Online booking

[jameseg]

Question for All Star Liveaboards: has any consideration been given to developing an online booking system? I didn't see this option on your website. I find this much preferable to inquiring over the phone or via email, as I can quickly cross-reference flight options over multiple months.

If others are anything like me when it comes to booking liveaboards, I expect you'd get a good return on the investment.

Thanks!
James

 

[All Star Liveaboards]

Question for All Star Liveaboards: has any consideration been given to developing an online booking system? I didn't see this option on your website. I find this much preferable to inquiring over the phone or via email, as I can quickly cross-reference flight options over multiple months.

If others are anything like me when it comes to booking liveaboards, I expect you'd get a good return on the investment.

Thanks!
James

James,

Thanks for the question. We are in the process of developing a system that will be a bit more interactive. There are a couple of problems with online booking. One is that the availability will never be 100% accurate. Frequently groups will make reservations without having sold all of the space they requested. An online booking system may show a charter as occupied, but if you contact us we may be able to reach out to groups booked on certain dates or even shift space around to accommodate a request.

Depending on the vessel space may be limited to a single female, single male, triple, quad, single supplement or double occupancy. With so many different ways to book the same space it is difficult to allow a guaranteed reservation to be made through an online system.

We also place tentative holds on spaces while customers can look for airfare or check with their employer for time off. These tentative holds can often fall through and space comes available again. The most accurate availability can be provided when contacting us by phone or email. Hope this answers your question.

Thanks!
Kevin Purdy
All Star Liveaboards

 

[jameseg]

Thanks for the reply, Kevin. I said "booking" in my post, but actually what I meant was "checking availability", which perhaps is slightly less challenging in that it's less important to be 100% accurate.

In any case, will look forward to seeing what you develop, and hope to dive with you guys in the (hopefully near) future.

James