Our Adventure into Scuba Diving During Our Cruise

I’m gliding through the Caribbean waters on a bright November morning in Grand Cayman. The water is invigorating and a mesmerizing shade of turquoise. A few minutes later, our dive instructor and a handful of others join Beth and me in the lagoon. We exchange glances, realizing the moment we've been waiting for is here: we’re about to dive in.

Just a day prior, we were lounging on the deck of the Dinogo Dream, perusing the shore excursion guide. We wanted to engage in an activity in Grand Cayman and were leaning towards visiting Sting Ray City, a popular spot for sting rays near the barrier reef. It’s one of the island’s top tourist attractions. Suddenly, we spotted the Discover Scuba Diving excursion listing and wondered aloud: Could we truly learn to dive on this cruise? (Diving has been on our bucket list for years, but we never found the time.) The quick answer is YES! Yet at that moment, it felt a bit far-fetched given the short notice. We decided to sign up anyway, thinking it would at least provide us with some experience for future classes, as the credits earned could contribute toward an open water dive certification.

Aside from the stomach-churning rides at amusement parks, which I don't count, I've never experienced weightlessness. I can only imagine it's somewhat akin to taking my first breaths underwater—an unusual yet thrilling sensation. After descending ten feet and taking a few deep breaths, I find myself seated on the sandy bottom of the lagoon. Our instructor begins a set of three essential scuba skills aimed at helping us acclimate to breathing underwater. She had explained these earlier on land, and now it’s our turn to demonstrate them beneath the surface, a prerequisite for venturing out to the reef where depths reach 40 feet. In a circle of four, the instructor—certified by the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI)—works with each of us, ensuring we master the skills before diving deeper. We do, and now the highlight awaits: Cheeseburger Reef.

At this stage, we've spent less than two hours in Grand Cayman. The Lobster Pot Dive Company picked us up from the cruise terminal and took us for a brief ride to their shop. Once there, we watched a brief video on SCUBA diving and received instructions on the skills we would learn during the course. After being fitted for our gear, we received additional guidance and then proceeded to the cove—a significant advantage in my opinion, as most dive centers conduct their training in swimming pools.

Having completed the certification, we swim a short distance to Cheeseburger Reef. For the next thirty minutes, we explore the vibrant coral reef. It's a thrilling adventure—a sensory delight. Amidst the reef's grottoes and overhangs, we encounter a variety of fish, including the majestic but harmless silver tarpon and a host of colorful species like blue tangs and parrotfish.

Upon returning to the dive center, we can't stop smiling. It feels like we've uncovered a whole new world—one I had only glimpsed from afar. With several hours left before we need to board the ship, we hop on a shuttle bus to the public beach. There, we enjoy food and drinks at the lively beach bar, Calico Jacks, before heading into the water for an afternoon swim. It's the perfect conclusion to an exhilarating day in Grand Cayman.