Christmas in PNG! Anyone dive w/Mike Ball?

[diver janet]

Just booked 10day trip w/Mike Ball in Papua New Guinea, Christmas in PNG!! We were going to go to Palau but figured, "25hrs vs. 34hrs on plane what the heck let's suck it up and go." We dove with several Australia locals that really liked them, anyone here dive with them?

You will love the Paradise Sport...great boat, great diving, great food. Mike had sold the company several years ago but as of last fall has purchased the company back and has upgraded all his boats......have a great trip! I took a group there in 2003 and we're going back next year.....

 

[divepix]

How do you top 2005? Go with our groups to Wakatobi - April, 06; Truk/Yap - June,06 and PNG on Mike Ball - October, 06. Check it out at www.mtss.net.

I looked at your web site, and thought your trip was quire expensive. For 1K more, I'm set to go to PNG as well but the cost includes the Star Dancer,two nights at Walindi, one night at Loloata, two nights in Australia, three nights in Oahu, and all flights. The stays on the liveaboard, and Walindi and Loloata include food. Hmmm, are you researching this? [/QUOTE]

The price on our website is the Mike Ball 10 night Milne Bay 2006 advertised price. We have not marked it up. You may have seen an AUD price on our site that has since been corrected to US pricing. Our price is $3,500 for a 10 night cruise. The price for Hughes Star Dancer for the same dates for 10 nights is $3,132. So you have a great deal IF you have purchased 8 nights, airfare and food for $370 total. But I doubt it.
In addition, the Ball boat is nicer and Hughes does not go to Milne Bay so the trips are different.
I have been booking liveaboards for groups for over 10 years and you may like Hughes' operation, but I can assure you, dive retailers in general think they are a pain to deal with, so I won't do business with them.
Thank you for your response, but please before you criticize me and my pricing in a forum, do more research and compare apples and apples. We have hosted hundreds of people per year for several years in the Caribbean and overseas and have an almost 100% satisfaction rate as evidenced by our repeat travelers.

 

[caymaniac]

I looked at your web site, and thought your trip was quire expensive. For 1K more, I'm set to go to PNG as well but the cost includes the Star Dancer,two nights at Walindi, one night at Loloata, two nights in Australia, three nights in Oahu, and all flights. The stays on the liveaboard, and Walindi and Loloata include food. Hmmm, are you researching this?

The price on our website is the Mike Ball 10 night Milne Bay 2006 advertised price. We have not marked it up. You may have seen an AUD price on our site that has since been corrected to US pricing. Our price is $3,500 for a 10 night cruise. The price for Hughes Star Dancer for the same dates for 10 nights is $3,132. So you have a great deal IF you have purchased 8 nights, airfare and food for $370 total. But I doubt it.
In addition, the Ball boat is nicer and Hughes does not go to Milne Bay so the trips are different.
I have been booking liveaboards for groups for over 10 years and you may like Hughes' operation, but I can assure you, dive retailers in general think they are a pain to deal with, so I won't do business with them.
Thank you for your response, but please before you criticize me and my pricing in a forum, do more research and compare apples and apples. We have hosted hundreds of people per year for several years in the Caribbean and overseas and have an almost 100% satisfaction rate as evidenced by our repeat travelers.[/QUOTE]

You may have had 100% satisfaction, but the fact remains that I too have 10 nights, although 3 are on land in PNG and then in addition 2 in Australia and 3 are on in Oahu, but my cost includes the FLIGHTS (Continental & Air Nugini).......does yours? Your right about apples to apples. But then maybe your customers have found their airfare to be only $1000, (actually my price is 47K compared to your 35K) then your trip would be closer to what I'm paying...then again I'm coming from GR Mi. which is probably farther than your trip. I'm sorry if you think you have a really good deal, I just think it can be done for allot less than what your web site says. I'm not trying to make you out to be a bad guy, but just state a fact. Maybe your customers would be happier paying less for more :11:
Peter Hughes has quoted prices in the past as more expensive if you are American or Japanese, I think this is very discriminatory and I have passed up on them in the past because of their business practice.

 

[cdiver2]

Quote divepix
Hughes' operation, but I can assure you, dive retailers in general think they
are a pain to deal with,so I won't do business with them.


before you criticize me and my pricing in a forum.

Whats good for the goose is good for the gander..or is it a one way street?.

 

[divepix]

Quote: Caymaniac
I'm sorry if you think you have a really good deal, I just think it can be done for allot less than what your web site says. I'm not trying to make you out to be a bad guy, but just state a fact. Maybe your customers would be happier paying less for more

You think it can be done for a lot less than my website says?? Just stating facts? I'm sure the readers of these forums would be interested in your vast wisdom as to how you get Mike Ball to "do it for a lot less" than the price they charge for a booking made 1 1/2 years out? I am charging $178 more than the price they charge anyone who signs up. Of course, there are only 3 10-night trips to Milne Bay in 2006 and I have one of them chartered. The listed rate for standard on Ball's website is $4,140 AUD. I am charging $3,500. With a .8 current conversion, that makes their rate $3,312.
My markup is justified due to ammenities we add to the trip (special gifts, some free meals before and after charter, T-shirt,advanced / specialty classes free or discounted, etc.) we add to our trip packages.
Paying less for more? What the heck does that mean? Anyone can book a trip to PNG for less than someone else. It's all a matter of when you travel, what you book, seasonal demands, etc.. My customers get what they want - the best dive experience possible at a fair rate. My daddy always told me: "cheap ain't usually good, and good ain't usually cheap". I have found that to be true after hosting dive groups for 15 years worldwide.

 

[divepix]

Quote divepix
Hughes' operation, but I can assure you, dive retailers in general think they
are a pain to deal with,so I won't do business with them.

before you criticize me and my pricing in a forum.

Whats good for the goose is good for the gander..or is it a one way street?.

You quote me out of context. Here was my statement.
" Thank you for your response, but please before you criticize me and my pricing in a forum, do more research and compare apples and apples."

My criticism of Hughes is based on over 15 years personal and professional knowledge and experience with their company. Caymaniac's criticism of me and my pricing was based on one post, a quick look at my website and his opinion of a trip he has booked at one price compared to a totally different trip I am pricing.

 

[caymaniac]

You think it can be done for a lot less than my website says?? Just stating facts? I'm sure the readers of these forums would be interested in your vast wisdom as to how you get Mike Ball to "do it for a lot less"
My markup is justified due to ammenities we add to the trip (special gifts, some free meals before and after charter, T-shirt,advanced / specialty classes free or discounted, etc.) we add to our trip packages.
.. My customers get what they want - the best dive experience possible at a fair rate. My daddy always told me: "cheap ain't usually good, and good ain't usually cheap". I have found that to be true after hosting dive groups for 15 years worldwide.[/QUOTE]



My experience started in 1986 with Peter Hughs. So I guess that would give me 19 years of experience worldwide! I can say he has done a great job from all those that I personally know, and this is not true of Mike Ball.
I wouldn't consider Walindi, Star Dancer, Loloata as "cheap", I would consider Mike Ball "over priced" and I would consider a company such as Trip-n-tour to be reputable and fair. If your price included air fare then I would say it was a good deal, but it doesn't. I think the forum readers should know it.
Read what "Undercurrent " says about Mike Ball, you don't have to just believe me. Of course maybe you don't recognize Undercurrent as reputable either.
You think only your trips are the best and there are no other alternatives because you're a 'professional'?
Maybe you should research your dive areas and access what boats are worth it. The Mike Ball trip I'm sure is a great trip, just way way over priced. And a 'after charter T-shirt' doesn't make the price worth it either. :11:

 

[Mr. Blues]

Just booked 10day trip w/Mike Ball in Papua New Guinea, Christmas in PNG!! We were going to go to Palau but figured, "25hrs vs. 34hrs on plane what the heck let's suck it up and go." We dove with several Australia locals that really liked them, anyone here dive with them?

You betcha! I think it was 2001 or 2?
A dive group canceled and they were anxious to fill the boat and offered half price so I jumped on it. There were only about 6 or 7 divers so it was like a vacation for the crew as well. PNG and INDO are tied for my best ever dives! YOU WILL have a great time.
Food, service, outstanding dives as well as interaction with local natives makes this trip most memorable. Get ready for a fabulous adventure. Top of the line.

 

[Allison Finch]

Quoteivepix
My criticism of Hughes is based on over 15 years personal and professional knowledge and experience with their company.

Hmmmmmm, well, I spend a month a year in PNG and have spent time on the 'Dancer. I have met the Mike Ball crew at anchorage, but know little about them other than what I've heard-not all complimentary. Be aware that the 'Dancer is an Alan Raabe boat along with the FeBrina. I can't say enough good things about his operation. He has forgotten more about diving in PNG than most captains there will ever know, IMHO. And I speak from REAL true experience.

 

[wallyaussi]

I am a travel agent and dive travel specialist so my comment is: the internet has given many people the opportunity to research and book online. Many think that they become experts. If there are no problems, and if one saves $, all is OK. If there are problems, then which electronic customer service agent do you talk to ? We pay doctors, lawyers, accountants , etc. a fee for advice-why not a travel specialist ? Sometimes there are some real bargains out there and I never would refuse a bargain from a legit agent. There are also scam agents !
RE Mike Ball- I had the email correspondence between Mike and UNDERCURRENT sent to me. Mike repurchased the company and is correcting the problems.I think that one can find a problem with any operation in a 3rd world country on a particular trip. Mike has a satisfaction guaranty (money back) in place for 2005.
RE Tufi- my May trip includes Highland touring, a nte at Walindi, a week on Paradise Sport, and 5 nts at Tufi. I like to get first hand knowledge of a destination .My clients appreciate it and rather book with a live person !
I have also dived in Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Fiji. If someone wants to dive a lower cost area, then Thailand is the place to go.