Live aboards?

[mich1]

We just got back from Mexico, our Costco trip (which was fantastic BTW). We got upgraded about 2 steps, and added with first class flights our biggest hassle was getting to the airport.

Anyway, DH went scuba diving several days.  He mentioned that he’d like to do a live aboard, and 8 did some preliminary searching, I’m not sure exactly what I’m looking for.  I would prefer a set up where I could go, even though I don’t dive myself.  DH has dived in Mexico, Maldives, the Red Sea already so I was thinking something different, like Fiji.

So has anyone gone?  Can they recommend a good company?  Is me going along possible?

[chimera]

Honestly - most liveaboards are dive heavy with limited options for non divers


allstarliveaboards.com/aquacat/ might work for you they are closer to mini cruise ships with diving and then shore trips.


Aggressor.com is a company we’ve used for a few. That schedule is eat, dive, eat, dive, sleep repeat. 4-5 dives a day. There isn’t much for a non diver to do, but if you’re happy with a book and a view.

PNG has a resort/liveaboard walindifebrina.com

Indonesia might work, not sure if Aggressors trip would be the best for the non diver

www.rociodelmarliveaboard.com sea of Cortez has options for non divers on some of the trips

solmarv.com

Galapagos Sky (aggressor has a similar trip) - a lot of diving, but they do hit a few of the islands. Not as many as you would if you were doing a non diving tour due to park restrictions.

We have a mixed couple of friends who went on:

www.explorerventures.com/saba-st-kitts/ the non diver read a lot of books.

Some of the GBR trips allow snorkelers.



Or if those don’t fit would a land based trip to Bonaire, Roatan , or Cayman Brac work? Those offer a lot more actives for the non diver, while allowing the diver to still get in a lot of diving.

[mich1]

Part of the problem is that I am partially disabled. I really can’t do a lot of activities, so whether I am on land or on a boat is a moot point. I would likely have difficulty getting back on the boat after a swim (or snorkeling) without help. I could stay on shore, and let DH dive, but then I wouldn’t see him for several days and would be alone 24/7.

[mryrcn]

We did a live aboard in Thailand and I hated it! The rooms were small, the dive master immediately tried to take you as deep as possible to use up your air, and the food wasn't great. I will never do another one. Plus you are stuck while they are diving. Can y'all go with another couple? That way maybe you and the other woman who could stay on shore and you wouldn't be alone. They aren't cheap either so you being on board not diving isn't worth the money.

[chimera]

May 28, 2018 23:29:34 GMT -5 mryrcn said:

We did a live aboard in Thailand and I hated it! The rooms were small, the dive master immediately tried to take you as deep as possible to use up your air, and the food wasn't great. I will never do another one. Plus you are stuck while they are diving. Can y'all go with another couple? That way maybe you and the other woman who could stay on shore and you wouldn't be alone. They aren't cheap either so you being on board not diving isn't worth the money.

What company did you go with??? While the rooms are small on most the bathrooms are marine. They’ve always gone out of their way with food.

Diving the only times were had time limits (other than air consumption) were on night dives. There have been a few spots were due to conditions they’ve made us do one group dive (shark viewing, super strong current) but other than that you can follow the DM if you feel like it or come back when you’re done.

[chimera]

May 28, 2018 21:27:55 GMT -5 mich1 said:

Part of the problem is that I am partially disabled. I really can’t do a lot of activities, so whether I am on land or on a boat is a moot point. I would likely have difficulty getting back on the boat after a swim (or snorkeling) without help. I could stay on shore, and let DH dive, but then I wouldn’t see him for several days and would be alone 24/7.

The cabins on most are down hatch stairs (this does vary by boat and some have a bigger cabin on the salon deck) that might be a issue.

Getting back on board after being in the water- depends on the company -Aggressor tends to have an older guest base they seem to deal pretty well with helping on and off. Talk to the operator before you book to see if what you need is available. There might also be a second set of stairs from the dive platform up to the actual deck.   Each of the boats varies -- I think Kona II and Fiji HSA worked with to be accessible

The resort or dive centric islands might really work better for you for accessibility. He’d still get the live aboard dive numbers in, but you’d see him during surface intervals.

Do you have any interest in getting certified? There are adaptive programs for certification if you are interested.
Dive heart does intro discover dive
www.diveheart.org/programs/
If you want to talk about options local to you for certification  or what boats are designed with the adaptive diver in mind 
www.hsascuba.com

[mryrcn]

May 29, 2018 6:42:13 GMT -5 chimera said:

May 28, 2018 23:29:34 GMT -5 mryrcn said:

We did a live aboard in Thailand and I hated it! The rooms were small, the dive master immediately tried to take you as deep as possible to use up your air, and the food wasn't great. I will never do another one. Plus you are stuck while they are diving. Can y'all go with another couple? That way maybe you and the other woman who could stay on shore and you wouldn't be alone. They aren't cheap either so you being on board not diving isn't worth the money.

What company did you go with??? While the rooms are small on most the bathrooms are marine. They’ve always gone out of their way with food.

Diving the only times were had time limits (other than air consumption) were on night dives. There have been a few spots were due to conditions they’ve made us do one group dive (shark viewing, super strong current) but other than that you can follow the DM if you feel like it or come back when you’re done.

We used Similian Dive.  I don't like sharing bathrooms (showers and toilets).  There weren't enough for the amount of people on the boat either.  The food was okay.  Lots of fresh fruit which was good.  My husband is a dive instructor and the couple we dove with were experienced divers (over 300 dives).  They had done a live aboard in the Maldives and said it was so much better than the one we were on.  Considering OP mentioned that she has some disabilities, I don't think a live aboard is a great idea considering the amount of stairs, small spaces, etc.  

[chimera]

May 29, 2018 10:39:50 GMT -5 mryrcn said:

May 29, 2018 6:42:13 GMT -5 chimera said:

What company did you go with??? While the rooms are small on most the bathrooms are marine. They’ve always gone out of their way with food.

Diving the only times were had time limits (other than air consumption) were on night dives. There have been a few spots were due to conditions they’ve made us do one group dive (shark viewing, super strong current) but other than that you can follow the DM if you feel like it or come back when you’re done.

We used Similian Dive.  I don't like sharing bathrooms (showers and toilets).  There weren't enough for the amount of people on the boat either.  The food was okay.  Lots of fresh fruit which was good.  My husband is a dive instructor and the couple we dove with were experienced divers (over 300 dives).  They had done a live aboard in the Maldives and said it was so much better than the one we were on.  Considering OP mentioned that she has some disabilities, I don't think a live aboard is a great idea considering the amount of stairs, small spaces, etc.  

Thank you -- I'll cross them off any of our possible future trips. I refuse to share bathrooms - We've had really good experiences with Aggressor and Tusa (Spirit of Freedom on the GBR) Aggressor does a good job with food allergies too - my BIL is celiac and hasn't had any issues on the ones they've done.

From the disabled perspective - it all depends on the disability and the boat set up - if you can't do stairs/ladders you are going to have some issues on most of the boats.  Aggressor fleet did have a few that had been set up with HSA to be more accessible (Kona II and I think it was Fiji)    I think one of the dive specific resorts that give you the liveaboard schedule but the land amenities would probably work better than the limitations the boat set up gives -   my dad was an amputee below the knee - he could still get around and had a swim foot made and fitted with a fin.  He didn't do a liveaboard (he was over the whole sleeping on a boat by that time), he was slow but ok moving around a regular boat.   I'd see if HSA has any recommendations for an accessible boat option.  I know they have day trip ones listed, I haven't looked lately to see if they have any liveaboard ones.  

[just]

May 28, 2018 23:29:34 GMT -5 mryrcn said:

We did a live aboard in Thailand and I hated it! The rooms were small, the dive master immediately tried to take you as deep as possible to use up your air, and the food wasn't great. I will never do another one. Plus you are stuck while they are diving. Can y'all go with another couple? That way maybe you and the other woman who could stay on shore and you wouldn't be alone. They aren't cheap either so you being on board not diving isn't worth the money.

Or husband/man partner ... cos sometimes wives/women are the divers.

ETA: Sorry I'm a grouch today (see all my other posts this morning!). I know you know it, just my hackles get ruffled with stuff like this because others always assume I'll want to hang out with the other 'wives'. 

[mryrcn]

May 29, 2018 11:46:11 GMT -5 just said:

May 28, 2018 23:29:34 GMT -5 mryrcn said:

We did a live aboard in Thailand and I hated it! The rooms were small, the dive master immediately tried to take you as deep as possible to use up your air, and the food wasn't great. I will never do another one. Plus you are stuck while they are diving. Can y'all go with another couple? That way maybe you and the other woman who could stay on shore and you wouldn't be alone. They aren't cheap either so you being on board not diving isn't worth the money.

Or husband/man partner ... cos sometimes wives/women are the divers.

ETA: Sorry I'm a grouch today (see all my other posts this morning!). I know you know it, just my hackles get ruffled with stuff like this because others always assume I'll want to hang out with the other 'wives'. 

Yes I happen to be a diver and I'm a woman.  

[mich1]

May 29, 2018 11:41:59 GMT -5 chimera said:

May 29, 2018 10:39:50 GMT -5 mryrcn said:

We used Similian Dive.  I don't like sharing bathrooms (showers and toilets).  There weren't enough for the amount of people on the boat either.  The food was okay.  Lots of fresh fruit which was good.  My husband is a dive instructor and the couple we dove with were experienced divers (over 300 dives).  They had done a live aboard in the Maldives and said it was so much better than the one we were on.  Considering OP mentioned that she has some disabilities, I don't think a live aboard is a great idea considering the amount of stairs, small spaces, etc.  

Thank you -- I'll cross them off any of our possible future trips. I refuse to share bathrooms - We've had really good experiences with Aggressor and Tusa (Spirit of Freedom on the GBR) Aggressor does a good job with food allergies too - my BIL is celiac and hasn't had any issues on the ones they've done.

From the disabled perspective - it all depends on the disability and the boat set up - if you can't do stairs/ladders you are going to have some issues on most of the boats.  Aggressor fleet did have a few that had been set up with HSA to be more accessible (Kona II and I think it was Fiji)    I think one of the dive specific resorts that give you the liveaboard schedule but the land amenities would probably work better than the limitations the boat set up gives -   my dad was an amputee below the knee - he could still get around and had a swim foot made and fitted with a fin.  He didn't do a liveaboard (he was over the whole sleeping on a boat by that time), he was slow but ok moving around a regular boat.   I'd see if HSA has any recommendations for an accessible boat option.  I know they have day trip ones listed, I haven't looked lately to see if they have any liveaboard ones.  

I can do stairs, and ladders if there is not a huge step to get up to it.  We went on a safari a few years ago, and I was ok with a little help.

I have no interest in diving, nor getting certified.  Once upon a time, maybe, but it is a risk I prefer not to take at this time with my issues.  DH loves diving, is an experienced diver with a lot of dives (over 300....his next step was becoming a dive master when he left Saudi) but only dives when we go on vacation as he prefers warm water dives these days.  It would be nice if getting in and out of the water was accessible to me if we do this.

I’m just looking for a way to compromise, where both of us can have an enjoyable vacation but he gets a chance to indulge his passion.  The other alternative is to hang out at an adjacent resort, while he does a live aboard alone.  

[blue]

DH and I have done a few trips in Thailand (leaving from Phuket or near by) and Myanmar (leaving from Ranong, Thailand). Diving was excellent, but the dive sites in Thailand can be crowded. They're small boats (which we like) and were very affordable. Not fancy, but food and customer service were great!

[chimera]

May 29, 2018 21:00:45 GMT -5 mich1 said:

May 29, 2018 11:41:59 GMT -5 chimera said:

Thank you -- I'll cross them off any of our possible future trips. I refuse to share bathrooms - We've had really good experiences with Aggressor and Tusa (Spirit of Freedom on the GBR) Aggressor does a good job with food allergies too - my BIL is celiac and hasn't had any issues on the ones they've done.

From the disabled perspective - it all depends on the disability and the boat set up - if you can't do stairs/ladders you are going to have some issues on most of the boats.  Aggressor fleet did have a few that had been set up with HSA to be more accessible (Kona II and I think it was Fiji)    I think one of the dive specific resorts that give you the liveaboard schedule but the land amenities would probably work better than the limitations the boat set up gives -   my dad was an amputee below the knee - he could still get around and had a swim foot made and fitted with a fin.  He didn't do a liveaboard (he was over the whole sleeping on a boat by that time), he was slow but ok moving around a regular boat.   I'd see if HSA has any recommendations for an accessible boat option.  I know they have day trip ones listed, I haven't looked lately to see if they have any liveaboard ones.  

I can do stairs, and ladders if there is not a huge step to get up to it.  We went on a safari a few years ago, and I was ok with a little help.

I have no interest in diving, nor getting certified.  Once upon a time, maybe, but it is a risk I prefer not to take at this time with my issues.  DH loves diving, is an experienced diver with a lot of dives (over 300....his next step was becoming a dive master when he left Saudi) but only dives when we go on vacation as he prefers warm water dives these days.  It would be nice if getting in and out of the water was accessible to me if we do this.

I’m just looking for a way to compromise, where both of us can have an enjoyable vacation but he gets a chance to indulge his passion.  The other alternative is to hang out at an adjacent resort, while he does a live aboard alone.  

I’d contact a few of the companies after looking at the boat layouts to see what accommodations they can offer working with your limits. Kona and Fiji Aggressor to start. Aggressor schedule is eat dive sleep repeat. With a bit of deck time between dives to read a book.

The dive centric resorts would probably be the best compromise for you guys. They’ll give him the liveaboard schedule while being accessible for you. I don’t mean something like sandals where diving is just an activity they offer- more the resorts set up for divers. Bonaire, Roatan, etc would be good options Or PNG if you wanted a bit more exotic.

[orangello]

May 29, 2018 21:00:45 GMT -5 mich1 said:

May 29, 2018 11:41:59 GMT -5 chimera said:

Thank you -- I'll cross them off any of our possible future trips. I refuse to share bathrooms - We've had really good experiences with Aggressor and Tusa (Spirit of Freedom on the GBR) Aggressor does a good job with food allergies too - my BIL is celiac and hasn't had any issues on the ones they've done.

From the disabled perspective - it all depends on the disability and the boat set up - if you can't do stairs/ladders you are going to have some issues on most of the boats.  Aggressor fleet did have a few that had been set up with HSA to be more accessible (Kona II and I think it was Fiji)    I think one of the dive specific resorts that give you the liveaboard schedule but the land amenities would probably work better than the limitations the boat set up gives -   my dad was an amputee below the knee - he could still get around and had a swim foot made and fitted with a fin.  He didn't do a liveaboard (he was over the whole sleeping on a boat by that time), he was slow but ok moving around a regular boat.   I'd see if HSA has any recommendations for an accessible boat option.  I know they have day trip ones listed, I haven't looked lately to see if they have any liveaboard ones.  

I can do stairs, and ladders if there is not a huge step to get up to it.  We went on a safari a few years ago, and I was ok with a little help.

I have no interest in diving, nor getting certified.  Once upon a time, maybe, but it is a risk I prefer not to take at this time with my issues.  DH loves diving, is an experienced diver with a lot of dives (over 300....his next step was becoming a dive master when he left Saudi) but only dives when we go on vacation as he prefers warm water dives these days.  It would be nice if getting in and out of the water was accessible to me if we do this.

I’m just looking for a way to compromise, where both of us can have an enjoyable vacation but he gets a chance to indulge his passion.  The other alternative is to hang out at an adjacent resort, while he does a live aboard alone.  

I think you're a very nice partner to indulge your H's passion!

No advice for a live aboard so possibly not helpful at all, but for a future trip you may want to look into Bonaire.  The scuba and snorkeling is excellent, and there are many, many well marked sites that are walk in and do not need boat access.  Some are on rocky beach areas that may be a bit difficult for you, but plenty have easy small sandy entries, and would be nice places for you to swim.  It's a pretty amazing place for a diver, and you would also be able to enjoy hanging out at the sites while he dives.  There are also several great companies to do boat dives with; he definitely would not lack for variety.  We've been twice (we tragically only snorkel, hahaha, and it's still amazing), and both times we've rented an oceanfront house with a pool that has two excellent dive/snorkel sites right out front.  We regularly met people while there that didn't boat dive at all their entire trips because there is so much amazing scuba accessible from shore.

We also just overall really like the island - it's very small, relaxed, and quiet (but that is our preferred travel style); the people are super friendly, and they have an incredible (Dutch) grocery store.  There's a great national park to visit, and the drive over to the windsurfing bay is a fun day.

[mryrcn]

May 31, 2018 10:26:46 GMT -5 orangello said:

May 29, 2018 21:00:45 GMT -5 mich1 said:

I can do stairs, and ladders if there is not a huge step to get up to it.  We went on a safari a few years ago, and I was ok with a little help.

I have no interest in diving, nor getting certified.  Once upon a time, maybe, but it is a risk I prefer not to take at this time with my issues.  DH loves diving, is an experienced diver with a lot of dives (over 300....his next step was becoming a dive master when he left Saudi) but only dives when we go on vacation as he prefers warm water dives these days.  It would be nice if getting in and out of the water was accessible to me if we do this.

I’m just looking for a way to compromise, where both of us can have an enjoyable vacation but he gets a chance to indulge his passion.  The other alternative is to hang out at an adjacent resort, while he does a live aboard alone.  

I think you're a very nice partner to indulge your H's passion!

No advice for a live aboard so possibly not helpful at all, but for a future trip you may want to look into Bonaire.  The scuba and snorkeling is excellent, and there are many, many well marked sites that are walk in and do not need boat access.  Some are on rocky beach areas that may be a bit difficult for you, but plenty have easy small sandy entries, and would be nice places for you to swim.  It's a pretty amazing place for a diver, and you would also be able to enjoy hanging out at the sites while he dives.  There are also several great companies to do boat dives with; he definitely would not lack for variety.  We've been twice (we tragically only snorkel, hahaha, and it's still amazing), and both times we've rented an oceanfront house with a pool that has two excellent dive/snorkel sites right out front.  We regularly met people while there that didn't boat dive at all their entire trips because there is so much amazing scuba accessible from shore.

We also just overall really like the island - it's very small, relaxed, and quiet (but that is our preferred travel style); the people are super friendly, and they have an incredible (Dutch) grocery store.  There's a great national park to visit, and the drive over to the windsurfing bay is a fun day.

YES!!!! Bonaire is my favorite place to dive.  Let me know if you need recommendations.  My DH will dive more than me so I usually go to a local store, by a chair and put it in the shade and read while he dives.  I can snorkel if I want but most of the time I just hang out.  We are itching to go back but it is so expensive from the west coast to get there.  The diving; however, is cheap!  

[mich1]

May 31, 2018 11:10:59 GMT -5 mryrcn said:

May 31, 2018 10:26:46 GMT -5 orangello said:

I think you're a very nice partner to indulge your H's passion!

No advice for a live aboard so possibly not helpful at all, but for a future trip you may want to look into Bonaire.  The scuba and snorkeling is excellent, and there are many, many well marked sites that are walk in and do not need boat access.  Some are on rocky beach areas that may be a bit difficult for you, but plenty have easy small sandy entries, and would be nice places for you to swim.  It's a pretty amazing place for a diver, and you would also be able to enjoy hanging out at the sites while he dives.  There are also several great companies to do boat dives with; he definitely would not lack for variety.  We've been twice (we tragically only snorkel, hahaha, and it's still amazing), and both times we've rented an oceanfront house with a pool that has two excellent dive/snorkel sites right out front.  We regularly met people while there that didn't boat dive at all their entire trips because there is so much amazing scuba accessible from shore.

We also just overall really like the island - it's very small, relaxed, and quiet (but that is our preferred travel style); the people are super friendly, and they have an incredible (Dutch) grocery store.  There's a great national park to visit, and the drive over to the windsurfing bay is a fun day.

YES!!!! Bonaire is my favorite place to dive.  Let me know if you need recommendations.  My DH will dive more than me so I usually go to a local store, by a chair and put it in the shade and read while he dives.  I can snorkel if I want but most of the time I just hang out.  We are itching to go back but it is so expensive from the west coast to get there.  The diving; however, is cheap!  

UGH!  We are flying from the west coast too and a few years ago I discovered getting to the Caribbean is a PITA.  We were going to a wedding in Turks and Caicos, and the flights necessitated a red eye with a couple connections.  However, I’ll do some digging on Bonaire.  He’d like that.

[mryrcn]

mich1, - I recently saw a hell of a deal to Curacao and you can easily get to Bonaire from there. But I'm having knee surgery so no diving for me for a while. There are direct flights out of Houston now to Bonaire and I think out of Atlanta as well. So watch for deals to those two and then it can be cheaper to fly. My favorite place to stay is Bamboo Bali. The owners are amazing and it's very private and restful.