Dive ops: pimping vs legitimate info

[MMM]

I'm probably going to get roasted but have been thinking about this a while now. I acknowledge that folks have their favourite dive ops. Different strokes for different folks. Sometimes commenters note this and sometimes it's just a general endorsement. "We love so and so and would never dive anyone else because they are the best." (No comparative experience of other Coz ops - face it, bar is high!)

I wonder if commenters to the question of "recommended dive op" might be willing to, when recommending why a particular op, indicate why they are superior to other ops. And if that knowledhe is lacking, so note. Otherwise, well I don't know what. Just seems to be lots of cheerleading occurring which may not reflect relative op balance.

Maybe this could become a sticky FAQ.

Discuss.

 

[billindenver]

Amen Sister.

 

[amberyan10]

I agree totally. I have my favorite dive op, but my reasons for him topping my list maybe totally different than other diver's expectations of a top performer . I beleive that when recommending a dive op you should be very straightforeward on why you like that particular op.

I have only been diving with my personal favorite in Cozumel. I have often thought about diving with someone else, just to test the waters. But, I love diving with them so much and they always go out their way to take care of me, I almost feel as if I am "cheating" on them if I were to go somewhere else! That is whole other post!

Great point though-
Amber

 

[DandyDon]

I know. I have tried a few over the years, but even then - some of my experiences may be dated, and certainly from my own perspective. I find the question impossible and the usual answers just pimping myself. I usually try to ask what they want - cheap & no frills vs valet & premium fees, but there is more to it that that. Eh, it's a discussion topic at best when they ask, but some here do seem to insist their choice is the only best one?

 

[Nevis Diver]

Scuba diving is a sport that yields relationships that are unlike any I have experienced. If you take away the aspects of discussion boards in general, one is still left with an unusual level of committment from divers to their LDS's and the ops used on CZM. I am not sure how it pans out with other destinations but my guess would be that there is nowhere else that has as many choices of ops servicing one place as CZM.

I have personally experienced situations where several dive instructors and also dive shop owners enjoy being fed by the adoration of their clientele, and it seems that the clientele enjoy the feeding just as much. There is probably a better word than feeding but it is early yet. I think the unusual loyalty may come from students that at least in their minds, surrender control of their lives and safety to an individual they usually have known for a very short time and with the completion of the journey of certification comes a life long bond between student and instructor. This does not apply to everyone, of course... But, while I may not be getting it exactly right, I think I may be touching on something close that would explain the loyalty we see here to one op or another.

MMM has it right when she says there are an infinite amount of "different strokes for different folks" and what is great for one is a disaster for another. While I have visited the island about 10 times over the past 4 years (certified in '05) I have personally only dove with two ops on the island, one of the largest with no personal service and one of the smallest with the highest level of service. They are both really good, but very different.

I believe that instructors, divemasters and op owners should work really hard to not lose sight of the loyalties we feel towards them and strive to continue to earn that loyalty by realizing we are giving them our very hard earned money and turning at least some of our safety over to them. It is not a given that a customer will be one for life.

I also believe that we get caught up in who dives with whom, but the real reason for our trips are the reefs... our loyalty is to them both literally and spiritually. I mean, who among us does not achieve a sense of total calm and relaxation and peace while drifting along totally motionless while the magic of the reefs wash over us. (Whoa, I almost put myself to sleep there ! )

One last note is that those of us that are divers, friends, students and customers plan our trips to CZM sometimes almost a year in advance or as soon as the airlines will let us book a flight. We then get to spend the next several months looking forward to the trip, seeing old friends, diving, eating, drinking, etc. So when we drop an owner an email asking about scheduling, costs, procedures, well, anything at all, what we are really saying is hey, I have a long time before I get there to dive, but throw me a bone and tell me about something that happened or something that will keep my looking forward to the trip alive... it makes a difference.

Thanks for listening. See you on the reefs.

 

[cicopo]

I've dove with at least 12 different ops over the years & have made several friends one of which has now started his own so I want to dive with him next trip too. I rarely recommend one single op because there are so many variables but I also understand that some ops can exceed a divers expectations on their first trip, and that makes them into a really big fan. I've read enough trip reports to suspect that many are ringers, meaning I don't think the writer is just a customer spreading the word vs an interested party trying to sway opinions.

 

[Rhone Man]

A thread got resurrected the other day about a Dive Op (in Cuba of all places) who was criticised for short safety briefings and basically letting the divers do what they liked once they were off the boat.

For evey diver who thinks that is a deplorable safety nightmare, there is another who thinks that it is a dream come true having an operator who will will not nanny you.

As you say - different strokes for different folks.

 

[BrewingDiver]

I agree with everyone. In fact, this common question came up recently in the Mexico section, and you can see my response. Check it out:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/mexico/293507-im-looking-good-dive-operator-cozumel.html

BTW, I have dove with 4 different operators in Coz, and have been happy with all, though we did a lot of homework (mostly here) first.

 

[blue steal]

This is a good thread. It is my first trip to COZ and based on my research so far there looks to be many dive ops, some very good, most okay, and some not. It really depends on what you are looking for. For me, a laid back, smaller operation with a more personal feel. Smaller groups diving. I like all in one..where the dive op and hotel are together. I would love to try many places, but usually when I find a good place, I stay there time after time.

 

[ggunn]

I'm probably going to get roasted but have been thinking about this a while now. I acknowledge that folks have their favourite dive ops. Different strokes for different folks. Sometimes commenters note this and sometimes it's just a general endorsement. "We love so and so and would never dive anyone else because they are the best." (No comparative experience of other Coz ops - face it, bar is high!)

I wonder if commenters to the question of "recommended dive op" might be willing to, when recommending why a particular op, indicate why they are superior to other ops. And if that knowledge is lacking, so note. Otherwise, well I don't know what. Just seems to be lots of cheerleading occurring which may not reflect relative op balance.

Maybe this could become a sticky FAQ.

Discuss.

Someone else has made this sort of commentary from time to time in response to the periodic "who's the best op" threads, now who was it..... Oh yeah, it was me.

Needless to say, I agree completely.