Diving in Eastern Caribbean

Hi,

I'm taking a cruise just after Thanksgiving in the Eastern Caribbean.
We're stopping at St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas. It's one
of those huge cruise ships. I wanna ditch the ships at the ports and
get some really good diving in. Any recommendations? I'd especially
like to know the best way to get to St. John (and skip St. Thomas) and
what to dive.

thanks!
w

>
>Hi,
>
>I'm taking a cruise just after Thanksgiving in the Eastern Caribbean.
>We're stopping at St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas. It's one
>of those huge cruise ships. I wanna ditch the ships at the ports and
>get some really good diving in. Any recommendations? I'd especially
>like to know the best way to get to St. John (and skip St. Thomas) and
>what to dive.
>
>thanks!
>w>
******************************************
You can't skip STT unless your ship stops for a while off STJ and you disembark
there.
Sometimes you can probably get a STJ ferry right at the Havensight cruise ship
dock in STT. Check your ship's side trip coordinator for this. If that is not
available, take a taxi from your ship to the ferry landing at downtown
Charlotte Amalie waterfront, and then get the STJ ferry there. Ferries leave
downtown starting at 9:00am, and every two hours thereafter until the last one
at 3:45pm. One way is $7, and takes 45 minutes. Return ferries start at 7:15am
and every two hours thereafter until.
Line up your diving with one of the shops in Cruz Bay, STJ beforehand. They
might have a better way for you to get there from the ship. Or, your ship
might arrange for STJ diving with a STT pickup.
Good Luck!