Has anyone had experience with a Dive Operator in Ft. Lauderdale? We'll be there two days before our cruise in March and would like to do a boat dive at least one day. Thanks for any help.

Try Pro Dive. www.prodiveusa.com They run a nice operation. It will be chilly in the water in March so plan to rent wetsuits.

Although a little farther away, Coral Island Charters in Palm beach does a great job. I find the diving in Palm Beach more interesting than down in Ft. Lauderdale

I've not done either, but I've also heard Palm Beach has better diving than Ft. Lauderdale.

I went in Ft Lauderdale in April and it was quite chilly.

It was a two-tank dive, and we did a wreck dive and then the water was so rough after the first dive, I couldn't go on the second. I have never had that happen before or since, and I really don't think we should have been out there. Seas were like 6 to 8 feet.

Plus, at the time, I was a new diver and was sent down 85 feet with another new diver and no dive master.

The dive shop was at the end of the bridge over the waterway right in front of the Marriott Marina. It MIGHT have been Pro Divers, but I'm not sure - the concierge at the hotel arranged it for me.

Not to discourage you, but if I were going on a cruise, I'm assuming you will be going to good diving places on your cruise.

I don't believe I would be inclined to dive around Ft L. again and would save my diving for the cruise stops - but that's only my opinion.

There is great diving in that area. The abundance of wrecks, manmade reefs, and water visibility make it an economical location for divers.