Deep discounts for last minute travel?

[Ron G.]

I'm sure the economy is adversely affecting dive resorts and liveaboards.

It seems like there should be some that will offer deep discounts for folks booking truly last minute travel....eg., a week or two prior (or even a month). These are spots that are definitely gonna be unsold. Empty rooms, unfilled boats.

I recognize the concern the concern about undermining their full fare pricing.

There have got to be people like me that would definitely consider last minute trips if the price reflected it.

I've wondered if I could call a resort (or a liveaboard) and try to wheel a deal for a spot a week or two away. Anyone done this?

Ron

 

[Louie]

Yes I've taken advantage of standby-rates and cancellation deals. Some agents and dive resorts will offer this option.

I've had a few discounts on liveaboards by booking late.

The idea is that while advanced bookings will ensure you have a place booked on a holiday/trip/flight, if you have the flexibility and are willing to risk not having your first choice, a last-minute booking can save you considerable money.

It doesn't really undermine full prices because that discount booking is one that would otherwise have been a non-booking had it gone for a full price.

 

[Damselfish]

one of the catches to this is that airfares are often higher at the last minute, so if you have to also buy a ticket to fly someplace at the last minute you've lost some of your savings. I've seen and heard of some great deals for people basically walking up to the dock a day or couple days before though.

 

[diversteve]

Call Explorer Ventures. They're offering $500 off a few select trips over the next 2 months.

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER
$500 OFF
Caribbean Explorer II -21-28 Aug, 28 Aug to 4 Sept, 4-11 Sept OR 11-18 Sept 2010 - Northeastern Caribbean
Turks & Caicos Explorer II - 21-28 Aug, 28 Aug to 4 Sept, 11-18 Sept 2010
# SPECIAL TRIP
SCUBAPRO DEMO WEEK -Sept 11-18 - Northeastern Caribbean. ScubaPro and Explorer Ventures will be offering a week where guests can test, try-out and learn about some of the newsest ScubaPro equipment available. Join us and also receive $500 off the trip price.

That makes all the Caribbean trips $1395 + fees or the (lower stateroom) Turks/Caicos trip in Sept. $1395 also.
Upper deck cabin is $1595 after discount + $200 fees. Either is en suite on the Turks/Caicos Explorer, the upper cabins have a window instead of portholes. And beds instead of u/l berths. We just did that in May.

I believe Hughes is offering a discount on some of their Belize trips also. Consider hurricane season also.

 

[--tom--]

Ocean Frontiers has a deal that made me whine 'cause I can't get the time off...
Scuba Diving Adventures - Dive Vacations, East End, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - Ocean Frontiers Dive Center

The green shorts special: $699 pp including dives, condo and car rental for a week.

 

[Doc]

.... is that airfares are often higher at the last minute....

And that's the crux of the biscuit.

 

[samaka]

Yup there are good deals to be found and sometimes you can make it happen by calling and tallking directly to the operator. Here is one page with offers for the Red Sea and if you have not been diving the Red Sea before you should give it a go. RED SEA BUSINESS NEWS This is UK prices so you'd need to check out their prices from US which I know they can do. But at least you get dates and itineraries here so oyu can plan what you want to do then check the prices directly with blue o two.

.....a.....

 

[kathydee]

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