LDS Dive Trip

[jjach]

The LDS that I have been dealing with is arranging a trip to Bonaire next fall. I checked the web site for the resort that they will be staying at, and compared prices. The package from the LDS is exactly what is on the resort website. But the price from the LDS is almost $600.00 more per person. Is this normal for the dive shop to charge that much more for a trip or are they just trying to get all their employees a free trip?

 

[Divedoggie]

Does the LDS trip include airfare, ground transfers, car rental? After you investigate a little further, you should directly ask the LDS trip organizer to see what the answer is.

Then let us know!!

If someone from the shop is acting as a guide and a group leader, and that person can help with travel confusion, escorting you on dives to unfamiliar sites, etc., then it may be worth a bit more $ to help pay that person's expenses.

If there are a bunch of LDS employees tagging along for a free ride, call them on it, and book your own trip!

 

[Hockeynut]

I'd say book your own. I've heard the drama with group trips can get a little old.

 

[EvaL]

Sometimes the group pays for the organizer's (DM/instructor from your LDS) accomodation and perhaps airfare as well. Also, the prices are locked in based on the quote from a travel agent, so if air ticket prices fall a week later, there isn't any re-adjustment. The upside of such trips is you get to travel with and dive with people you know (if you really like them that much). And if the group leader has been to the destination, you get an experienced guide.
I tend to return to the same dive destination, so I usually don't bother and just book through Bay Adventures, island Dreams, Caradonna etc., which usually have lower prices anyway.
Dive safely.

 

[Toolbox-13]

I'd say book your own. I've heard the drama with group trips can get a little old.

I agree Book Your Own Trip...

 

[TheHobster]

I posted this with our club 3 years ago - it still makes sense as I had a discussion with somebody already on that today

Why a Group Trip With the Shop?
I have been asked a number of time why people should take a Divers Supply, Indy sponsored trip. After all, you could book it yourself and save money, right?

Well, yes and no. You could book it yourself, but the saving money part may, or may not, happen. Let's take as an example the Grand Turk trip this past August. Airfare to Grand Turk alone is $898 according to Expedia; the 7 day dive package is $837; plus 4 days of meals at $40 per day adds up to $1,895. We charged $1,650, so it is already a great deal as we saved you over $200!! That's a value friends.

Next, do you have the time to book a trip and find out about each location? Let’s face it, the 40 hour work week for many of us is done by Thursday! We don't have time to do the research, book the trip, book the hotel, book the diving, etc. Let our fingers do the walking for you. Plus we will be there to answer questions, alleviate problems, etc for you. Additionally, you will have a friendly, knowledgeable contact to ask the questions you may be too embarrassed to ask the local staff (items like tipping, proper etiquette for seasickness and the like).

Lastly, as well as helping you through the air and land items, we are also there to help with the diving related items as well. We will be more than happy with informal information sessions, as well as the formal training sessions. We have a wealth of info on both Grand Turk in particular, but also the critters in the Caribbean Basin in general.

So in short, by booking a shop trip:
• we save you money;
• we save you time;
• you have a friendly tour guide;
• we do everything but schlepp your gear and set your wake up call for you;
• we will probably throw a post trip party to show pictures, videos and reminisce

So, I ask you, is diving with a shop sponsored trip a good idea?? You bet your bottom dollar it is!

 

[DandyDon]

$600 more must include air. Yeah, the Lds generally sends people to lead the group and handle details, but they generally get a nice commission on the packages. They earn the commissions alright, as it's a working trip all the way, and some of those go to offset some of the expenses of those working - but they can't be charging $600 over. It's got to include air.

I do not agree with booking your own. A newbie will be much better off traveling & diving with the Lds group.

 

[almitywife]

dive shop trips are generally a bit more and if the group leader gets enough people to go then usually he/'she goes for free

personally - i dont do group trips,

BUT

shop trips are a great way of starting off your diving experieince (if youre a newbie-i havent checked your profile) so well worth the extra for the comfort of diving with like minded people (you hope) and the peace of mind of knowing you are travelling with others

ask questions - it is your money so you have the right

cheers

 

[victor]

I agree with DandyDon.
Go and ask your LDS whats included, I would be surprised if it does not include air fare or full board etc.

Normally the Airline and Hotel will offer a discount for a group booking. This normaly works out that one person can go free for about 8 to 10 customers. Thus if they can book 16 to 20 people then 2 staff members can accompany them. Most of these trips have a large percentage of inexpierenced divers.
The staff members normally work hard for there money, particularly in the first few days.
Travel and accomodation problems, customer gear failures on arrival need to be resolved, referals done, minor medical problems like ear infections, etc.
Then they have to act as insta buddies on many of the dives.

Yes I would quite happily take the hassle for a free week or 2 in Bonaire, please PM me if you are an LDS and need someone to help out on these trips

 

[spankey]

If your LDS is cleaver they will be getting STO rates which are somewhere between 5 - 25% less than Joe Public can get, so going with them should normaly be cheaper, if its not they are either ripping you off or there are other things included, like local tours, dives, air travel etc...

just ask them. Any good shop or company for that matter will galdly expain things.