I have no idea right now if I could make it, but it sure sounds great!!
I wouldn't worry so much about the buddy situation. Just get with one of the smaller dive ops; there are so many threads recommending these that you might not have time to finish them all before Thanksgiving...anyhow, if you use one of those, you'll get "paired up" with a buddy; and to be honest, with the smaller better ops, it's more like a small group in which the DM and the other divers are in such close proximity that assistance is always right near by if it's needed.
If you're going alone, you might want a hotel either right in town or nearby, with lots of other divers. Again, there are tons of threads recommending these sorts of places, just search around and you'll find them.