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Live Aboard dives


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#16 Victoria

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Posted 09 January 2010 - 09:27 PM

I can't say much more than what's been said..... do you want to dive a lot, and usually in locations that don't get many visitors.... or do you want to be on land...... sorta the way I see it.



I have to ask. How did you get that hoarse on the bottom? Your having too much fun lol. Thanks for the comment.


That's actually there in the ocean under about 25' of water in Cane Bay St Croix USVI, and I always have fun when I'm diving.


Next time be sure to get yer spurs up on 'is shoulders and mark out, so's you get a higher score from the judges, m'kay?!

Posted Image



By the way, y'all.... there's no such thing as too much fun!!! Posted Image

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#17 secretsea18

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Posted 10 January 2010 - 09:24 AM

OK. You all got me sold I'm going. Time to start saving. I'm taking my diving certification next month. I just returned from Orlando Florida. I need to recuperate financially. One question. I read in the scuba mags not to do multiple dives in a day. I know that these live aboard dives offer up to 5 dives a day. It's due to the Nitrogen in the body. Is this true? Second. How do I get in touch with a Colorado group leader to book one or just a dive? Thanks everyone for the information. I appreciate it. Your all so great. :birthday:



Very important thing to know for liveaboard diving..... you really need to use a dive computer. If you do not use a computer, you will face excessive restrictions using dive tables. Liveaboard diving = computer diving.

Plus one very important thing for individual divers on a dive trip.... almost all liveaboards will not require a single supplement if you are on your own, but only if you are willing to share the room with someone else. (Heck even Wakatobi used to do that back in the "olden days" when a 10 day trip in a beachfront bungalow was under $2800 including the charter flight! And both times I went I had my own bungalow.... they only had beachfront bungalow vs longhouse then.... only 4 bungalow on my first trip there! but I digres.....) Most of the time I have been on a liveaboard, I am in a room by myself, but have met some great folks as my "roommate" on the boat. Be sure to ask if the boat will give you someone of the same gender or if they would mix genders, and be sure to be OK with that!

Edited by secretsea18, 10 January 2010 - 09:30 AM.


#18 diveguy101

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Posted 10 January 2010 - 01:40 PM

OK. You all got me sold I'm going. Time to start saving. I'm taking my diving certification next month. I just returned from Orlando Florida. I need to recuperate financially. One question. I read in the scuba mags not to do multiple dives in a day. I know that these live aboard dives offer up to 5 dives a day. It's due to the Nitrogen in the body. Is this true? Second. How do I get in touch with a Colorado group leader to book one or just a dive? Thanks everyone for the information. I appreciate it. Your all so great. :birthday:



Very important thing to know for liveaboard diving..... you really need to use a dive computer. If you do not use a computer, you will face excessive restrictions using dive tables. Liveaboard diving = computer diving.

Plus one very important thing for individual divers on a dive trip.... almost all liveaboards will not require a single supplement if you are on your own, but only if you are willing to share the room with someone else. (Heck even Wakatobi used to do that back in the "olden days" when a 10 day trip in a beachfront bungalow was under $2800 including the charter flight! And both times I went I had my own bungalow.... they only had beachfront bungalow vs longhouse then.... only 4 bungalow on my first trip there! but I digres.....) Most of the time I have been on a liveaboard, I am in a room by myself, but have met some great folks as my "roommate" on the boat. Be sure to ask if the boat will give you someone of the same gender or if they would mix genders, and be sure to be OK with that!



Thanks. I look forward to it. I would prefer a women room mate since I am single. As for most single men that would be the answer right????

Take care. Have a nice day. :birthday:

#19 Parrotman

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Posted 10 January 2010 - 09:52 PM

OK. You all got me sold I'm going. Time to start saving. I'm taking my diving certification next month. I just returned from Orlando Florida. I need to recuperate financially. One question. I read in the scuba mags not to do multiple dives in a day. I know that these live aboard dives offer up to 5 dives a day. It's due to the Nitrogen in the body. Is this true? Second. How do I get in touch with a Colorado group leader to book one or just a dive? Thanks everyone for the information. I appreciate it. Your all so great. :diver:



Very important thing to know for liveaboard diving..... you really need to use a dive computer. If you do not use a computer, you will face excessive restrictions using dive tables. Liveaboard diving = computer diving.

Plus one very important thing for individual divers on a dive trip.... almost all liveaboards will not require a single supplement if you are on your own, but only if you are willing to share the room with someone else. (Heck even Wakatobi used to do that back in the "olden days" when a 10 day trip in a beachfront bungalow was under $2800 including the charter flight! And both times I went I had my own bungalow.... they only had beachfront bungalow vs longhouse then.... only 4 bungalow on my first trip there! but I digres.....) Most of the time I have been on a liveaboard, I am in a room by myself, but have met some great folks as my "roommate" on the boat. Be sure to ask if the boat will give you someone of the same gender or if they would mix genders, and be sure to be OK with that!



Thanks. I look forward to it. I would prefer a women room mate since I am single. As for most single men that would be the answer right????

Take care. Have a nice day. :twist:



I had to laugh when I read this. Not at you :-) but at the thought of the female roomate because your single. After having been on many liveaboards ( I am a diver that travels alone ) and knowing what living on a boat is like for 7 to 10 days, there is no way on earth that you would get me to share a cabin with a woman that I did not know. Heck, you might have a hard time getting me to share a cabin with a woman that I did know... Sorry gals no offense intended :o

These cabins are usally quite small. In my experience a typical male diver traveling by himself is going to have maybe a small bag of cloths and incidentals. Usually nothing hanging on hangers, typically little to no toiletries other than maybe tooth brush, razor etc. I have watched the boat staff and or male travel companions of many women loading their luggage and trying to squeeze it into one of these cabins.. :-D

Not to mention the fact that there is absolutely no privacy in these cabins so you had either be prepared to be on your very best excellent behaviour ( don't be doing anything or touching anything that you would not want your mother to see) or hope that you have a very understanding room mate.


But then again, who knows, that female roomate may just be on the womans olympic weight lifting team and may just clock you for misbehaving.... :o

In my own defense, some of my very best friends and dive buddies are women... I have been married for 34 years.. and many of my friends here on SD are woman and have been diving with me so hopefully none of them are going to be mad at me for posting this... :fish:

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#20 Capn Jack

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Posted 10 January 2010 - 10:17 PM

I had to laugh when I read this. Not at you :-) but at the thought of the female roomate because your single. After having been on many liveaboards ( I am a diver that travels alone ) and knowing what living on a boat is like for 7 to 10 days, there is no way on earth that you would get me to share a cabin with a woman that I did not know. Heck, you might have a hard time getting me to share a cabin with a woman that I did know... Sorry gals no offense intended :diver:

These cabins are usally quite small. In my experience a typical male diver traveling by himself is going to have maybe a small bag of cloths and incidentals. Usually nothing hanging on hangers, typically little to no toiletries other than maybe tooth brush, razor etc. I have watched the boat staff and or male travel companions of many women loading their luggage and trying to squeeze it into one of these cabins.. :o

Not to mention the fact that there is absolutely no privacy in these cabins so you had either be prepared to be on your very best excellent behaviour ( don't be doing anything or touching anything that you would not want your mother to see) or hope that you have a very understanding room mate.


But then again, who knows, that female roomate may just be on the womans olympic weight lifting team and may just clock you for misbehaving.... :twist:

In my own defense, some of my very best friends and dive buddies are women... I have been married for 34 years.. and many of my friends here on SD are woman and have been diving with me so hopefully none of them are going to be mad at me for posting this... :fish:

Jim

Yep - I agree - even with the wonderful female friends I've made here on the board - the "shrinkage" excuse only has legs for awhile, I'd hate to have to change my handle to "stubby jack"
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#21 diveguy101

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Posted 11 January 2010 - 03:44 PM

Thanks guys. That was funny! It gave me a good laugh. We all need it.

Just to add to the comment. My mom takes up most of the closet space. My moms shoes is another story. My dad has less then half the closet space for himself not counting his shoes. My mom even has more cloths in the attic, go figure. The wonderful things I have to look forward with marriage LOL. I did not think about that. I was thinking with my other (Head) LOL. Thanks for the tip. Just a little humor their no disrespect to the wonderful women here. I hope to meet everyone here at SD. I'm a wonderful person to get to know. I will make you laugh. :fish:



#22 69Charger

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Posted 11 January 2010 - 08:22 PM

I have a question. Does anyone here have experience on these live aboard dive trips? I get the scuba magazine every month and see the ads about the dive aboard. I just wanted some feed back. The prices are out of my range right now. I plan on booking a reservation on one in the future. Is the food any good, rooms pleasant, staff nice, is their a safe to store personal belongings? All these questions I have. Do you get to explore islands too. I want to dive in all locations but I also want to explore these islands as well. I love adventure.


Take care.

69Charger January 11, 2010
I have been on two. The most recent was a Single Diver trip on the Nekton December 12-19, 2009. My first was on an Explorer Venture trip to St. Kitts, Eustatius and Saba on their Caribbean Explorer II back in May 2008. On both ships I felt safe leaving my belongings in my room. Both vessels had a safe if you wanted to store your valuables. I didn't have a roommate on the Explorer but had one on the Nekton.
I thought the food on both was good. I perferred the Explorer's food but the chef on the Nekton did a good job. You won't go hungry on either.
The staff was nice on both trips. You got to realize the nature of this business, the staff rotates in and out. One crew may be on for nine weeks then off on vacation for three. On the Nekton I liked the two night time video presentations the staff gave. One on sharks and the other on coral. Both ships had flat screens on which were played whatever you wanted. I personally liked the old time Road Runner cartoons, alot better than Sponge Bob.
The main salon (dinning room) was larger on the Nekton. The Nekton also had a larger dive deck, but if you are diving during the late spring and summer the Explorer has a totally covered dive deck. For me being a fair haired (if I had any hair) guy I liked the Explorer.
As for the rooms, let's just say I went for diving not to stay in the room. If you judged a trip by the room you might be disappointed. I thought the Explorer was in better shape. I went on the Nekton to scope it out for my non-diving wife. This ship has a Bahama itinerary that I thought my wife would like but I would not bring her on board.
Now would I go on another live aboard, you bettcha! I can get 20+ dives in in a week and not have to worry about finding lunch on shore. Most dive trips will include dinner but lunch may not always be included. A trip I took to Belize did not include lunch.
Now on this past itinerary, Mona Island, there was no shore excursions. The St. Kitts, Saba trip had the opportunity for you to go ashore. I went onto Saba. Each operation will provide info on shore excursions on it's web site or written brochures.

Good luck with the planning and safe diving.

#23 uwphotoer

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Posted 13 January 2010 - 12:06 PM

Now on this past itinerary, Mona Island, there was no shore excursions.


The Mona Islands are a nature preserve and it's my impression the boat didn't want to pay the crazy fee for a shore permit.
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#24 georoc01

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Posted 13 January 2010 - 03:00 PM

OK. You all got me sold I'm going. Time to start saving. I'm taking my diving certification next month. I just returned from Orlando Florida. I need to recuperate financially. One question. I read in the scuba mags not to do multiple dives in a day. I know that these live aboard dives offer up to 5 dives a day. It's due to the Nitrogen in the body. Is this true? Second. How do I get in touch with a Colorado group leader to book one or just a dive? Thanks everyone for the information. I appreciate it. Your all so great. :lmao:



Very important thing to know for liveaboard diving..... you really need to use a dive computer. If you do not use a computer, you will face excessive restrictions using dive tables. Liveaboard diving = computer diving.

Plus one very important thing for individual divers on a dive trip.... almost all liveaboards will not require a single supplement if you are on your own, but only if you are willing to share the room with someone else. (Heck even Wakatobi used to do that back in the "olden days" when a 10 day trip in a beachfront bungalow was under $2800 including the charter flight! And both times I went I had my own bungalow.... they only had beachfront bungalow vs longhouse then.... only 4 bungalow on my first trip there! but I digres.....) Most of the time I have been on a liveaboard, I am in a room by myself, but have met some great folks as my "roommate" on the boat. Be sure to ask if the boat will give you someone of the same gender or if they would mix genders, and be sure to be OK with that!



Thanks. I look forward to it. I would prefer a women room mate since I am single. As for most single men that would be the answer right????

Take care. Have a nice day. :bam:


One of the things about diving with SingleDivers.com is that they guarantee a same sex roomate. So while you may desire a roomate of the opposite sex, the odds are very slim that you would get one on a trip. The only times I have had an opposite sex roomate is when its been a friend that I have brought along.

Edited by georoc01, 13 January 2010 - 03:01 PM.


#25 secretsea18

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Posted 14 January 2010 - 06:45 AM

OK. You all got me sold I'm going. Time to start saving. I'm taking my diving certification next month. I just returned from Orlando Florida. I need to recuperate financially. One question. I read in the scuba mags not to do multiple dives in a day. I know that these live aboard dives offer up to 5 dives a day. It's due to the Nitrogen in the body. Is this true? Second. How do I get in touch with a Colorado group leader to book one or just a dive? Thanks everyone for the information. I appreciate it. Your all so great. :lmao:



Very important thing to know for liveaboard diving..... you really need to use a dive computer. If you do not use a computer, you will face excessive restrictions using dive tables. Liveaboard diving = computer diving.

Plus one very important thing for individual divers on a dive trip.... almost all liveaboards will not require a single supplement if you are on your own, but only if you are willing to share the room with someone else. (Heck even Wakatobi used to do that back in the "olden days" when a 10 day trip in a beachfront bungalow was under $2800 including the charter flight! And both times I went I had my own bungalow.... they only had beachfront bungalow vs longhouse then.... only 4 bungalow on my first trip there! but I digres.....) Most of the time I have been on a liveaboard, I am in a room by myself, but have met some great folks as my "roommate" on the boat. Be sure to ask if the boat will give you someone of the same gender or if they would mix genders, and be sure to be OK with that!



Thanks. I look forward to it. I would prefer a women room mate since I am single. As for most single men that would be the answer right????

Take care. Have a nice day. :bam:


One of the things about diving with SingleDivers.com is that they guarantee a same sex roomate. So while you may desire a roomate of the opposite sex, the odds are very slim that you would get one on a trip. The only times I have had an opposite sex roomate is when its been a friend that I have brought along.



Regarding liveaboard roommate situations. There are extremely few liveaboards these days that do not match up by gender. The only time I had to have an "unintended" male roommate, was on my very first liveaboard in 1994, the Little Cayman Diver II. Captain did not have me on his passsenger manifest (thank goodness I arrived to Little Cayman along with others on the boat) and had to put me in with a guy, as he had made the room assignments already and some folks had unpacked (came in earlier). That said, I was only minimally inconvenienced by having a male roommate on that trip. Since then, I have always had a female assigned to be my roommate, or more often.... had the room to myself! :)

Edited by secretsea18, 14 January 2010 - 06:47 AM.


#26 Moose

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Posted 14 January 2010 - 11:29 PM

I am a relative newcomer to liveaboards - did my fist one 16 months ago. I have since done another 4 - so pretty much the same as the others - they are great if all you want to is dive dive dive. I have tried an independent budget operator (no hot water and shared my bunk with ants), mid price (Red Sea and Oz) and high end (Peter Huges x2). I prefer the high end to be honest (no surprises there!)- if you are going to spend the bucks, you may as well do it properly. My buddy and I were miserable on the budget option - never again, although the diving was awesome (Lembeh Straights)

Space will always be at a premium, but you learn to pack accordingly, and you are given somewhere to store bags etc. Food is usually plentiful (only exception was the Ocean Dancer). You should also get Nitrox certified - all liveaboards offer Niotox (except again, the Ocean Dancer - their Nitrox compressor was broken!!!!). Other advantages of liveaboards is they have much better access to more remote dive sites so you generally avoid dive sites more frequeted by day boats - at least at times the day boats are not there. My best ever night dive was on the Thistlegorm - me, my buddy and our guide :D

The only potential downside of liveaboards is if you are travelling independently, with or without a buddy, you may get stuck with a group that may stick together and not be that sociable with the others onboard. but in general, everyone gets on and it really is the only way to dive - if that is all you want to do :lmao:


I love live-aboards and will most likely not do a land based dive trip unless live aboard isn’t an option. (But note, I dive EVERY dive. No matter what. I also dive a 3mil shorty until water temps drop below 60. So I don’t need lots of time/stuff to pack.)

A often overlooked intangible of live aboards is that you don’t need to pack clothes. Really! One or two tee shirts, two pairs of shorts, maybe a sweatshirt (if you are a warm blooded human, unlike me) and that is it for 10 to 14 days.

Most experienced “live aboarders” will do the same, so it isn’t a problem to be in the same shirt over and over again. (and since you are diving and showering 3 or 4 times a day, you don’t get stinky.)

Be forewarned, if you suffer from seasickness, a live aboard could be a week or two of hell. This can be mitigated, but you need to plan ahead if you are prone.
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#27 uwfan

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Posted 15 January 2010 - 07:17 AM

(if you are a warm blooded human, unlike me)

Thanks Moose for a good laugh! I needed it today!! :D


Be forewarned, if you suffer from seasickness, a live aboard could be a week or two of hell. This can be mitigated, but you need to plan ahead if you are prone.


Thankfully for me, WreckWench helped me find a seasickness medicine that usually works for me and I went from VERY nauseous to just fine and even better than fine on my first liveaboard. I don't always get the doseage right... but when I take it in the right amount it works like a charm! :lmao:






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