Turning up in Cairns 1-2 days before Liveaboard

[sw5555sw]

Hi

I have heard you can get good discounts for Liveaboards from Cairns if you do not book in Advance? How risky is it to turn up 1-2 days before the trip? What kind of discount could you get. Or is it safer just to book in advance. I am looking at going 2nd week of December?
Was looking at going with :
Mike Ball
Spirit of Freedom
Taka

 

[Darnold9999]

In November, two years ago, with 2 days notice Taka was full, Mike Ball had one spot left - 30% disount if I booked on the spot which I did and had a great trip.

Bottom line - you can be disappointed, and you can get a significant price discount.

 

[Illini_Fan]

When I was there (although it was June) there were substantial discounts of 30% or greater on the main boats. We still had two open slots on the Taka boat. I can't speak to the December timeframe and if that would offer better or worse availability.

If I were you, I'd look at the departure days for the boats of your choice. Do you care if it is the 3 night or 4 night or 7 night trip length? Taka departed on a Friday for the 4-night trip, thus if you arrived on a Friday into Cairns, Taka probably wouldn't be an option until the following Tuesday. I'd make sure I knew all of the schedules and how they lined up with your plans. In my situation, I knew I wanted to get down to Sydney, so I booked in advance and realized I was bypassing any last-minute discounts in return for a guaranteed slot.

 

[Starisc]

Can anybody tell me how the chances are to get a free spot at a discount in February?

 

[sw5555sw]

Have booked on the Nimrod 5 day trip, as I was on fixed dates and did not want to fly all the way to Cairns just to find all are booked out.

Starisc I will be in Cairns 2nd week of December I can see / ask what the story is with Febuary and let you know

 

[Wildcard]

Are you going with the SD group?

 

[sw5555sw]

What is the SD group?

 

[almitywife]

SingleDivers.com -- Your Premiere Scuba Diving Resource for Singles & Buddyless Divers! and they have a big group of divers on the nimrod early december



goodluck

 

[CARHILL]

My wife and I have done all of our liveaboards by just walking down the docks in Cairns with cash in hand most of the time we are able to get 40 to 50% off. One can not be like uptight Americans and be real demanding you have to take what you get. One nice thing is one can see where the other passengers are from before getting onboard.
Dale Still on a little Rock in the Pacific

 

[sw5555sw]

Nope on the Nimrod trip leaving on the 11th