Questions you ask LDS when choosing one for your trip?

[Scuba_RN]

I have my basic list of questions that I ask when I am calling around "interviewing" dive shops when looking for one that I want to book for my dive trips, but was wondering what information other people ask. My basics:

Size of boat?
Max number of divers on boat?
Do you take a herd of snorklers with you?
Number of DM/crew?
Are dives guided or not? If not, is that available?
Rental equipment: Age of equip, how often serviced/checked?


What questions do you all ask? Thanks!

 

[Rick Inman]

Like a good doctor or attorney, the best way to find one is by referral. I do all my trip diving research right here on ScubaBoard. With all the members, there is always someone (often many someones) who has been there and can give me first hand experience.

I have never been steered wrong form the members on this board. That's how I choose a vacation dive op.

 

[Scuba_RN]

Agreed. However.... say that several LDS are heavily recommended, and you are trying to choose from the group. (Current situation I am actually in).

 

[waynel]

Well, you've listed your parameters, just narrow them down. What can you, or can not live with? Personally, my number one is the snorkeler situation. Pick your top three requirements, and yes ask the folks on this board. If you get a healthy list of good ops, I would suggest the next step is boat location (all the ops on your list being equal). That's a big one with me. How far do you have to drive? I booked a room at Marina del Mar in Key Largo for June because I love the thought of walking to the boat. In fact, I won't need the rental car at all until I drive back to MIA.

I've had the same experience with this site as Rick. Haven't been steered wrong yet from gear recommendations to places to stay and everything in between.

 

[Igodeep]

How long are the dives? I know some operations try and keep dives to 30 minutes or so. I like to make at least an hour long dive.

 

[Joe-Diver]

In fact, I won't need the rental car at all until I drive back to MIA.

You'll need it to drive to Key West and do the Duvall Crawl.....

 

[DeputyDan]

Are buddies assigned if you don't have one or is it "Group" diving.

Is airfare included in the price. - Will you look for air for us or are we all on our own?

What is the experience of the person leading the group - Have they ever been to this location before?

Is there a chamber on the island - if so where?

Do I need dive insurance (be very concerned with an op that says nope)

Does the LDS keep a copy of your insurance card - c card and passport (so that they can fax anywhere you have lost one of these)

What is the maximum number of people that LDS will allow to go on this trip?

Who from the LDS is going. AND ARE ANY OF THE LDS EMPLOYEES FAMILIES OR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS GOING. I have seen where the cost is bumped up enough that regulars pay the freight for "family".

Most locales will comp. the leader and may provide two comps for a larger group so your price by the LDS should be bumped some (they have a right to some profit) from the locales web site but not hundreds of dollars.

Can I drink the water.

Do I need vaccinations and malaria meds.

Bug spray needed?

 

[saltydawg]

what kind of locations do the boats go to

 

[Wildcard]

Are buddies assigned if you don't have one or is it "Group" diving.

Is airfare included in the price. - Will you look for air for us or are we all on our own?

What is the experience of the person leading the group - Have they ever been to this location before?

Is there a chamber on the island - if so where?

Do I need dive insurance (be very concerned with an op that says nope)

Does the LDS keep a copy of your insurance card - c card and passport (so that they can fax anywhere you have lost one of these)

What is the maximum number of people that LDS will allow to go on this trip?

Who from the LDS is going. AND ARE ANY OF THE LDS EMPLOYEES FAMILIES OR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS GOING. I have seen where the cost is bumped up enough that regulars pay the freight for "family".

Most locales will comp. the leader and may provide two comps for a larger group so your price by the LDS should be bumped some (they have a right to some profit) from the locales web site but not hundreds of dollars.

Can I drink the water.

Do I need vaccinations and malaria meds.

Bug spray needed?

Either you did not understand the question or have never been on a dive trip... A few of your questions have some merit but most? well....:shakehead
The single biggest thing is number of people and dive levels. I don't like cattle boats and I dont do boats that mix divers, DSDs and surface scum (OK I just made that up, aka snorkelers). Ya end up waiting while the DSDs dive or if your diving with them it's usualy in a very poor place.

 

[TSandM]

It sounds to me like the OP and most of the respondents are talking about what we would call "charters", or day boats; DeputyDan seems to be talking about long distance dive TRIPS, to exotic locations. I don't find his questions odd at all in that context.