I've been on only one dive trip through my LDS and it was more expensive than if I booked it on my own. As a general rule, I think trips are more money when you book them with your LDS since its a way for them to generate revenue. I have my circle of dive buddies now and we usually book vacations by researching on our own and booking everything with websites such as Expedia, Travelocity, etc. and also with the dive operations directly. I've had good results so far.
it is a profit center for LDS..if not why bother? I offer continue education on our sponsored trips.No charge for ow training dives or advance or most specialties-just pick one.
I advise people get their own airfare, I tell them the flight schedule that group is using,or I do it at the store while they are standing in front of me on the stores computer,putting them on same flight schedule as everyone else.
If a person is traveling single and has to pay single rate at the resort when booking themselves alone,then a LDS trip is usually less expensive. Reason is LDS is working on dbl/triple/quad occ. and may add a few dollars on land package to make it profitable,but still less for customer if they were traveling single.
.LDS takes the risk of filling spots and having to get a person to share room with a single traveler who signs up to join group. ..if cannot get a roommate LDS usually makes up the difference.I have 1 older male traveling with us next month on my Bonaire trip(14 people on the trip) and he REQUESTED a condo unit for himself-alone-solo- so he is paying published rate for the resort, about $650. more than anyone else on the group, his choice, LDS is only making standard 10% commission on his booking.
I am placing a single female in a bedroom by herself as we could not get her a roommate and she is NOT being charged any different than anyone else who is sharing a bedroom.Its only fair way to do it.
If traveling with with a few friends then it may be less expensive not to go on a group trip sponsored by the LDS,but they can still book it thru the LDS at published rate and LDS gets a commision from the resort,resort usually does not give commission to individuals booking themselves..
If someone walks into the store and wants to go somewhere on their own I sell it to them the same as if they book it themselves-published rate- and take care of any questions/detail..Does not matter if they are single or dbl occ.The LDS only gets a commission from the resort for booking them for the service..nothing from the airlines.