Miami to Bonaire

[Drewpy]

I would be self sufficient-just a bunch of dives and dinner at Gibis possibly...
It would be great to meet and dive with some of you fine folks!

 

[scubaaaronh]

Drew
we flew continental when air jamaica dumped us. they gave us very good service and our luggage made it no prob. But we only flew with them once.

 

[Kat]

I just can't figure out why they cost so much than other locations
and are so difficult to get to. For example, we went to Aruba
two years ago. Got a direct flight out of Atlanta and it went great.
Got a package deal for airfare and 7 nights at the wyndham for $770
per person (with all taxes included in that price). If they can do
that to Aruba, surely someone can come up with a competitive package
to Bonaire.

This is just my opinion on why there are no competitve packages to Bonaire from the U.S.
There are no major hotels on Bonaire. That makes Bonaire a tough sell to non-diver, unadventurous travelers. Bonaire is not touristy (Americanized)enough for your average traveler. So, with no major luxury hotels, Hard Rock Cafe or major shopping district how do you get a non-diver interested? I hope I never see Bonaire become Americanized to cater to the majority of tourists. (The KFC is bad enough. :05: )
You need to have volume in order to lower the price to a destination. It would be tough to sell 200 seats, every Saturday, to Bonaire, out of Chicago.
Just for an example: Lots of people love Grand Cayman. However, I watch Cayman Air go every Sunday morning with 25 people on it's flight. How long can they continue here in Chicago? Longer than most airlines could, because they are backed by their government. Most airlines would have pulled out of that market long ago.

 

[mike_s]

Well, I hope to get to Bonaire one day. But right now it's just a huge pain
in the but to fly there. I have to spend the night going or coming, or both.
And it's $700 to $800 (or more) a ticket, not including hotel, diving, food, and
vehicle rental. By the time I add all that in, I'm looking at almost $2k per
person or $4k per couple. For that kind of money I can go somewhere
else REALLY NICE.

 

[scubaaaronh]

Well, I hope to get to Bonaire one day. But right now it's just a huge pain
in the but to fly there. I have to spend the night going or coming, or both.
And it's $700 to $800 (or more) a ticket, not including hotel, diving, food, and
vehicle rental. By the time I add all that in, I'm looking at almost $2k per
person or $4k per couple. For that kind of money I can go somewhere
else REALLY NICE.

Yeah you could go somewhere else but you wont have the freedom to dive where you want when you want and as much as you want. I would pay it anytime to go back so i dont have to deal with cattleboats again, and being there right on time or the boat leaves without you. I liked being able to go on a couple night dives then sleep in the next morning grab a quick breakfast go and load the truck with tanks get in two dives before a late lunch another before dinner and then going on a night dive or snorkel again. Just my 2 cents

 

[herman]

I have a deal for you...how about 7nights/ unlimited shore diving /airfare/truck/breakfast/1- 2tk dive on the wild side plus some other stuff for $1150pp? I am putting together a Scubaboard meet and dive trip, look for the the announcement soon.

 

[scubaaaronh]

I'm gonna have to hold off till next feb to go to bonaire, we are going to do hawaii this year wife wants to use the free airfare before it expires.

 

[DeputyDan]

We did Bonaire in 04 and Kona in 05.

All four in my family ageed they enjoyed both but would rather return to Bonaire.

 

[Jetwrench]

Well, I hope to get to Bonaire one day. But right now it's just a huge pain
in the but to fly there. I have to spend the night going or coming, or both.
And it's $700 to $800 (or more) a ticket, not including hotel, diving, food, and
vehicle rental. By the time I add all that in, I'm looking at almost $2k per
person or $4k per couple. For that kind of money I can go somewhere
else REALLY NICE.

Mike, it's one of the things about going to Bonaire that you will never understand until you experience it. Trip #5 is next month and whatever I spend is well worth it! Somewhere REALLY NICE? I won't repeat myself.

Jet

 

[dyarab]

Here are a few more details.
The flights are going to be Sat to Sat. They will leave FLL at 1pm and arrive on Bonaire at 4:40, the return flight will leave at 5:40 and be in FLL at 7:30. The flight will include a meal and beverages. The cost is $519 plus taxes but I suspect that is subject to change with fuel prices.
At present there are 22 flights (weeks) scheduled and I am assuming that more will be added if the traffic is there. The scheduled flights are from Nov to April (based on 22 weekly flights). There will be a web site setup for more information soon.

What airline will this be... or did I miss it? We are planning our first trip to Bonaire in late April/early May.

I would consider drving from Atlanta to take this flight at this rate, but if it goes much higher I'll just suck it up and pay the ridiculous rates from ATL.

You would think Delta (I really hope they go out of business) our home based airline would have a decent rate to BON... but their rates are among the highest.

Anywho...