Thinking about learning to scuba

[samjj]

Have always been intrigued and am thinking about taking the "dive" and learning to scuba this year.

I am taking a cruise in March 2005 and thought it would be wonderful to scuba dive at one of our stops.

Question for you all - do you recommend that I do a "resort dive" to see how I like it? If I like it, then I could get certified. Or do you think I should take the classes, get certified, and then dive. The money for the class is not an issue, so even if I do get certified and end up not liking it after my cruise, I am not worried that I will have wasted the money.

I guess I want to know whether a "resort dive" is anything like the real thing or whether I will have a better experience if I get certified first.

thanks for your input!
Jaime