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Frequently
Asked Questions
1. If my equipment breaks during my trip does the boat carry
extra equipment to rent?
a. Depending on the live aboard they usually have everything
on board from extra high pressure hoses to computers that
you can rent for a fee. Replacement equipment is usually
provided at no charge, if available.
2. How do they handle medical emergencies while away from
port?
a. In addition to a basic first aid kit, every boat carries
oxygen and is in radio contact with the mainland. Some Live-Aboard
operators have defibrillators on board! All of the major
live-aboard operators have emergency evacuation plans. Travel
insurance and special diving insurance such as that offered
by DAN is always recommended.
3. How many dives can I make?
a. Most boats offer the option to do as many as 5 dives
a day. Some itineraries will offer 3 or 4 dives depending
on sea conditions and other activities offered during the
cruise and the style of diving (diving off the mother ship
or from skiffs).
4. Do they have activities for non-divers?
a. Some boats offer amenities such as kayaking, snorkeling,
hot tubs, sundecks, DVD or VHS movies in an air-conditioned
salon and side trips to local Islands.
b. Some boats are “bare bones” for divers.
5. Will they prepare special meals to accommodate a particular
diet such as vegetarian, religious or medical?
a. With advanced notice, most all boats can accommodate
special meal requests.
6. If I am going as a single, how do they match up roommates
and dive buddies?
a. The booking agent will assign same sex roommates at random
if you are going as a single. There are several cabin configurations
with double occupancy cabins with 2 berths to quad occupancy
cabins with 4 berths.
b. There are always people to dive with as a buddy. If you
cannot find one with the passengers, a crewmember will always
be available.
7. Is the water rough? How about seasickness?
a. There are a variety of boats from catamarans (twin hulls),
to larger single hulls. While the catamarans are traditionally
more stable, all boats are in motion while out at sea..
Most all operators will keep their boats in as protected
water as possible to minimize discomfort for those prone
to motion sickness.
b. It is recommended that you bring some form of protection
if you are prone to motion sickness. Such items could include
medication, patches, wristbands and gels.
8. Live-aboard diving seems expensive. Is it a good value?
a. If you like to dive in areas not easily accessible by
land dive operators and if you like to dive more pristine
and less often dived spots and if you like to do more than
2 dives a day, then live-aboard diving is an outstanding
value. Remember, live-aboard dive boats are typically small
all-inclusive resorts which include all meals, drinks and
diving. Take, for example a low season 2003 all-inclusive
package with diving in the Turks & Caicos. A 7 night
package for one person
will cost approximately $1,750 for 12 dives for a total
cost per dive of about $145. Now take any one of the Turks
& Caicos live-aboard dive boats any time in 2003. A
7 night package for one person will cost approximately $1,895
for up to 27 dives. Even if you did 20 dives, your cost
per dive is only about $95 per dive! When customers comment
that live-aboard diving is expensive, ask them to consider
the total cost of their trip (meals, drinks, taxis and transfers)
and have them divide that by the number of dives they will
be able to do. In most cases, the live-aboard option is
the best value.
9. Can I take additional training on board?
a. Absolutely. Most all levels of training and many specialty
courses are available on most all boats.
10. How is the diving done on a live-aboard boat?
a. Each boat varies by design. Some boats like the Nekton
has a dive platform that raises and lowers to the level
of the water. Some will have a skiff that will be lowered
from the dive deck. All boats will have a skiff to pick
up divers that may have strayed too far from the mother
boat. Other dive boats have platforms off the back. Some
boats use skiffs to take you away from the boat allowing
you to dive in shallower reefs and to drift dive in currents.
Every boat maintains some form of locker system to store
individuals’ equipment. In most cases, once your equipment
is set up at the beginning of the trip, you never have to
set up your gear again. In addition most all operators have
hang bars with an air hose and regulator to use should a
diver need to “hang” a little longer and run short on air.
A hot shower from the dive platform or dive deck along with
a warm towel and snack or meal usually completes each dive.
11. Do they provide alcoholic beverages?
a. Every boat allows passengers to bring their favorite
beverages while they provide the mixers such as soda’s and
punches. However, depending on the style of boat, some of
them provide beer and wine and a limited selection of “hard”
liquors.
12. Do they allow smoking on board?
a. While none of the boats allow smoking below deck or enclosed
spaces, most of them have an accommodation for smoking on
an upper deck.
13. If I am taking photographs, can I develop my film on
board?
a. Most boats have film and E6 processing on board for slide
film. A variety of underwater cameras are usually available
to rent. Underwater photography courses are often available
to improve you your photography. Most boats will have light
box or table to view slides. Oftentimes there is a week
end slide show for passengers and crew to share their pictures.
14. What is there to do in the evenings?
a. The larger “luxury” boats have a TV with a VCR or DVD
in the salon. While all boats provide cards, books and other
basic board games. There is usually a night where the crew
will show slides or a video of life you will see while diving.
b. Night dives are also a popular entertainment aboard live-aboard.
15. I don’t like to always be around people. Is there space
to get away for a while?
a. Most boats are from 65 to 150 in length and carry 10
to 22 passengers, plus crew. With most boats, you will have
a cabin for two and your own head and shower. So, you will
most often have the privacy of your own cabin. The boats,
however, are surprisingly spacious with different decks
and salons to spread out. You will usually only see all
of the other passengers at one time in one place during
the first dive of the trip, meals, special presentations
or briefings. Divers often nap between dives, prepare their
camera for the next dive or just quietly relax in the sun
or shade creating a generally quiet environment where most
everyone feels like they can get away from it all.
16. Do they have NITROX and or a 50% mix for my re-breather?
a. You will need to check to see if there is NITROX or other
special mixes. Many boats, however, offer a 32% NITROX for
certified divers. In addition, a 50% NITROX mix, along with
supplies for re-breathers, are often available. There will
be additional charges for NITROX, though most all certified
NITROX divers will sign up for NITROX due to the number
of dives.
17. What do I do if my flight is delayed by the airlines
and I miss
the boat?
a. Usually boats will not depart the dock until all passengers
have arrived,. So, late arrivals typically do not pose a
problem. In many destinations, even if a person arrives
a day late and the operator has been informed that they
still intend to come, they will usually arrange a boat to
take them out to the mother ship. Unfortunately if the person
will be several days late or in the case of some itineraries,
this would not be possible. Travel Insurance is always recommended
to protect your investment.
18. What do I do if the weather is bad and the boat cannot
go out of
port?
a. Most operators will do their very best to make sure their
customers are safe. Safety is the first priority of every
live-aboard dive boat. Again, travel insurance is recommended
for situations such as this.
19. Can I dive my computer?
a. Yes… In fact, most live-aboard operators encourage the
use of personal dive computers. Most operators, however,
prohibit or strongly discourage planned decompression diving.
Want to do technical diving? Sign up for one of the technical
dive weeks offered by many live-aboard operators.
20. Do I need spending money on my live a board trip?
a. You may have an opportunity to shop on land the day you
arrive or the day you depart. You will need some currency
if you wish to purchase souvenirs or food while off the
boat.
b. Every boat has a gift shop with various articles of clothing
and knickknacks with the live-aboard logo.
c. While they do not take checks, they accept cash, traveler
checks and most major credit cards. Do check on credit card
acceptance as it will vary from boat to boat (even within
the same fleet).
21. How much money should I give for tips at the end of
my trip?
a. The general rule is 10% of the total trip cost. If you
are traveling as a couple, you would give 10% of your combined
cost. It is not mandatory to tip, however, the crew is mostly
compensated through your generosity. If they do an outstanding
job allowing you to have a great vacation, then it is perfectly
acceptable to tip greater than 10%.
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