sebach
Contributor
Utila Cays diving is at the same property that CM used to be at... There are a couple important differences... Once again, capping the number of divers to 10 at MOST...vs what CM had which was 20+ on a boat that was smaller than the Utila Cays Diving boat. They set-up, wash and put away all of the gear saving guests their vacation time. The instructors have 1000+ dives in the Utila Cays alone. You pay for the experience...
And the price difference? Well, CM charges $35/dive (according to their website) and UCD charges $45-$31 (depending on how many people are on the boat). A PRIVATE boat will cost $45/dive. A boat with 5 people will cost you $35/dive. SAME price as CM - with LOADS more valueOh yeah...and the shore diving is FANTASTIC!
Well, the 2 times I spent 1 week+ there, I dodn't remember having 20+ divers on CM boat, but more in the range of 10 or maybe 12 (but I may be wrong). But I don't really care how many divers there are on the boat, what is important to me is the number of divers in the water around me. Diving on the north side, CM as it used to be or UCD will be probably the same : 1 DM/instructor with up to 4 divers or so, with no other boat around so less likely to meet a lot of divers group. (Not taking into consideration the fact that last time I was diving solo, so not seeing any diver for 90% of the dive).
Regarding to the additional service, I agree that there are people who prefer that someone else is taking care of their gear. I don't at all. I rely on my gear, and I won't let someone else setting it, or taking care of it (and in my experience, when I've had gear problems, it was more often that not, that is was due to a DM or crew "taking care" of it when I was not looking).
For the price difference, well, according to their website CM charge $25/ dive starting at 8 dives (it was $22.5 in 2011 summer), and there is a discount when you also dive on the afternoon (I think it was -20%).
According to UCD website, for 2-3 divers it's $50, at 5 divers it will be $45, and starting at 8 divers, it will be $35.
And equipment is at $35 a day versus included at CM. Not that I really care except in case of gear problem or delayed luggage.
So it looks to me that price difference is closer to twice the price than on par as you say. Except of course if you have first hand info that don't appear on UCD web site, as you present yourself as a dive shop owner/employee living in the Cays, with a picture of Hotel Keyla dock on your profile.
Let's be clear. I was disappointed when I saw CM moving from the Cays.
I was interested when I discovered that UCD was taking up the place, as the Cays and the north side were what made me come several times, and plan come back again.
But UCD/you decided to upgrade the standard (and hot water in hotel Kayla is a not a bad thing, even for an increase from $5 to $10-15), and the price tag for the dives has followed the same road, despite your claims. There's no shame in it, but you should be aware of that, not denying it.
