First, cruise ships can take you to places you probably would not be able to dive otherwise. In the Caribbean cruise ships stop in Dominica, St. Lucia, Grand Cayman and other very nice dive spots. These islands are basically inaccessible to the budget-minded diver because of the high airfare and lodging costs. Dining at these locations is expensive and frequently requires a taxi or rental car just to get to the restaurant. Cruisers know how delicious and convenient it is to dine on the ship. No stress over deciding where to eat, figuring out how to get there, or finding your way back in the dark.
Second, cruise ships move around so inclement weather is less of an issue. If you spend a week in Cozumel and the weather patterns turn ugly you may spend the week under cloudy skies and in rough seas. A cruise ship may experience this weather for a day, but the next day it very likely will be far away where the weather is much nicer for diving. Yes, some cruises can be completely unlucky with the weather patterns given their itinerary, but your odds are better with the ship than in one of their ports for a week.
Third, divers with non-diving spouses can dive more because their spouses have so many more options for entertainment in their absence. Although resorts are lovely and some offer interesting day tours, a week waiting for your diving spouse to get back from diving can get old quickly. If your spouse is having so much fun exploring these new ports she is far less likely to demand that you spend your morning with her.
Finally, land-based vacations in diving spots are usually very casual. You may only pack shorts, T-shirts and swimsuits because that's all you'll need. On a cruise you have the added luxury of seeing your beloved dressed to the 9s with that new golden tan. Take some great pictures and walk around the deck pretending you are in a scene from Titanic - living the life of luxury. My husband says the main thing he loves about cruising is seeing me in an evening gown, something I have no other place to wear.
Yes, we love our land-based trips and the casual, carefree, barefoot-in-the-sand atmosphere. But cruising is a nice change without sacrificing great diving. Next time your dive buddies try to convince you that staying at a resort is better than cruising get out your photos and prove otherwise. Bottoms up!
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