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#270
 blackbeard cruises . looking to connect with previous passengers
scubareed - 1/03/2012 7:39 PM
Category: Travel
Replies: 4
Has anyone done the blackbread cruise in the bahamas? Booked my trip today and looking for some feedback as well as any advice. Thx buddies
#10349
sk290 - 1/03/2012 10:18 PM
You’ll have a good time and lots of dives but don’t expect a plush trip. We were limited to short showers and it takes getting used to sleeping in the bunks. You’ll also need to limit what you bring because there isn’t much room. Make sure they don’t put you in the galley. They sell it as a bigger spot but you are a few feet from the kitchen (practically IN the kitchen) and they start cooking at 6:00 or 6:30 am. If it’s all about the dives for you, then you’ll have a great time. Enjoy and post pics when you get back. :)

Sandra
#17
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Robbryan - 1/04/2012 7:10 PM
I had a fantastic time and would highly recommend! The crew is great and the diving is very good. I plan on doing it again this summer with my 16 year old son. I agree with everything Sandra says except: I was in the galley and really liked it. The bunk was comfortable and large (not a lot of overhead room) and while the cook (Scott) starts breakfast a 6ish he was not loud and I was never woke up by pans banging around. I liked to get up early, grab a cup of coffee and go up on deck to enjoy the sun coming up. I was by myself so being the galley made me feel more a part of whole thing. If you’re going with a significant other and sharing a bunk or like to sleep late then one of the other cabins would be a good choice.

The accommodations are not luxury, but I found them extremely comfortable especially if you go with the mindset that this is an adventure cruise. The food was great, the people I met where from all over the world, and the crew did everything they could to make the trip great.

This was my first live aboard so I can’t contrast it with other trips, but I would highly recommend it and I’m very sure that you will have a great time.
#270
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scubareed - 1/05/2012 2:54 PM
Both great information and truly appreciate the insight. I like my sleep but I don’t believe I will be having too many late nights so getting up a bit early isn’t all bad. Coffee early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise sounds enticing. Thanks so much for the info.
#2788
meltonart - 1/25/2012 10:45 PM
I have been on Blackbeard twice (2003 and 2004) and the best way I can describe it is like camping at sea. The bunks are not large but I never felt claustrophobic or cramped in mine. I was in the Galley once and in the forward cabin the second time. There are benefits to both. In the galley you are also closer to meals and showers while the other cabins allow a little more privacy. keep in mind you have to come up to main deck to go from between cabins as this is not a large boat.
First year we had a capt. that lost it and cussed the mate out because he had a fishing line in the water. But other than that crew was great and very helpful.

I have heard horror stories about mean jerks of a crew from other divers who went on different years though.
Both times there was problems with the heads getting clogged up at least once during the week, the water maker broke once, and did I mention they only give you 30 seconds of fresh water per day?
I realize this has been a few years ago so hopefully they have had time to fix a lot of the aging equipment on these boats.

Again, if you want luxury then you need to look at other liveaboards which really aren’t that much more in cost if you factor in the level of comfort.

I am going on anothe liveaboard called Juliet this coming May and will post my review afterwards and include some comparisons to Blackbeard.