Stubborn me... now solo travel to Bonaire

[becca31]

My local dive shop is offering a trip to Bonaire for a stay at Buddy Dive for $975. I thought that sounded reasonable until I went onto Buddy's website and saw that the 2-bedroom apartment (with 4 people per apt) would be only $491. Everything else is the same (boat dives, breakfast, car rental, etc). I asked the shop why it's so expensive and was told I need to talk to the instructors who set it up. I think we are getting screwed. I get that we end up paying for the instructors who are setting it up but even still, there's got to be money left over.

I don't think I can justify paying double what it would normally cost. Two questions:
- would you just say 'sounds fun, I want to go with the group and want to go to Bonaire, so I'll pay it'?
- If not, where would you recommend I stay for a solo traveler where I'm not going to get hit with the 'based on double occupancy' rates?

Thanks.

 

[knives]

Check out wannadivehut.....

 

[oly5050user]

My local dive shop is offering a trip to Bonaire for a stay at Buddy Dive for $975. I thought that sounded reasonable until I went onto Buddy's website and saw that the 2-bedroom apartment (with 4 people per apt) would be only $491. Everything else is the same (boat dives, breakfast, car rental, etc). I asked the shop why it's so expensive and was told I need to talk to the instructors who set it up. I think we are getting screwed. I get that we end up paying for the instructors who are setting it up but even still, there's got to be money left over.

I don't think I can justify paying double what it would normally cost. Two questions:
- would you just say 'sounds fun, I want to go with the group and want to go to Bonaire, so I'll pay it'?
- If not, where would you recommend I stay for a solo traveler where I'm not going to get hit with the 'based on double occupancy' rates?

Thanks.

If you were to go as a single during April10th -Dec 18th 2010 the cheapest rate is $1458. In the unit you stated the rate there is $938. for quad occ.not $491. Thats for the stay and dive package. Even if you had someone to travel with you it would cost more than what the store is selling the trip for..If you think you are getting screwed then do not go...I take groups there all the time,and the rate the store is selling it for is a great deal for you.The store is a business and to stay in business needs to make a profit.They are taking the risk and the work of setting up the group ..I sell the trip for a bit more than that and the customer still wins out for it IS cheaper than going on a single rate or even at a dbl occ rate..I also offer advance/ow training dives/photo speciality-pick ONE at no charge.Just buy me a lunch or dinner...

 

[Ed Hatfield]

I know it's part of the business that the group 'pays' for the diving of the shop owners/staff that come on the trip but it still BUGS me. I just did a BlackBeards live-aboard out of Freeport for the same money they want for Bonaire. We did 19 dives with meals/booze included. The airfair was reasonable from both Toronto and Detroit. I flew Toronto direct this time. Last year I did the same trip from Detroit with a stop (1 hour) in Ft. Lauderdale. Two years ago my dive club did a week in Curacao and they stayed at Habitat. My wife is a non-diver and Habitat is no place for a non-diver. I booked a week at the Breezes AI and spent about the same $$ with my diving, meals and drinks included as the rest spent without the AI features. We also travelled with another non-diving couple so my wife had company while I was getting wet.
I would shop around and maybe save Bonaire for another time when you can do it with friends. The shore diving is far better with a group because you can get a jeep with 3 or 4 divers and go anywhere on the island and bring your tanks from the resort/dive operator.
FYI - I do recommend the BlackBeards for meeting divers. We had a group of 16 and were grouped with 3 tag alongs from the US (Boston & Manhatten). We had a lot of fun the 3 tag alongs were like family when we were done.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

oly5050user mentioned the benefits of going with Buddy Dive for your stay-drive-dive package. From a large group planner's perspective, it's nice to be able to go with one company for everything. Fewer headaches for the organizer to be sure. Also, by taking a large group to the resort, generally one spot may be comped or sold at a significant discount. Know, however, that the organizer generally "earns" that discount by dealing with any issues someone in the group might have. That might not be a great way to spend a vacation.

When I've done Bonaire over the winter holidays with my girlfriend, our on-island costs are less than $500 per person for the week. That includes accommodations, unlimited shore diving, nitrox fills, weights, and truck rental. If cutting your on-island costs is important to you, then shop around. Buddy Dive is definitely not the cheapest or best option IMHO. Others may disagree.

If diving with the people in your group is important, then you may be tempted to bite the bullet and pay the extra to go with the group. Another option is to stay elsewhere, rent your own truck, and simply meet up with the group for dives. You could save a couple hundred bucks this way...but it might be too much trouble. It is a possibility, though.

BonaireTalk.com is a good place to search for accommodations. Good luck with your search...

 

[oly5050user]

oly5050user mentioned the benefits of going with Buddy Dive for your stay-drive-dive package. From a large group planner's perspective, it's nice to be able to go with one company for everything. Fewer headaches for the organizer to be sure. Also, by taking a large group to the resort, generally one spot may be comped or sold at a significant discount. Know, however, that the organizer generally "earns" that discount by dealing with any issues someone in the group might have. That might not be a great way to spend a vacation.

When I've done Bonaire over the winter holidays with my girlfriend, our on-island costs are less than $500 per person for the week. That includes accommodations, unlimited shore diving, nitrox fills, weights, and truck rental. If cutting your on-island costs is important to you, then shop around. Buddy Dive is definitely not the cheapest or best option IMHO. Others may disagree.

If diving with the people in your group is important, then you may be tempted to bite the bullet and pay the extra to go with the group. Another option is to stay elsewhere, rent your own truck, and simply meet up with the group for dives. You could save a couple hundred bucks this way...but it might be too much trouble. It is a possibility, though.

BonaireTalk.com is a good place to search for accommodations. Good luck with your search...

Totally agree Bonaire can be done on the cheap..But do not compare apples to oranges here...You may pay $500. as stated above but does not include breakfast;no boat dives with a guide that knows where the frogfish or seahorse may be found;those extras can add $250-$300. to your stay. Don't want the 6 boat dives,fine thats $117. less at for the trip at Buddys.Plus the cheap places are not on the water and if you wish to just make an easy am before breakfast or night dive off the resort dock it is not available. Many of the cheap places do not even have a pool or bar.You have to get in the truck and go somewhere, and that can be tiring and discourage a person to make go...So now the cheap trip is up to $800.
Buddy's picks you up at the airport,cheap does not.You get on line at the airport and wait and wait for an agent to rent the truck out to you.Buddy's gives you the room key and the truck key on check in at the resort. Same at checkout time..No multiple lines to wait in.
Being on the water is important to me so lets throw in another $150. for the luxury of it for the week, it is a vacation.So now we are up to $950. ..Oh,did I say that there is 50% off food at Buddy's (up to $75.returned to you at checkout time)..I have visited other cheap places there and believe me you do not want to stay there to save a lousy $150. The option of staying elsewhere and hooking up with the group is really crude. People in my group,if they need certification dives,advance dives completed or photo speciality will get them done for the cost of the certification card alone.Travel seperate from the group and expect to pay full price.Trouble with your gear and with the group,I do my best to fix it or even possibly get you a rental at NO cost.Travel seperate from the group,it ain't gonna happen.

 

[gypsyjim]

Totally agree Bonaire can be done on the cheap..But do not compare apples to oranges here...You may pay $500. as stated above but does not include breakfast;no boat dives with a guide that knows where the frogfish or seahorse may be found;those extras can add $250-$300. to your stay.Plus the cheap places are not on the water and if you wish to just make an easy dive off the resort dock it is not available.You have to get in the truck and go somewhere, and that can be tiring and discourage a person to make that dive..So now the cheap trip is up to $800.Being on the water is important to me so lets throw in another $150. for the week.Oh,did I say that there is 50% off food at Buddy's (up to $75.returned to you at checkout time)..I have visited other cheap places there and believe me you do not want to stay there to save a lousy $150. The option of staying elsewhere and hooking up with the group is really crude. People in my group,if they need certification dives,advance dives completed will get them done for the cost of the certification card alone.Travel seperate from the group and expect to pay full price.Trouble with your gear and with the group,I do my best to fix it or even possibly get you a rental at NO cost.Travel seperate from the group,it ain't gonna happen.

We have done Bonaire for a few years now, both as part of group packages, and also doing our own, a la cart. Sometimes you can save a bit off by booking everything yourself, not a lot, but some. Some package deals are too good to pass up! We have stayed off resort, rented our own truck, and book UL shore packages threw Buddy. (I find Buddy's 24/7 nitrox/air access, at @ the same price as competitors a clincher!)

We have also stayed with larger groups at Buddies a couple of times, and Den Lamen once. Going with the larger group and doing the package does add something special, as does doing it yourself, with just a few friends or family.

Our next trip, this June will be with a large group again ( for the first time in three years), and we are looking forward to a really enjoyable time meeting all new friends, and re discovering Bonaire threw the experience of this new group.

 

[handben]

I suppose it depends on what you're looking for, but I've never seen the value in booking trips through any of the LDS in my area. I always look at upcoming trips just to see what is going on but find them to be pricey and at times that aren't convenient for me. Also part of the fun and adventure of a dive trip for me is planning the details. I like to explore all the possibilities, read different opinions and so on. I can see though that if you prefer not to have to plan, don't like dealing with all the details, aren't particularly comfortable with international travel and so on that having your LDS set up these trips would have its appeal and value. Also if you're new to the sport and don't have the skills or confidence then having your instructor nearby would be comforting.

 

[herman]

Where did you get the $491 price? I have arranged trips at Buddy a good many times and it has always been a lot higher than that. The rate I see for 4 persons in a 2br is $938 per person plus $6.50 per person per day room tax. $975 sounds about right..actually by my math you are getting a $8.50 discount. You might want to look again.

 

[becca31]

Where did you get the $491 price? I have arranged trips at Buddy a good many times and it has always been a lot higher than that. The rate I see for 4 persons in a 2br is $938 per person plus $6.50 per person per day room tax. $975 sounds about right..actually by my math you are getting a $8.50 discount. You might want to look again.

Oh gosh, all, I'm sorry. I was looking at the wrong rate sheet. I pulled up the first one that said nightly rates, and then right below it it listed all that stuff in the package. I thought those rates was for the drive and dive; I hadn't scrolled down far enough. Sorry!

Thanks for your posts; good points. I don't mind traveling solo and have done it several times but was interested in group travel this time 1) to meet people since I'm new to the area here and 2) since it's mostly shore diving and I know I'd always have a buddy. For me, this trip, it's worth paying more for to stay at Buddy's.

Thanks again.