NYCNaiad
Dive babble all day long
Diviac as mentioned above apparently does last minute trips, but I've personally found last minute liveaboard trips using the steps I listed in the post directly above yours.
who should I book a liveaboard through
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Diviac as mentioned above apparently does last minute trips, but I've personally found last minute liveaboard trips using the steps I listed in the post directly above yours.
drrich2
Contributor
Question about last minute live-aboard trips; to what extent, if any, do people find higher airfare cost offsets the savings of the discounted trip?
Richard,
Richard,
NYCNaiad
Dive babble all day long
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound flip. I haven't seen others out there aside from Diviac & would love to know if others exist. However, many of the "last minute" or "special deal" sites I've seen are just aggregators where the deals seem great until you try to book them.
I look at flight costs as I'm booking my trips. Only once did the flight cost dissuade me from booking the liveaboard. Most of the time, it either equals out or once in a while is still cheaper.
Shasta_man
Contributor
<<do people find higher airfare cost offsets the savings of the discounted trip?>>
My experience has been that the flight cost can certainly offset the discount since the discount is usually more towards hundreds rather than thousands, but anything could happen and it really depends on the location. I was trying to go to more unusual locations so airfare was at a premium while more traveled places had higher potential to be cheaper. At the same time the more traveled places have more likelyhood of selling their flights so maybe they don't discount so much but you could go round and round and it really depends on the specific deal. It also depends on what you define as last minute. Last minute, as in two weeks ahead, more flight choices, last minute as in this weekend, then flight choices are typically narrower and a higher markup, but as mentioned, the most accurate example is the specific deal you are looking at. I don't use miles for travel so those people could also have more choices.
My experience has been that the flight cost can certainly offset the discount since the discount is usually more towards hundreds rather than thousands, but anything could happen and it really depends on the location. I was trying to go to more unusual locations so airfare was at a premium while more traveled places had higher potential to be cheaper. At the same time the more traveled places have more likelyhood of selling their flights so maybe they don't discount so much but you could go round and round and it really depends on the specific deal. It also depends on what you define as last minute. Last minute, as in two weeks ahead, more flight choices, last minute as in this weekend, then flight choices are typically narrower and a higher markup, but as mentioned, the most accurate example is the specific deal you are looking at. I don't use miles for travel so those people could also have more choices.
We've dived with a number of different liveaboard operators and had great times with all of them, but the Aggressor Fleet remains our favorite - but it is one of the most expensive liveaboard vendors.
However, they regularly offer "Specials" and some of them are very good, see the link below. And once you take a trip with Aggressor (even on a Special) you become a member of their "Dive the World Club" and will qualify for 25% off for various weeks and vessels, see the second link below.
Also, for the last few years, Aggressor has offered +30% discount on all/most of their boats and weeks. This discount is offered during the first few months of the year. You don't have to travel at start of the year, but you have to book at that time and travel before the end of the year. I don't know if they will offer this special again in early 2018, but it would be worth checking out.
Fall is typically the slow season in the Caribbean and many resorts and liveaboards offer discounts but you will run a higher risk of bad weather or even hurricane.
Being able to travel at a moments notice is a great option but keep in mind that some countries require entry visas or vaccinations, so that can slow up your ability to travel. Plus, as already mentioned, sometimes last minute airfares can be pricey. So it wouldn't hurt to keep your eyes open for good deals and plan some of the trips in advance.
As far as traveling single, most LOBs will book you at the double occupancy rate (or quad occupancy depending on the room) if you are willing to share the room with (usually) a same gender room-mate. And if they don't book the other bed(s) you will get the entire room to yourself at the discounted price.
Aggressor Fleet - Official Website
https://www.aggressor.com/divetheworld.php
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drrich2
Contributor
They did indeed, and it's a free access article available to the public. Those Internet-based Dive Travel Websites, what they mean for you and the industry.
Richard.
That's a great article, thanks!
We have been booking our trips through the same travel agent for decades and I worry that she may retire soon. I always do my research and let her know what we are interested in, but she invests the time and effort and makes the arrangements. She has advised me well, made useful suggestions, and saved me from making mistakes a number of times over the years.
She is not a dive travel agent but she has become quite savvy over the years. She once told me that because of me and my husband she gets all the dive travel requests to her agency. She surprised me recently when telling me about my resort booking by saying "And I told them that you don't want a room near the compressor!" (She's right about that!)
I am pretty comfortable booking my own domestic airfare when traveling within the US, but when there is international travel involving multiple airlines, I find it best to let a professional make the reservations. I am usually not able to put all the air under one ticket but she has access (and/or skills) that I don't have.
It doesn't sound like a big deal, but if you miss a connecting flight because of delays on a separate airline/ticket. The other airline doesn't take any responsibility and may not put themselves out very much to help you get home - I have experienced this personally. But when it is all on one ticket, each of the airlines recognizes that that they are responsible to help you.
I have read comments from @DandyDon saying that he uses a reliable travel agency for his trips, and it saves him time and headaches, but I think that oldtime dive travelers like us (and the travel agencies!) are decreasing in numbers.
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Interesting read ... I agree that it pays to be working with an agent who knows your preferences. I love booking with Liveaboard Adventures - Dive your dreams for most of my travel because they have traveled extensively, and know what I like and what I expect. I will also book directly with the boats. I also learned the hard way that it is a good idea to have the boats book your domestic flights as well (especially in Indonesia), that way when something gets cancelled or changed they are the first to know. I have a few friends that use Equator Diving for their trips as well Equator Diving
If you are looking for last minute deals, I would highly recommend liking operators Facebook pages. I follow the boats that I like (or boats that I want to go on) and they often have last minute deals. I also recommend you look at who charters boats. When I first started booking boats I noticed that many boats are sold out due to charters. This does not mean that it is full so if you are interested contact the rep for the charter and see if you can go. Many charters have last minute cancellations, so it pays to be in the know. I have made some great long lasting friendships this way.
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