Blackbeards Cruises

Blackbeards Cruises - Bahamas

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Submersible Sid - 26 Feb 2004 11:01 GMT

Hi everyone.
My girlfriend and I are seriously contemplating booking a week
liveaboard in May with Blackbeards Cruises, which depart Miami for the
Bahamas.
Has anyone been on one of their boats recently? Can u pls give use an
honest opinion of what they're like. Which is the better of the 3
boats. What's the diving like?
We've been on various liveaboards over the years and don't mind cosy
conditions.
Thanks a lot
Submersible Sid

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Robert \ - 26 Feb 2004 14:05 GMT

> Can u pls give use an
> honest opinion of what they're like.
> We've been on various liveaboards over the years and don't mind cosy
> conditions.
> Thanks a lot
> Submersible Sid

They're cozy. Even not depending on which various liveaboards you might
compare them to.

Very cozy.

doc.

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Alex - 28 Feb 2004 02:52 GMT

> Hi everyone.
> My girlfriend and I are seriously contemplating booking a week
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> honest opinion of what they're like. Which is the better of the 3
> boats. What's the diving like?

Blackbeard's Cruises is like summer camp for adults. It is not a 5-star
operation, more like 2! The boats are comfy enough, but with a full
complement of passengers (22 people) there is not much room! We were lucky
to be "only" 16, meaning the two of us got to share the very front cabin
(which usually sleeps 4) and didn't have to sleep in one bunk with our
luggage. With some luck you'll have a cabin to yourselves, otherwise
you'll have to be very quiet at night. (Hint, hint, wink, wink!)

The diving is decent enough, including one shark dive. They're fairly
liberal in letting people dive a decent amount of time.

They'll take you first to Bimini to clear customs. It's a beautiful sight
waking up a world away from Miami! Then, depending on the winds, the
weather forecast and the phase of the moon (or just the captain's whim),
they'll take you around some of the western-most islands. If there are
storms around, they won't stray very far from a place they can shelter. In
any event, bring Bonamine or whatever you use for seasickness.

The food is wholesome home cooking with ample portions. You will gain
weight. Sometimes you get fresh (10 minutes from sea to mouth) sushi!

You are allowed a 30-second freshwater shower per day, but the hose with
the AC condensate does a decent enough job, and there's saltwater soap
available, too.

This is not the Aggressor, but at 1/3 the price, it can't be beat. Be
prepared to meet adventurers from around the world. When we went in Oct
02, there were some Germans, South Africans, Canadians, Americans,
Japanese.

Have a look around the Internet for coupons or specials. We got a Rodales
discount of $100 each. Perhaps they have something like that available
when you want to go, but they certainly won't tell you about it. The Ocean
Five hotel in Miami Beach is very nice for a pre- or post-trip stay, and
offers special rates.

Hope this helps!
Alex

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Lee Bell - 28 Feb 2004 14:08 GMT

> Have a look around the Internet for coupons or specials. We got a
> Rodales discount of $100 each.

That's certainly useful information. Give me a hint where you found coupons
for Blackbeards, please. Their prices have gone up over the years, but not
by so much that they're not still a good deal. A $100 discount would be a
very good deal.

Since we're talking about specifics now, here are a few more. Make your
arrangements well in advance so that you can pick your bunk arrangements. I
strongly recommend booking one of the forward cabins, the ones with two
double bunks, with a couple you know are compatable. We've done that every
trip after the first one.
Take a rain suit top, just in case.
Take your own pillows. No in case here. The ones they provide are awful.
Pay attention to their literature on limiting your clothes. When they tell
you that space is limited, believe them. I generally take two T shirts and
one pair of shorts per day. The last couple of times, I took shorts that
double as swim suits, the kind that have the underwear built in. I take a
pair of flip flop type sandals, one pair of athletic shoes and a couple
pairs of socks. Don't even think about taking hard luggage. Bags that can
be compressed to nearly nothing are your best choice by far.
Take a book, or a couple of books with you. They're nice for quiet times in
your bunk or up on deck. Reading a book tends to be a way to ensure a bit
of extra privacy. Take paperbacks so that you can give them away when
you're done with one. It's a kind touch that can make friends quickly.
If you use things that take batteries, consider rechargeables. Take two
sets so that you can always have a set available.
If you use film, take it with you.
If you need any kind of medication, acid reducers and antacids in my case,
take enough with you.

Lee

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