| Say you want to scuba dive but your significant | | | | you would miss the morning dive trips, it is still |
| other is not a diver and would rather do other | | | | possible to take the local operators' afternoon dive |
| activities like shopping. If you both decided to go on | | | | trips but in this case, it is very important to make |
| a Caribbean cruise vacation, is it still possible for you | | | | sure that you confirm what the estimated time of |
| to go scuba diving? The answer is yes. This will be a | | | | return to the docks are. If you can return to the |
| big relief to all certified scuba divers who are going | | | | docks at least two hours before the cruise ship's |
| on cruises with itineraries that include such great | | | | scheduled time of departure, than you will have |
| scuba dive destinations as Cozumel and Grand | | | | ample time even if the dive boat returns a bit late. It |
| Cayman. After all, as certified scuba divers, it would | | | | it's only an hour or less, the timing may be too tight. |
| be a shame to go to these ports and not dive. | | | | See if the dive operator has a shorter single tank |
| Many cruise ships offer scuba diving as part of their | | | | afternoon trip which might get you back to the |
| available shore excursions. Some ships even have | | | | docks earlier. |
| small dive centers on board for those who want to | | | | Some local dive operators even have special pick up |
| take introductory sessions in the ship pools. These | | | | and drop off services to and from the cruise ship |
| cruise lines will often have business contracts with | | | | terminals to their dive shops. These dive businesses |
| local dive operators at each port that has scuba | | | | are obviously making an effort to take some dive |
| diving. These local dive operators will take certified | | | | business away from the cruise ship organized |
| scuba divers on boat trips on behalf of the cruise | | | | excursions. These particular local dive operators |
| lines. Booking and payment will be through the cruise | | | | would be ideal if you could find them before your |
| ships rather than the local dive operators. The cruise | | | | cruise vacation. Otherwise, you may have to take a |
| lines claim that if for any reason the scuba trips run | | | | local taxi to the dive shop if it is not within walking |
| late, the cruise ships will not leave port until all | | | | distance of the cruise ship terminal. Of course, this is |
| passengers from these cruise ship organized | | | | usually not a problem either and even with the added |
| excursions are back on board. They won't wait | | | | cost of taxis, the overall cost of going with a local |
| around for passengers who decide to take their own | | | | dive operator may still be lower than the cruise ship |
| excursions not booked through the cruise ship. This is | | | | organized dive excursion. |
| how the cruise ships try to convince divers to take | | | | Some cruise ship passengers have successfully |
| their excursions even if the cost is usually at a | | | | gotten on local dive trips without any advance |
| premium compared to what local dive operators | | | | booking. These divers just walked into a local dive |
| would normally charge directly. | | | | operator once at port. Although this is certainly |
| Another way to get some scuba diving in during a | | | | feasible, it is not recommended especially in a |
| cruise vacation is to make arrangements and book in | | | | destination that fills dive trips up quickly. With the |
| advance with local scuba dive operators at each port | | | | internet, it is quite easy to make arrangements with |
| you are interested in diving at. Although there is | | | | many local dive operators in advance of your cruise |
| always some risk in missing your port departure if | | | | vacation. Tell them which day your cruise ship will be |
| your own outing runs late, just make sure you plan | | | | coming in and the expected time of both arrival as |
| your own dive trips so that you are back on the ship | | | | well as departure. Some ports like Cozumel have |
| well in advance of port departure. Usually if your | | | | more than one cruise ship terminal so it's important to |
| cruise ship arrives at port early in the morning, you | | | | let them know if possible which one your ship will be |
| could book the morning dive trips with the local | | | | docked in. They will then give you your best options |
| operator and still have the rest of the afternoon to | | | | for some scuba diving for that particular day. |
| shop or do other sightseeing. For later arrivals where | | | | |