Ok, here's one about my first trip to the Keys. I set up reservations three weeks in advance, excited about my first experience in south Florida, which was to be a full week. Morning #1, I head to the dive shop and get signed in to dive. The gal behind the counter seemed like it was her first day on the job. Lots of confusion and a couple delays, but I signed up for some dives. There were about 44 people on the boat the first day, about 2/3rds of them snorkelers. Note to self: don't EVER sign up(pay for) for multiple dives or a package without at least references first. It was to be a three tank outing. The reef was great, no complaints there. But, we were hurried from one site on the reef to the next. When it was time to eat their specialty, hot dogs, we had to take time out from the next dive. No time allowed to eat if you wanted the max. bottom time. The third dive I didn't even change tanks because I still had over half left from the second dive.(30'max depth) Anyway, we get back to the dock and as everyone was disembarking, the Capt. totally reamed the Divemaster in front of a lot of us, for trying to HELP! I felt bad for her and another guy even asked me about it later, wanting my opinion on if it was proffessional or not. I said "NOT", and told the owner what had transpired after talking to the DM. The next morning I was on my balcony enjoying the morning when the Capt, boarded the boat below to prepare for that days outing. When the Mate came on, The Capt. actually THREW parts of the onboard cooler in tantrum and started cussing LOUD to the mate about how someone complained about his actions yesterday and it was total b.s. There was lots of kids around the resort, too. I did not say anything to the owner but someone else must have, because he was fired that day or the next. Great, new Capt. on day 3 or 4! Things must improve, right? So after our wreck dive that day, my insta-buddy asked me to ask the Capt. to turn on the pump for the shower/rinse. So, I ask the Cap, "Hey, can you turn on the fresh water rinse pump?" Cap, "No, I'm driving the boat right now." Then he asked the Mate to turn on the pump switch. Well, I don't know the reefs around there and am not aware of all the dangers we may have been close to, but we were in apparently deep, open ocean. Why not just respond, "Please ask the mate." Or, "As soon as possible but give me a minute." No need to be rude. Enough about the boat crew, but suffice it to say, as a DM myself I try to give the best possible service to ANYONE while working in that capacity, and this was certainly not it. Before we left, the new owner bought me a beer and told me of the growing pains they were experiencing. He asked that I come back next year and give him my opinion then. Because of his frankness and honesty I likely will.
On the evening of day 2, I was wandering the canal and a guy across the way who was cleaning fish engaged me in a conversation. He seemed kinda like an old grumpy guy but knew his fish and talked about them and boats. I liked him right off. He asked me what I was paying at the resort and if we were happy with the room. I told him what I thought and what he said next floored me. He rented us his entire bottom part of the house:kitchen, living room, laundry, BIG bedroom, etc. for $30/day LESS than what I was paying at the resort. And he took us out fishing on his boat and would not accept gas $ under any circumstances. I tried hard to pay him but to no avail. He even tried to get us to stay another day to go "way offshore" as he put it, fishing again for big fish. We've been friends since, and THAT, my dive buddies, is customer service.