What operator Carnival uses Grand Cayman & Cozumel

[Away]

Does anyone know who Carnival uses for scuba on Grand Cayman and Cozumel? My 14 year old son is a certified scuba diver and for sure wants to dive off Grand Cayman and maybe Cozumel. I want to make sure I can snorkel or snuba (and that there's something worthwhile to look at) while my son is diving but can't get Carnival to tell me who they use for their scuba excursion operator. According to what they told me, I will have to pay the same price as a diver...which is ok as long as I'm not going to be stuck on a boat. Also, my son has never done drift diving...his experience is certification plus one additional dive. Should he avoid drift diving given his limited diving experience?

[bruce-r]

Does anyone know who Carnival uses for scuba on Grand Cayman and Cozumel?

Not sure who they use in Grand Cayman, but it isn't redsail. Might be Don Fosters (http://www.donfosters.com/)

 

If I might make a suggestion, your son could do a guided shore dive right there in Georgetown while you snorkel. Both http://www.edenrockdive.com/ and http://abanksdivers.com.ky/ offer guided shore dives at Eden Rock. It is close to where the tenders dock and at Abanks it is only $20. I don't know if that includes gear, probably not. If you are willing to take a taxi, there is even better diving with http://www.divetech.com/ out near the Turtle Farm, although they do cost more, $50, the have a very good reputation.

 

In Cozumel, I believe that http://sanddollarsports.com/ is the ship's operator. It you want, you can hire a guide just for your son while on the dives.

 

Also, my son has never done drift diving...his experience is certification plus one additional dive. Should he avoid drift diving given his limited diving experience?

I wouldn't exclude him from diving in Cozumel just because of the drift diving. It is not like the current is so strong that you can't even slow down let alone stop, at least not at the sights he is likely to dive. I don't believe that any responsible operator will take divers to the advanced sites without an advanced certification or without first seeing how they handle themselves underwater. The most important point to make is: "Let the divemaster know your son's level of experience". Most all of the DM's do a good job looking after newbies, if they know about them.

 

If you want, I would be happy to recommend other dive operators in Cozumel, but only if you ask since you seem like you have already decided to use the ship's excursions.

 

Have a great time. Both Cozumel and Grand Cayman have excellent diving.

 

Grand Cayman underwater photo gallery

Cozumel underwater photo gallery

[rockedge]

I have found that the cruise ships tend to do the easier dives, drift included, because of the varios levels of diver experience. I wouldn't worry about it.

[bruce-r]

I have found that the cruise ships tend to do the easier dives, drift included, because of the various levels of diver experience. I wouldn't worry about it.

I agree with this. Advanced divers tend to avoid the ship's excursions for just this reason.