Cruise Critic Scuba Cruise 2008 Aboard the Emerald Princess

[Sailfish]

Hi Everyone!

 

I finally succeeded in putting together the itinerary and getting the okay here at Cruise Critic to offer the 2008 Scuba Cruise. Here are some of the details; the group forum along with other information pertaining to the dive package will be soon available. I will be posting pricing and other relavent information here for now and will provide a link to the group forum when one becomes available. If you have any questions, let me know.

 

Don't forget...this is a cruise in 2008!

 

Itinerary

 

Nov 10, 2008

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

 

Nov 11, 2008

Princess Cays, Bahamas

Nov 12, 2008

At Sea

 

Nov 13, 2008

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands - Diving

Nov 14, 2008

Dominica - Diving

Nov 15, 2008

Grenada - Diving

Nov 16, 2008

Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles - Diving

Nov 17, 2008

Aruba - Diving

Nov 18, 2008

At Sea

 

Nov 19, 2008

At Sea

 

Nov 20, 2008

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

[Sailfish]

Pricing Information

 

 

Cruise Pricing (Double Occupancy)

 

Inside cabin category JJ is $985 per person

 

Obstructed ocean view category FF is $1,139 per person

 

Non obstructed ocean view category EE is $1,219 per person

 

Balcony category BC is $1,465 per person

 

Suite category AC is $1,729 per person

 

 

Third and Fourth Passenger rates (Subject to change at any time and based on availability):

 

 

Inside cabin category JJ is $637 per person

Obstructed ocean view category FF is $725 per person

Balcony category BC is $809 per person

Mini suite category AC is $895 per person

 

Amenities

• $50 ship board credit for first and second passenger only
  
• 1 hour cocktail party, drinks only
  
• CC Logo stuff

Deposit is $300 per person at time of booking. Final payment is due July 25, 2008.

 

There is a $50 cancellation fee per cabin.

[Sailfish]

2008 Southern Caribbean Medley

Cruise Critic Scuba Group Cruise

For the ultimate diving adventure, join Suzi, other scuba divers and Cruise Critic members on the Emerald Princess on November 10, 2008! You'll finally understand what Jacques Cousteau was raving about as you swim alongside a graceful spotted eagle ray in Dominica, or take underwater photos of elusive sea horses while in Bonaire.

The Emerald Princess is the newest jewel in the Princess crown and is everything you would expect from such a modern, luxurious ship. There are multiple dining options, including Traditional and Anytime Dining and specialty venues like the popular Sabatini's. There is the Lotus Spa with its myriad treatments. You'll enjoy watching Movies Under the Stars, and will have nearly 900 balcony staterooms from which to choose. And then, there are the ports of call….

If you are a certified diver, we will be offering a custom dive package that will include two tank dives in St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba. If you are not yet certified, you can get certified while on the cruise or participate in a Discover Diving program. Not a diver? Not a problem; many non-diving group members sail with us and enjoy the special benefits!

It’s not often we can offer a 10 night exotic cruise to ports of call seldom visited from a Florida gateway. You do not have to be a diver to come along! If you enjoy snorkeling, visiting exotic ports, or simply want to experience one of the BEST ships in Princess’ fleet, this cruise is for you!

Suzi is an active certified scuba diver and has logged hundreds of great dives throughout the Caribbean and elsewhere. She is an experienced group leader who can provide practical answers to your questions. For more information, please email Suzi (aka Sailfish) at scubacruise2008@yahoo.com.

[Host Star]

good luck with the cruise!!!! sounds wonderful!!!!!

[cruzegirl]

Suzi,

Your killing me woman.......lol...... I'm like a kid in a candy store....... I want to go but can't yet put a deposit... I'm still getting ready for the one in this Nov. But I'm sure going to try.... Can't beat this itinerary....... :D

[Bassethound]

Boy, how can I pass this up?!? I love the Emerald Princess (was on her maiden voyage in Italy/Greece/Croatia) and love the destinations. Only problem is I get back from a 2 week Papau New Guinea trip just 2 days before.:D:( Hmmmmm.... Lot's of time to work on this conundrum.

 

(Note the icon photo from Fiji!!!)

[Sailfish]

If you would like a copy of our cruise brochure (in WORD) please email me - make sure you put scuba cruise 2008 on the subject line.

 

Simply click on my email hyperlink in my signature below and I will attach it to my reply.

 

Thanks.

[Sailfish]

Hi Everyone:

 

It's finally official - please check out our group forum for detailed information pertaining to this group cruise. You can also check out our group web page, though there are a couple of typos that need to be fixed and should be done in a day or two (CC posted 2009 instead of 2008).

 

I just used my $100pp Future Cruise Credits to book this cruise - not only did the FCC cover my deposit, I also will get an additional $100pp shipboard credit on top of the shipboard credit I get by being part of the group! For more details, visit the group forum.

 

The deposit is $450pp - why it's so much, I don't know, but that's what it is. I was initially told it would be $350pp. I don't have control over that. Please don't hesitate to post your questions, if you have any. Hope some of you can join us.

 

Thanks.

[Sailfish]

By the way - don't panic if you're not able to commit right this minute. The group booking will be good for a long time. At around the one year prior mark, the cruise line will review the booking - it's doubtful any changes will occur. It is recommended you reserve this cruise by February, but I will periodically check with CruCon and post info regarding the booking at our group forum. Final payment is due in July 2008 - don't forget after making the initial deposit, you can make periodic payments to help in budgeting for this cruise.

 

Good luck.

[Sailfish]

Port & Dive Information

 

Among some the many emails I have been getting are questions regarding the ports of call. Divers want to know what they can expect and non-divers are simply interested in knowing more about the ports of call. To benefit both groups, I will be posting information about each port at our group forum that hopefully our members will find useful.

 

I have been to Bonaire, St. Thomas and Princess Cays, but not the other ports of call. I will post information as I find it, for each port of call. I have a hunch some of our members will have experiences to share about the ports they have been to, so I am looking forward to getting some additional input.

 

To begin, here is our itinerary (the one posted earlier had the incorrect port order):

 

Itinerary

 

Day 1 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - At Sea

Day 4 - Aruba

Day 5 - Bonaire

Day 6 - Grenada

Day 7 - Dominica

Day 8 - St. Thomas

Day 9 - At Sea

Day 10 -Princess Cays

Day 11 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

 

 

Aruba

Day 4 November 13, 2008

8am-5pm

 

We will be offering a two tank morning dive in Aruba. Famous for the spectacular shipwrecks and interesting coral formations that dominate Aruba’s underwater realm, this includes the 400 foot Antilla wreck — the largest wreck in the Caribbean.

 

Most of Aruba’s dive sites lie along the protected western and southern coasts, a short distance from port. Aruba’s waters are rich in exotic marine life, including stingrays, moray eels, manta rays, barracudas and yellow tail. A large, shallow sand plateau surrounds Aruba making boat travel the most convenient method of reaching the off-shore reefs. Interesting coral formations are found from shallow water depths of 20 to 100 feet, with little or no current and flat surface conditions. Over twenty more dive sites are shared by the dive operators on the island.

 

Aruba is among the most southern of the Lesser Antilles islands (ABC islands = Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao) and is the farthest west of that group. It's a mere 15 miles (24 km) from the coast of Venezuela. On a clear day the Venezuelan mainland is visible from the south-eastern coast, and about 42 miles (67 km), or 20 minutes by airplane, to our nearest Caribbean neighbour, Curacao.

 

The oblong island is fronted by heavy surf and a jagged coast on our northern, windward side and by seven miles (11 km) of honey-colored sand beaches on the southern leeward coast. It's some 75 square miles (193 km2) in area and measures about five miles (8 km) at it widest point and 19 miles (30 km) in length. Aruba is an easy island to get around, the road systems are in good shape, well-marked,and, let's face it, it's hard to get lost for too long on an island where the coast is never more than 3 miles away.

 

Bonaire

Day 5 November 14, 2008

7am-2pm

 

We will be offering a morning two tank dive here in Bonaire, however, if you choose to dive with the group, count on it being an all day activity, as we will need to be back on the ship by 1:30pm. Since there isn't much to do on the island, diving or snorkeling is probably the best way to spend your time on the island.

 

Bonaire's pristine reefs and diverse marine life are unique to the Caribbean. Because the waters around Bonaire have been protected by an actively managed marine park for the past 25 years, Bonaire today ranks amongst the top four best diving destinations in the world. The island's location in the south Caribbean gives it an arid climate with little rain fall; consequently, the waters are exceptionally clear of silt, calm, and diveable year round.

 

It is an ideal destination for underwater photographers. Water temperatures average a warm 78-84°F (25.6-28.9°C), with visibility averaging over 100 feet (30m), and frequently reaching up to 150 feet (50m). Bonaire Web Cams offers above and below water web cams plus complete current weather conditions.

 

 

Grenada

Day 6 November 15, 2008

12 noon - 7pm

 

We will be offering a two tank afternoon dive here in Grenada, however, if you choose to dive with the group, count on it taking up much of your afternoon as we get to the island around noon. Diving in Granada is about pelagics that include eagle rays, reef sharks, bull sharks, white-tips, and resident nurse sharks, who shelter under overhangs or sleep in groups on the decks of sunken freighters. Manta rays migrate through this area, feeding in plankton-rich offshore currents, and sea turtles are common, as Grenada's sandy beaches are a major nesting area.

 

 

Submarine topography features undulating plateaus, sand chutes, pinnacles, sloping shelves, coral-encrusted canyons and dramatic drop-offs over 'bottomless' walls. Grenada also offers a fascinating variety of deep and shallow wrecks, including the 600' cruise ship Blanca C, the largest and most awe-inspiring wreck dive in the Caribbean.

 

A three-island nation located in the Eastern Caribbean, Grenada has approximately 100,000 habitants and is the most southern of the Windward Islands. Grenada and its two sister islands (Carriacou and Petite Martinique) are blessed with beautiful lush green vegetation and mountain top, acres of land covered with fragrant spice trees and rare tropical flowers. Bordered by stunning beaches, and dotted with beautiful towns, this island major source of export is nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla and cocoa. This is why Grenada second most popular name is The Isle of Spice.

In the interior of this volcanic island are rainforests watered by cascading rivers and waterfalls as well as one of the most stunning mountain lakes, the Grand Etang. The capital, St. George's, is widely held to be the most picturesque city in the Caribbean. Softly colored dockside warehouses and red-tiled roofs of traditional shops, surround its horseshoe-shaped harbor.

 

 

Dominica

Day 7 November 16, 2008

7am - 5pm

 

We will be offering a morning two tank dive in Dominica. Over the past few years, Dominica has earned the reputation as one of the top five dive destinations in the world. In addition to unique dive sites like "Champagne" which features a bubbling, underwater hot spring, Dominica's reefs are full of gorgeous multi-coloured hard and soft coral, an abundance of reef fish and fascinating marine critters such as seahorses and frogfish. The underwater terrain is unique and diverse, providing dive sites suitable for all skill levels, from beginner to the very experienced.

 

Dominica surges from the sea with soaring peaks that seem to be courting the heavens. Virgin flora covers these dramatic mountains, creating swaths of verdant landscapes. The residue of the fiery forces that created the island thousands of years ago, as part of the Caribbean Ring of Fire, bellows in several hot springs, valleys of steaming earth, and a boiling lake which is the second largest in the world. Along with geothermal wonders come natural coolants: hundreds of pristine rivers and streams web the island's lush terrain. Pure rainwater sets brooks and cascades into motion by rushing down picturesque cliffs.

 

 

St. Thomas

Day 8 November 17, 2008

8am - 6pm

 

We will be in St. Thomas all day, but because we have a mandatory US Immigration check before we disembark, that can take a while, so we are thinking of putting together a shore dive. I will post more information and get your input before making any decisions.

 

Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas is the capital of the United States Virgin Islands and the most popular cruise port in the Caribbean. Charlotte Amalie (named for a Danish Queen) is where the ships dock and the white and pastel houses are heavily sprinkled against a background of emerald hills. Colorful sloops dock along the waterfront, and a few steps back, down alleyways lined with old Danish warehouse buildings, is a world-famous

shopping center.

 

Princess Cays

Day 10 November 19, 2008

9am - 4pm

 

This is Princess Cruises's Private island and no scuba diving will be offered here. It is a great place to relax and enjoy a day at the beach.

[Sailfish]

Just wanted to check back in to let you know that our September Newsletter has been posted at our group fourm.

 

More information concerning this group cruise has also been posted. If you're interested in joining us or have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me, the group leader.

 

I have been getting emails with generica questions concerning group cruises. We have an excellent posting that explains what a group cruise is and how it works. If you are still not sure a group cruise is for you, you may want to check it out.

 

Thanks.

[Sailfish]

Hi Everyone!

 

Just checking back in to let you know the group is doing well and a reminder that I'd be happy send off an electronic cruise brochure yours for the asking. Simply click on the email hyperlink in my signature below.

 

Have a great weekend.

[Sailfish]

If you are a diver who has never considered taking a cruise vacation, this posting will help address a few more issues concerned with the 2008 Scuba Cruise aboard the Emerald Princess.

 

I have been getting a a number of emails from experienced divers who have never considered taking a cruise before. Most are familiar with land based dive resort vacations and Live-Aboards, where the focus is more on diving than anything else. Many share the concern that the emphasis will be more on the cruise than the diving; that they will be bored or not fit in or feel uncomfortable with the formal atmosphere on a cruise ship. What ever the reason, people are implying that they cannot picture themselves being confiled on a cruise ship for any lenth of time and wonder about the quality of diving when you dive in a new port every day.

 

The reality is a dive vacation combined with a cruise is not for everyone. As I have said before, the diving tends to be more on the conservative side, as each dive operator we contract with gets only one chance to dive with you. Unlike a land based dive vacation where you can dive and get to know the place fairly well when you are not in the water (which is what makes going to a new dive destination so interesting), you will have to choose between diving in a port or touring the surrounding area as there isn't enough time to always do both.

 

As is the case with most vacations, there are pros and cons to take into consideration before deciding to join us. How much you spend on your cruise accommodations in large part depends on the type of stateroom you select. Diving in the ports of call is not included, therefore, you will want to budget around $500pp (give or take few dollars) if you plan to dive in each port. Although most of your meals and entertainment on the cruise is included, there is the additional cost for drinks and anything else you buy off the ship. If your ideal vacation includes diving multple tanks every day along with a few night dives or a stay in one location to get the most out of your visit, then this scuba cruise is probably NOT for you. A scuba cruise will 1) give you a brief introduction to the ports of call, 2) give you a taste of what diving is like there and 3) help you decide if it's worth a return visit.

 

One issue that comes up a lot and has to be addressed has to do with transporting gear. When you vacation at a land based dive resort, you generally are allowed to leave your dive gear on the boat, in a nearby dive locker or shed or in a hotel room a few steps away. Diving while on a cruise requires a more little creativity, as you will be transporting your gear off the ship, into a cab, then a dive boat and finally hauling your wet gear back onto the ship.

 

But combining a dive vacation with a cruise does have beneits - so much so, that more and more divers are taking cruises - just ask PADI, who now partners with Princess! I have been leading cruise groups since 1994 and have found Princess to be among the most dive-friendly cruise lines out there. That's not to say I don't lead dive cruise groups on other lines. But Princess tends to visit more dive friendly ports of call, offers an upscale yet casual atmosphere, and is willing to work with dive groups like this one, to insure members have a positive experience .

 

Like an all inclusive dive resort, this cruise aboard the Emerald Princess will include all your meals but no soda or alcoholic beverages (I have yet to go to a dedicated dive resort where alcohol was included). Unlike dive resorts, you will find the food quality and the choice in dining venues to be far superior. With Princess' Personal Choice Policy, you can eat anytime, anywhere. Casual dress is the norm. with more entertainment choices at night that include M.U.T.S. (big screen Movies Under The Stars), production type shows, illusion and comedy acts, a disco, nightly lounge entertainment and one of the largest casinos afloat.

 

It's true there are two Formal Nights - one is scheduled for the second day of the voyage (which happens to be a day at sea) and one towards the end of the voyage. Formal nights with Princess are more low key thanks to Anytime Dining, but the expectation is for everyone involved to dress up. Much of the formality associated with Formal Night - lining up to meet the Captain and attending a structured cocktail party determined by your dining time - has been done away with by Princess. Instead, bars in and around the main lobby areas of ship on multiple floors serve free drinks for about an hour, around 6pm and 8pm. You don't have participate; a lot of people pass on the free alcohol that's served the first Formal Night (a creative cruise line ploy to get you to dress up:D ). Although the formal restaurants on the ship will require you to play dress-up on both Formal Nights, there are a number of casual dining venues that don't require you to play along.

 

Compared to other cruise lines, where your dining choice is to eat early or late, Princess offers you more freedom to eat when you want, where you want. You can still get a more traditional cruise experience, where you are assigned a seating time with the same people all week long, if you prefer. For more information about Princess' Personal Choice Policy and Any Time Dining, please click on the hyperlink that will take you to an article about how dining works on the Emerald Princess.

 

Many people who have spouses and family members who are non-divers, young kids in need of daycare or babysitting find a cruise to be the perfect "compromise". Non-divers will find lots to do on the ship and in each of our ports of call. No one says you have to dive in each port (though you will find that most divers in the group probably will). You can do a little research and figure out in which ports you want to dive, and see the sights with your loved ones on days you don't. The ship provides free daycare during the day up through 10pm and optional babysitting for a fee later on. Parents find this an invaluable service, as it allows them to bring their little ones along, leave them on the ship while in port, and return knowing they have been safe and cared for.

 

My husband and I are in our 40s, and have logged close to 200 dives each. We still very much enjoy going to dive resorts; but as we get older, we no longer have the desire to spend all day and night diving. We like the upscale cruise experience that Princess offers. We enjoy going out to dinner, taking in a show, listening to music or going out to a movie at night. Having state of the art workout facilities at our disposal is also a huge plus.

 

Accommodations on a cruise ship tend to be comfortable, but small, and compact unless you get a suite. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for; the size of you stateroom will probably be smaller than a hotel room at a dive resort. Most people don't spend much time in their stateroom, and find them to be more than adequate. The room steward will clean your room every morning and turn down your bed each evening. There is free 24 hour room service (you need to tip, though) and if you get a room with a balcony, you will have a place to dry out your scuba grear.

 

Lets face it, when you are looking at spending this kind of money for an 8 day vacation, it's important to know what's in it for you. Please don't stop here - I strongly recommend you do your own research. A good place to start is at our group forum, where you will find a lot of information about the cruise and dive package. Besure you request a copy of our group brochure. It's important to know who the group leader is and who generally will be inclined to book a group cruise such as this, as these are the people with whom you will be diving and spending time with on the cruise. Equally important is to get a handle on what the cruise includes and does not include, what to expect as far as kids are concerned, and finally what makes this group so special.

 

If you find you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, your group leader - simply click on the email link below.

 

Good luck!

[Sailfish]

We have begun the process of coordinating our dives in the ports of call. For more information, I encourage you to check out the group dive update at our group forum. I could really use your input if you have experience with any of the posted dive operators.

 

Thanks.

[Sailfish]

Cruise Booking Deadline

Although we anticipate there to be stateroom inventory available well into Spring 2008, Princess Cruises can recall blocks of cabins set aside for the group at any time. That is why we are recommending if you are serious about joining the group that you consider putting down a deposit as soon as possible. Once the group dive package is confirmed in January, we anticipate our group booking to take off.

 

Because there is a $50 per cabin cancellation fee imposed by CruCon, it is understandable for people to wait until they know for sure that they are able to go. The $450pp minimum deposit on this cruise is also more than what a lot of people are used to, so that alone may deter many from booking this cruise early. What ever the reason, we understand that people interested in joining the group need to know how long they have to put down a deposit and by what date they must pay for the cruise and their dives or snorkel tour.

 

Therefore, we are requesting that you consider depositing the cruise no later than Friday, February 29, 2008; the balance is due on July 25, 2008. You can sign-up for your dives once you have deposited the cruise at the group forum; you will have until September 15, 2008 to purchase your dives or snorkel tour package and confirm your spot on the boat in the ports of call.

 

It is possible there will be cruise inventory available to the group after the 2/29/08 deadline. However, the fact that this is a new ship, doing a seasonal itinerary that is very much in demand may require CruCon to turn back unsold cabins that are usually most in demand: low priced category JJ inside staterooms and category BC balconies. If that occurs, CruCon will be forced to obtain staterooms out of the cruise line’s general inventory for you and the price you pay could be a lot more than what was originally available in group inventory.

 

I feel kind of funny establishing a deadline, and I debated whether this was a good idea, since I for one don't like the idea of having to part with my money any sooner than I have to. The cruise line and our group agent obviously support the idea; they feel many people may need a way to budget for this cruise, and for them, it probably would make sense to have the depost taken care of by a set date. And it's always possible that the room category you want may not be in the group's inventory.

 

If you are holding FCC's (future cruise credits you purchased on a Princess cruise), you are very much encouraged to book your cabin as soon as possible to insure you get the category and location you want. This is especially a good idea if you are looking to reserve a stateroom with a balcony. Based on my experience, the least expensive balconies are usually the first to go.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me or to post a reply to this message.

[whoareyou2000]

Hello:

 

Are you sure you have the itinery correct? Princess's web site has this on it for the November 10/08 cruise (which is a reverse of what you say):

1 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

2 At Sea

3 At Sea

4 Aruba

5 Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

6 Grenada

7 Dominica

8 St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

9 At Sea

10 Princess Cays, Bahamas

11 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

 

Let me know as I am thinking about it.

Thanks.

[Sailfish]

Hello:

 

Are you sure you have the itinery correct? Princess's web site has this on it for the November 10/08 cruise (which is a reverse of what you say):

1 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

2 At Sea

3 At Sea

4 Aruba

5 Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

6 Grenada

7 Dominica

8 St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

9 At Sea

10 Princess Cays, Bahamas

11 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

 

Let me know as I am thinking about it.

Thanks.

 

Back in August, when I first booked the group,it was the reverse of the above itinerary. But currently, it is scheduled just like above. The reverse itinerary was actually a little better as it would have allowed us to dive in Princess Cay. But it's the same ports of call.

 

Unfortunately, even Cruise Critic printed the old itinerary and some cruise only agencies also still show the the itinerary as reversed. You will know the new itinerary as it begins with two days at sea!

 

Hope this helps!

[Sailfish]

Hello:

 

Are you sure you have the itinery correct? Princess's web site has this on it for the November 10/08 cruise (which is a reverse of what you say):

1 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

2 At Sea

3 At Sea

4 Aruba

5 Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

6 Grenada

7 Dominica

8 St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

9 At Sea

10 Princess Cays, Bahamas

11 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

 

Let me know as I am thinking about it.

Thanks.

 

 

You also may want to visit our group forum, where you'll find more detailed information about the trip.

[10X]

Suzi,

 

This sounds like a great cruise. Unfortunately, I will be leaving on our 2008 cruise in about a month and we have already booked our 2009 cruise. However, if something can be worked out by me later where we would be able to go, could I book through my own TA and just join the group onboard?

 

Denny

[islandwoman]

My husband and I might be interested. Do you know yet how much the dive package will be?

[Sailfish]

My husband and I might be interested. Do you know yet how much the dive package will be?

 

 

I am getting close to confirming the 2008 Cruise Critic Scuba Cruise Dive Package - well ahead of my own imposed deadline, I am happy to report! We will again be going through ShoreTrips, a web based company, who in the past has done a stellar job putting together my scuba group's dive package. I am always looking for a good deal, for a dive operation that will provide personal service and for dive shops to give us some assurance that in the event we miss the port or have weather issues, we don't get penalized. With the exception of one dive operator, I could not get the others I was negotiating with to refund our diver's deposit in full in the event we can't make it into port.

 

That always seems to be the case with small dive operations, but I was hoping this time it would be different. Without this safetynet, we would all lose our deposits if we could not make it into the port of call. Some have said that this would not matter - but it does to me - I once missed a port!

 

ShoreTrips uses PADI insured dive operations in each port of call. Our group is assigned a dive coordinator that members can email or contact by phone if they have questions. Each dive is fully refundable if the ship doesn't make port in time or doesn't make port at all. They will also give you back your money if the vendor has to cancel due to equipment or weather problems.

 

ShoreTrips makes it easy to book your dives, as you can do so online at a secure site. They also will have a group web page listing our all our dives, so you can see what dives are being offered.

 

Once our group package is confirmed (which should be any day now), I will post the information at our group forum with links where you can get more detailed information and booking instructions. In the mean time, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to post your comments here or to email me, the group leader.

 

Itinerary

 

Day 1 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - At Sea

Day 4 - Aruba

Day 5 - Bonaire

Day 6 - Grenada

Day 7 - Dominica

Day 8 - St. Thomas

Day 9 - At Sea

Day 10 -Princess Cays

Day 11 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

 

 

Aruba

Day 4 November 13, 2008

8am-5pm

 

Cost: $92pp

Departure Time: 8:45am

Dive Package: 2 tank boat dives

Max Number of Divers: 16

 

Equipment Rental Rates:

 

Tanks, Weights and Weight Belts are included. BC vests and regulators are available for rent for $12.50 each, payable directly to the dive shop at the time of the dive.

 

Bonaire

Day 5 November 14, 2008

7am-2pm

 

Cost: $51pp

Departure Time: 9am

Dive Package: 1 tank boat dive and unlimited shore diving

Max Number of Divers: 16

 

Equipment Rental Rates:

 

Full gear pkg incl wetsuit....$34.00

Full gear pkg w/o wetsuit....$27.00

 

Regulator ..............$10.00

BCD ....................$10.00

Dive Computers..........$13.50

Mask, Fins, Snorkel.....$10.00

Shortie Wet Suit........$6.00

Underwater Flashlight...$7.00

 

If you have members of your party who are not divers, they can come along and use the hotel's beach for $5 (paid at the resort).

 

Grenada

Day 6 November 15, 2008

12 noon - 7pm

 

Cost: $122pp

Departure Time: 1:00pm

Dive Package: 2 tank boat dives

Max Number of Divers: 16

 

Equipment Rental Rates:

 

No charge for rental equipment.

 

Dominica

Day 7 November 16, 2008

7am - 5pm

 

Cost: $100pp

Departure Time: 8:00am

Dive Package: 2 tank boat dives

Max Number of Divers: 8

 

Equipment Rental Rates:

 

No charge for rental equipment.

 

St. Thomas

Day 8 November 17, 2008

8am - 6pm

 

Cost: $120pp

Departure Time: 9am

Dive Package: 2 tank boat dives

Max Number of Divers: 16

 

Equipment Rental Rates:

 

No charge for rental equipment

 

 

Cancellation Policy:

 

ShoreTrip's policy is to refund all tours and excursions if the ship doesn't make port in time or doesn't make port at all. They will also give you back your money if the vendor has to cancel due to equipment or weather problems.

 

You must contact ShoreTrips within 12 days after the date you were scheduled to dive to tell us that your cruise ship or the vendor prevented you from going.

 

You may cancel your ShoreTrips booking and receive a full refund up to 11 days before the the actual date of your reserved dive. At 10 days outbound, all trips become non-refundable.

 

To cancel your dives, log into www.shoretrips.com with your User Id and Password. Then click on "View Bookings" and click on the garbage can icon next to the booking. This will cancel your booking and refund your charge card in full.

 

I also would be happy to send you a copy of our group brochure. Just drop me an email and I will send it off with my reply.

[islandwoman]

My husband and I are seriously considering signing up for this group cruise. We're curious to know who else will be going (would we fit in?). We're in our early 60's, experienced cruisers (25 to date) and AOW experienced divers (200+). We've dived in Aruba and Bonaire, but not yet in Grenada, Dominica, or St. Thomas.

 

I hope that those who have already booked and those who are thinking of booking will post their information here.

 

I should mention that I was a bit taken aback by agrip76's thread "Princess Cruise or retirement home?" I would not want to be part of a group where I was not welcome because of my age. I hope that if anyone going on this group cruise does not want to sail with "elderly" people, you will tell me now.

[cruzegirl]

I.W.

All I have to say is: BOOK THE CRUISE... lol........

I've been on Princess and it's all ages, creeds, types. It's the Party atmosphere that some ships are known for but I find/make my own parties....lol....Suzi is a wonderful group leader and does a great job on the cruises. I have now been on 2 of her group cruises and if it weren't for Tahiti, I would be on this one. Plus we're trying to get another together for 2009 for her and I'll go on that.....

The divers we've had in the past is a combo. I think I've been the "newest" of the divers having been cert. only 2 1/2 years. My friend Carla has been cert. for over 20 years and her husband, over 40 years/was a DM. So you get a combo.... It's tons of fun. :D

[Sailfish]

Thanks for the nice comments, Debbie!

 

islandwoman:

 

The general make up of our dive groups is 35ish to 60ish - give or take a few years on either end. I guess it would be safe to call most of us middle aged (though now that I am one, it's still a little hard to accept the label!). If you are asking whether you will feel out of place, the answer is no. But I also want to make sure that you and everyone else out there gets a good idea of what to expect.

 

First off, Princess is by no means stuffy or what I would consider a "retirement home". That said, on any 10 night voyage regardless of cruise line in early November, you will probably see a more mature passenger base. Since kids are in school, you won't see many of them. Because the cost of a 10 night cruise will be a tad more than your typical 7 nighter (in our case it's significantly more), and the fact that a lot of younger folks just don't have 11 days to 2 weeks of vacation time right before Thanksgiving, I would think it a safe bet that we will probably see more older folks on this cruise. On the other hand, our dive groups always consist of active adults who end up spending time together - whether that's on the dive boat during the day or in the evening enjoying one another's company; age never becomes a factor.

 

The kind of people that you would spend time with at a landbased dive resort are pretty much the same folks who would be inclined to join our scuba group. They tend to be educated professional folks with disposable incomes who for the most part are well traveled and enjoy scuba diving. Some travel with friends and family members who are non-divers (a cruise is a great compromise) while others simply enjoy diving in new ports of call and prefer the amenities found on a cruise ship to that of a landbased dive resort. What ever the reason, their love of diving brings us all together.

 

Many of our group members are not active here at Cruise Critic. A lot of people find out about the scuba group through a search engine, while others learn of it from friends or family who see it promoted elsewhere. We have an active roll call forum where you can get a sense of who will be on the cruise from Cruise Critic. And occasionally, we will get members to post at our group forum. But for the most part, you will meet your fellow divers at embarkation. If you have any other concerns, please feel free to email me.

 

Good luck.

[cruzegirl]

;) Your welcome......

 

Thanks for the nice comments, Debbie!

 

islandwoman:

 

The general make up of our dive groups is 35ish to 60ish - give or take a few years on either end. I guess it would be safe to call most of us middle aged (though now that I am one, it's still a little hard to accept the label!). If you are asking whether you will feel out of place, the answer is no. But I also want to make sure that you and everyone else out there gets a good idea of what to expect.

 

First off, Princess is by no means stuffy or what I would consider a "retirement home". That said, on any 10 night voyage regardless of cruise line in early November, you will probably see a more mature passenger base. Since kids are in school, you won't see many of them. Because the cost of a 10 night cruise will be a tad more than your typical 7 nighter (in our case it's significantly more), and the fact that a lot of younger folks just don't have 11 days to 2 weeks of vacation time right before Thanksgiving, I would think it a safe bet that we will probably see more older folks on this cruise. On the other hand, our dive groups always consist of active adults who end up spending time together - whether that's on the dive boat during the day or in the evening enjoying one another's company; age never becomes a factor.

 

The kind of people that you would spend time with at a landbased dive resort are pretty much the same folks who would be inclined to join our scuba group. They tend to be educated professional folks with disposable incomes who for the most part are well traveled and enjoy scuba diving. Some travel with friends and family members who are non-divers (a cruise is a great compromise) while others simply enjoy diving in new ports of call and prefer the amenities found on a cruise ship to that of a landbased dive resort. What ever the reason, their love of diving brings us all together.

 

Many of our group members are not active here at Cruise Critic. A lot of people find out about the scuba group through a search engine, while others learn of it from friends or family who see it promoted elsewhere. We have an active roll call forum where you can get a sense of who will be on the cruise from Cruise Critic. And occasionally, we will get members to post at our group forum. But for the most part, you will meet your fellow divers at embarkation. If you have any other concerns, please feel free to email me.

 

Good luck.