Help Me Decide if the travel expense is worth it.

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Curious to know the $$$$ you spent on such travels.

per person
Dive cruise $5k incl. park fees, fuel surcharges, and tips
Airfare $11k
Hotels $1k
We're retired, can't take money with us when we're gone.

This past year-and-a-half we did three trips to the western Pacific and Maldives. We used our points for the first trip to the Maldives, including a week at the Waldorf in London for free. After this last trip we have a ton of airline and AMEX points, the next trip overseas will cost almost nothing in terms of airfare and lodging. Looking at Bali or the Philippines. I hear both places are extremely expensive.
 
Curious to know the $$$$ you spent on such travels.
I bet that you spend as much if not more on your travels! :wink:
 
I bet that you spend as much if not more on your travels! :wink:

Yes. but I went to many dive trips in a year. I made 7 dive trips in 2021, 13 dive trips in 2022 and 8 dive trips in 2023, including at this moment. I’m on the way to Maldives, but I don’t go on business class, just premium economy.

Maximum fare / trip was $3000. Premium economy is good enough for me. I can save enough $$$$ flying on 3 premium economy rather than on 3 business class for another overseas trip to Indonesia or Philippines.
 
We're retired, can't take money with us when we're gone.
I'm too cheap. Any money left over goes to the kids. My parents gave my wife and I a head start and I intend to pass it on.
I flew from Paris to the states once in Business Class as a perk from Delta for loading bags on planes at $8.75/hr. It was fun, but even the aforementioned Premium Economy is a seldom purchased luxury. I usually buy the cheapest flight I can, only taking flight time and # stopovers into consideration. I can put up with a little inconvenience to prevent $3K-$4K from flying out of my pocket.
I just realized that with the money I save I could buy a TFX ! ? ... nah.
 
Yes. but I went to many dive trips in a year. I made 7 dive trips in 2021, 13 dive trips in 2022 and 8 dive trips in 2023, including at this moment. I’m on the way to Maldives, but I don’t go on business class, just premium economy.

Maximum fare / trip was $3000. Premium economy is good enough for me. I can save enough $$$$ flying on 3 premium economy rather than on 3 business class for another overseas trip to Indonesia or Philippines.

I have spent $42,782.74 on United Airlines this year. One more trip to London on Monday (returning on Wed) then I’m done for 2023.
 
I have spent $42,782.74 on United Airlines this year. One more trip to London on Monday (returning on Wed) then I’m done for 2023.

That’s a boatload of money on just United Airlines!
 
That’s a boatload of money on just United Airlines!

I could live year-round in a 3BR oceanfront condo in Cozumel for less!
 
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That’s a boatload of money on just United Airlines!
Loyalty has its benefits. I haven't seen what goes on behind the curtain for a while. Makes traveling to Indo a much more pleasant experience.
I could live year-round in a 3BR oceanfront condo in Cozumel for less!
My clients "might" object to that. :cool:
 
Given there are other places to go and other places to dive I need help deciding if it is worth it. I have dove most of the great places in the world, with my desire being large animals. Anyone have an opinion?
I am a big fan of the photography and writing of Don Silcock, who specializes in the hard-to-get-to. His website has two recent articles about Tubbataha, which may be of interest to you. Diving The Philippines - Tubbataha in the Heart of the Coral Triangle
 
Looking at Bali or the Philippines. I hear both places are extremely expensive.
Philippines extremely expensive?
It is all depend how you would like to spend the money. However, in all the diving places that I had been in the country, it is far from true. And I only used reputable operator.
As a diver you ought to go to Tubbataha and there is NO excuse not to. First dived there in 1997 and had returned couple of time.
Anilao + Tubbataha should make a very enjoyable and inexpensive trip.

Bali is the same.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/perdix-ai/

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