August 2000

Vol. 15, No. 8     What's this?

Should Your Next Trip Be a Live-Aboard?

from the August, 2000 issue of Undercurrent  

So you’ve never been on a live-aboard and just thinking about it spooks you? Perhaps we can put your mind to rest.

Yes, the quarters are close, but I’ve always been able to retreat to my bunk, and I’ve always been able to find space to sit, read, or ruminate. And I’m a guy who likes his privacy.

Yes, occasionally there’s a jerk aboard, but within the first 24 hours the group will most likely figure him out and isolate him. If he’s a jerk on the live-aboard, he’s a jerk everywhere else, and it’s the story of his life to be excluded. Jerks help everyone else bond and give them something fun to talk about. Most everyone else will be interesting, some usually humorous, some usually well-traveled, most with plenty of entertaining stories. There’s bound to be a couple or two among the single divers, not all of whom bring buddies.

You don’t have to dive if you don’t want to; people sit out every dive. Some will have afternoon cocktails and sit out the night dive. If you want to sit and your buddy wants to go, usually someone will be available to join him. Solo diving is often the preferred style, anyhow.

If you want a sanitized trip to a foreign land, live-aboards are excellent; you don’t have to fret about safety, which is why many single women like live-aboards. Once you arrive, you’re in the crew’s hands, from airport pickup to drop off for the trip home. But stay in the country a few extra days. Be a traveler, not a tourist, and expand your horizons.

A tropical live-aboard ain’t no Carnival cruise. Do not bring hard-sided luggage, more than a few T-shirts and shorts, shoes other than sandals or sneakers for shore visits, and maybe a slicker or sweater depending upon the destination. If you’re traveling elsewhere, pack a second bag, and ask your host ahead to arrange storage.

Yes, you might gain weight — unless you moderate your food intake. Diving isn’t much exercise, and with no place to walk or exercise, it’s easy to gain a pound or three.

If you don’t want to share a head or a shower, find a live-aboard that has them en suite. If you are sharing, remember others don’t necessarily like it, either. Clean up after yourself.

Arrive a day early, not only to reduce jet lag, but to ensure that you don’t miss your boat. If you arrive late, they may leave without you.

Yes, you can get seasick, especially if your craft has an open-ocean crossing. Scopolamine, a prescription drug administered by a patch, is nearly foolproof and safe for divers.

Now that we’ve taken care of your concerns, you are free to go aboard, and dive, eat, schmooze, and sleep. Have fun.