Anyone doing any diving?

[MSUnderwaterDivers]

Anyone doing any diving?  I finally got to get in the water last weekend at Vortex Spring with USM's class.  Always a fun dive although the chilly wind made the surface intervals a little uncomfortable.

[mwhities]

I will be soon. Currently looking for a place/person to get my AOW. I'm talking to a few ds'es and a few people, but nothing set in stone yet. I'm hoping to get a few dives in before I go on my cruise in November.

Michael

[Craig39465]

what cruise are you going on in november,i leave nov.19 from miami

[mwhities]

Nov. 26th through Dec 3rd out of New Orleans.

Michael

[Lt-Warner]

What ports will you be visiting and will you be diving?

[mwhities]

I will be diving in Belize and Cozumel. I was going to dive only in Costa Maya and Belize, but our "itinerary" was changed as we found out that my wife is pregnant.

Anyone recommend a dive op in Cozumel? I'm going to *grumbles* dive with the cruise ship in Belize as we have to tender back and forth.

Hopefully this will post correctly or at least readable.

ITINERARY

DAY    DATE    PORT    ARRIVE      DEPART
Sun    Nov    26 New Orleans, LA    5:30pm
Mon    Nov    27 At Sea       
Tue    Nov    28 Costa Maya, Mex 10:00am 6:00pm
Wed    Nov    29 Santo Tomas de Castilla,Guatamala    8:00am    6:00pm
Thu    Nov    30 Belize City, Belize    8:00am    6:00pm
Fri    Dec    1 Cozumel, Mexico    8:00am    6:00pm
Sat    Dec    2 At Sea       
Sun    Dec    3 New Orleans, LA    7:00am

Michael

[Lt-Warner]

When we went to Cozumel back in August we were hooked up with the folks at Sand Dollar Sportz. it was arranged through the cruise line. We had a great time. We did not experience the "cattle Boat Dives" that I have heard so much about. Those guys were top notch. I would not have a problem booking a dive through the cruise again. But there are several dive operations on the island.

[frankc420]

I hear alot of dive operations in Cozumel don't really care about their divers and the DM's that go out on the boats are just wanting to get the tourist chicks.   I haven't had the pleasure to dive Coz yet but hope to by the end of next year.

[Lt-Warner]

Our experience was not like that at all. our DM was very professional. He made our very enjoyable. He took the time to make sure that we got to see and experience everything that was available.

[mwhities]

Frank,

Don't let a few "hook up ops" make you think all the ops are like that. I've PM'ed several people that frequent there quite often and as it has happened a few times ate different ops, they stated a majority don't. They are still rebuilding from Wilma and are serious about giving you the best dive they can.

I'll at least tell you what I think when I get back from the cruise.

Michael

[frankc420]

Well that's good info for the ladies!  I personally don't care that much for someone pointing things out for me because I like the thrill of doing search and uncover on my own.  If only it was easier to see those pesky flounder!

[mwhities]

Speaking of, Mat (SBM on SB) has to have a builtin radar for those things.

Michael

[Lt-Warner]

I personally don't care that much for someone pointing things out for me because I like the thrill of doing search and uncover on my own.

Don't get me wrong. I don't like someone to hold my hand either. But there is so much to see and you are riding the current (drift dive) if the DM did not point things out we would have missed a lot of sights. However we did find a lot of stuff that he had missed.

[frankc420]

Mike just messaged me from the boat and said that the Cozumel dive was awesome.  Just thought I would share =)

[mwhities]

It was AWESOME! I'll write up a report when I get home, these cruise minutes for the Internet sucks. :|

I did get to see something SOOO freaking cool. I'm suremost will be jealous.

See you all tomorrow from home.

Michael