Question “Concierge Diving” Is that a thing or marketing babble?

[drrich2]

At the other end of the spectrum, I wish the more 'DIY' dive op.s advertised that. I say that because I think many people start off with mainstream Caribbean dive destinations where a lot is done for them (whether concierge or near concierge diving), and if that's all they've been exposed to, that may be all they know. It's a case of 'you don't know what you don't know.'

These people get more experience, and they hear about diving with the big sharks out of North Carolina or Jupiter, Florida, or maybe just decide to hit the reefs in the upper Florida Keys with an op. who doesn't do all that. They show up and maybe get an unpleasant surprise.

To me, it's not about either option being right or wrong, or 'good service' vs. 'you ought to be able to do that yourself,' it's about advance notice of how things will be, so divers can make informed decisions. Forewarned is forearmed.

It may come as a surprise to some people that some dive op.s at some destinations don't include rental tanks and weights in the dive package price. These op.s may serve a lot of local divers who bring their own, so the base package price is set lower.

 

[Johnoly]

Where is this if I may ask?

In Jupiter. If requested at the time of reservation, both DivOcean & Kyalami will remove tanks and gear from your vehicle. Both operators no matter what will load tanks in a dedicated tank cart and your dive gear in gear carts at the vehicle entrance and wheel them both down to the boat. They will ask if you want to sit in the shade or sunshine, then place your tanks and gear at your seat on the boat down on the pier. They do a great job.

 

[Doc]

I'm sorry that those who do not understand a term apparently feel it is necessary to make fun of it.

Concierge or valet diving is indeed a thing…..

But other than the DM dressing the diver in need of physical assistance, as anyone might well expect as a nominal thing, how would you describe it?

How is Concierge Diving different than the other 99 Caribbean dive-ops?

 

[Doc]

What a silly statement… and completely wrong - it’s just great service and making the experience as pleasant and efficient as possible!

Well, no one thinks that they themselves stink.

My silly statement is just going to wipe these guys out…

 

[Joneill]

Well, no one thinks that they themselves stink.

My silly statement is just going to wipe these guys out…View attachment 768276

Your silly statement was that they did that only to prevent you from bringing stink into the boat. They had rinse tanks with a perfume/deodorant in them and the wetsuits all stayed hung OUTSIDE on the dive deck or the gear deck post rinse - no one was going to not rinse their gear and then drag wet gear into the living areas of the boat!

My point was that it was done as a service and was appreciated. It was great to have someone there to help you quickly get your suit off (as needed) and take care of rinsing, hanging and returning it to your station before the next dive - the service was outstanding. Sorry if you have issues with that kind of service?

 

[schuylerclark]

I've had two different Caribbean experiences:

In Belize at a diving resort (not all-inclusive - Ramon's), our experience was the crew loaded tanks and your gear on the boat, you just stepped on and found your stuff. The crew swapped out tanks between dives and had plenty of snacks aboard (and a meal on 3 tank trips). Dive lockers were complimentary and each diver was responsible for rinsing their own gear (but not rentals). The staff would bring in personal gear left out to dry at the end of the day.

In Jamaica at Couples Tower Isle (an all-inclusive resort, but not as diving-focused), the experience was to meet at the shop and set up tanks, then wade out to the boat and climb the ladder. If it was a 2 tank trip, you also loaded up your second tank for 2 trips - again wading in and out. Crew didn't change out tanks (but a couple of times wanted to rearrange my wife's octo - moving it from the slot on her BCD labeled "octo pocket" to the D-ring on the right shoulder strap where it covered up her dump valve pull). Divers are responsible for rinsing gear - they'd store BCDs and regs at the shop, but no lockers for wetsuits, fins, etc. That said, our room wasn't that far away.

All in all, I was surprised that the all-inclusive resort had what I'd consider a lower level of service. I'm personally happy to haul and tend to my own gear, and don't really expect that sort of service anyway so anything nice I consider a bonus and enjoy.

 

[Robert H. Diver]

I don’t mind if they carry my stuff if they offer…I just don’t want them setting it up…

 

[Marie13]

At the other end of the spectrum, I wish the more 'DIY' dive op.s advertised that. I say that because I think many people start off with mainstream Caribbean dive destinations where a lot is done for them (whether concierge or near concierge diving), and if that's all they've been exposed to, that may be all they know. It's a case of 'you don't know what you don't know.'

These people get more experience, and they hear about diving with the big sharks out of North Carolina or Jupiter, Florida, or maybe just decide to hit the reefs in the upper Florida Keys with an op. who doesn't do all that. They show up and maybe get an unpleasant surprise.

To me, it's not about either option being right or wrong, or 'good service' vs. 'you ought to be able to do that yourself,' it's about advance notice of how things will be, so divers can make informed decisions. Forewarned is forearmed.

It may come as a surprise to some people that some dive op.s at some destinations don't include rental tanks and weights in the dive package price. These op.s may serve a lot of local divers who bring their own, so the base package price is set lower.

Yep. The warm water divers who want to dive the Great Lakes are in for a surprise, as well. They have to source their own rental gear, including tanks and weights.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Yep. The warm water divers who want to dive the Great Lakes are in for a surprise, as well. They have to source their own rental gear, including tanks and weights.

Every dive op on all of the Great Lakes?

 

[Marie13]

Every dive op on all of the Great Lakes?

I’m fairly familiar with the dive ops to western NY. Showing up to the boat and your tanks/weights automatically being there like in the Caribbean doesn’t exist here. Even in Toby with Divers Den, you have arrange for tanks separately. You have to go to the shop and haul your tanks to the boat. That’s at least how it was in 2019.