dove with Lobster Pot and had a great experience.  Now hearing about your husband's experience I think they will just try to go with Lobster Pot since they really don't want to have to miss diving on GC.  

[bob.kellerman]

I have been to GC many times and dived with the Lobster Pot. I have had nothing but great diving and service experience. They are a couple of minutes walk from the terminal - but will pick you up if you wish. Their boats never have more than six divers, they’re fast - less than ten mins even to furthest sites, and they are great fun to be with - especially Owner Mike ( who has a fantastic English sense of humour) You will feel like you have known them for years. 
 

Importantly, their boats leave a little later than the others deliberately to meet the cruise ship timings, so you will never be worried about missing the dive boat. They know all the timetables so you’ll be back in good time.

 

Personal view is that you’ll get some of the best diving on the island with the Lobster Pot Dive Center.