When I plan my dive trip...

[Kyzzle]

As I have been reading posts about other people's dive trips I began thinking of all the places I would like to dive at. Which leads me to the question, what tips do you all have for planning a dive a trip? Is there a "check list" of sorts that make your travels go more smoothly? I haven't traveled outside of country since I was teenager years ago, and that was just to Mexico and Canada. Mainly I am wondering about a passport. The cost of one, how long it takes to get one. Do you need one to go to Mexico now since 9/11? Or the carribean etc. I suppose if I did more research online I could find out, but thought I would ask my new SB friends first. This may be a stupid question as well but... Do you travel with your own airtanks or do you rent those if you fly out of country? Restrictions if any.
Is there some countries that maybe aren't as American friendly as others.... ie. Iraq. :no
I have never traveled out of country so this is all new to me, and I just want to make sure I have everything in line before I book a trip, and then find out I can't go cuz I didn't get all the paperwork done ahead of time.

THanks for the help!

 

[Ber Rabbit]

You'll need a passport and you can go to most Post Offices to apply for one, here's a website that explains more about passports and the costs of obtaining one. You cannot travel if your passport will expire within six months so I recommend my students renew theirs one year prior to the expiration. For example if it expires in June 2010 you should start the renewal process in June 2009 just to save yourself some aggravation and money if you happen to get a great deal on a trip that's going to occur near the expiration date of your passport.

Rent your tanks and weights at your destination. Places you have to fly to generally include tanks and weights in the cost of the dive charter. Popular driving destinations such as Florida may or may not include these so always ask.

The State Department website I linked to can provide information about travel safety and those countries with security and health risks. Most vacation destinations are "American friendly" unless you act like a jerk so help them like you by using common courtesy. Make an effort to research the country you intend to visit and learn local customs and even a bit of the language. Phrases like "please" and "thank you" will serve you well
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[robint]

like Ber Rabbit says, get your passport now. It will take a few months to get it processed and it is good for 10 yrs.

Tanks and wts are at your dive destination, most supply them in the cost of the dive (some places like in Calif and Fla they charge extra for them as many divers are local and bring their own). All other dive gear must be rented if you don't bring your own. Some dive ops have good rental gear, some have crap... do your research if you don't have gear.

Most major dive destinations are very US friendly... they need the tourism $$$. A friend went to the Red Sea a few yrs ago and was harassed constantly by a DM who didn't like Bush. Friend says he would never go back there because of anti-american locals. Other than that, I have found most dive locations love divers and love to show off their country and diving to you.... they are very proud of their country... so go and enjoy!

 

[DeputyDan]

You need to answer this question - first and foremost -

Do I want to go on vacation and do some diving or Do I want to go on a dive vacation.

They are two entirely different things and if you go on one expecting the other you probably will be disappointed.

 

[reefduffer]

As I have been reading posts about other people's dive trips I began thinking of all the places I would like to dive at. Which leads me to the question, what tips do you all have for planning a dive a trip? Is there a "check list" of sorts that make your travels go more smoothly?

Others have commented on other aspects of your question, I'll respond wrt lists.
I maintain several checklists related to travel. One is for my scuba gear. Another is a general vacation house-exit list, which starts with "USPS mail hold". I have others related to other kinds of non-scuba trips we do regularly. They're maintained on my computer, and get revised with experience. I print hardcopy for each trip and actually check things off physically.

This does a couple of good things: I'm less likely to forget something needed (e.g., C-card, which I hear is the most common), and it lets me relax and sleep the night before instead of trying to construct that list in my head and worrying what I'll forget.

One other thought: Err on the side of inclusion, and then as they say in project management, "shrink to fit". "Passports" is on my vacation house exit list. For domestic trips I just X the checkbox immediately after printing.

 

[Kyzzle]

Thankyou all for the info!

BerRabbit, RobinT- Thanks for the link and the advice! I will apply for it right now! Sounds like everything else when your dealing with the government- "hurry up and wait".

Deputy Dan- That is a very good thught and one I know will be hard to decipher, at least for me. Having never traveled outside the US, I know I will want to explore both above water and below. I love learning other peoples cultures, and experiencing their ways of life, and being underwater would make that a bit more challenging. So maybe planning seperate vacations to the same countries, one dive vac. and a site seeing vac. Good advice to keep in mind!

Reefduffer- Great info! I like the house exit list! That sounds much easier then the "check list in my head" I have used for so many years. Sometimes I get a little OCD when I pack for vacation/camping trips. I get parranoid about forgetting my toothbrush or underwear or socks, and after I pack them, I open up the luggage about 2 more times make sure they are still there, then when I get to my destination realize I forgot toothpaste and shoes! lol
So physically checking off a list would be great! (and I'd probably still check the luggage two more times)lol

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

With todays airfare cost and baggage requirements it has become somewhat of a task trying to properly pack for a dive trip especially if you are involved in cave, wreck, photography, or any combination of those as they become far more equipment intensive and rental gear can be sketchy.

My trip to mexico lasted 16 days, I dove Cozumel for 5 and did a cave class for the remainder accept the last day was a vacation. If I was going to go back I would take 3 weeks minimum to actually be able to get in the variety of diving and do some real vacationing. Money was the critical thing for me as everything costs money and in the diving community there tend to be many unforeseen costs like charter tips (that was something new for me, but I dont normally tip much if any for anything). Stuff like cab rides and drinks really adds up and many places dont accept credit cards and for me at least finding a working ATM was like finding a needle in a hay stack.

Shopping around ahead of time, like months, will help you find many good deals on lodging. My condo apartment in Puerto Aventuras only cost $35 a night per person (sleeps 2 unless your really close maybe 3). sure wasn't much but when you are spending better than 4 hrs a day under water and the remainder out and about there is no reason for a huge fancy room. I think we spent 6-9 hrs in the condo every night so in all reality it served only as a place to sleep.

 

[Kyzzle]

Thanks northwoodsdiver- that is something I don't carry a whole lot of on my person... cash. Its usually a debit card, unless I specifically know I am going to a place where I will need tipping money....restaurant, bar, etc. However, I have always had hard time knowing what is proper tippage for say the valet, bell hop, and who and when to tip. Which leads me to another question, and it may be posted somewhere else but since we are discussing here, say you do go on a dive trip, who/when do you tip? Do I need a suitcase full of dollar bills to hand out? (kinda sounds like I'm going to a gentlemans club)

 

[DeputyDan]

YOu should never use a debit card when traveling. If you account gets drafted the cash is gone.

Use a credit card "always" There is some protection from incorrect charges.

Lots of folks will open up a charge card for one specific trip and then close it once the trip is over. That gives extra security.

 

[robint]

Overseas, most places don't take debit cards. YOu can use them at an ATM for cash a few times over your vacation IF there is one available. Some places don't even have that. We usually take a few hundred $$$ in bills no bigger than $20, and then charge any large ticket items. There is an extra charge in almost all foreign countries for the currency exchange with those credit cards, so the cost will be higher than cash. Just be away of that. We used to take traveler's checks with us and cash at hotels but haven't done that in recent years.

robint