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