How do you round up the group while on Bonaire?

[gypsyjim]

Amen

 

[song]

lots of good ideas. Thanks for all the suggestions. I fear that inertia (especially with a couple of travelers) could sabotage a chunk of the day if we let it. Some of us want to spend as much time as possible underwater and others...well, not so much.

I'll have to check AT&T's rates for text messages, but that doesn't solve the problem of what to do with a cell phone. No, I know better to leave it in the truck.

It's complicated a bit because of different lodging. Can't be helped--part of the group had already rented a house.

Dive Maven, we will be in Bonaire after you. 35 more days!!!

 

[Bonairetrip]

I think there is always a balance between having some folks feel like they are being abandoned and other feeling like they are being micro managed. I have not dealt with groups as large as yours but here is what I might suggest:

1) Plan a firm and specific meet-up spot/time for either breakfast or the morning dive(s). If people are not there, the agreement in advance is that you wait no more than a set amount of time (five minutes?) before assuming they are not coming. (With some folks you need to be rather specific -- does that mean they have tanks or not, their gear ready or not, etc.)

2) Try to have some firm plans around dinner. If some folks want to do night dives, then maybe you have two groups for dinner. Try and have some all group dinners in -- that can be a lot of fun and reduce costs. This is a great time to discuss the next day. Have a conversation with folks about what they want to spend their day doing. If somebody wants to spend the morning shopping in town, they should be able to do that. That doesn't mean all eight need to go. The same is true for a 4am shore dive on the Hilma Hooker.

3) Use email if you have wireless at your hotel. Or use texts. Or leave messages on cells left in the room.

 

[DiveMaven]

lots of good ideas. Thanks for all the suggestions. I fear that inertia (especially with a couple of travelers) could sabotage a chunk of the day if we let it. Some of us want to spend as much time as possible underwater and others...well, not so much.

I'll have to check AT&T's rates for text messages, but that doesn't solve the problem of what to do with a cell phone. No, I know better to leave it in the truck.

It's complicated a bit because of different lodging. Can't be helped--part of the group had already rented a house.

Dive Maven, we will be in Bonaire after you. 35 more days!!!

That's a tough one, but perhaps simply having a designated time and place to meet before morning and afternoon dives would work best. That way whomever wants to dive can meet and those that don't can do whatever they want.

For example, if you're all using the same dive shop, anyone who wants to dive meets at the shop at 8am, pick where to dive, go dive. Repeat meeting at the dive shop in the afternoon at whatever time. That way you're getting your tanks anyway and not wasting time waiting around for folks.

Actually, it sounds like we'll be on island at the same time.....we're going for TWO weeks! We'll be there from June 27-July 11.