Bargain Cruise

Options for certified scuba divers who wish to go scuba diving during a cruise vacation.

Say you want to scuba dive but your significant other is not a diver and would rather do other activities like shopping. If you both decided to go on a Caribbean cruise vacation, is it still possible for you to go scuba diving? The answer is yes. This will be a big relief to all certified scuba divers who are going on cruises with itineraries that include such great scuba dive destinations as Cozumel and Grand Cayman. After all, as certified scuba divers, it would be a shame to go to these ports and not dive.

Many cruise ships offer scuba diving as part of their available shore excursions. Some ships even have small dive centers on board for those who want to take introductory sessions in the ship pools. These cruise lines will often have business contracts with local dive operators at each port that has scuba diving. These local dive operators will take certified scuba divers on boat trips on behalf of the cruise lines. Booking and payment will be through the cruise ships rather than the local dive operators. The cruise lines claim that if for any reason the scuba trips run late, the cruise ships will not leave port until all passengers from these cruise ship organized excursions are back on board. They won’t wait around for passengers who decide to take their own excursions not booked through the cruise ship. This is how the cruise ships try to convince divers to take their excursions even if the cost is usually at a premium compared to what local dive operators would normally charge directly.

Another way to get some scuba diving in during a cruise vacation is to make arrangements and book in advance with local scuba dive operators at each port you are interested in diving at. Although there is always some risk in missing your port departure if your own outing runs late, just make sure you plan your own dive trips so that you are back on the ship well in advance of port departure. Usually if your cruise ship arrives at port early in the morning, you could book the morning dive trips with the local operator and still have the rest of the afternoon to shop or do other sightseeing. For later arrivals where you would miss the morning dive trips, it is still possible to take the local operators’ afternoon dive trips but in this case, it is very important to make sure that you confirm what the estimated time of return to the docks are. If you can return to the docks at least two hours before the cruise ship’s scheduled time of departure, than you will have ample time even if the dive boat returns a bit late. It it’s only an hour or less, the timing may be too tight. See if the dive operator has a shorter single tank afternoon trip which might get you back to the docks earlier.

Some local dive operators even have special pick up and drop off services to and from the cruise ship terminals to their dive shops. These dive businesses are obviously making an effort to take some dive business away from the cruise ship organized excursions. These particular local dive operators would be ideal if you could find them before your cruise vacation. Otherwise, you may have to take a local taxi to the dive shop if it is not within walking distance of the cruise ship terminal. Of course, this is usually not a problem either and even with the added cost of taxis, the overall cost of going with a local dive operator may still be lower than the cruise ship organized dive excursion.

Some cruise ship passengers have successfully gotten on local dive trips without any advance booking. These divers just walked into a local dive operator once at port. Although this is certainly feasible, it is not recommended especially in a destination that fills dive trips up quickly. With the internet, it is quite easy to make arrangements with many local dive operators in advance of your cruise vacation. Tell them which day your cruise ship will be coming in and the expected time of both arrival as well as departure. Some ports like Cozumel have more than one cruise ship terminal so it’s important to let them know if possible which one your ship will be docked in. They will then give you your best options for some scuba diving for that particular day.

Clint Leung is a NAUI certified Master and Rescue Scuba Diver. He is also owner of Free Spirit Activewear (http://www.FreeSpiritActivewear.com), an online retailer/designer specializing in premium quality scuba diving activewear. Free Spirit Activewear has numerous information resource articles on scuba diving as well as free eCards.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clint_Leung

Bargain Cruise News

bargain cruise

For many people, cruise ships offer some of the most affordable vacations around. If your idea of a great vacation is staying home and doing yard work, a cruise may not seem like such a bargain to you ...

5 Reasons a Cruise Can Be the Better Vacation Value - Associated Content

cheap transportation and theater a total bargain, we were able to take a big bite ... anticipate how fierce the competition would be for a singing spot on the Spirit Cruises in the Inner Harbor, where waiters exhibit ...

Baltimore: Bargain Alternative to Washington, D.C. - Daily Oklahoman

Cruises can be some of the most relaxing vacations available... until you get the final bill. While the basic price for a cabin can be a bargain, you can get nickel-and-dimed to death on little things that ...

Smart Packing for a Cruise Can Save You a Small Fortune - Associated Content

Are you looking to bag a cruise bargain? Do you want to get some information on your next -- or even first -- voyage? Come along with us this October as the Daily Telegraph's Cruise Show returns -- this time to ...

The Cruise Show is Back -- And We Want to See You There! - Cruise Critic

I think that a cruise can be a big travel bargain, but make sure you are aware of all the optional costs before you go. Important: Go to the ship’s reception the day before you dock and ask for your bill.

Cruise extras can cost you - Centre Daily

Websites of companies that offer information regarding last minute cruises also offer a chance to go on a “repositioning� cruise which is also a bargain deal. The reason why cruise ship owners offer these deals ...

How to Find Great Cruise Bargains - WebWire

But there is one caveat for bargain hunters: The deals can be habit-forming ... deals have included tickets for a two-hour narrated boat ride tour on Buffalo Harbor Cruises ($7 apiece, regularly $15),a one-hour ...

Online bargain hunters find strength in numbers - Buffalo News

Holland America Caribbean Cruise Bargain You can catch a seven-day Caribbean cruise roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Turk, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and Holland America’s private island Half Moon Cay,

Your Rights as a Cruise Passenger - FOXBusiness

You've probably seen this kind of deal before -- often when a cruise agency with whom you've done business or have signed up for newsletters sends an e-mail about an amazing bargain with a price too low to publish.

Secret Agent Deals: How to Find Prices Cruise Lines Don't Offer - Cruise Critic

Experts actually say today's gas prices are a bargain, but still it is nice to dream of gas at 35 cents per gallon along with those dream cars in Streator's Roamer Cruise Night 2010, which promises to be a gas.

Bargain Cruise Links

Bargain Rates on All Cruise Lines. Best Cruise Bargains and ... Cruise Bargains on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America, NCL and Celebrity to Caribbean, Alaska, Bermuda, Europe, Hawaii, Luxury, Mexico, Pacific & Panama.

Cruise Deals: Discount Cruise Bargains and Cheap Last-minute ... Get great cruise deals on all ships and cruise lines from Cheaptickets.com. Find cheap Caribbean cruise vacations, reduced rates on last minute cruises and weekend cruise deals.

Cheap Cruises, Cruise Ships, Bargain Cruise Deals and Reduced ... Group travel packages and group cruise travel at discount rates! Bargain Travel Cruises offer discount group vacations, group cruises, cheap celebrity cruises, and more. Your ...

Bargain Travel Cruises Cruises Only specializes in cruises, last minute cruises, cruise bargains, cheap cruises, cruise lines and cruise vacations.

Cruises, Last Minute Cruises, Cheap Cruises, Cruise Deals, Cruise ... Reservations & Information MON-FRI: 7AM - 6PM | SAT-SUN: 7AM - 3PM ET

Cruise Bargain Finding a cheap cruise is often easier when you can find empty cabins and last minute deals. Check out these money saving tips for finding a cheap cruise.

Cheap Cruise Tips – Tips for Finding a Cheap Cruise Bargain Holidays; is a top search terms for holidays, in cruising Bargain Cruises isn’t. The likes of Cheap Cruises, Discount Cruises and Last Minute Cruises are. Cheap Cruises

Bargain Cruises, Last Minute Cruises, Cheap Cruises, Discount ... Celebrity Cruises at Bargain Prices ... Bargain Prices On All Cruise Lines! If you don't find exactly what you're looking for give us a call at 1-800-213-7777 to speak directly ...

Celebrity Bargain Cruises Bargain Cruises and Vacations Travel Tips - specializing in cruises, along with family, couples, wedding and honeymoon cruise ship travel packages and family vacations