Almost ready to book FI - Feb 14-21

[BettyfromToronto]

Well the LDS finally posted the price of their trip in FI February and it's $2049 Cdn. Ouch! I wondered about doing it myself to see the price difference and it's alot. I looked at FI's website and unfortunately the $499 special isn't available but they do have a special of $819 + 16% tax (versus the regualr $1040 + tax). That's $950 US which is not too much more since our Canadian dollar is doing well right now. So the airfare is $785 (no choice as only Sunwing flies Toronto to Roatan) for a grand total of $1735. Not counting the exchange for the hotel that's a total of $1735. That's a saving of over $300 each! Huge when you multiply by two.

So last night I was at the LDS buying a 3mm wetsuit and asked why the difference. It seems the special is only available on a certain number of rooms each week and they couldn't get those as they needed too many. So it looks like it will be cheaper to buy ourselves.

But the LDS owner says depending on the number of divers they have on their boat; we may even get to dive with them...or not. No big deal. It's always nice meeting new people. And if we dive with them; then their instructor could complete Joe's AOW. Didn't seem right to me taking business away from the locals but they say when they do a group it's allowed. He'll do his online piece first and then the open water dives down there. Last night he bought a compass as the two core dives for an AOW is deep and navigation.

Now I have a question about the rooms. After reading the many posts here I know at FI there are older rooms and renovated rooms. Which do you think are best and why?

I've heard old rooms are bigger and closer (to what? the dive shop? Is that really a good thing?) We don't need fancy but we want a nice clean working bathroom and a bed that isn't lumpy or have a spring sticking in your back. So which should we choose. FI booking agent said they could add our request for a renovated room to our reservation. Do we want to do this? On the resort map which rooms are considered old and which are new?

Also, how much is tipping at FI? At Sandals in Cuba it was alot. At Sandals in the Carribbean it's not even allowed. What is the norm at FI. Tip as you go or all at once at the end like on a cruise?

I've been reading this forum for months now in anticipation of this trip and now it's almost booked.

Thanks for everyone's help
Betty

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

I am not quite sure I understand fully your LDS's explanation of the price difference, but that's for them to work out with you. Regarding the other questions, there is no reason why Joe cannot complete his AOW at Fantasy Island. Just have whoever is doing the instruction prepare for him a universal referral form; the check out dives can be made at FI and their price is very reasonable for this. Rooms are really a matter of personal preference. We like to stay in proxmity to the main building--where the dining room, reception area, etc is located. However some folks prefer to be closer to the dive shop. Personally I don't think the walk from any area is very far, so to me it really doesn't make a difference. Tipping is "hoped for" at Fantasy Island. It is of course a personal matter, but generally a tip is given to the divemaster you are with for the week and to the boat captain. If you wish a tip can be left for the dive shop staff and the restaurant and housekeeping staff, and that is generally done at the end of the week, when you determine the guality of service you received.
My advice is hurry up and book, so you can get used to looking forward to experiencing some of the best diving in the Caribbean.

 

[DandyDon]

I tipped the boat crew on last day, but maids daily and waters at each meal as they change so much. Do they pool tips?

 

[Doc]

Well the LDS finally posted the price of their trip in FI February and it's $2049 Cdn. Ouch! I wondered about doing it myself to see the price difference and it's alot. I looked at FI's website and unfortunately the $499 special isn't available but they do have a special of $819 + 16% tax (versus the regualr $1040 + tax).

The low prices you are intrigued by are direct offers from ownership to consumer. There is no "room" in the price for a tour operator or travel agent (aka: an LDS) to make any money. Thus, they really can not offer those prices.

The motivation for an LDS to run a trip varies, but after they run them to generate further interest and buzz about their shop, they have a few other reasons:

1) As an add-on teaser for OW Certification "in paradise" after completing the confined water portion back home.

2) As a sales tool for "warm water" accessories like rash guards, magnifying glasses, additional dive lights, whatever else.

3) As a device to provide & reward trips to LDS staffers so that they may travel for free (sponsored by your additional charges) to perform trip leader services or any additional certs.

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

I tipped the boat crew on last day, but maids daily and waters at each meal as they change so much. Do they pool tips?

Do they pool tips?

I think they feel the money is clean enough-I've never seen them washing it in the pool

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

Guys, what happened to the PM option.....can you not send them anymore?

 

[DandyDon]

Guys, what happened to the PM option.....can you not send them anymore?

Don't see a problem. You might need to delete messages to make room for new ones?

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

Don't see a problem. You might need to delete messages to make room for new ones?

thanks will try that

 

[BettyfromToronto]

Thanks for letting me know you room preference Canjuncru Diver but are the rooms you like near the main building old rooms or new ones? I think you're right that any room isn't that far a walk to the dive boats so I think a renovated room would be nicer if not that much smaller. But hey how small is small? And who stays in the room very much?

Another quick question if I can please. Does FI supply beach towels?

Betty

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

Betty: Rooms are not small. They have either a King or two Queens, and more like a very small suite than like a standard motel room. The only very small rooms are the ones next to (west) of the dive shop and are used by folks who want to be right next to the dive shop. I personally don't care for them because of their size, but some folks like what the consider the convenience. All of the rooms on the first and second floor on both sides of the reception area are basically the same size. The rooms on the upper floor and to the left facing the reception area are generally the ones that have been refurbished most recently. As far as beach towels, I don't think FI supplies them but I am not positive because we usually dive all day long and don't use beach towels. Hope this helps