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EVFleet

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Location
Near Casper, Wyoming USA
We're glad you stopped in to our home on ScubaBoard! Here we'll be able to give you easy access information about our trips, ask us questions about which of our itineraries and vessels may be right for your next dive vacation, let you check availability, or share information about your trip.

Explorer Ventures began operation in June 1987, with the introduction of the original Caribbean Explorer to the Northeastern Caribbean. Today, we operate varied itineraries throughout the world, and 32 years later still concentrate on providing unique itineraries at an exceptional value. You can board Turks & Caicos Explorer II for weeklong itineraries in the Turks & Caicos Islands. If you'd prefer, Caribbean Explorer II runs both north- and southbound itineraries between St. Maarten, Saba and St. Kitts in the Northeastern Caribbean, combining a 5 dive per day schedule with available island tours to experience the history and culture of these unique destinations.

Looking for something farther afield? The large, luxurious Emperor Explorer in the Maldives, a brand-new vessel which began operation in August 2019, offers up to 4 dives daily, runs itineraries from 7 to 11 days throughout the Maldives, with the destinations varying seasonally to track the mantas and whale sharks and highlight the best of what the magnificent Maldives have to offer.

Or maybe you're looking for high-voltage, big animal action - in that case, join us aboard either the Humboldt Explorer or Tiburon Explorer in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, and experience first-hand the magic and ecological thrill that the islands offer. We offer 4 days diving the remote northern islands of Darwin and Wolf each week!

Still not quite what you're looking for? Take a look at the Blue Manta Explorer or White Manta Explorer, offering varying itineraries in incredible Indonesia - or the Grand Sea Explorer, offering the best of the Red Sea!

Whatever your interests, we've got a trip for you. Please browse our forum, and visit our website at www.explorerventures.com. If you have any questions, feel free to ask here or contact us separately, and we'll hope to have the opportunity to dive with you soon!

- Clay McCardell, President
 
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My GF is doing her 5th (I believe) ExVen trip in November on the Turks boat. I've yet to do any type of liveaboard. Would love to but time and finances for an independent instructor with a blue collar job make it tough. If you ever run a fam trip I'd love to try for that. I recommend ops I've used to all my students.
 
Hi Jim -

We don't usually run special familiarization trips per se, though we do occasionally host dive travel agents or press at somewhat reduced rates on short notice with space available. Feel free to email Mary at info@explorerventures.com - she'll be happy to send you an application.

Best,

- Clay
 
Clay,

I have to say, I was a little curious wondering how you would respond when the first reply to your op was looking for a freebie.

Nicely handled. I'm guessing you have spent some time in the diplomatic corps in a past life?

Good Luck, I would expect destinations go a long way to selling themselves.
 
Thanks, but - diplomat? If my friends and family (not to mention our staff) read this you'll hear the reaction to that one from a distance!

No big deal. You'd be shocked - shocked, I tell you - how often we get asked that. :wink:

- Clay
 
Was not asking for a "freebie". Many ops will extend a discount rate to shop owners, instructors, and travel agents as a courtesy in return for referring students and customers. But you never know unless you ask.
 
Hi Jim -

I use that line all the time - "can't hurt to ask" - very true!

In our case, we concentrate on incentives for group travel, and have the lowest free berth limit in the business - pay for 5, get one free, on any of our boats or itineraries (max 2 per boat). That's generally our incentive to refer us to students etc. And as you may know, once the pay for 5 full-rate trips on any of our boats, the average price paid is taken off the price of the 6th (we call it our 6th Trip Credit program), so maybe your girlfriend is at that point for her next trip.

And you're right, most dive ops will offer discounts of varying degrees to those who can send them business - that's what the familiarization application is for, to give us the information to make an informed decision.

Best,

- Clay
 
Howdy Clay!

I think it was a good idea to start this forum for your business. I see a lot of good reviews on your operation, boats, and crews.

After years of diving I did my first liveaboard last year and loved it. This year I booked an entire boat and filled it quickly with my friends. I hope to book one of your boats, probably the Turks & Caicos, for 2013. A lot of folks think that liveaboards are a lot more expensive than land based trips but if you are willing to share the free spots among the group then a week can be very reasonable and when you look at cost per dive, it is actually cheaper than most land based trips.

Your "free spot" policy is the best I've seen. A group of 12 friends can go for the price of 10 spaces. That can save several hundred dollars per person when shared equally.

Anyway, I look forward to following your forum.

Ashley Perry
Travel Coordinator for Reef & Ridge Sports
 
Thanks Ashley! We hope to see you and your group on board in 2013!

- Clay
 
Hi Clay,

Quick question about your liveaboards - how far in advance of a trip would you decide to cancel it because not enough people are signed up? I've paid my deposit for the Carpe Vita trip 8/15-22, but I don't think too many other people have signed up. I really want this trip to proceed because I've heard great things about the boat and the crew. If there's a chance the voyage could be cancelled, though, I have to start looking for another operator at some point just in case.

Thanks,
John
 

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