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.