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Blackbeard’s Revenge Pirate Ship Adventure (N23)

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Get a taste of the pirate’s life on an incredible voyage featuring tall tales, picture-perfect views and a few fun surprises.

A bounty of swashbuckling fun, know before you go.

View important additional information to help you prepare for this exciting adventure.

ON THE PALAU SIREN!

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Blackbeard's Cruises (All Star Liveaboards)

Destination: Bahamas

Itineraries: bahamas (6 nights) | from $166++/night.

Blackbeard's Cruises Quick Pitch

Blackbeard's Cruises offers great value dive liveaboard for through two sailboats: The Morning Star and Sea Explorer, each one accommodating up to 22 divers in fully air-conditioned cabins. The perfect solution to fulfill your passion for diving in the Bahamas without breaking the bank!

Why You'll LIke Blackbeard's Cruises

• Only $995 per week for up to 19 dives: great overall value for money!
• All meals, snacks, and beverages (including beer, wine, and rum punch!)
• Fully air-conditioned dormitory style cabins
• Over 35 years of experience diving in the Bahamas   

Accommodations - Facilities - NEW!   Schedule, Rates & Availability   - Dive Info & Itineraries

Other Information - Booking & Inquiry - Underwater Gallery

Need more options? Find another Bahamas liveaboard (with live availability and online booking!)

Liveaboard Location

Embarkation and disembarkation are from Nassau. The nearest airport is Nassau International Airport (NAS).

Dive Overview

Blackbeard’s Cruises offers liveaboard scuba diving vacations to the Bahamas Out Islands. Experience the Caribbean’s largest variety of diving including shark dives, walls, high-speed drift dives including the Washing Machine, night dives, blue holes and the beautiful coral reefs of the Exumas Land & Sea Park.

[Read More: Bahamas Dive Travel Guide ]

This Great Video Will Show You What It's Like to Dive with Blackbeard's Cruises!

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Accommodations

Types of cabins, amenities and photos, blackbeard's cruises accommodation overview.

The three dormitory style cabins with shared baths and shower accommodate 6-8 guests in each. Bunk beds have privacy curtains and personal space to store your belongings.

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What to Expect

Sleeping Cabins 1-4 upper and lower bunks are single bunks with curtains for privacy. There is more privacy here but less space. 5 and 6 upper and lower bunks are double bunks meant for two people to share. This is typically where couples are housed. 7, 8 and 9 upper and lower bunks are in the main salon. These bunks are double wide but usually only sleep single passengers. There is less privacy here but more room. Think camping on the high seas only better!

Blackbeard's Cruises Cabin Details

• BERTHS #1-2 are upper and lower berths. Ideal for single travelers. Accommodates 4 singles.
• BERTHS #3 -4 are upper and lower berths. Ideal for single travelers. Accommodates 4 singles.
• BERTH #5 is an upper and lower double berth that accommodates 2 couples. These berths offer the most privacy for couples.
• BERTH # 6 is an upper and lower double berth that accommodates 2 couples. These berths offer the most privacy for couples.
• BERTH # 7-9 are 6 double berths in the main salon and galley area. These berths provide accommodations for couples or singles. These are the least private accommodations, however, berths are the most spacious for single passengers.  

General Facilities

Blackbeard's Cruises Boat Features

• Fishing gear
• Free freshly cooked meals 3x daily and free beverages
• Dorm-style bunks with AC below deck
• Showers 
• Kitchen (galley)
• Dive equipment rental available
• Diving courses available (from Beginner to Advanced & Specialty Courses)
• Dedicated rinse tank for cameras & 1 tender

Schedule & Rates

Blackbeard's cruises liveaboard rates & schedule.

Morning Star   - Sea Explorer

Inclusions & Exclusions

Morning Star's Schedule, Rates & Availabilty

Prices are in USD, per person. Prices are in USD, per person.

Sea Explorer's SCHEDULE, RATES & AVAILABILTY

Prices are in USD, per person. Additional port fee of USD 135.

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• Bunk accommodations
• Up to 19 dives including night dives
• All meals and snacks served picnic-style
• Beverages including juices, soda, beer, wine and rum punch
• Tank, weights and weight belts 
• Fees and taxes 
• Rental gear
• Scuba instruction
• Crew gratuity
• Transfers to and from airport
• Dive and snorkel gear (available for rent)
• Spending money on port night (Thursday)
• Pre or post hotel stays
• Airfare to Nassau

Dive Information & Itineraries

Typical blackbeard's cruises schedule & itinerary.

Blackbeard's 7-day dive trips shove off at 3 pm each Saturday. All passengers disembark by 9 am on the following Friday.  Please keep in mind that there is no set itinerary. The leader will take you to go where conditions and weather are the best to offer you an adventure of a lifetime!

You’ll be diving up and down the Exuma Sound, an abyss that drops over 4,000 feet to the ocean floor! The Exuma Cays are known for their wonderful reef dives due to the protection they receive from the Land and Sea Park sanctions. You might dive Eleuthera but that is also weather dependent. Our specific itinerary varies with the winds to obtain maximum visibility for diving. The depths normally range from 20′ to 120′. There are swift drifts between the cays as well as a blue hole that divers will love.

What to Expect During the Dives

Experience a variety of scuba diving like no other place in the Caribbean. The variety of dive sites in the Exuma Cays is truly unique and offer opportunities not available elsewhere and they can only be reached on a liveaboard. Each week we offer a great variety of diving including thrilling shark feeding dives, walls that begin as shallow as 40′ and slope over the edge where large pelagics are frequently seen, exhilarating high speed drift dives through the cuts of the cays, blue holes which are banked by patch reefs with huge schools of fish as well as other wonderful sites.

Shark Diving with Blackbeard's Cruises

The trips to the Exumas, Exuma Cays and Eleuthera’s Split Coral Head allow Blackbeard’s divers the chance to check off items found on their must-do list – to swim and observe sharks. The most common type of shark encountered on these dives are the Caribbean reef shark and the nurse shark which usually rests on the sandy bottoms. Underwater photographers can capture many close up images.

If  Blackbeard’s divers are lucky, the shark gods bestow appearances by hammerheads, lemon sharks, tiger sharks, bull sharks, whale sharks and the black nose shark.

A highlight of the trip is a passive feed, where divers can observe sharks and their behaviors. Afterward, a popular activity is the search for the ultimate souvenir – a shark’s tooth.

Check Out This Awesome Night Dive Video!

Other Information

Boat specifications.

• Year Built: 1979
• Year Renovated: 2018
• Sailing Rig: Sloop
• Length: 65 feet
• Beam: 19 feet
• Draft: 6 feet
• Cruising speed: 7 knots
• Engines: 137 HP Ford Leyman
• Generator: Isuzu 35KW
• Air Compressors: Yes
• Water Capacity: 635 gallons
• Water Maker Capacity: 10 gallons/hour
• Fuel Capacity: 510 gallons
• Tenders: 1-12 ft inflatable
• Sail area: 1,700 sqft
• Dive Compressor: 17 cu ft/min
• Maximum guests: 22

Got Questions? Ready to Book?

Call us today at  +1-310-915-6677 or email us [email protected]

And let us book your dream vacation!

Underwater Gallery 

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Reviews (4)

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The Bahamas is a great location for a liveaboard and Allstar made it a great experience with awesome dive sites and delicious food! The boat was the perfect size for a small group, the rental equipment was in great shape and the dive guides were very knowledgeable and fun. Overall, a fantastic experience!

I had an incredible time. I would absolutely do it again- I wish so much that Blackbeard's offered cruises all over the world- i much rather do this type of diving, where your sleeping accomodations are like that in an RV (bunk beds like book shelves wherever they can fit) so you can get the best $$ for your diving. The meals were delicious- 3 full meals + morning and afternoon snacks. The diving was stunning, reef sharks spotted every dive, several turtles spotted during one week, water as clear as an aquarium, I 100% highly recommend

Loved my time aboard Blackbeard's Liveaboard the Morning Star with Captain Red and the crew. The diving was amazing as we explored the various sites around the Exuma Cays. We saw plenty of sharks during the shark-feed dive where a ball of chum was fastened on a wreck for the sharks to feast on. We must have seen 30 Reef Sharks on that dive. Beyond sharks we saw plenty of Bat Fish, Parrot Fish, Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, Loggerhead Turtles and Groupers. My favorite dive site was Tres Wrecks, where three large vessels were scuttled in a U like formation, creating a massive, interesting artificial reef with plenty of sea life. Overall, the food was pretty simple but fairly tasty; Fresh fruit, burgers, chicken and fish. Free beer and rum were provided after the diving was done. This liveaboard is likely best suited to younger adults as the tight quarters were a little uncomfortable for the older members of our group, who seemed to enjoy the trip less than I did.

I really enjoyed my Blackbeard's trip, especially considering the price--under $1000.00 for a week of liveaboard diving. Blackbeard's is especially good for those on a limited budget, and for those who want to see sharks and go on a great shark dive. The crew of Blackbeards were great--there are way fewer crew members to passengers on a trip in this price range, so it is better if you are more independent with your equipment and with diving, but they were fun and worked hard to make sure all the guests had a good time. Also, you were allowed to dive your own profile. The food was simple but good and plentiful, and was augmented by freshly caught fish on a couple of occasions (they allow fishing off the back of the boat, when motoring to new dive sites). Alcohol is included in the price, and there was a nice beach barbecue on one of the evenings. The accommodations are tight, as one would expect on a trip in this price range. You have a small bunk area and share the bathroom with 10 of your new, closest friends. I didn't mind this at all, as I was there to get in some good, affordable diving and hoping to get some good images of sharks. My only concern would be for photographers with equipment, as they are not really set up for large camera rigs. On my trip, there was one bunk that was not filled, and the crew let me keep my camera gear on that bunk, which was very helpful. There are typically 4 dives offered per day. When I was there, nitrox was not available, so 4 dives is probably a good limit. Also, the compressors take quite a bit of time to fill all the tanks. The walls in the Bahamas tend to start deep, at around 70-80 feet, so we would alternate one deep dive, then a shallow dive of perhaps 30-40 feet. There was quite a bit of variety in the diving, and they have a nice, smaller version of the Blue Hole that was a lot of fun. They did have a large number of invasive Lionfish, so there was not as many of the typical Caribbean reef fish as you might see in Cozumel, for example. The best part of the trip was the shark dive. They freeze a large bucket of fish parts into a big "chumsicle" and drill a hole through it and string it on a cable. I think this is a much better and safer approach than hand-feeding, and the sharks circle around and lunge at the frozen bait, making for some great action and photo opportunities. I was even able to get a couple of images of blood on their teeth. Overall, I would say that this is one of the best values in diving for the money. If you want to see sharks, and get a good variety of diving, and don't mind roughing it a bit, this is definitely the place to be. If you want to be pampered, or if you are a photographer with a lot of equipment, then you might want to consider the Aquacat that dives the same area, but has much more room and individual state rooms, bub costs over twice as much.

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The Curious Adventurer

• Mar 11, 2022

Blackbeard's Revenge: a Pirate Ship Tour in The Bahamas

Updated: May 21, 2022

Pirate ship! I spy a pirate ship!

Hanging out harbor-side, I was wowed by what I saw. A stunning 500-ton pirate ship fashioned like a Spanish galleon was gliding right in front of me.

That’s really cool!

It’s called Blackbeard’s Revenge , a pirate ship tour in The Bahamas. What a perfect way to explore Nassau Harbour and become a “Pirate of the Caribbean” for a day!

The glorious 18th century pirate ship replica is named after Blackbeard, history's most famous and feared pirate. When in between cruise ships, it looks dwarfed in size but don’t let that fool you. This ship is no tiny thing.

Spacious with three decks, two bar areas, and an enclosed lounge, it’s quite impressive. Pre-pandemic, this ship at one point carried up to 350 passengers for a charter tour. It’s a smashing hit with adventurers, no matter their age.

Just like the sailing vessel, the crew is decked out in pirate gear, luring passengers into an adventure world. You'll likely find one of them climbing the rigging, bravely scaling the ropes towards the tall ship's masthead.

The main deck, decorated with gunpowder barrels and cannons, is the center of swashbuckling activities. A large bar area sits near the bow. Right above it is a small open space equipped with a DJ's Booth for party cruises. Towards the aft is a mini museum/souvenir shop and restrooms. (Yes, they have restrooms!) Directly above it is an air-conditioned VIP Captain's Lounge where you'll feel like you've entered Blackbeard's saloon. Moving up to the 3rd deck is yet another sizable gathering spot, complete with a figure of Blackbeard and an imitation ship's wheel.

*Photos courtesy of Blackbeard's Revenge

For its tours, Blackbeard's Revenge makes an eastbound sail from the Nassau Cruise Port, passing by points of attraction along Nassau Harbour and Paradise Island before circling back. Important landmarks include Junkanoo Beach , The Pointe and Margaritaville Beach Resort , the former British Colonial Hilton, Fort Montagu , and of course, the massive Atlantis Resort .

I've seen Blackbeard's Revenge pirate ship sail by during different parts of the day. Apparently, they have several tours to choose from: the Daytime Voyage, the Sunset Voyage, and the Bootleggers & Barrels Voyage (for adults 18+).

Daytime Voyage

This daytime tour features the family-friendly Pirate Mutiny Adventure.

Excitement launches the moment passengers are met at the gangway by the pirate crew. As passengers come on board, each child is given an eye patch to wear. Buccaneer-themed background music pumps them up for a thrilling voyage aboard Blackbeard’s Revenge.

Once on board and after a safety briefing, everyone is given a tour of the ship plus some historical facts about the Golden Era of Piracy. Throughout the sailing tour, the animated crew captivates passengers with entertaining skits, swashbuckling duel re-enactments, games, dancing and merrymaking. A favorite of the children is the pirate mutiny activity when they are “recruited” to overthrow the captain.

The adventure comes complete with refreshments. Everyone gets a free drink (fruit punch for kids and rum punch for the adults). Bottled water and other beverages like beer and wine for adults are also available for purchase.

"The kids get really fired up on this daytime voyage," said John Clarke, the GM of Blackbeard’s Revenge. He explained that they offer this family fun adventure via an exclusive port excursion for select cruises like Disney . The best part is that cruise passengers don’t ever need to leave the Nassau cruise port. So they remain in their “safe bubble” when they select this tour.

I happened to be on board the pirate ship during a private children’s birthday party before the pandemic. The kids were having a blast and I couldn’t tell who was having more fun— the children or their parents living vicariously through them. Here's a video clip courtesy of Blackbeard's Revenge.

Sunset Voyage

Just like the tour name suggests, this is a romantic sunset cruise. During the golden hour, the sun touches everything with a magical glow. Imagine going on this relaxing sail along Nassau Harbour, taking in the surrounding views, and capturing a Bahamas sunset while sipping on a complimentary glass of wine. I can just picture an incredible wedding party on this gorgeous ship while on a sunset sail.

Bootleggers & Barrels Party Voyage

This one is the ultimate party cruise. Where else can you party the night away while cruising the waters of the “Pirate Capital of the Caribbean?” There's much more than just pirate rum to drink while grooving to music beats by the hottest DJs of Nassau. It’s a barrel of fun for adults 18 years and older.

The Blackbeard’s Revenge sailings don’t end there. They also offer so many creative possibilities for private charters like pirate-themed birthday parties, weddings, and other group events.

If you’re in The Bahamas looking for an entertaining time in Nassau, check out this great grand attraction. Brush up on your pirate speak and hop aboard Blackbeard's Revenge. Only then can you claim bragging rights that you've sailed the Caribbean waters like Cap'n Sparrow.

For more information, visit their official website at blackbeardsrevenge.com .

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Arrr this looks like a lot of fun. Definitely not just for kids. I hope that rum punch was free flowing. Nobody wants to be a sober pirate.

Sure is a fun sailing tour. I haven’t been on the party cruise for 21+ year olds, but I’ve seen them sail by. You can hear them having a fun time on that ship!

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Blackbeard's Revenge

Dowdeswell Street, Nassau, Nassau / Paradise Island, Bahamas, DownTown

Description

AHOY MATEY!” Blackbeard's Revenge is the ONLY Pirate Ship Tour in The Bahamas, offering sailing adventures for all ages. Glimpse into the history of Nassau, the “Pirate Capital of the Caribbean,” as you set sail along Nassau Harbour and Paradise Island on a 500-ton Spanish galleon replica. There are different voyages for enjoyment such as the kid-friendly Pirate Mutiny Adventure that includes live piracy dramatizations on board, the Sunset Cocktail Cruise for a relaxing sunset sail, the Dinner Cruise with a delicious 3-course meal, and the Bootleggers & Barrels Party Cruise with Live DJs and drink packages. This stunning pirate-themed ship boasts of an all-pirate crew, 3 decks, 2 fully stocked bars, a VIP air-conditioned Captain's Lounge, plus a great deal of entertainment. Experience this must-do attraction in Nassau. Let the adventure begin!

• Address: Dowdeswell Street
• P.O. Box: EE-17590
• Island: Nassau / Paradise Island, Bahamas
• Town: Nassau
• Area: DownTown
• Website: www.blackbeardsrevenge.com
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AHOY MATEY’S and welcome aboard the Carolina’s largest pirate ship, Blackbeard’s Treasure Hunter, for an hour long interactive family adventure that you and your family will never forget!

Our One Hour adventure begins on the dock, where we will transform your little mates into buccaneers, as our super friendly crew will give them a pirate mustache, pirate tattoo, and dress them like pirates.

Once under way we will be on the lookout for Blackbeard’s Treasure. Aaaarrgghh! we will be havin’ some unwanted company, Bad Billy Bones (the dirty rotten scoundrel) is also hot on the trail of the lost treasure and has stolen the key to the treasure chest. Our fearless pirate crew, along with your little buccaneers, must find the booty (treasure) before Bad Billy Bones & force him into surrendering the key (by any means necessary). During the encounter with the scallywag Billy Bones, we will be firing the 16 high powered water cannons. He has a water gun of his own that he will be firing back at us, shiver me timbers!, so prepare to get wet and have fun. Once we defeat the enemy and capture the treasure, we will celebrate like the pirates we be. Yo ho ho we will raise the Jolly Roger (victory flag), sing & dance, play some games, open the treasure chest and all our buccaneers will share some of the booty.

PLEASE arrive 30 minutes prior to departure so we can assure our crew will have time to get the kids transformed and our staff has time to get all you swabs together for a family photo!!! ARRRRRR!

FREE! Each Swab will receive a pirate mustache, pirate tattoo, and whatever booty they earn.

Adults / Teens $28 Kids (3 – 12) $28 Kids (1 – 2) $13 Kids Under 1 FREE

Book Online

Pirates Are Not Afraid of the Rain!

Blackbeard's Pirate Cruises

Fun for the whole family.

A fun-filled adventure with sword fights, singing, a chase on the high seas and water cannon battles for treasure.

Custom charters for a variety of occasions and will work with you to accommodate your group event.

Birthdays, School Groups, Church Groups, After School Programs, Youth Sports Teams, Family Reunions, Tour Groups, Corporate Outings, and Private Functions.

Private Charters

Privately charter the "Treasure Hunter" for larger events. Accommodations up to 70 passengers with ample seating.

Blackbeard’s Pirate Cruise 141 Fantasy Harbor Boulevard Myrtle Beach, SC 29579

“On The Intracoastal Waterway Behind The Boathouse Restaurant and Sheraton 4 Points Resort”

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A doomed dare and a haunting video: What we know about Cameron Robbins’ cruise ship disappearance

Search efforts for cameron robbins went on for approximately three days before being called off, article bookmarked.

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Cameron Robbins, an 18-year-old high school graduate, has been missing since 24 May, when he fell overboard on a sunset cruise ship into waters near the Bahamas .

Mr Robbins was celebrating his graduation from the University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by taking a trip to the Bahamas with other teenagers when the tragic incident occurred.

The group was aboard Blackbeard’s Revenge, a sunset cruise, on 24 May when Mr Robbins went overboard.

According to reports, Mr Robbins allegedly jumped off the boat on a dare. Video taken of the incident shows Mr Robbins swimming in the waters in almost complete darkness.

Afterwards, the 18-year-old disappeared.

The US Coast Guard and Royal Bahamas Defence Force spent several days searching for Mr Robbings before suspending their search efforts on Saturday, 27 May.

Here’s everything we know about Mr Robbins’ disappearance .

Who is Cameron Robbins?

Cameron Robbins is an 18-year-old boy who recently graduated from high school at University Laboratory School, which operates as part of Louisiana State University, in Baton Rouge.

Mr Robbins played baseball while attending the school, according to reports.

In celebration of graduation, Mr Robbins and other teenagers were on a trip to the Bahamas and staying at the Atlantis Paradise resort in Nassau, Louisiana State University confirmed to NBC News.

The trip was not a school-sanctioned event.

According to a statement from University Lab School Director Kevin George, obtained by local news outlet WAFB , Mr Robbins attended the school for 13 years.

“The University Lab School Community is praying for the best possible outcome of this situation. I have been in touch with Cameron’s family and at this time, authorities are still searching for him in the Bahamas. In times like these, we must come together and support each other. Words fall short of expressing the worry our entire school community is feeling. Extra counselors will be available on campus to speak with students and faculty who are struggling to process this news. Our thoughts are with the Robbins family, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts as well,” Mr George wrote.

The Independent has reached out to University Laboratory School for comment.

What happened?

Mr Robbins and others on the trip were aboard a sunset cruise on a ship called Blackbeard’s Revenge on the evening on 24 May when Mr Robbins was allegedly dared to jump off the boat.

In a statement provided to The Independent, Jonathan Chia, a representative for Pirates’ Revenge Ltd, the parent company of Blackbeard’s Revenge, said Mr Robbins went overboard at approximately 9.40pm local time in Montagu Bay off Athol Island in the Bahamas.

Video captured in the moments after Mr Robbins jumped into the water showed the 18-year-old swimming around the vessel as passengers on the sunset cruise yelled at him.

In the video, individuals can be heard urging Mr Robbins to grab onto the buoy that they threw into the water for him.

Mr Chia said: “The crew executed the ‘man overboard’ protocol in line with all approved safety procedures and company policies to ensure the best chance of retrieving an individual who has gone overboard.”

Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Raymond King said in a video posted to Facebook that the area where Mr Robbins allegedly jumped into, “is an area that is really shark-infested”.

Rumours of the waters being “shark-infested” have not been confirmed by the US Coast Guard.

The Independent has reached out to the US Coast Guard for comment.

What were the search efforts?

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force contacted the US Coast Guard, District Seven around 11.30pm local time to report Mr Robbins had fallen overboard, according to a statement from the Coast Guard. 

"US Coast Guard District Seven deployed multiple search and rescue assets in response to an agency assistance request from our partners in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force,” Lt Commander Mathew Spado, Coast Guard liaison officer to the Bahamas said in the statement.

Mr Chia said Pirates Revenge Ltd worked closely with Bahamian authorities and the Us Coast Guard during the incident and will continue to participate with authorities in the investigation.

For several days, the Coast Guard and Royal Bahamas Defence Force searched the location and waters surrounding the location Mr Robbins had disappeared in using aircrews and search patterns.

After Coast Guard crews searched more than 325 square miles, they concluded their efforts with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force on 27 May.

"We were informed by the RBDF this evening that they were suspending the active search efforts pending further developments, and were not requesting further Coast Guard assistance after notifying the Robbins family. We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins’ family and friends,” Mr Spado said in the statement.

A GoFundMe has been started to benefit Mr Robbins’ family as they deal with the aftermath of the difficult situation.

Although searches have ended, the US Coast Guard is asking anyone with new information to contact the District Seven watchstanders at 305.415.6800.

In a statement, Mr Chia said that Pirates’ Revenge Ltd: “Reviewed all safety measures and protocols and are confident that the company’s practices were and continue to be in line with the highest industry standards to keep its passengers safe. With approval from the Bahamian authorities, Pirates Revenge Ltd has resumed operations of its cruise vessel. We would like to thank the crew for their continued professionalism and for expertly performing their duties during the incident.”

“Our deepest condolences to the Robbins family as they go through this difficult time,” Mr Chia added.

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US teen missing after going overboard on sunset cruise in the Bahamas

Cameron Robbins, 18, went overboard while on a sunset cruise Wednesday night.

A recent high school graduate from Louisiana is missing after going overboard while on a trip to the Bahamas, school officials and the United States Coast Guard said.

Cameron Robbins, who attended University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge, was on a trip with a group of students when he went overboard on Wednesday night, according to school officials.

The incident occurred around 9:40 p.m. local time near the area of Athol Island, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

The 18-year-old "reportedly jumped from a pleasure vessel," the Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a statement.

The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that it was assisting with search efforts for a missing U.S. citizen "believed to have fallen overboard from a sunset cruise near Nassau" on Wednesday. A Coast Guard spokesperson confirmed to ABC News that the search was for Robbins.

The teen fell off the Blackbeard's Revenge sunset cruise ship, the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard provided air assistance in the search and rescue mission, which was being led by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, according to Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Estrada. But on Friday evening, the Coast Guard was informed by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force that they were suspending the "active search efforts" for Robbins "pending further developments" and were no longer requesting assistance from the Coast Guard after notifying Robbins family, according to Lt. Cmdr. John W. Beal.

"We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins’ family and friends," Beal said in a statement.

The Coast Guard said Saturday its crews searched more than 325 square miles before concluding its search efforts.

MORE: American tourist attacked by shark in Turks and Caicos, police say

The Bahamas vacation was not a school-sanctioned trip but included students from several high schools in the area, including between 10 and 15 students from the Laboratory School, the school's director, Kevin George, told ABC Baton Rouge affiliate WBRZ in an interview on Thursday.

The school just held its graduation on Sunday.

George described Robbins as a "great kid" and athlete who had been with the school for 13 years, since the start of his education.

"Just one of those kids that you're so proud of once they cross the stage," George told WBRZ.

Students held a prayer circle for Robbins on Thursday morning following news that he was reported missing, holding hands outside the Laboratory School, located on the main campus of Louisiana State University.

"It's a tight-knit family," George said. "The kids reached out to us wanting to know, could they do a prayer circle. Obviously we agreed. We really appreciated their leadership in this trying time."

MORE: Carnival cruise passenger who went overboard was 'dead set' on surviving

Robbins has a sister who is a junior at the school, according to George, who said he spoke to their father on Thursday morning.

"It's just a really emotional time for us right now," George said. "Just trying to send up our prayers and give our support."

"Let's continue to pray and pray that we find Cameron safe and sound," he added.

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Anyone done Blackbeard's Revenge?

By ZoietheElf , November 18, 2023 in Bahamas

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I have three kids, 14, 12, and 5. We did a pirate adventure in the Outer Banks when my older ones were little which is no longer there, but it was one of our favorite experiences ever, so when I saw this pirate ship in Nassau I thought it would be similar and that we'd have a great time. I saw someone I vaguely know on Facebook post their visit here recently and now I'm having second thoughts. This is our first cruise ever, and our only day in the Bahamas. She stated that it was rather boring and mostly all they did was play rock music and dance. I've read reviews and they're very mixed, some say the same that this person said, that basically it's just loud music and not great, and others rave and say it's the best thing they ever did and they talk about them telling pirate history and what great actors they are and it's their best excursion they've ever taken. I have no idea what to do now, cancel it and choose something else for the day or keep it!!! It's just a couple hours in the morning and we were going to walk to the beach and just let the kids play for the afternoon. They love pirates. Is the pirate museum in Nassau a better experience, or is this one what we should do? Help!!

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I've never done it, but that excursion has received a bit of unwanted attention fairly recently.  This is the ship where the kid jumped overboard and was eaten by sharks.

Thank you for the response. I saw that when I was trying to find reviews!! At first it concerned me but then I realized there is a "partying" cruise they do at night for adults that is a very different activity than the morning cruise for kids and families, and the teen jumped intentionally, so it wasn't really the fault of the company or crew at all.

there is a family type pirate show on coco cay.  no cost, cute but corny show.

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Exploring the depths with Blackbeard’s Cruises Dive liveaboards: A Comprehensive Review

The diving conditions are incredible, the health of the reefs, and the amount of marine life I saw was absolutely mind-boggling. And the ease of diving is bar none. You put your tank and BCD on and flop in easier than 1-2-3. What was the accommodation like? Like camping on the high seas, that sounds like it might be fun. Trust me, the diving will be worth it, my friend said.

What was he talking about? Blackbeard’s Cruises liveaboard Dive liveaboard 

In 2022, a good dive buddy invited me on a live-aboard dive trip. I was apprehensive at first. I had never done a live abroad dive trip before, and a lot of the pictures I had seen of the boat and the accommodations and the no-frill tone of the Blackbeard’s Liveaboard website had me thinking about whether this is the best way for me to be spending my vacation time off work. Liveaboard is a large part of dive travel and often offers dive opportunities that one could never encounter with shore diving or charter diving. Liveaboard experiences are unique in that you will be brought to an area of the ocean that may have rarely, if ever, been visited by other divers, giving you views and experiences that couldn’t be had any other way.

In this review of my stay with black beard Cruise, I’ll share my experience with you and whether camping on the high seas is something you should consider.

BlackBeard Cruises is well-established in the business.

Blackbeard Cruises was established 40 years ago and operates a whole fleet of boats that sail worldwide. The home port where they port four vessels is Nassau, Bahamas. Two are liveaboard sailboats, The Morning Star and The Explorer. We were told that boats are identical, and my dive buddy has been on both of them, and they are mostly the same for all intents and purposes. The Morning Star and the Explorer regularly sail around the Exumas and the Exumas Cays. In particular, we spent much of our week around the Eleuthera Islands.

The Dive Experience

“So what do you think of the diving? I know you were recently in Roatan, and you rave about the Cozumel Reef?” My dive buddy asked after our third dive. He was a little nervous that maybe I was upset that the diving wasn’t up to my expectations. My reply: “Man, the accommodation initially got me slightly thrown off. It seemed like it might be a rough week, but after these three dives alone, I GET IT! Some of the most beautiful reefs I have ever seen in terms of health and abundance of life; this might be some of the best reef diving I have ever done.”

Blackbeard Curses is established to cater to diving full stop, from having a very organized dive brief with constant communication with how the diving will take place, who will be in the water first, and when to gear up to not miss out on any fun. Taking every measure to make sure everyone gets the best dive experience possible.

Once you arrive on the boat, you will be shown how to organize your gear on the board. Where to find your weights before the first check-out dive and what to expect before and after every dive. The captain will start the initial safety briefing, explaining how life on the boat will be for the next week. Right off the bat, this sets the tone for the trip, as the whole cruise will be focused on catering to you and your dive experience.

Due to the size of the boat, there is no equipment rinse tank, and there is limited fresh water. This worried me a little. I am a freshwater diver regularly; leaving salt water to dry on my gear for a week bothered me. Rest assured that anyone who wants to rinse their gear can do so once a day after their night dive. When you get on board, ask the crew to hose you down with the deck fresh water hose. It’s just a quick rinse. It helped my mind settle as to what salt might be doing to my equipment. After a week of my gear sitting in the sun and only gently rinsing after the last dive of the day, I saw no change or anything to worry about regarding saltwater corrosion.

Our first dive of the trip was a checkout dive, and the crew picked an incredible introductory spot on a wrecked drug trafficking plan in about 29 feet of warm crystal, clear water. Having a shallow, clear area to do your check-out dive with plenty of time to get your lead weight figured out was nice. Often, checkout dives are rushed and quite chaotic. Once we finished our check-out dive, within a couple of hours of leaving port, we were instructed that due to weather, we had a 9-hour crossing to Eluthria Island areas as that’s where we might spend most of our time due to wind and weather. 

After that initial check-out dive, there were four dives a day every day for anyone who wanted to take them. The crew strives to get the guest at least 19 dives in a week unless something out of their control prevents that. Usually, the night dive takes place at the same spot as the last dive of the day and is also where the boat remains anchored for the night.

All the dives were great; you can’t ask someone who loves diving to differentiate. In most of the dives, I didn’t see a lionfish (an invasive species that kills many animals on a reef). There were countless dives of beautiful fan coral for the whole dive, some incredible swim through full of grouper and all sorts of moray eels. Several wreck dives at all depths. Usually, the day’s first dive would be a dive where you could go deeper than 100 ft. Every dive after that will typically be 60 ft and shallower as the day progresses.

All dives start with a comprehensive dive brief from the dive master/instructor on board; the dive brief will generally include any species of animals living in the area or any exciting features you don’t want to miss out on. There were normally pretty detailed diagrams drawn to help you navigate. 

All dives are self-guided if you choose. On our trip, the dive instructor was busy training some of the people on board, so if you wanted a guided dive, you had to wait through the training portions of the students’ dive and then continue with the non-course-related diving. Other than that, you would guide yourself through most of the dive. 

This may seem scary unless you understand how they organize the dives at Blackbeard. Most dive sites have been specifically selected for a safe dive experience. The dive boat is typically well within view of wherever you are diving. When you descend the line on most dives, you will make it to the ocean floor and swim along small reef mounds, and you and your buddy will feel like you’re alone exploring the reef. But if you float 10-15 feet to the top of the coral mound, you will see other divers from your group on the other side of the mound, and the boat will be within eyesight. Then, you just float back down and continue with your dive. It’s the closest I have ever come to hiking in the water.

At the start of the week part of the dive brief, we are told about the shark dive midweek, typically landing on a Wednesday or Thursday, depending on when your trip started. I didn’t give this too much thought as I love sharks and I love shark dive, but I have been on dozens now, and I know the typical routine your are taken to a familiar site; everyone kneels on the bottom, and a dive master presents a bait ball, and we enjoy the feeding frenzy on the bottom. This was very much the experience on this trip’s shark dive, too. What I particularly wasn’t expecting was that on this trip, there was no need for a shark dive or a bait ball to attract sharks, as this trip was a shark lover’s dream as every one of the 19 dives in 5 days there, at least a couple of sharks visited us. Now that I have read The Biology of Sharks by Peter Klimley and Steven Oerding 2013, I better understand why. But at the time, I was utterly in love and blown away.

Animal facts : In that book, it explained there had been research done that may give us reason to believe that several of the reef shark species have a resident reef where they usually live. They will patrol a territory, or when they catch a scent, they will seek it out, but once they find the food item, they usually return to their home reef. This led me to understand that most of these sharks must live on the reef we are visiting and not just randomly roam the ocean looking for food. 

A quick experience : on our second dive, after seeing a couple of Caribbean reef sharks, I was excited about how incredible the diving had been so far. To my pure joy, as I splashed in and signalled back to the boat that I had a safe entry, I couldn’t help but just put my face in the water to look at the bottom, approximately 60 ft and to my exhilaration, do I not see a group of nurse sharks and more Caribbean reef shark waiting for us at the bottom. This sight would normally bring terror to a non-diver, but I am sure I am speaking to the converted if you read this article that it was a real, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

On board accommodations

The boat will accommodate 19 divers and five crew. The accommodations are slightly cramped as you are on a sailboat. There are a variety of bunk options. Several bunks surround the gally (Kitchen on a boat). These bunks are double-wide and are in a public area, as that is also where the kitchen, shower and dining tables are. Each bunk has a privacy curtain that works nicely to block out any light but doesn’t block sound. Suppose you are a light sleeper or don’t like to socialize till late. Try to avoid these bunks, which may help you have a more enjoyable trip. Then there are four double bunks sharing a bathroom mid-ship, then in the front of the boat, there are six more bunks sharing their own bathroom at the front of the ship below deck. 

If you have the option, select these bunks if you’re not travelling with your partner where you are sharing a bed. These bunks have the most privacy as the curtain will make it like you have your own personal room. These were the only bunks on the boat that provided these options.

If you like me, diving will work up a serious appetite, and given how many people are on the boat and when you see the size of the kitchen, I am sure you will be blown away by how much food they pump out of such a small space.  If you have any special food requests or accommodations, make sure you make them known well before the boat leaves port. The crew will do everything in their power to accommodate their guest, but once they leave port, it puts a real damper on your trip if you need them to sail back just to pick up your box of goldfish crackers. 

The boat crew sets the menu and will brief you on what to expect each night. We had steak night on Wednesday when we were there, which was a real hit. There will be plenty of food on your cruise, but there are some rules to eat on Black Beards that everyone will appreciate if you follow. Before, you have a second helping of food, and there is always food for seconds. Make sure you are clear with the captain that all the crew have eaten. We are the guests on the boat, so the crew will always eat last, and if everyone takes more than they can eat, and several people go in for seconds, they may still not finish. There might be no food left for the crew. Given the size of the boat for storing provisions and how busy the crew is, the chef won’t start marking more food once the meal is served, so the crew will go with very little food and have to resort to eating snacks until the next meal. When you see how hard the whole crew works and how much they strive for you to have a good time. This is a minor consideration on behalf of the guest. 

On our trip, we had a few inconsiderate individuals, and this did happen one night; three individuals took more than they could eat, and we noticed that two of the crew didn’t eat any dinner and were snacking on some fruit. As a group, we approached this individual, pointed out the results of their actions, and reminded them of what was explained when we got on the boat. Those individuals were apologetic and made it up to the crew on tips at the end of the trip. I just mention this because the crew did not complain when this happened. They didn’t point it out in any way. We noticed it and asked the captain to ensure what we saw was happening, that some of the crew went without dinner.

As this is a dive trip, alcohol consumption is always welcome, but it is something we need to watch to stay hydrated, as dehydration is the number one cause of the bends. Blackbeard’s Provided domestic alcohol on board, beer on tap and as much rum punch as you want. The captain normally opens the bar after the last night’s dive. There were some nights when only some were doing the night dive, and the captain would tap the keg early for those individuals. The crew made it clear they had zero tolerance for drunken diving. 

Showering and bathroom 

On a boat, a bathroom is called a head. On our ship, the Explorer, there were three bathrooms; the largest one was at the back of the ship in the common area with the kitchen and the bunks surrounding the dining table.

The toilets are similar to plane toilets; they don’t use a lot of water as fresh water on the boats is mainly for drinking and bathing sort of, I’ll get back to that in a minute. With the bathroom, be mindful not to throw much, if any, paper down the toilet. There are receptacles in the bathroom for the paper. Toilets will clog regularly on the boats because we land lovers don’t know how to use the bathroom properly. The crew was very accommodating no clog got out of hand, and it was handled discreetly. The toilets regularly needed a lot of maintenance by the crew, but it never harmed our trip. 

When it comes to showering on the boat, the truth is that most people didn’t shower often, and I know this may sound gross, but it wasn’t that big of a deal. You are diving all day in the water in a wetsuit. At the end of the day of diving, you hang any wet clothing on the side of the boat to dry and put on some shorts and a T-shirt. 

The main reason for this is that fresh water is precious on the boat, and the freshwater for showering isn’t drinking water it’s water condensation collected from an evaporator, not the de-salination, which is only for drinking water. The evaporator won’t condense enough water for everyone to even take a 10-minute shower of just fresh water ; there wouldn’t be enough for everyone to shower. So, keeping that in mind, you can take a freshwater shower, but there is a bit of a sequence to do it right. 

There are two taps in the shower: a warm salt water shower and then a cold water shower. 

This is how it works

• first, enter the shower and wet yourself with the salt water; enjoy the warm water it’s salty; you have as much as you want.
• Now that you are wet lather up and shampoo yourself
• Finally, you will have 3 min of fresh water to rinse off

I know that 3 minutes doesn’t sound like a lot, but it was more than enough for me, and I know there were a couple of women with long hair who just chose not to wash their hair as it wouldn’t be enough time. I know when the captain heard it wasn’t enough time for the people with long hair, He made it clear he would make minor exceptions to the rule, but I don’t think anyone took him up on it.

Pro-tip –

The single shower will get very busy after the night dive, as people are going to want to clean up at the end of the day. Skipping out on a night dive a few times gave me the boat mostly to myself, so nobody was waiting for me to shower. Another good time is first thing in the morning, as everyone is focused on eating or getting ready for the first dive.

Common areas 

The Morning Star is a boat catered to diving, so there isn’t too much space on the board for lounging. Below the deck, there are the common areas in the back of this ship where the dining table is. This area will often be busy post-dive, with people charging cameras and batteries and using laptops to view videos post-dives. Basically, all the common areas where you will be spending all your time when not diving or sleeping will be on the boat’s deck. There is a large awning to protect from the sun and fibreglass benches all around the ship for lounging. At the front of the boat, the life raft makes a great, comfortable place to sunbathe and take naps between dives. 

The front life raft is a sought-after place to be, so get there early and don’t give it up. Use your buddy all week so you can play tag team to keep that spot .

Because you spend most of your time on the deck of the boat, bring a proper sun protection hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The fibreglass seat isn’t too bad. I never brought a cushion, and I was fine, but several others packed a mall foam or inflatable cushion to sit on, and the crew can sell you a Blackbeard crushes cushion any time if you feel you would like one.

When it comes to packing, follow the packing instructions on the website. They really cover everything you need, as there will not be any space for extras. I was apprehensive when I saw this list at first, but after talking to several divers who had already done this trip several times, they swor by the list, and I can say they were spot on. I had everything I needed and understood that there was no room for extra. Just in case there is a cool night, wear a windbreaker jacket or a light-packing jacket. It won’t take up too much space, and you will have it if you need it.

The only personal space for your belongings is your sleep bunk and a very small shelf at the foot of your bunk. Pack all your clothes in packing cubes . It helps to keep your bunk originated and maximizes the space you have.

Crew and staff 

Our boat had a crew of five: a Captin, a First Mate, an Engineer, a Cook, a Deckhand and a dive instructor/deckhand. All the crew had a great positive attitude, always happy to help.

Captain – our captain was great. He had worked for the company for over a decade and had captained every vessel the company had in its fleet. The boat we were on wasn’t his official boat, but he was training and testing his Second Mate to get his Coast Guard requirements to Captain the Explorer once he was ready. The Captin was always very accommodating, full of stories of crazy dive experiences and other experiences with guests. He swore not to say anything bad about guests, but after the three days, we wore the Captin down; he told us one story where a guest got drunk and physically violent, and they had to find a small island to strand the guest to keep everyone else safe till the coast guard came. Whether that was true or not, it was a fair warning not to get out of line on the boat. He also couldn’t tell us whether there was a weapon on board or not in case it happened again. (The Coast Guard doesn’t allow commercial vessels to have any weapons on board I am sure he was keeping us in suspense.)

First mate – The first mate was in charge of the boat any time the Captin was on relief or occupied below deck with equipment or planning navigations. 

Engineer- The engineer will quickly become the most valuable person on the boat when you experience regular toilet issues. The engineer is the one who corrects that, so in my opinion, the person doesn’t make enough money. We also had a breakdown of our freshwater desalination unit while out sailing. He took the whole unit apart and replaced the broken components lucky they had it on board, and we had fresh water running before we knew anything was wrong.

Deckhand – hour deck hand was great and worked hard. It was her first week on the boat, so she was working hard to earn the crew’s respect. The deckhand supports every one of the crew members, and she helps cook and prep meals. Deckhand will be right next to the engineer during repairs, and ran around the boat like a wild person when we came to each dive site to moore the boat smoothly so none of the guests ever really felt the rocking of the boat one moored. 

Dive instructor -was a great dive instructor I didn’t take any courses with him on this trip, but his sheer enthusiasm for diving and the wildlife exemplified what a dive instructor should be. He was also a model in the water with exemplary trim and buoyancy and had a clean kit set up. He would be the first to show everyone anything interesting happening in the water, whether you were his student or not.

One note that I did not expect was the effort the crew made the whole trip to limit the rocking and swinging of the boat as much as possible to prevent guests from getting seasick. The crew is constantly considering wind and wave direction, hoisting gib sales to tighten up the boat when we would moor at a dive site or overnight they would use triple rigging to the boat was tied at the front and back so that the boat would face into the wind. It was during these times you could see how hard the deckhand and the whole crew worked together so that we could have the most enjoyable experience. It was impressive and appreciated.

Booking and logistics 

This trip was fully booked through my local dive shop, Dan’s Dive Shop , and their resident travel agent, Fawn Messer . Fawn does an outstanding job, especially with adventure and dive vacations. Feel free to reach out to her for any Travel-related questions or to book a trip. Our trip was hosted by TikTok Dive celebrity Chris Foisey with Modern Diver Channel . Once we flew to Nassau from Toronto, we had an overnight stay at the Nassau Hotel, which is also Black Beard Cruise’s home port. The accommodations were basic for the single-night stay, this also gave us a day to explore the island and catch any attractions. A few others and I visited the pirate museum. Several people in our group took a taxi to the Atlantis Hotel to see the aquarium. Make use of your time when you arrive, as once you are on the boat, they usually don’t come back to port.

Excursions 

BlackBeard Cursise offers a few non-dive excursions there are several beaches and Pig Island that they can bring you to if your group would like a break from all the diving. Our group is very dive-focused, so we didn’t want to do any excursions that would distract from the diving. This is normally coordinated in the opening orientation with the Captin. He will tell you all the offerings that are available given the wealthier and the planned journey, and if the group decides they want to do all the excursions, some or none. There are no rules; the crew and Captin are there to provide you with the best experience within their power.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, if you are looking for an affordable, unique dive experience that will leave you sad, the week is coming to an end. Then BlackBeard Cursies is the trip for you. Don’t let the camping on the high. Seas intimidate you. The staff and the crew will do their best to show you a good time, and the diving, I promise, will make up for any slight discomfort you may experience on the top side of a sailboat.

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People 'terrified' after man drops GoPro under cruise ship and discovers what's underneath

The night footage might put you off ever swimming in the sea again.

Britt Jones

Going on a cruise is the new craze this year, but let’s take a closer look at the giant luxury ships and you’ll see something you’d wished you hadn’t looked at.

A Greek photographer has gone on to disturb his viewers with a video of his deep-sea GoPro footage underneath and alongside a cruise ship .

Photographer Odysseas Froilan shared his clip to his YouTube channel in November 2021 and the footage went viral with millions of views.

Don’t watch this if you ever want to enter the ocean again:

Froilan hasn’t been forthcoming about the footage or where in the ocean he lowered his GoPro.

In the video, after lowering the camera in the water while the cruise ship is anchored, viewers were initially happy to see a school of fish perplexed at the foreign object that had dropped into their neck of the woods.

However, it wasn’t until things got dark that viewers were left feeling icky.

That was when out of nowhere, sharks came into view of the GoPro camera and one quickly darted into the camera night light, before swimming off quickly.

Then, moments later, a huge shark is seen coming out of the shadows to calmly swim unfazed out of view.

“The way I went from kicking my feet in the air at the cute fishies and thinking ‘maybe the ocean isn’t so scary after all’ in the day footage to blankly staring, terrified, at the night footage, further confirming my intense fear of the ocean,” one YouTube user commented.

“This was way more interesting than I thought it would be. Man there’s something primally terrifying about seeing a shark emerge from the darkness like that,” another agreed.

Other comments reinforced viewers’ intention to not swim in the ocean and stick strictly to man-made pools to avoid encountering sharks .

“For years I wondered why there were pools on a cruise ship when there was this great big body of water to swim in. It’s videos like this that make me realize the importance of swimming in chlorine water,” a third user commented.

“I would just like to point out the difference in marine life depending on the time of day. If you ever find yourself on a cruise, do not take a bet and jump into the ocean at night, most sharks are nocturnal hunters and they are basically just waiting for you,” a fourth warned.

Last year, viral footage showed the moment a young man jumped off a cruise ship in the Bahamas for a dare before and was allegedly preyed upon by sharks.

Cameron Robbins, 18, was never seen again and the footage was viewed more than 10 million times on X in June.

Some who watched it claimed the footage showed the moment he was pulled underneath by sharks.

It happened on May 24 2023 at around 11.30pm near Nassau, Bahamas off the Blackbeard’s Revenge sunset cruise ship and on May 27, the United States Coast Guard, who was assisting the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in the search, confirmed the search had been concluded, though his body was never found.

Topics:  Shark , Travel , Cruise ship , YouTube

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World's Largest Cruise Ship Sets Sail for the First Time in Initial Sea Trial — See Photos!

Royal Caribbean's "Icon of the Seas" is slated to embark on its maiden voyage out of South Florida in January 2024

Royal Caribbean's record-breaking Icon of the Seas is drawing closer to its debut in January 2024 after completing its first phase of sea trials in Europe.

Set to be the world’s largest cruise ship and the company's first Icon-class ship, the vessel has been under construction at Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, according to an official release .

The cruise will offer vacationers the world’s largest waterpark at sea, dubbed Category 6 and featuring six water slides. Icon of the Seas also offers a "resort getaway," a "beach escape," a theme park and over "40 ways to dine, drink and be entertained," according to the company.

Royal Caribbean

Inside, it will feature a one-of-a-kind accommodation: the "Ultimate Family Townhouse," which Royal Caribbean describes as a three-story "sprawling adventure-filled pad" with an in-suite slide, a karaoke station, and hidden areas to discover.

The ship's 20 decks will include Royal Caribbean's first-ever dueling piano bar, eight "neighborhoods," the largest pool at sea and experiences for thrill-seekers like Crown's Edge, described as "a fear-inducing challenge that’s part skywalk, part ropes course, part thrill ride and an all-out test of your courage."

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The ship weighs in at an estimated 250,800 tons and measures close to 1,200 feet long. It also holds about 5,610 passengers and 2,350 crew members, according to CNN .

Over 450 specialists have run four days of preliminary tests on the ship’s main engines, bow and propellers, as well as checking noise and vibration levels, a release shared.

"Between preparations and the trials, the important step in the journey to bring  Icon  to life involved more than 2,000 specialists, hundreds of miles traveled, four 37- to 67-ton tugboats and more than 350 hours of work," according to the release.

All of that will prepare the cruise for its second round of sea trials later this year, ahead of its debut out of South Florida in January 2024.

The Icon of the Seas will set sail from Miami on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations all year round, where passengers can visit popular tropical destinations like the Bahamas, Mexico, St. Maarten and Honduras, as well as Royal Caribbean's private island, CocoCay.

At a press panel earlier this year, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley described the ship as “literally the best-performing new product launch we’ve ever had," according to CNN.

Royal Caribbean will be ousting themselves from the top spot. It's Wonder of the Seas is currently the world’s largest cruise ship.

Related Articles

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, world's largest cruise ship, makes maiden voyage

The world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas , has officially sailed the ocean blue for the first time in preparation for its highly anticipated 2024 debut. 

After completing the first round of European sea trials, Royal Caribbean’s newest – and its largest, the cruise line boasts – is one step closer to its January 27 inaugural voyage.

The ship has since made its return to the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, where more than 450 specialists are conducting tests on the main engines, bow, propellers, and noise and vibration levels in preparation for the ship's second set of sea trials slated for later this year. 

What all can you do on an Icon of the Seas cruise?

Royal Caribbean designed Icon of the Seas to give seafarers a chance to pick the best of perks from different kinds of vacations – resort getaway, beach escape, or theme park adventure – while on the cruise. Attractions include a six-slide waterpark, seven full-size swimming pools, an aqua park for families, a swim up bar, exclusive dining experiences, arcades, live music and shows.

“Every type of family and kind of adventurer can make memories together and on their own terms without compromise across record-breaking thrills, relaxing ways to chill, a neighborhood designed for young families, more than 40 ways to dine, drink and be entertained, and more,” Royal Caribbean says in its latest press update . 

The first cruise is already sold out, but starting in February 2024, visitors can begin their journey in Miami and spend seven nights onboard the Icon sailing through eastern or western Caribbean with ports of call including the Bahamas, Mexico, Honduras St. Maarten, and St. Thomas. 

Royal Caribbean plans for Icon of the Seas to sail all year, so prices vary; but some start at about $1,700 per person. For more details about Icon of the Seas, visit the Royal Caribbean website.  

A World of Diving Adventures

Call us today 954.734.7111 or 800.327.9600.

• Blackbeard's

Blackbeard’s Experiences

In my 15 years of diving, i’ve only had a few dives that made me want to give high fives when i surfaced. the washing machine was one of them, david weingarten, get ready to walk the plank for adventure.

Blackbeard’s dive adventures take place on one of two twin 65-foot sailboats – Morning Star or Sea Explorer. During your 6-night excursion, your time will be spent:

• Diving and playing in the water
• Lounging on the open deck
• Sitting under the canopy
• Hanging in the horseshoe
• Making memories with new and old friends
• Stargazing under a clear night sky
• Getting 40 winks in your bunk

Wave goodbye as we head south to the Exuma Cays. We’re getting away from the cruise ships and the city lights.

• Night dives
• Swim with shark and rays
• Shark feeding dives

Marine life:

• Schools of fish
• Eels and octopi
• Coral and sponges
• Lobster, crabs and cleaner shrimp
• Turtles – 5 of the 7 species are found in the Bahamas

This is a very special place filled with an extraordinary variety of dives:

• Coral reefs and vertical walls
• High-speed drift dives
• Mysterious blue holes

Dive Equipment Rental

Blackbeard’s is a pretty efficient operation. Take a look at our dive deck. This is where equipment is stored throughout your trip. Nothing fancy but we get the job done.

• Dive tanks – Aluminum 80s, with 100s (available upon request) and 63s (limited supply)  and weightbelts

Available for rent:

• Regulator – $50.00 per week
• Dive computer – $50.00 per week
• Dive light (torch) – $30.00 per week
• Wetsuit – full – 3mm – $35.00 per week
• Buoyancy compensator – various sizes available – $50.00 per week

How it works: The Trip Application form is where you’ll order rental dive equipment. Payment will be made on board. 

• Dive Instruction

Our dive crew is here to help you. You can complete your certification course on board and/or advance your certification level with our instructor.

Available courses :

• Open Water Checkouts – $100.00 ($25.00 per dive)
• Discover Scuba – $125.00
• Advanced Open Water – $150.00
• U/W (Underwater) Naturalist – $125.00
• Deep Diver – $125.00
• Night Diver – $125.00

Ask the instructor upon boarding if they have any other specialty courses they can offer you.  

How it works: On the Trip Application , indicate if you’d like dive instruction. Pricing is detailed on the Dive Instruction page and payment is made while on the boat.

204 Hospital Dr NE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 USA [email protected] U.S. and Canada: 800.327.9600 Worldwide: 954.734.7111

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