LCBR question

[csmcd]

I have "lurked" on Scubaboard for a number of years, but never joined or posted. However, my buddy and I are going to LCBR in a couple of weeks and have some questions we haven't been able to find answers for. I just know the Scubaboard universe can come through!

Neither of us have ever stayed at an AI before. Do we need to take enough small bills to tip at every meal or is there a "tip jar" we can utilize at the end of the week? Also, can we include dive shop tips on our credit card charge for nitrox or do we need cash for that?

Thank you in advance for the advise.

 

[Damselfish]

In general, no problem with credit cards on LC and not a lot of need for cash.

There is a place for tips in the dive shop. We usually do cash (and US is fine) but I'm sure they'd have no trouble at all with a tip on a credit card. We normally do this at the end of our trip.

Don't recall for anything else but definitely no need to tip meal by meal, I have never seen anyone do that there. Again, if you wanted to charge any kind of gratuity I have no doubt they'll be happy to do that.

 

[LiquidDivingAdventure]

As Damselfish suggested not much cash is required. I always tip the dive crew in cash and depending upon your style, $100 for the boat at the end of the week is probably norm. My trip there last month, I tipped the DM's $60 each. The dive shop does have little boxes for tips but I prefer to hand it to the person as there are always those who stiff the crew. I go to LCBR often and it's like family for me.

I also leave a buck or maybe two on the table after my meals, but I'm sure many don't do that. Depending upon your package gratuities for the hotel staff are included. Note, this does not include the dive crew. The folks working the bar also have a tip jar that people feed. It is important to remember that the bar and restaurant serve people not staying at the resort and those folks do not have any kind of package that includes gratuities, but are regular paying customers.

You will find the buffet meals amazing. The chef does gourmet wonders and don't expect to lose weight at this place. There are usually 2-3 salads and also a vegetarian or meatless main dish. Coffee is ready outside at 6:30AM or so before the restaurant opens for breakfast.

If you have any specific questions, drop me a note. LCBR is our favorite Caribbean dive destination. Our favorite rooms are in the 300 building, ocean front.

LCBR Oct 2013 trip info Liquid Diving Adventures | Group Bookings-Resorts

 

[HenrikBP]

I'm envious. LCBR was my first AI, and I really enjoyed my stay and the diving there ... clearly:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cayman-islands/290066-little-cayman-beach-resort-trip-report.html

We tipped the dive/boat crew directly in cash. Tipped in cash at the bar, and left cash tip for the room cleaning staff as well. The rest we added to our cc bill at the end of the stay.

 

[BDSC]

Howdy!

I was at the LCBR just a couple of weeks ago. I guess it was my 5th trip there and already booked for next October. Same week as you LiquidDivingAdventure. (5th -12th)

As others have said, no need to tip at meals. Our package included gratuities but if you feel someone from the resort staff such as room cleaning or someone at the restaurant made the trip special for you then you can certainly tip them if you wish. As far as tipping the dive crew, I think the "recommended" tip for a week was $120. Our group was on the 17 dive package and I don't really remember if the $120 was for a 12 dive package or a full 17 dive package. I ended up tipping $150 for the week with $75 going to each of the two crew members of our boat. They work hard and do an excellent job. If you have never been to a place like this, you just sit on back of the boat, put on your mask and fins, and they bring your BC to you. Slip it on and off you go.

You can charge your tips at the end of the week to your credit card if you like as well as pay for nitrox. As a matter of fact it's pretty much a cashless society there. Everything we spent, be it in the dive shop, gift shop, or bar, it all was charged to your room and you settle up at the end of the week.

The food is crazy good or maybe I should say great. All meals are buffet and while some folks believe that you can't serve great food on a buffet......they are wrong! Lots of choices at every meal. Usually at least four different types of meats each evening like pork, chicken, beef, and fish.

You will love the food, the resort, and the diving. I have dove pretty much all thru the Caribbean and without a doubt Little Cayman is the best of them all. That's why we go back year after year.

Just let us know if you have any more questions. There are plenty of us to answer.

 

[LiquidDivingAdventure]

Hey BDSC....if you might be interested in joining our small group, let me know. We are keeping the group to about 10-12. I have a mix of pool and ocean front rooms booked. We have the 12 dive package but have a 5-dive adder for afternoon dives for $175. Otherwise, hope to see you in October! Water was 86 degrees last month!

October 2013 link Liquid Diving Adventures | Group Bookings-Resorts

 

[BDSC]

Thanks for the invite but I have 10 rooms booked for that week with 13 folks already signed up! It's a place that folks just seem to want to keep going back to. I suspect I'll end up with 20 folks. We also add on the afternoon dives as well.

The water was 85 when we were there. I didn't even bother to take a wetsuit with me. The water was a little choppy for the week but we were able to dive the north side all but one day. But the southside dives are great as well. I think in all the times I have been I had never dove the barge wreck. Great dive!

 

[LiquidDivingAdventure]

Looking forward to seeing you there!

 

[BDSC]

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Same here. Maybe I'll bring along a few other ScubaBoarders!

 

[csmcd]

Thanks so much for the prompt replies! I appreciate all. I hadn't thought about gratuities being included; I'll have to check my paperwork, but I also hadn't considered that I'd be running a tab, which makes sense now that I think about it. As previously mentioned, this sort of accommodation is completely new to me. My closest experience is liveaboards and that's one big pot. Tipping is included in my budget, but I just didn't know how it would work other than the diving which is as I expected.

Again, thanks, ya'll.