Does anyone know of Travel agencies that specialize in dive trips that have very good deals? My local dive shop has trips but they seem really quite expensive compared to what I can find myself for flights/hotel and using a local dive guide. However, it would be nice if there are good deals out there. I'm in the San Francisco bay area but can buy over the internet/phone for trips. Thanks.
Cheap Travel Agencies specializing in Diving?
- Thread starter bober99
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Here's some - we used Aquadreams this summer to book a condo/car this summer, but saved more booking our own flights. PADI also has some pretty good deals through their PADI Travel Network website - though I don't know if you have to be a PADI member to use them. Tried Expedia?bober99:
www.aquadreams.com
www.caradonna.com
www.maduro.com
www.ultimatedivetravel.com
Diver Kat
Contributor
bober99:
I've only used an agency for booking a dive trip twice. Once was World Dive www.worlddive.com (because we were going with friends who'd already booked) and the other was Maduro (because they we were going somewhere new and wanted some security).
World Dive's price for the package was the same as booking directly. Tried to use them for a second trip since the agent seemed good. Unfortunately, she knew nothing about the destinations and just pushed the hotels they had on special. Didn't use them again.
Maduro's price for where I wanted to go was lower then anything else I found, and, we had a major problem with the dive op, which they handled quite quickly upon our return. I got refunded for the dives we didn't get due to the op's screw up, no hassles. They even copied me on the letter to the resort and on-site op regarding the problems we had. Great service and if I decide to use an agency again, I would make it Maduro soley for their reliable service.
As for your LDS marking up the trips, well, it's usually for profit only. If you check with any resort, dive op or even dive travel agency, when booking a group you will almost always get the 10th diver free. Most will give that deal to anyone booking 10+ people. You don't have to be a dive shop.
World Dive's price for the package was the same as booking directly. Tried to use them for a second trip since the agent seemed good. Unfortunately, she knew nothing about the destinations and just pushed the hotels they had on special. Didn't use them again.
Maduro's price for where I wanted to go was lower then anything else I found, and, we had a major problem with the dive op, which they handled quite quickly upon our return. I got refunded for the dives we didn't get due to the op's screw up, no hassles. They even copied me on the letter to the resort and on-site op regarding the problems we had. Great service and if I decide to use an agency again, I would make it Maduro soley for their reliable service.
As for your LDS marking up the trips, well, it's usually for profit only. If you check with any resort, dive op or even dive travel agency, when booking a group you will almost always get the 10th diver free. Most will give that deal to anyone booking 10+ people. You don't have to be a dive shop.
If it's in the states, I would just do it myself, it's about as easy as using an agent.
For Caribbean travel, I have been very pleased with Caradonna (link above). I had some trouble with the Maduro site. Somehow they got my email adderss and kept sending me unwanted emails. They would not respond to my complaints and the only way I got rid of them was to put them on a junk mail list. They might be OK but I can't recommend them because of that. Caradonna has only sent me emails that were direct answers to my questions or updates on my trip plans with them.
For Caribbean travel, I have been very pleased with Caradonna (link above). I had some trouble with the Maduro site. Somehow they got my email adderss and kept sending me unwanted emails. They would not respond to my complaints and the only way I got rid of them was to put them on a junk mail list. They might be OK but I can't recommend them because of that. Caradonna has only sent me emails that were direct answers to my questions or updates on my trip plans with them.
DennisS
Contributor
I've had good luck with these folks. Tell them what you want and they'll work with you.
http://www.bayadventures.com/
http://www.bayadventures.com/
I have been a diver since 1980 
and I do travel for divers all the time, its my specialty. You pay the same price with me, as you would dealing directly with vendors, maybe even lower when I find DEALS they don't tell you about. I do the travel agent thing for the perks, free trips, Fams, etc, not the commissions. It has been my pleasure to dive all over the world while serving in the Marines. I have been diving Yucatan Mexico, regularly for the last 6 years and know the area well. As a knowledgeable diver and traveler my experience could be of aid to anyone in making travel arrangements. If I dont know the area where youre going, I will do the research for you to make your stay an excellent, comfortable, FUN journey and memory.
www.greatexpeditions.biz
:06
and I do travel for divers all the time, its my specialty. You pay the same price with me, as you would dealing directly with vendors, maybe even lower when I find DEALS they don't tell you about. I do the travel agent thing for the perks, free trips, Fams, etc, not the commissions. It has been my pleasure to dive all over the world while serving in the Marines. I have been diving Yucatan Mexico, regularly for the last 6 years and know the area well. As a knowledgeable diver and traveler my experience could be of aid to anyone in making travel arrangements. If I dont know the area where youre going, I will do the research for you to make your stay an excellent, comfortable, FUN journey and memory. www.greatexpeditions.biz
:06
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