Why a SCUBA Cruise?

Mike & I have been scuba diving for many years, with hundreds of safe, enjoyable and interesting dives in the Caribbean and elsewhere. We have experienced all manner of boat and shore dives, reefs, walls, swim-throughs, wrecks, night dives and wildlife dives. Although we love our dive time together, and have been on a number of dive vacations, we are at a point where our "down time" is equally important. Five dives a day, day after day, just ain't our thang no more.

A while back we began taking our dive gear on cruise vacations... doesn't everyone? We know many of the Caribbean islands, Mexican and Central American ports-of-call, and we are comfortable diving with independent operators. We are low maintenance and we have found the dive operations to be friendly and helpful in almost all cases. After diving, returning to the ship with a well made room, hot showers, a sort-of-soft bed and great food is sure nice.

Over the years, I have coordinated group theme cruises for friends and family, as well as some new friends. Last December we decided to try coordinating a scuba group cruise. It turned out great. About 48 members in the group, 20 divers, and 12 to 16 divers in each of the ports-of-call. We got lucky with the weather, and we made new friends, with scuba divers of all experience. Almost all of our dive excursions were great... you never can be sure with a large group and new operators... and we especially appreciated the flexibility, patience and humor of our new dive companions, making the most of each day, and rolling with a few punches that came our way.

So, now we're going to try it again. This time we want to visit some new ports. The best group package I could find for 2007 is aboard the Carnival Miracle, and eight day sailing to St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St. Maarten. "Best" is somewhat subjective. Some folks will say "Carnival, no way." A few years back I would have agreed, but after recent cruises on the Pride and last year's scuba cruise on the Valor, I am convinced that Carnival is making a great effort to change. We couldn't have asked for better pricing, group amenities, and group services. The food was good to excellent, and considering the size of our group, the complaints were few.

The Miracle is the same size as the Pride, a little smaller than the Valor, but a nice sized ship just the same. We have diving arranged in three ports, 12 divers max in two ports, and possibly a large boat to accommodate up to 20 in St. Lucia (depending on interest.) We are especially interested in the Anse Chastenet, Soufriere Marine Park near the volcano, and we are curious about St. Kitts, which we have also heard is a lesser known dive jewel. We will see. We're up for the adventure.

If you are interested, join the group by reserving a room on the ship. Then let us know if you are a certified diver and which port(s) are of interest to you (I am keeping an informal list, first come/ first served.) Then you can reserve your dives with ShoreTrips (St. Kitts and St. Maarten) and Dive Fair Helen (St. Lucia). Please read our directions for booking the cruise and dives found elsewhere on this web site.

If you have any questions, be sure to write.

Good diving,
Suzi