This letter is hopfully going to save the next sole who reads any materials on Blackbeard Cruises and thinks they will get what the read.
It started off the first day with the boat to cruise at 3pm. We were to meet from 1-3 for a bar-b-que at the dock, which, by the time we got there (2:15) was gone. Around 5:30 we finally left only to find out that the captain had not fueled to vessel and we would be delayed even longer. So the crossing over on our first day was now our first night. So we crawled into our bunk to find sand in our clean? Sheets.
The rest of the trip didn't prove to be any better, only getting worse. Diving was good (if you don't think a dive master should be in the water with you or prior to a dive to check conditions) but when asking the dive master why he was not diving, he responded that he was not allowed by the captain. She ordered him to stay on top and monitor us from there. HOW can this be done from 20-100 feet above where we were diving. Diving condions change everyday. Not to mention the fact that our dive master was new to the crew and not only had he not checked the dive for the day, some of them he NEVER had the chance to dive. SAFE???
The head for the first couple of days was clean, after that, the check list was signed off for the week but nothing was done. It was filthy, trash over flowing, and a mess. How can you sign off a week of duties three days prior to week ending. When the crew was told the trash can was full, I was offered a trash bag. My job???
As far as fun for non divers goes. The lierature reads explore uninhabited islands, snorkeling, all the fishing you could do, and helping the crew SAIL. We never once sailed. Captain said not enough wind, but, other sailboats in the area were sailing fine. Maybe they didn't know how to sail? I don't know. We did get to walk a very small section of private beach for about an hour one day. Never explored deserted islands.
The captain was not fond of killing fish. She was very clear on her opinion that we should take only pictures and leave only bubbles. We had to plead with her to let them spearfish.in the brochure it says only certain kinds of spearfishing were allowed so my husband and a couple of other pasengers specially bought spears for this trip to find out that it wasn't on the captains agenda (except for the desert under the sea she took them to). She also asked one crew member to take them out on a dingy. His response to my husband "I don't know why I have to do this, You're not going to get anything here anyway". Highly misrepresented information in the literature.
The cook and a member of crew from another boat made a pass at a fellow passenger. Very unexceptable behavior. She was obviously very dis
The captain degraded her crew as well as passengers (well except for one crew member that she took very good care to). After removing a pillow from crew quarters we were repremanded like children. The crew was not allowed to speak to us directly for the rest of the trip. When she collected all of the crew and passengers for yet another scolding, she threatened to go back to Miami. When we expressed our desire to return there she then refused to go back. When we did get back early we asked that she contact immigration so we could get off the boat asap. She said that was impossible, that they would not come out until morning. We questioned immigration the next morning to find that a lie. They would have come out for a fee which, if offered to us by the captain, would have gladly been paid to exit her boat. I think that represents being held captive.
But worst of all is that the COMPANY was called on their EMERGENCY line at least six times that night stating that there was a big problem with the captain and that someone should contact us immediately. No respones for 24hrs. And only ONE call returned. I called the owner back three days later and asked why? Peggy, the owner, says she was just getting to it as I called. Some EMERGENCY line huh?!!? She had nothing to offer for compensation. Only that she felt her crew would not do such tings. When I told her I have pictures she didn't know what to say.
So, BEWARE! To all who think that what you read or see is waht you get. This is a VERY DISHONEST and HIGHLY UNCARING about their CUSTOMERS. All they care is that they get your money.
Keep looking. Blackbeard cruises sucks! The worst vacation ever! There are better ships in the sea!!! Good luck.
Greg and Donna
Omaha, Nebraska
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