experiences traveling alone?

[kimchicowboy]

i'm pretty much the only scuba diver among all my friends. therefore, it's a PITA to schedule a vacation with them because i want to dive and they want to do other things. therefore, i want to just go on a dive trip alone.

have any of you done this? most deals i find are for double occupancy, except for liveaboards. does anyone know of any deals that don't require double occupancy? i'm looking for a trip to the caribbean in june or july from DC.

TIA!

 

[vondo]

i'm pretty much the only scuba diver among all my friends. therefore, it's a PITA to schedule a vacation with them because i want to dive and they want to do other things. therefore, i want to just go on a dive trip alone.

have any of you done this? most deals i find are for double occupancy, except for liveaboards. does anyone know of any deals that don't require double occupancy? i'm looking for a trip to the caribbean in june or july from DC.

TIA!

I travel alone generally for diving and other vacations. They quote double occupancy, but there is often a "single supplement" that you pay if you are by yourself. It should only be the price of paying for a whole room instead of half of one. If you see something you like, call and ask.

 

[BurBunny]

I frequently travel by myself. Yes, it's more challenging to get the better deals, but sometimes it helps to look at the prices not as a per-person price, but as half of the room, especially on packages.

When you see some place offering a terrific package, have your agent inquire about the single supplement. Often it's about 25-50% of the room only cost, which is actually a discount in the hotel's mind. They set a price per room, then advertise it as per person to make it sound lower. So if you get away without paying a full 100% supplement on the room, you've gotten a discount!

I know, it's a bit of a mind game, but when you understand the business, it helps a bit.

Also you might want to price the components separately. The packages are geared toward double occupancy for them to make enough to make it work. But compare what the pricing is with and without the package (and supplement) and see how you come out.

 

[Aquanautchuck]

I have done it several times. Usually I hook up at the resort with dive friends I know around the country. I always get a single room and just pay the single rate. It is not all that much more and works great for me. Don't let this put you off and go for it. The best trip I have ever had was to Roatan where I did not know anybody and by the end of the week did not want to go home.

Charles

 

[AXL72]

I usually go on dive trips alone, also. I do end up paying about 25% added cost to cover the room.

I have only been to places where there is no shore diving, which makes things easier, since it becomes very simple to join up with a dive buddy who also may be buddyless on the boat.

However, I was hoping to find some divers on here that were interested in Bonaire who could meet up and share a condo down there. Have not seen too many divers interested or planning something like that in June or July. I do not prefer to go with local dive shops in a group, because I end up paying a little more, which is expected, since the shop has to pay the rent, salaries of accompanying DM's, taxes, social security, and turn a profit. This is at least my oppinion of things.

Anyway, her is my chance to plug again. Anyone interested in diving in Bonaire, please pm me, and let me know. If you are looking to meet up with a dive buddy before hand, I might be able to join ya. I am planning to go in June/July, and may have something in the works. But I am sure I will be diving later this year again, and next year as well.

 

[ScubaLuke]

i'm pretty much the only scuba diver among all my friends. therefore, it's a PITA to schedule a vacation with them because i want to dive and they want to do other things. therefore, i want to just go on a dive trip alone.

have any of you done this? most deals i find are for double occupancy, except for liveaboards. does anyone know of any deals that don't require double occupancy? i'm looking for a trip to the caribbean in june or july from DC.

TIA!

I usually travel with my friends from the local dive club. It's worth checking to see if there's one locally.

But I've traveled solo for dive trips a couple of times. Both of those times on the Nekton. Once the boat was full and they assigned me a room mate. The second time there were only 12 people on the boat and I had a room to myself. No single supplement.

The only caution I would give is that since you could be assigned a random roomate who snores (like me) you should take earplugs.
Luke

 

[markfm]

If you're single, check the singles forum on this forum-- various trips get formed throughout the year.
(It's an opt-in area)

 

[oly5050user]

I usually go on dive trips alone, also. I do end up paying about 25% added cost to cover the room.

I have only been to places where there is no shore diving, which makes things easier, since it becomes very simple to join up with a dive buddy who also may be buddyless on the boat.

However, I was hoping to find some divers on here that were interested in Bonaire who could meet up and share a condo down there. Have not seen too many divers interested or planning something like that in June or July. I do not prefer to go with local dive shops in a group, because I end up paying a little more, which is expected, since the shop has to pay the rent, salaries of accompanying DM's, taxes, social security, and turn a profit. This is at least my oppinion of things.

Anyway, her is my chance to plug again. Anyone interested in diving in Bonaire, please pm me, and let me know. If you are looking to meet up with a dive buddy before hand, I might be able to join ya. I am planning to go in June/July, and may have something in the works. But I am sure I will be diving later this year again, and next year as well.

we run trips ,sometimes to Bonaire..PM me your email address and I'll enter you in our database so when a trip comes up we will email you it..Group trips are sometimes(when run but a ethical)less expensive or the same as going on your own.The reason being that it is researched by the group leader as to when the best time is and booked at a time that the resort may be running a special(such as at a trade show as DEMA)..Also if our would like to get advance or nitrox or photo etc.. speciality it may be available at a greatly reduced rate or free as a thankyou for joining the group trip.I am leaving next week with 34 divers to costa rica ,people are from NY but have a few from Florida and 2 from northern Canada joining us..

 

[darylm74]

Always check with your LDS or perhaps local clubs. They often set up dive trips and it would be a good way to meet new people in your area that dive. As AXL72 said you may pay a bit more with the LDS but you may not if you have to pay double occupancy. I know my LDS trips always try to find a condo or something that ends up being a heck of a lot less expensive when it is divided out than a hotel.

 

[Zeeman]

Solo travel rocks. Do yourself a favour, stay in youth hostels or similar - it may not be 5 star, but you meet friends quick. travel is about the people, not just the places.

Z...