Bonaire 2002

[Natasha]

Several divers have told me they want to go to Bonaire next year.
Do you want to go, and if so what's your price range, and when do you want to go?
I've stayed at the Plaza Resort Bonaire, and dove with Toucan Diving. Both exceeded my expectations.
Let me hear your thoughts!
:sunny:

[TexasMike]

What was the length (days) and cost of the last few trips?

[Natasha]

Mike,
The last trip was in March of 2001. That is high season for traveling, since spring break allows for more people to travel.
That said, we paid 1100.00 a person for a share. It was 7 nights in a 6 star resort. This included daily breakfast, unlimited shore dives, 8 boat dives, taxes, transfers, T shirt, and party. There were 22 divers that went. Several of them were from this board and posted trip reports, in Bods, Brains and Bonaire..Under 'Travel' 'Caribbean' back in March/April. Let me know if you can find the link!
:sunny:

[SpyderTek]

This sounds like a good time and a good price. pending more information this sound svery do-able to me.

I'll check to see how my two closest dive buddies feel about it.

SpyderTek

p.s. My B-day is March 6th so maybe I can get it paid for as a present also! hehehe

[Natasha]

Happy Birthday March 6th. But, this March 2nd to March 9th 2002 the group trip is to Cozumel. If you haven't been there think about going. If you have been there, then you know how great it is! Fourteen divers are going so far, and we'll be taking more up to December 1st.
Bonaire will also be in 2002, but not in March. So sorry. We were thinking about September 02, which would bring the price down.
Would that still work for you?
:sunny:

[neilstewart]

Hi Natasha

I have yet to fill my travel plans for late 2002 and was thinking Bonaire anyway, ideally mid October. Please keep me posted on this trip.

Thanks

Neil

[Butch103]

Natasha....from us up in the $ challanged Canada...any idea of the cost of flights etc from Toronto etc. I understand the prices you have quoted are in USD. But any thoughts for us up here , or do you have any connections up here in Canada whom we can contact or work thru..??

Thanks

Butch :Peace:

[Natasha]

Neil,
Of course UK divers are invited! It would be wonderful to have the UK join us this trip. There were several divers from Germany and Amsterdam down there, when we were there.
September will be a bit less costy then any other month. October is our big scuba convention here, called DEMA. But both months are still a possibility. I'll post prices next week, along with a date.
Butch,
Here is what I found out about air prices. Air Canada is 546.89 U.S. or 862.33 Canadian, right now. This would take you from Toronto to Miami, Miami: Aruba, Aruba,:Bonaire.
Or you could go on Air Jamaica. This would be getting to say , Chicago, then to Jamaica, then straight into Bonaire. It's150.00 more for this as of today.
Once we narrow down a date, we can look more closely to the air. I did have a Canadian woman go on the trip last year. She was a rescue diver from Saskatchewan!
:sunny:

[SpyderTek]

Natasha,

You said about last year Bonaire, "...1100.00 a person for a share.." was that not including airfair?

ST

[DivingGal]

At this time you can count me in. I'll start saving the pennies and dimes... Mid-September is better for me, but heck you arrange it, and as long as the boss says yes to time off I'm there.

Great idea Natasha

[Natasha]

DivingGal,
That's great! You're counted in!
Spyder,
So sorry for the confusion. Yes, Bonaire is in the southern Caribbean, and air is not included in that price. You are always welcome to use mileage awards with all my trips.
It's the 7 nights in the resort, the unlimited shore diving (They set up filled tanks on the beach 24 hours a day) the full daily breakfast, and the 8 boat dives. All taxes and transfers, and the farewell party too.
Start saving now! Mid September will probably be the date. I'll call and block space this week coming up.
:sunny:

[Natasha]

Bonaire fall prices are quite a bit less then spring.
Here ya go.
For September 14th to September 21st, 2002
643.00 US a person share
1216.00 US for your own room
This includes
7 nights laguna view LARGE room
6 boat dives (1 tank)
24 hour unlimited shore dives
taxes and transfers.
Add 76.00 if you want full daily breakfast.
If we go October 5th to October 12th
it's 92.00 more per person.
I'm holding 10 rooms for both dates right now.
Let me hear your thoughts.
PS They are asking for 100.00 deposit per person.
Also, we are using the Plaza Resort and Toucan Diving. I have used both. Fantastic.
www.plazaresortbonaire.com

[DivingGal]

The September dates are better for me. When would they need the deposit?

[Natasha]

As soon as we make the dates final, and hear from more people, we can take deposits.
:sunny:

[DivingGal]

I have penciled the trip in my planning for next year, but I'm going to have to pray for a seat sale for the flight. Converting the hotel, air fare etc from US$ to Cdn $ gets pretty high.

I'm not counting it out yet - I'll be watching for sales, and asking my agent to snoop too.

[sea nmf]

The Sept dates are best for me. Who would be the best to fly from Seattle? That way, when you finalize the dates, I can keep an eye out. Also, when you finalize the dates, do you also let us know if there are a couple of flights out of Miami that most folks will be taking (U.S. divers)?

Okay, all you International board members - let's see you down there! We can all wear our NDI Club T-shirts!

[Natasha]

Hi,
I have had a great response to this trip. Most of it has been in PMs, or my personal email, but that is fine.
Yes, I always do my best to hook the flights up with other divers going. American is probably going to be your best bet. But we can check Air Jamaica too.
Right now I have 14 divers going to Cozumel, and we're all but one leaving Coz the same time, and going to Houston to connect to our other flights to various cities. It's a lot fun that way.
:sunny:

[socaldiver]

Natasha,

I would also like to add my name to the trip in September. The dates appear to be ok.

[Natasha]

OK Great! You're on. And I assume your pretty lady friend, that got you into diving will be your buddy?
:sunny:

[socaldiver]

Thanks Natasha, you assumed right that she would be coming along.

DISCLOSURE: By going on this trip I am not converting to one of them thar CAD's.

[neilstewart]

Natasha,

Just met a Dutch couple in TCI who have given me a complete run down on Bonaire. Willem has been all over the world and rates Bonaire as his top destination including staying at the plaza and diving with Toucan.

I am definitely on for this trip sharing or solo no problem. Let me know when you need a deposit.

Neil

[Natasha]

Neil,
Thanks for the thumbs up. Trust me Bonaire, and the Plaza, and Toucan will all exceed our expectations again!
This trip is really shaping up. I am going to hold more rooms, because some of the 22 divers that went with me last time, are going to want to go back.
I'm going to start a new thread soon with the list that is going, and more details. Look for Bonaire 2002 part 2.
:sunny:

[Natasha]

Please check Bonaire trip 2002 #2 for updated info.
Thanks.
:sunny: