need dive operators St.Maarten,St.Thomas and Nassau from cruise

We will only have one day in each port and any reliable suggestions will be
appreciated. We have been unhappy when using the cruise selected operators due
to overcrowding.
Anyone with good experiences in any of these locations? I would like to book
directly with the operators. We will have seven divers. Any suggestions on
dive sites would also be appreciated.
Please email responses to: Juliebenar@aol.com
Thanks!

::: posted and emailed :::
Julie wrote:

>We will only have one day in each port and any reliable suggestions will be
>appreciated. We have been unhappy when using the cruise selected operators
>due
>to overcrowding.
> Anyone with good experiences in any of these locations? I would like to
>book
>directly with the operators. We will have seven divers. Any suggestions on
>dive sites would also be appreciated.

Julie, all these recommendations are geared toward operators who tend to
accommodate cruise ship schedules.

In Nassau, I'd try Stuart's Cove or Dive, Dive, Dive. I believe both pick up
from the cruise ship dock, though Dive, Dive, Dive tends to be a bit more
personalized experience.

St. Thomas my first recommendation goes to Chris Saywer and Sawyer Dive. They
have recently begun later departures to accommodate cruise ship divers. If
they aren't available, then St. Thomas Diving Club is good. Shore diving from
Coki Beach isn't bad, and if you book in advance, they even come pick you up at
the pier.

There are also options on St. John, but depending on when you get into St.
Thomas the logistics for their early departures may be difficult.

St. Maarten is a bit more difficult, as the diving just isn't at the same
level. I'd recommend Ocean Explorers and avoid Dive Safaris as they are
generally the cruise ship vendor.

Hope that helps!

Amber

Actually, Low Key is in St. John and you would have trouble making it
there in time to dave and then back to your ship. Try Blue Island
divers. They don't do the same old cruise ship dives, and they will
pick you up by your cruise ship. Take a look at
http://blueislanddivers.com for a look at their dive sites. I've
dived with them on several trips. They have a large selection of dive
sites and take really good care of you. I haven't been on an
over-crowded boat with them yet, and haven't had a bad dive. And I
won't get anything from them for this plug, except probably some smart
comment the next time I'm down there.

On 6 Jul 2003 05:46:46 GMT, nospam@all.please.net wrote:

>In <20030706002250.28574.00000138@mb-m19.aol.com> JulieBenar wrote:
>> We will only have one day in each port and any reliable suggestions
>will be
>> appreciated. We have been unhappy when using the cruise selected
>operators due
>> to overcrowding.
>> Anyone with good experiences in any of these locations? I would like
>to book
>> directly with the operators. We will have seven divers. Any
>suggestions on
>> dive sites would also be appreciated.
>> Please email responses to: Juliebenar@aol.com
>> Thanks!
>>
>
>St.Thomas: Low Key Watersports

Bob Dickson

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does Knowledge." Charles Darwin