SCUBA diving

[amanda6913]

Just wondering if anyone has done any SCUBA diving on the western cruise?? Definitely looking forward to doing it on the July 6th cruise! Also, if you have done some diving...I have another question... I just became certified so I am really only able to go to 60 feet... do they go deeper than this or is there another excursion?? Any explanations accepted! Thanks!

 

[skuba]

I have done diving on Grand Cayman although not on a cruise ship. I am not sure about the excursions, but I know that there are a variety of dives available. On a lot of dive sites, there are even multiple depths. You can stay on the top side of the coral and explore the life on top and be at one depth or go down by the sand and explore underneath the coral and be maybe 20 feet deeper. I have only gone with Don Fosters. You should probably call a couple dive operators and check them out. You won't be the first off of a cruise ship to call and some I know schedule later dives to accommodate the cruise ships while others schedule earlier to avoid dealing with cruise ship passengers. Also remember to ask for cancellation policy in case you don't make it off the ship on time.

I don't recommend this, but we went on a cruise once to Antigua, St. Thomas and Barbados and basically walked off the ship with our gear and went looking for diving. We always seemed to find a dive shop on the dock waiting.

Also, remember to plan you drinking and flying around your diving--or should I say your diving around your drinking and flying.

I hope this helps. It is beautiful down there.

DG

 

[Scott H]

Amanda,

Sorry for the slow response. We were on the 5/11 Inaugural Western and did the Diving shore excursions offered by DCL.

In GCY our dive profiles were as follow:
Dive 1: 80' 33 min used 1500psi Dive site was Orange Canyon - a wall dive
Dive 2: 53' 56 min used 2000psi Dive site was a wreck called Oro Verde

Good fish life on both sites with healthy corals. The dive operator was Red Sail.

On COZ our dive profiles were as follow:

Dive 1: Santa Rosa 81' 33 min used 1500psi
Dive 2: Paradise 41' 58min used 2000psi

Note COZ diving is 99.9999999% drift diving.

As a new diver I would recommend a couple of things to you if this is your first trip to the "Big Blue Wet Thing". First is to let the dive staff know this is your first ocean dive. Both of the operators that DCL has chosen to deal with are excellent. Next if ya can get some diving in before your trip.

I have had several of my students come back from dive trips telling me of going to deeper depths than 60'. This happens and can help you gain that deep diving experience make sure to let the divemaster know your feelings. You are paying them for the experience and they should accommodate your desires.

You will have a great time as you start to enjoy the wonders of the Ocean. Any other questions feel free to ask.