Cruising!

Virgin Voyages does a great cruise ship, and that is what this trip is primarily a Virgin Voyage Cruise out of Miami Port. Clearly it doesn't cost $25, the cruise when we booked it was $2400 for 2 people. Read on.

The two stops are Bimini Bahamas and Costa Maya Mexico.

In Bimini Sheila and I are planning to book the hammerhead shark dive with the boat and repeat the dives that we did last year that were so much fun.

In Costa Maya I'll be setting up dives with Doctor Dive for those that want to go.

If you haven't been on a Virgin Cruise you are in for a treat. All specialty dining, no buffets. The food is FANTASTIC! So much fun, and the red night party that they put on is really fun. There will be more about this as we get closer. Entertainment is not bad either and we enjoy some time in the casino as well.

We'll do some planning on dining partners, as 6-8 is the max at any one table, so we will switch it up during the week so that you get to sit with everyone, unless you have another preference. No need to participate if you don't want to.

The $25 we are charging for this trip is to cover some swag, it is obviously it is not the cost of the cruise.

Cruise prices change all the time of course, but as of July 2026 here is what we are paying per person.

Rates are only going to go up. Once you decide you want to do it, you should put the deposit down then.

1) If you contact us prior to booking we will put you in what Virgin calls "The Circle". Perks include 10% discount and $100 onboard credit for Sea Terrace room and up. Sheila will need full legal name, date of birth, email and phone, and credit card information.

2) if you absolutely cannot wait! we can still get you in "The Circle" after booking directly, but you will not get the above perks. Booking Link.

You are looking for Nov 8-13 on the Valiant Lady out of Miami if it doesn't take you there directly.

Sheila and I are in a Sea Terrace Room. See trip images with me in the classic red hammock!

The cruise departs and returns to the Virgin Cruise Terminal in Miami. Dedicated nice space. Terminal V is located at 718 N Cruise Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132.

Sheila and I will be in Miami at a to be determined hotel Nov 7-8th and we will leave directly to Cabo San Lucas after the cruise to catch the Socorro trip.

The only add on that I am handling directly is the scuba diving in Costa Maya. I will tell you that the transportation to the dive shop is a bit of a pain, but I didn't see anything else I wanted to do in that port, so that is what I'm doing!

Food, drinks, friends, fun times, a little diving, and more FOOD!

We have done this exact boat in the past. It will be a good time.

You can skip this section if you have been on a trip before, you know us already!

For those of you thinking about your first trip with this dive family, welcome! One of the best reasons to come along is the other people that will be there. Good people and fun - and mostly (but not all!) divers. On any given trip it is 2/3rd or more repeat travelers.

The only people that will be there for sure though are Matt and Sheila. While we do take input, but the travel plan is mostly "where do Matt and Sheila want to go?" then, "let's invite our friends!" This leads us to the world's best diving destinations, and some non diving trips that are bucket list worthy!

Matt grew up in Friendswood outside of Houston, went to Texas A&M, got a Ph.D in molecular biology at UCSD, then started Island Divers Hawaii in Honolulu and ran it for 25 years and is now retired except for this travel program. Sheila grew up in California, moved to Oahu at 19, worked in the tourism and maritime industry with many hats (including boat captain at Island Divers) until she retired with Matt in 2024.

We welcome everyone to try traveling with our group of dive friends. Return invitation is curated, but all reasonable people are welcome back - be nice to local staff, hold off on political rants, dive reasonably safely, no incessant complaining if things don't go your way. We call our return guests/friends Dive Travel Alumni. We keep a special email list for them. Would love to put you on it!