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2014-12: Dec 29-Jan 5, 2015 Galapagos NEW YEAR'S EVE


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#1 WreckWench

WreckWench

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Posted 12 June 2014 - 11:14 AM

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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!!!! We're Celebrating the New Year in The Apex of Diving...GALAPAGOS aboard's EV's liveaboard...Dec 29th to Jan 5th, 2015 + 3 days on the front end to ensure bags arrive and to do some touring so traveling Dec 26. (Fly into airport code UIO (Quito EC) for group transfers or Guayaquil if you wish to meet the group on your own.) - NOTE: We have half the boat as I sold the other half to a dive shop. That means we have 8 spots. We could get more or lose a few depending on how the sales go between us and our partner dive shop!

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What is the ONLY thing better than the Apex of Diving...i.e. the Galapagos? Galapagos for NEW YEARS!! Join us Dec 29 - Jan 5th, 2015 with several days prior for safe arrival and touring...OFFICIAL BOOKING Thread.
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SEE POST #2 for GALAPAGOS IN PICTURES!!!


NOTE: 2014 pricing was $4395 but with 2 less boats in the Galapagos, the pricing is NOW $4595. HOWEVER, for those who pay in full early, you will be PROTECTED AND YOUR PRICE WILL BE THE LOWER PRICE OF $4395.


  • Pay in full by June 30, 2014 and you can lock in the LOWER 2014 pricing of $4395.
  • Please note that we plan to offer several days of sightseeing before this trip to ensure that all our luggage arrives and people are settled out for this "Bucket List" trip. We have 2013 pricing for the add-ons and estimate that the add-ons will not increase more than 10% over 2013 pricing but won't know until later this year.
  • As soon as the 2014 add-on pricing is locked in we will finalize the add-ons so people can book their international airline tickets to Quito or Guayaquil.
  • SD will book the local flights from Quito or Guayaquil to San Cristobal for you once participants are locked in and the window for booking the int'l flights has opened up. (This flight is NOT included in the price and runs about $550. NOTE: You cannot book this flight as the liveaboards have reserved all the spots on the plane for their clients.)

We did this trip in 2009 and my ONLY regret was that I did not have a camera...that regret is about to be rectified! Come and join me in one of the MOST AMAZING PLACES IN THE WORLD...GALAPAGOS!!!! Now Booking for NYE 2014/2015...See Below for Full Details!!!


DATES:

16 spots - ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFT! Click HERE for availability: Dec 29 - Jan 5th, 2015 + approx 1-3 days for add-on tours & safe luggage arrival


The Liveaboard dates are...Dec 29 - Jan 5th, 2015. (Yes the dates run Mon to Mon BUT the final number of days for each trip will be decided by the participants and will run longer to include a buffer for bags to arrive and sightseeing and tours...see below for details on the options available.)

PRICE:
Liveaboard: $4395 EARLY BOOKING PRICE or $4595 if booking after the early booking specials.

Deposit Amount:
$1000 non-refundable except via trip insurance. The 2014 price is now $4595 per person and the deposit to hold a spot is $1000.

Lock in the OLD 2014 Pricing: If you book and pay $4395 in full by June 30, 2014 you can lock in the LOWER 2014 pricing and not the new higher price of $4595 DUE TO OVERWHELMING DEMAND FOR SPOTS BECAUSE OF BUDDY DIVE CLOSING ITS OPERATION IN GALAPAGOS AND HAVING TO REBOOK THEIR CLIENTS TO OTHER OPERATORS.

FINAL 2014 Pricing:
2014 boat pricing is now $4595 (unless you book by June 30th during early booking specials). PLUS THE FINAL PRICE OF THE TOURING/LAND/COMMUTER FLIGHT package of $TBD d/o or $TBD s/o that we can help set up for you. JUST LET US KNOW.

DISCOUNTS & SPECIALS:


  • Four (4) FULL weeks to sign up for our early booking discounts. Bookings will be 'first posted & paid' in order to secure your spot.
  • ONLY SD.com premier members can sign up for our trips (follow the upgrade directions in the 'How to Sign Up for this Trip' post.)
  • $1000 non-refundable deposit is required to hold a spot on this trip. (Deposit can be refunded via claims on your trip insurance if you have to cancel or by selling your spot to a non-SD.com member. Ask SD for help.)
  • LOCK IN and PAY EARLY 2014 pricing if paid in full by June 30, 2014. So price for those paid in full by June 30, 2014 will be $4395 vs the new price of $4595.
  • Anyone paid in full by June 30, 2014 will ALSO be entered 2x into a drawing to win one of the limited Main Deck staterooms.
  • Anyone deposited by June 30, 2014 will be entered 1x into a drawing to win one of the limited Main Deck staterooms.
  • ANYONE deposited by July 30, 2014 will have 1 chance at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device value $300!
  • Everyone signed up and deposited by September 1, 2014 will be entered into a drawing for a chance for FREE NITROX worth $150. (If you do not dive nitrox a substitute prize at SD's discretion will be awarded since prizes are non-transferable.)
  • ANYONE paid in full by July 30 will have 2 chances at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device value $300!
  • If you are active duty military take another $25 off for joining us and thank you for your service to our country.
  • Get a $25 member rebate if you file for it within 30 days after the trip.
    • Price includes cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via any non-cash methods including paypal or credit card
    • SAVE $75 by submitting your Documents within 21 days of booking this trip or if signing up within 45 days send your docs within 3 days. Otherwise the $75 document processing fee will be added to your final invoice.
  • Click HERE for AVAILABILITY for this trip!
  • Click HERE for Why our Trips are Unique & What Others Have Said About our Trips!
  • Click HERE for How to Sign up for our Trips AND Important SD Trip Booking Related Info.
  • Click HERE to Pay via our Secure Payment Portal
  • Click HERE to find the Documents for this trip (password will be sent in your "Welcome To This Trip" PM aka private message)
  • Click HERE for the Special Forums which are open approx 60 days prior to the trip to discuss more private trip details (password will be sent in your "Welcome To This Trip" PM aka private message when open)
  • Click HERE to Register as a Premier Member or HERE to Upgrade to a Premier Member of SingleDivers.com
  • Click HERE to Join our FaceBook Group to share pics & more...AND LIKE US on FACEBOOK HERE! :thankyou:/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>

PRICE INCLUDES:
Base Price of $4595 2014 Pricing Includes:
• SD "Meet & Greet Get To Know Everyone Parties"
• 7 nights/8 days aboard the vessel with in suite private bath & shower, sink/vanity, & toilet, air-conditioned, queen bed or 2 twins, ocean view, & flat screen televisions. A partially covered sundeck with jacuzzi and ample seating areas, a salon including a lounge area, a spacious dive deck with a large camera table are just some of the features.
• 3 meals daily, plus between-meal dive snacks
• 2-4 dives daily (the park does not allow night dives)
• All alcoholic (wine, beer and hard alcohol) and non-alcoholic beverages (sodas, juices, etc)
• SD.com T-Shirt commemorating the trip!
• Use of tanks (80cf), weights, and belts (Limited number of shorter 63cf tanks also available)
• Diving Gifts and Giveaways from various SD Vendor Partners (when avail)

NOT INCLUDED:
  • Price of touring UNLESS we add this to the pkg so that we have economy of scale AND we can ensure we all arrive in time WITH luggage for this amazing trip. (See options under OPTIONAL PRICING)
  • Airport transfers (except same-day Galapagos arrivals)
  • Hotel accommodations
  • Flights to/from Galapagos
  • Last evening meal on Sunday night
  • Rental gear, instruction, nitrox and retail charges
  • Crew gratuities
  • Dive accident insurance (required..see end of post for links)
  • Trip cancellation insurance (required at time of booking or shortly thereafter...see end of post for links)
  • Premium alcoholic beverages
  • National Marine Park fees - $100 pp, cash only. Paid on arrival in Galapagos.
  • TCT Tourist card - ($10 pp, cash only) Paid at Ecuador airport of departure for Galapagos. Cash only.
  • Hyperbaric chamber fee ($35 pp, payable on board)
  • Fuel surcharge currently $150 and subject to change up to 30 days prior to departure.
OPTIONAL PRICING & ADD-ONS:
Nitrox: $150 (subject to change)
Int'l Air Booking Fee: $30 (the local in country booking fees are included in the trip price)
Ensure Bags Arrive + Touring Option: To ensure everyone makes the boat we suggest adding the following OR SIMILAR sightseeing, tours and overnight land package to the front & back end of this trip. Click HERE for pics and more details for 2013 options.

EXAMPLE of 2013 Three (3) Extra Days of "Don't Miss the Boat Pre-Trip Touring & Sightseeing" Trip Itinerary USING OUR NEW DATES FOR DEC 2014...(Quito arrival & departure)

SAMPLE ITINERARY:


Saturday Dec 27th: Quito Airport Arrival & transfer to Rio Amazonas Hotel
Sunday Dec 28th: Full day tour of Ecuador Overnight at Rio Amazonas Hotel
Monday Dec 29th: Transferred for A.M. flight to Galapagos via Aero Gal
Mon-Mon Dec 29-Jan 5th: World class diving on the Galapagos Humbolt Explorer
Monday Jan 5th: Return to Quito via Aero Gal for ½ day tour & overnight at Rio Amazonas Hotel (You may leave Quito on the 5th if you can book a flight after 10pm on the 5th)
Tuesday Jan 6th: Transfer to airport for flight home. Flights can be as early as 5am. (Quito has a new airport several HOURS away so it is best to set your flights up for Jan 6th.)

2013 SAMPLE Pricing for Tours & Add'l Transfers:
All add'l transfers required ($15 per transfer x 4 transfers): US$50.00 per person
3 nights at the Rio Amazonas: US 130.00 double occ ($65 per person) or $US 120 single occ per night or total of $195 d/o or $360 s/o
Tours: (1) Full day US$120.00 per person and (1) ½ day US$95.00 per person
Aero Gal Flight: $500 via Quito or $450 via Guayquil (subject to change)


Airfare:
You will fly into Quito or Guayaquil Ecuador. THE GROUP IS MOST LIKELY DOING A COMBINED HOTEL/TOUR PACKAGE VIA QUITO sin the fares are better to Quito. AeroGal flight times, prices and the Galapagos airport of arrival are all subject to change with little or no notification, and flights often run late. The boat strongly encourages all guests to plan on arriving at least one and preferably two days prior to your flight to the Galapagos Islands, to ensure that your luggage is with you or to make up for any travel delays. They also recommend that guests plan on an extra night in Quito or Guayaquil upon departing Ecuador. The earliest time a guest can reliably expect to connect to another flight is 10 p.m MONDAY night which means that Tuesday is the only realistic flights you can make. However any flight on Tuesday including 6am will work. Ticket holders are required to check-in a minimum of two hours prior to flight time for all international departures, even when connecting from an Aerogal flight.

Baggage Limits:
There is a weight limit on checked-in luggage for flights to and from Quito and/or Guayaquil to the Galapagos of 44 pounds (20 kilos). An additional fee of up to US$2.00* per 2.2 pounds (1 kilo) to and from Quito will be charged for luggage over the limit and US$2.00* per 2.2 pounds (1 kilo) to and from Guayaquil. In addition, passengers are allowed a carry-on bag weighing no more than 17.6 pounds (8 kilos). This additional fee must be paid in cash at flight time. *These prices could change at anytime.

Arrival/Departure:
Passports with a minimum of 6 months remaining before the expiration date are required for all arriving foreign nationals. If in doubt about visas, contact the Ecuadorian Consulate for specific requirements from your country.

Transfers within the Galapagos are included in your package for same day arrivals, and you will be met at the airport in Galapagos by one of our tour guides. If you miss any of your flights and are not able to make it to Ecuador or the Galapagos on schedule, please contact Galasam, our Ecuadorian partner, at 011-593-9703-1382 or 011-593-9529-7471 and notify them of your updated arrival time should you have that information, and where you may be reached in the meantime. The vessel will leave port on Monday at approximately 2:00pm. Retrieving lost luggage after the vessel departs on charter is impossible. It can be retrieved when the vessel returns to port at the end of the charter.

The vessel arrives at its final destination port on Monday morning. The Sunday evening meal is on the island and is not included in the price of the trip. Transportation is organized and included for transfer to the airport. The departure tax from Quito and Guaayquil is now included in international flight prices.

Please note: Flight times, prices and the Galapagos airport of arrival are all subject to change with little or no notification and are completely out of EV's control, and flights often run late. We strongly encourage guests to plan on arriving at least one and preferably two days prior to your flight to the Galapagos Islands, to ensure that your luggage is with you or to make up for any travel delays. We also recommend that guests plan on an extra night in Quito or Guayaquil upon departing Ecuador. The earliest time a guest can reliably expect to connect to another flight is 10 p.m on the last Monday of the trip. Ticket holders are required to check-in a minimum of three hours prior to flight time for all international departures, even when connecting from an Aerogal or Tame flight.

THE DIVING:
The diving is magnificent centering on large animals such as Whalesharks, Hammer Heads, Eagle Rays, Sea Lions as well as marvelous macro life.
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Join this exciting diving excursion from either Guayaquil or Quito, (THE GROUP *MOST LIKELY WILL BE GOING VIA QUITO* but if you wish to book your own flights from Quito or Guayaquil you may do so) starting on mainland Ecuador and culminating in the big-animal action and pristine diving of Darwin, Wolf, Isabela Island, Cabo Marshall as well as the Sea Lions & Penguins of Cousin's Rock! We have booked the Explorer Ventures Humbolt Explorer Liveaboard for an all inclusive INCLUDING alcohol and sodas Galapagos first class adventure...Dec 29th - Jan 5th. Scheduling 2-4 dives daily, including night dives, the vessel boards each Monday and offers 4½ days of diving each day on one of only a handful of vessels approved to dive the Galapagos!

The wonders of the Galapagos diving experience will be with you for a lifetime. Few will have the opportunity of diving some of the most remote and pristine seas in the world. No other place on earth boasts such a variety of sea and land life. Your seven nights and eight days will be filled with memories to last a lifetime - thrilling shark dives, diving with turtles and sea lions, informative shore-based naturalist guided tours, exotic vistas – and these will be only a small part of your experience aboard the Galapagos Humbolt Explorer. The crew of ten, plus 2 naturalist/dive guides, has a wealth of knowledge about these unique volcanic islands and are ready to share their experience with every guest, as well as provide you with the customer service and all of the amenities for which the Explorer Ventures Fleet is known.

The marine community of Galapagos is one of the most unique and exotic in the world. You will see penguins swimming with tropical fish and iguanas that feed underwater. The creatures of the sea exhibit the same bold curiosity and lack of fear characteristic of the terrestrial wildlife. Almost one quarter of the marine life in Galapagos is endemic to this archipielago-17% of its fish and 35% of its marine invertebrates are native and found nowhere else in the world. The underwater scene is rich in nutrients and teems with colorful life. Great schools of fish cruise the open water, at times so thick they nearly block out the sun. The reefs are an amazing profusion of invertebrate life. Swept by both cold-water currents from Antarctica and warm currents from the tropical Pacific, the marine life is a bizarre mixture of cold and warm water species.

Schedule:
Days aboard the Explorer generally involve a 6:30 am dive followed by breakfast, a dive at 9:30, lunch at 12:00, and afternoon dives at dive at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. Dinner is served at approximately 7:00 p.m. Under current National Parks guidelines no night dives are allowed.
Please note that these itineraries are examples only, and will change depending on local regulation, weather and logistics at the Captain's discretion. Currently each week the itinerary includes the same islands. The order of the islands, however, is dictated by the National Parks Foundation and may vary weekly.

San Cristobal/BALTRA Departures
All departures are expected to be out of Baltra, Galapagos Islands for 2014. A guide will meet you upon exiting the baggage claim area for transfer to the vessel. If the departure island changes, your airlines tickets from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands will automatically be changed to San Cristobal (so long as the tickets have been purchased through our partners/SD).

Monday: Baltra/North Seymour
Guests fly to the Galapagos Islands from Mainland Ecuador, arriving in the late morning. Guests are met at the airport and taken to the Estrella del Mar. After boarding the vessel by 1:00pm, guests will depart for a short crossing to North Seymour for a check out dive and safety orientation briefing Lunch will be served during the crossing and dinner will be served after the check out dive. The vessel will make a late day departure to the next destination.

Tuesday: North Seymour Island
6:30, 9:30, dives. Sightings include turtles, hammerheads, sea lions. Afternoon/overnight transit to Darwin (20 hours).

Wednesday: Darwin Island
6:30, 9:30, 1:30 and 4:00 dives. Sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks, eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, and silky sharks. Night at anchor. Considered by many experienced divers as the very best dive site in the world, The Arch at Darwin Island honors its reputation. It is warmer by a few degrees than the central islands. In one single dive you can find schooling hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, large pods of dolphins, thick schools of skipjack and yellow fin tuna, big eye jacks, Mobula rays, and silky sharks. From June to November, whale sharks can almost be guaranteed in numbers of up to 8 different individuals in one single dive. The presence of occasional tiger sharks, black and blue marlin and killer whales adds on to this amazing diving experience. If you still have time to look for smaller stuff, you'll find octopus, flounders, and an enormous variety and abundance of tropical fish. Darwin Island is the biggest jewel on the Galapagos Crown.

Thursday: Darwin Island
6:30, 9:30, 1:30 and 4:00 dives. Sightings often include hammerheads, whale sharks, eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, and silky sharks. Evening crossing to Wolf Island (2.5 hrs). Experienced divers agree Wolf & Darwin offer some of the world's best diving. No land visits here, just some serious diving. At Darwin`s Northern Arch, the northern most point of the two Islands, schools of hammerhead sharks and groups of bottle nose dolphins often swim in clear view of divers. Divers often see whale sharks and giant manta rays.

Friday: Wolf Island
6:30, 9:30, 1:30 and 4:00 dives. Sightings often include hammerheads, eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, turtles and silky sharks. Overnight transit to Isabela Island (15 hours). One of those magical islands, with several dive sites to choose from, Wolf will astound dive visitors. If you want to see sharks, you are at the right spot. This is a place for schooling hammerhead sharks, large aggregations of Galapagos sharks, and occasionally whale sharks. Seeing dolphins, large schools of tuna, spotted eagle rays, barracudas, sea lions and sea turtles is common. The ocean floor here is peppered with hundreds of moray eels, many of them free swimming. Being several degrees warmer than the central islands, you can look for many representatives of the Indo-Pacific underwater fauna.

Saturday: Isabela Island, Cabo Marshall
6:30, 9:30, 11:30 and 3:00 dives. Sightings include giant manta rays, turtles, hammerheads, Mola Mola (ocean sunfish), black-striped salema. Evening or overnight transit to Cousin's Rock (6 hours). At Cape Marshall, on the eastern side of Isabela island, you encounter rocky volcanic cliffs, that drops down to the ocean floor as an almost vertical wall. You might see large animals like manta rays, marbled rays, hammerhead sharks mola mola (sun fish) and marine turtles, but also Chevron barracuda, snappers, yellow fin tuna, rainbow runners, wahoo and groupers. There are also a lot of smaller fishes like creole fishes, parrot fishes, scrawled filefishes, pacific box fishes and tiger snake eels.

Sunday: Cousin's Rock
6:30 dive – macro diving with excellent chance of seeing sea horses, frog fish, sea lions and fur seals. . Lunch and transit back to Santa Cruz (3 hrs). Land trip to see the giant tortoises in the highlands of Santa Cruz and possible visit to the town of Puerto Ayora. Possible dinner ashore

Monday: Baltra
Early morning panga ride in the mangroves of Black Turtle Cove. Breakfast; depart the vessel by 9 am . Transfer back to the airport for flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.

Departure:The Galapagos Humbolt Explorer arrives at its final destination port on Sunday afternoon and passengers spend Sunday night and have Monday breakfast on board. Transportation is organized and included for transfer to the airport. There is a departure tax which is not included in your airline tickets. NOTE: The group MOST LIKELY will be leaving via Quito.

HOW TO BOOK A SPOT ON THIS TRIP:
1, Please register/upgrade to a premier member to join our trip. (This allows us to privately contact you but share that contact with all trip goers while keeping your contact information hidden.)
2. Send your $1000 deposit for the trip and/or monies due based upon the payment schedule posted below and payment options. If you need to make special arrangements about payments with me please contact me and I'll gladly try to work with you. Use the payment link in my signature line or on our home page.
3. Post in this thread that you plan to join us USING THE BOOKING TEMPLATE IN POST #3 and advise your check or credit card payment is on its way via our SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY. (SEE PAYMENT LINK IN MY SIGNATURE.) We'll then put your name on the 'check's in the mail' list. (Please send your pymt asap as we can NOT hold any spots on this trip. Your spot will ONLY BE CONFIRMED when we receive your $1000 non-refundable deposit. - To post on the site you need to register as a member of the site. Registration is free however you need to be a premier membership to join the trip which is only $35 a year and you can get $25 back after the trip as a member rebate if you file for it. Click here to learn more.
4. Fill out the Trip Rooming & Diving Survey plus the SingleDivers.com Medical Liability Release & Insurance Summary form which you'll find under "Stuff you need to know for ALL SingleDivers.com trips & activities!" or click here to link to it. (Send a PM or an email to trips@singledivers.com for the password.)
5. We need to know if you need rental gear, will be staying extra days and if you want d/o or s/o for the trip. You MUST include as much of this information as possible with your initial reservation. Just put "maybe" or "waiting for info" etc. if you don't know yet.
6. You will also need to verify if you have trip insurance or will be procuring trip insurance or conversely not procuring trip insurance. All participants must have Current Dive Insurance AND Trip Insurance for this trip and state one of the following:
a. I have trip insurance that covers this trip already.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip.
7. You are responsible for all info in the thread. We try to keep our FAQ and Important Updates posts #2 & #3 updated to make it easier for you but you are responsible for monitoring the thread for all updates. As the trip gets closer we'll open a private forum for all trip goers to answer last minute questions & provide last minute details. For sure monitor the thread the last 30 days prior to your trip for last minute updates and information.
8. Only requests posted in this trip topic/thread are considered official especially for limited options such as use of a computer, or going on a tour, etc.
9. Please note that while you may send pm and email requests for availability, the "official" availability is only accurate in the main trip post. For more information on SingleDivers.com, booking policies, etc please read here.
10. Also note that for FASTER service pls email trips@singledivers.com for all general questions and kamala@singledivers.com for custom questions or special requests. (Please allow more time for replies from Kamala as she may be traveling leading a trip.)
11. PLEASE SEND ALL DOCUMENTS ONLY TO TRIPS@SINGLEDIVERS.COM as I do not regularly check trip documentation emails, rather leaving it to our awesome volunteers who help me with our trips. :thankyou:/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>
12. Save $75 by getting your documents in house within 3 weeks of booking your trip. If you miss the 21 day timeline we'll simply add the $75 document fee to your invoice total. If signing up within 45 days of the trip documents must be submitted within 3 days to avoid the document fee.
13. Explorer Venture Application/Waiver: Please fill out this form and fax it to Explorer Ventures, or email it to trips@singledivers.com, and we will fax it for you.

Booking Template - (Cut and Paste the Booking Template from Post #3 into a new post in this thread/trip details to sign up for this trip):


PAYMENT TERMS & SCHEDULE:

PROGRESS PAYMENTS:

a. $1000 due at booking to secure one of only 16 spots for DEC 29th-Jan 5, 2015 Galapagos trip.
b. SAVE $75 Document Processing Fee By Submitting Your Docs Within 21 Days of Signing up for this Trip. If signing up within 45 days of the trip pls submit within 3 days to avoid the fee. (If docs are not submitted within 21 days of signing up or 3 days if within 45 days of departure, we'll add the fee to your final invoice.) - Does not apply to the EV Waiver until it is posted on the site and in the Documents Forum.
c. June 30, 2014: Last Day for LOCK IN of LOWER 2014 PRICING of $4395 early payment in full discount AND your chances to win a FREE DIVER'S GPS, NITROX, and more
d. Jul 30, 2014: $1500
e. Sept 1, 2014: $1500
f. Nov 1, 2014: $595
g. Nov 1, 2014: ALL EXTRAS DUE Land/Tour pkg of $TBD d/o or $TBD s/o plus any extras ie. Nitrox $150, Instruction, Rental gear, S/O Upgrade, etc. due in full.etc.

Note: Trip must be paid in full 90 days prior to departure. Extras must be paid in full 90 days prior ie. tours, extra nights etc.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
SingleDivers.com uses a secure online payment gateway that allows you to pay for trips or merchandise using either an e-check which debits your checking account directly without having to mail in a check or debits your credit card without having to fill out a SD.com credit card authorization form. [i](Please note that any non-US bank originating credit card MAY still have to use the paper credit card authorization form as different processing procedures may be followed to process international/non-US credit cards. You'll find this form in the Forms Forum link in my signature. - NOTE: For State us AA if using an international credit card.)


SingleDivers.com provides its members with pricing that reflects all possible cash discounts so all paypal and credit card payments will still incur a 3% non-cash convenience fee. Our SECURE payment gateway which you can access by clicking the PAY HERE LINK along the top, in my signature line and on the homepage of SingleDivers.com.

This trip should sell out quickly due to the popularity of this venue so in order to ensure timely & accurate processing of payment receipts and therefore timely & accurate acceptance of members onto the trip, ONLY PAYMENTS RECEIVED VIA OUR SECURE PAYMENT GATEWAY WILL BE ACCEPTED

If you are unable to use the gateway please provide a complete description of the problem/error you are encountering and contact kamala@singledivers.com immediately to manually process your payment for you.


The gateway will add a 3% non-cash convenience fee if paying via credit card or any non-cash option. Checks, money orders and real cash are discounted already.

International/ Non-US Clients: Please use the traditional written credit authorization form to submit credit card payments IF the payment system does not work for you. (Remember use AA as the state and it should work). Click here for the form and ask trips@singledivers.com for the password.



HOW TO BE REACHED ON THE BOAT WHILE TRAVELING:

You can be reached aboard the Humbolt Explorer from North America via satellite phone at +(TBA). Outgoing calls may also be made. Please be aware that a charge is assessed for both incoming and outgoing calls. (Not sure what the charge is.)

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OTHER INFORMATION:

Boat Amenities:

Vessel: Humboldt Explorer
Registry: Pto Baquerizo Moreno, Galapagos Islands
Length overall: 111.5 ft (34 meters)
Beam: 21.3 ft (6.5 meters)
Draft: 8.2 ft (2.5 meters)
Tonnage: 169 ITC
Main engines: Detroit Diesel 6V92, 350 hp
Generators: 2x Perkins 73 kw
Maximum Speed: 10 knots
Fuel Capacity: 5,300 gallons (20,000 liters)
Range: 1,800 nm
Accommodations: 16 passengers in 8 air-conditioned rooms on main and lower decks, all with private bathrooms and showers. All rooms except rooms 3 & 4 (forward belowdecks) can be converted to either one queen bed or two twin beds. Up to 7 crew and 2 guides in crews' quarters.
Safety Equipment: Life rafts (2), life rings/strobes, life vests/strobes, emergency position locator, flares, oxygen and first aid equipment
Air Systems:2 electric Bauer compressors with nitrox membrane, producing 32% nitrox, bank storage
Tenders: Rigid hull inflatables (2), used for passenger transport and diver pickup
Accessories: Diving Equipment

Temperatures and Diving Conditions and Qualifications for these dives:
The weather in the Galapagos has water temperatures ranging from 70 – 85 degrees F from December through May and 60 – 75 (F) June through November. Water temperatures are slightly warmer in both Darwin and Wolf. Air temperatures range from 75 (F) or higher in the rainy season (December-May) to the mid 60's (F) during the dry season (June – November), with nearly constant sea breezes. Currents can range from 1 to 5 knots at the sites we visit, and visibility is generally between 30 and 80 feet. Most divers are comfortable with a 7mm wetsuit June - November and a minimum 5 mm wetsuit December - May. Gloves and hood are recommended. Your dives will be done from the pangas(dingys) with an easy backward roll in to the water. After your dive, your tank will be lifted back in to the panga and you will board via its stern ladders. All divers must be experienced divers (we recommend that you have more than 100 logged dives) and have logged at least one dive within the 6 months prior to boarding the vessel. To dive Galapagos, one must be an experienced diver with adequate skills. Galapagos is not suitable for novice or infrequent divers due to strong current, sea (swell), surges, cool waters, upwelling, poor visibility (at times), and large animals including the harmless Galapagos shark. Divers must have excellent buoyancy control and be totally self-sufficient to handle all gear. All dives are guided by an instructor/naturalist guide. All divers must log in and out of the water with a member of the diving staff. All divers must have a submersible console and a computer. NO night dives are allowed in the Marine Park. Decompression diving is not allowed under any conditions. The maximum allowed depth is 130' (110' on nitrox). All divers must carry a DiveAlert, a surface signaling device, and a electronic beacon while diving (all available for rent on board).

Money Matters:
Though all meals, most beverages, transportation between islands, and much more has been taken care of with your trip payment, there are additional items which you may charge to your on board bill. These include retail items (shirts, scuba accessories, etc.), incoming and outgoing telephone calls, photographic and scuba instruction, rentals, nitrox, premium alcoholic beverages, and crew gratuities.
The bill may be paid at the end of the trip using cash (PREFERRED), Discover, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Diner's Club; traveler's checks are not accepted nor cashed. DO NOT BRING THEM.. Personal checks are not accepted on board, and we are unable to advance cash on credit card charges. The U.S. dollar is the official currency of Ecuador; therefore, it is not necessary to purchase currency before arriving. Most major credit cards are accepted widely when shopping ashore.

Meals
Aboard the Humbolt, evening meals usually consist of lots of fresh vegetables, rice, pasta, chicken, beef, turkey, pork, and fish. Breakfast is the usual fare of eggs, bacon, pancakes, French toast, muffins, danish and fresh fruits. Lunches vary from soup and sandwiches, burgers, pasta, assorted salads, and quiche. Homemade baked breads, cookies and brownies are offered between dives. If you have any dietary restrictions or requests, please indicate so on your application form. Please note that specific brands of drinks, dressings and foods are often unavailable in the islands, and that it can be very difficult for us to find low-fat or soy products, fresh fruit, fish, and other items common elsewhere. While we will do our best to accommodate your requests, please be realistic and consider bringing some of your own foods if the lack thereof may constitute a health risk.

What to Bring
Packing for a liveaboard trip is much easier than packing for a land-based vacation. The climate doesn't require much more than shorts, T-shirts, and swimsuits (you may consider slacks, dress shorts or sundresses for dinner ashore). In the winter months, a sweater, long pants and windbreaker for the evenings can be a good idea. Soft luggage is recommended as it takes up very little space when empty and fits more readily under the bed. Sun screens, sunglasses, a visor or hat is recommended. In case of rough weather or if you have a tendency towards seasickness, come prepared with motion sickness medications or Transderm patches from your doctor. If you have favorite CD's or DVD's, feel free to bring them.

All linens (including sheets, comforters, bath towels, hand towels, dive towels, and wash cloths) are provided on board.

If possible, pack your regulator, dive computer, mask, a swimsuit, change of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on bag. Having these few items with you will make an unexpected luggage delay far more bearable.

More about Darwin's Galapagos:
The Galapagos Islands were discovered in 1535 by Fray Tomas de Berlanga, bishop of Panama who drifted across them while on a voyage from Panama to Lima, Peru. They were given their current name by Abraham Ortelier in 1574 after the giant tortoises. Galapagos is Spanish for a saddle a reference to the shape of the carapace (shell) of the saddleback tortoises found on some of the islands.

The Islands had been called Las Encantadas or bewitched islands. This was because of the strong currents that flow through and around them, so making navigation difficult and also due to the gaura or mists making it difficult at times to tell whether it was the islands or the ship that was moving. This name was in continued use by whalers and pirates for some time after the title of Galapagos was generally accepted.

There were no native peoples, though doubtless sea-faring races in pre-history had come across the islands, but kept on going for more hospitable places to build their communities.

Because of their isolation, the Galapagos quickly became a refuge for pirates and castaways. Treasures were buried, and stories grew up around them. By 1792, British whalers had reached the Galapagos and began to hunt for whales around them. Like many oceanic islands, the topography of the ocean floor suddenly sweeping upwards causes upwellings of deep nutrient-laden currents so resulting in a bloom of phytoplankton and so of animals that are a part of the food chain. The Galapagos are an excellent feeding ground for whales, with the Islands of Isabela and Fernandina being a calving place.

The whaling business was lucrative and unregulated, whalers took whatever they could until their holds were full. They also took the giant tortoises as living larders to provide fresh meat on the cruise. A typical whaling ship would take 500-600 giant tortoises in this way to be stored upside down in the holds to be slaughtered and eaten when fresh meat was needed. It is thought that the whalers caused the extinction of tortoise subspecies on the islands of Floreana, Santa Fe and Rabida. In total it is estimated that whaling ships removed 200,000 tortoises from the Galapagos.

One interesting relic of whaling days is still preserved on the islands, that is the whalers post-boxes. Whaling ships were away from port for usually at least 2 years and commonly more, so post-boxes were erected on islands where they might be seen by other whaling ships. Letters left in the boxes, often little more than a small barrel raised on a pole with a roof to keep the rain out, were left with a request that ships on their homeward journey would take the mail back with them and post them on arrival.

The whalers also caused further problems that would be around long after they left in the form of feral non-native animals. Black rats, cats, cattle, donkeys, goats, pigs and dogs are a legacy of whaling and other ships that called by. Sometimes the animals escaped, sometimes in the case of goats and pigs, they were deliberately let free to breed and establish a population that could be used for food by ship wrecked sailors in the future. These feral animals then competed with native fauna for food and habitat.

Author Herman Melville (of Moby Dick fame) visited the Galapagos aboard a whaler and later wrote about this visit in the story The Encantadas in 1855.

The Galapagos were largely ignored and considered unremarkable except to the occasional ship's naturalist until Charles Darwin landed in 1835 aboard HMS Beagle. Darwin was at the time a young man who had embarked on the exploratory voyage while in the midst of studying for the clergy. The voyage and especially the experience and collection of animal specimens from the Galapagos led to the development and crystallization of a set of ideas that would lead to Darwin's theory of evolution. Surprisingly perhaps, when Darwin arrived at the Galapagos, he was more interested in their geology than biology, though this changed when he started to look at what there was to be found there.

What fascinated Darwin the most was the geographical isolation and distribution of species. In Voyage of the Beagle, published in 1845, he documented his epic natural history journey. His discourse on the subject of evolution was not published until 1859, when the first edition of On the Origin of Species emerged in England and forever changed the study of evolutionary biology.

There were two to three hundred people living on Floreana at the time of Darwin's visit, he wrote:

"The staple article of animal food is supplied by the tortoises. Their numbers have of course been greatly reduced in this island, but the people yet count on two days' hunting giving them food for the rest of the week. It is said that formerly single vessels have taken away as many as seven hundred, and that the ship's company of a frigate some years since brought down in one day two hundred tortoises to the beach."

The Ecuadorian government used the Galapagos for penal colonies until the middle of the twentieth century. There were plans to further exploit the islands for their mineral resources such as coal and guano, but these foundered for the simple reason that there was insufficient for it to be viable. Salt was mined from a salt lake on Santiago and was used for salting locally caught fish and tortoise meat.

The oldest colony on the Galapagos was established on San Cristobal in 1869 and remains the seat of government in the Galapagos today. Other towns that are still in existence were established in the later years of the 19th century. Villamil on Isabela where coral was mined and burned to produce lime. Santo Tomas, 20 km inland also on Isabela was established to mine sulphur from the volcanic fumeroles in the area. These activities were supplemented by fishing and cattle ranching on the moist windward slopes of Sierra Negra.

Ecuador declared the Galapagos Archipelago a wildlife sanctuary in 1935. From about this time, eco-tourism began in the Galapagos, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, visited in 1938 for instance.

In 1942, the United States was permitted to construct a major air base on one of the islands, Baltra, to protect and defend the Panama Canal. After World War II, the United States returned this base and its airstrip to Ecuador. Legislation to protect the archipelago had begun in 1934, but war and politics prevented official protection to take place until 1959, when Ecuador established Galapagos National Park. In that same year, 100 years after the publication of On the Origin of Species, the Charles Darwin Foundation was established under the auspices of UNESCO and the World Conservation Union. The Foundation's stated goal is "to provide knowledge and support to ensure the conservation of the environment and biodiversity of the Galapagos Archipelago through scientific research and complementary actions." To achieve this goal, in 1964 the Foundation opened the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) in Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz.

The principal partner of the Charles Darwin Foundation is the Galapagos National Park Service, the government agency that manages the National Park, and, since the passing of the Special Law for Galapagos in 1998, the Galapagos Marine Reserve. The Charles Darwin Foundation helped to establish the GNPS in 1968, and over the years, the Park-Station partnership has become a model for how conservation science and management can work together.


PLEASE obtain trip insurance - IT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. REMEMBER IF YOU MISS A DAY….YOU MISS A LOT! You can purchase it right online as well as check quotes etc.

Click here for Dive Assure (the company I use) for either a 'one time' policy OR policy options that are BOTH Dive & Trip Insurance providing PRIMARY COVERAGE with excellent rates and coverage meaning THEY PAY DIRECT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY AND WAIT FOR A REFUND!

or

Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID 1603080.


PLEASE obtain DIVE insurance - IT IS MANDATORY FOR THIS TRIP ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. Even if you have insurance that you think covers DIVING ACCIDENTS and air lifts…it is CHEAP to get a supplemental policy to ensure you are cared for.

DIVE ASSURE ... get BOTH TRIP & DIVE insurance in a number of inexpensive configurations!

or

Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID 1603080.


FAQ's & ONGOING INFORMATION FROM THE THREAD:
Please see the 2nd post of this topic/thread for ongoing updates in chronological order for ease of keeping updated.

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#2 WreckWench

WreckWench

    Founder? I didn't know we lost her!

  • Owner
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 53,489 posts
  • Location:FL SC & Dallas, TX
  • Gender:Female
  • Cert Level:DM & Technical certs
  • Logged Dives:5000+

Posted 12 June 2014 - 11:16 AM

This trip is NOW OPEN FOR BOOKING!!!

Welcome to the AMAZING GALAPAGOS Trip Details and Booking/Sign Up thread/topic. Below you'll find the 5 easy steps for signing up for one of our trips and the booking template we use to capture your booking requirements correctly. Let us know if you need any help signing up via trips@singledivers.com or charlies@singledivers.com or kamala@singledivers.com. Otherwise come and join us diving in Paradise aboard the Luxury EXPLORER VENTURE Fleet! See you in GALAPAGOS for NEW YEAR'S!!


How to Sign Up for A SingleDivers.com Trip in 5 Easy Steps:

Step 1. Register as a Premier Member:
A. Are you new and have not registered on the site yet? Then think of a fun screen name click HERE for ideas and then register HERE. Follow the prompts and choose the 'premier member' option or above in this process and you'll be done.

B. Currently a basic member? Then simply upgrade to premier by clicking on the MEMBERSHIP TAB along the top of the forums HERE and following the prompts for payment.

Step 2: Pay for the trip
We offer a secure payment portal to pay via check or credit card. Our system accepts MC or Visa and all checking accounts and some credit unions. Since all our pricing is offered at a cash discount, the system will add a 3% non-cash convenience fee for credit payments. We accept check payments via the "echeck" option in the payment portal/gateway at no additional charge so please do not "mail" us a check as it can take days and weeks to receive it in rural SC where SingleDivers.com is now corporately based. HERE is the link to our payment portal which is also found on our home page, in my signature line under my posts, across the top of the forums as the blue PAY HERE link and at the top of the trip details.

HOW TO USE THE PAYMENT SYSTEM:
  • After clicking the payment link you will need to enter your SingleDivers.com Screen/Display name so we can link you to the trip and your membership name.
  • Choose the trip you are paying for from the dropdown menu and the amount you are paying for. ONLY enter what you are paying for in each payment.
  • If you wish to provide extra payment details or summarize what you've already paid to date please do so in the details/extra information box and not in the payment template itself or it will think you are trying to pay all of the amounts listed again and total them up. (If this happens simply hit the back button and start over again. You will receive an order summary email every time you attempt a payment so do not worry. The ONLY time you've made a payment is when you receive a 2nd generic email saying "Thank you for your payment". If you get more than one of these please let us know and we'll be happy to refund your duplicate payment. Chances are we have already discovered it and let you know that we've refunded it accordingly.)
Step 3: Post in the trip thread/topic that you are joining us using our 'booking template':
Want to express intent in joining one of our trips? Ideally this is done in the trip details topic which is called a "thread" in the forums we use. In other words THIS TOPIC YOU ARE CURRENTLY READING. Let our volunteers help you learn the posting process as its critical to all of our 'back and forth' communications. (It can also be done via email and we'll "post" your intent for you in the trip topic/thread if you absolutely can't post it yourself.)

You'll find the BOOKING TEMPLATE below and an example of how to complete it. We hope in the near future that this step will be automated but until then please 'copy and paste' this into the the trip thread/this topic by clicking on the blue ADD REPLY button at the top of the forums (make sure the dialog box is empty before you start typing so your reply is not lost in other content.

Step 4: Trip Documents...Where to find them and what to fill out and why:
The trip documents are needed for rooming, diving, understanding your preferences, as well as helping us help you in the case of an emergency etc. They are required to be returned within 21 days of signing up for a trip or if you need more time we'll add a $75 document fee to your invoice. They must be returned within 3 days if you are signing up within 45 days of departure. The trip docs are located HERE You will need to complete the first 3 documents...the Rooming/Diving Survey, The Medical/Liability Release and the Insurance Summary form. (There is also a check list you can download that will help you as well.) NOTE: All docs need to be returned to either trips@singledivers.com or via fax to 888-480-0906.

Step 5: ONGOING COMMUNICATIONS...
Its a two way street...here's how we tell each other what we need:

We use several tools to keep EVERYONE on a trip updated. They are vitally important for you to monitor and stay apprised of. They are as follows:

A. The "Welcome to the Trip" PM (private message) which is sent to as soon as you sign up for the trip. You can not receive these unless you are a Premier member or above. As soon as you either pay or show interest in the trip thread/topic we'll send you this PM. It has helpful info about signing up for the trip and will be used THROUGHOUT the pre-trip process to keep you updated on critical things regarding your trip with us.

B. The 2nd & 3rd 'posts' in this trip thread (the first has the trip details in it) will contain summarized updates so you don't have to follow every post in the original trip thread. PLEASE monitor these for IMPORTANT UPDATES that affect your trip.

C. The Special Discussion Forums. They are private forums that open up approx 30-60 days before a trip and they are FILLED WITH HELPFUL INFORMATION you need for your trip like how the transfer work, money/tipping issues, who's doing what extra tours or diving, etc. We also use these forums to discuss PRIVATE matters such as exchanging celfone numbers so you can meet up at the airport together etc. ONLY members on the trip have access to these private trip discussion forums. Since they are password protected you will receive the special password for the private forum via the TRIP PM.

And that's it. If you need help feel free to email trips@singledivers.com or charlies@singledivers.com or kamala@singledivers.com and one of us will help you! :thankyou:/>/>/>/>/>


PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING BOOKING TEMPLATE AND CUT AND PASTE IT INTO A NEW POST WITH YOUR REPLIES.

NAME aka SCREEN NAME
Payments Summary To Date: We will post your payments as we receive them
D/O or S/O: CHOOSE Double or Single Occupancy
Extra Days/Nights: TBD as we get closer to the trip # of extra nites you plan to stay -
Nitrox Yes or No:
Documents: SD Waiver: ___ SD Survey___ - SD Ins Summary ___ EV Waiver: _____List when Rec'd & Faxed to the boat
Dive Insurance Current: Name of Provider & Policy #
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B:
a. I have insurance that covers this trip.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip
Flight Details: Tell us your flight details here AS YOU GET THEM
Bringing School/Life Supplies: Tell us Yes or No, if you can help!
Other: Let us know if you have special dietary needs, gear rental needs, sight seeing needs, or want a "Dive Mentor aka Rent-A-Buddy"
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
a. I paid in full by 6-30-2014 and locked in LOWER 2014 pricing of $4395
b. I paid in full by 6-30-14 so qualify for 2x chances at one of the limited main floor staterooms
c. I made my deposit by 6-30-14 so qualify for a chance 1x entry into a drawing to win one of the limited main floor staterooms
d. I made my deposit by 7-30-14 so qualify for a chance at a $300 Diver's GPS & Safety Device.
e. I made my deposit by 9-1-14 so have a chance at winning FREE NITROX worth $150. (If you do not dive Nitrox a substitute prize at SD's discretion will be awarded since prizes are non-transferable)
f. I paid in full by 7-30-14 so have a 2 chances at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device
g. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.
h. I am Active Duty Military in a country that fights for FREEDOM with the USA so I qualify for an add'l $25 off
i. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off.

SAMPLE OF HOW TO COMPLETE THE BOOKING TEMPLATE:

1. Kamala aka WreckWench
Payments Summary To Date: PAID $4395 + PAID $150 nitrox
D/O or S/O: d/o
Extra Days/Nights: I plan to arrive several days early hopefully as part of a group or by myself to ensure my bags arrive ok and to sight see a bit
[/color]Nitrox Yes or No: Yes - PAID
Documents: SD Waiver: _YES_ SD Survey_YES_ - SD Ins Summary _YES_ EV Waiver: _YES__
Dive Insurance Current: Dive Assure #
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B: A
a. I have insurance that covers this trip.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip
Flight Details: TBD
Bringing School/Life Supplies: YES
Other: Yes to sightseeing, mostly vegetarian, will be taking pictures
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
a. I paid in full by 6-30-2014 and locked in LOWER 2014 pricing of $4395
b. I paid in full by 6-30-14 so qualify for 2x chances at one of the limited main floor staterooms
c. I made my deposit by 6-30-14 so qualify for a chance 1x entry into a drawing to win one of the limited main floor staterooms
d. I made my deposit by 7-30-14 so qualify for a chance at a $300 Diver's GPS & Safety Device.
e. I made my deposit by 9-1-14 so have a chance at winning FREE NITROX worth $150. (If you do not dive Nitrox a substitute prize at SD's discretion will be awarded since prizes are non-transferable)
f. I paid in full by 7-30-14 so have a 2 chances at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device
g. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.
h. I am Active Duty Military in a country that fights for FREEDOM with the USA so I qualify for an add'l $25 off
I. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off.


And see you in Dec 2014...for NYE in GALAPAGOS!!!


A few extra notes:
And finally...since this trip is anticipated to fill out quickly, your spot will NOT be guaranteed until we receive your $1000 deposit AND whether you have or will get TRIP insurance. In order to be fair all payments will be received via our SECURE ONLINE payment gateway ONLY so they will be timestamped accordingly. The payments are NOT realtime so to compensate for the lag...ONLY PAYMENTS EITHER CHECK OR CREDIT CARD RECEIVED VIA THE SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY WILL BE HONORED. As noted in the first post, if you have ANY problems please document them and contact kamala@singledivers.com asap to manually enter your payment in the gateway or resolve the problem for you. And as always please note our terms and conditions and other things you need to know about SingleDivers.com trips HERE.

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#3 WreckWench

WreckWench

    Founder? I didn't know we lost her!

  • Owner
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 53,489 posts
  • Location:FL SC & Dallas, TX
  • Gender:Female
  • Cert Level:DM & Technical certs
  • Logged Dives:5000+

Posted 12 June 2014 - 11:21 AM

INVENTORY & SPOTS AVAILABLE UPDATE:

We have 16 spots for our Dec 29th - Jan 5th NYE TRIP. (See below for specifics) Posted Image


# SPOTS LEFT:
16 spots total - 14 people paid/booked so far = 2 spots available

1. Kamala aka WreckWench
2. Jose aka JesterDiver
3. Susan aka Resqdew
4. Jenny aka TabeaK
5. Tim aka Buzo Guerro
6. Kim aka Kim Buddaha
7. Sheri aka Huntres
8. Dennis aka Underwaterwizard
9. Stefano aka CowaBungee
10. Gabrielle aka Sunshine Diver
11. Andrew aka Andrew666
12. Diane from Hawaii (in process)
13. Ecuador Guy #1
14. Ecuador Guy #2
15. Brett aka SeaWolf
16. Benjamin aka beerknurd



IN PROGRESS:

1.
2.

*******************************
WAITING LIST
*******************************
1.


Booking Template...REPLACE WITH YOUR INFORMATION:

NAME aka SCREEN NAME
Payments Summary To Date: We will post your payments as we receive them
D/O or S/O: CHOOSE Double or Single Occupancy
Extra Days/Nights: TBD as we get closer to the trip # of extra nites you plan to stay -
Nitrox Yes or No:
SD Documents: ______
EV Waiver: _____List when Rec'd & Faxed to the boat
Dive Insurance Current: Name of Provider & Policy #
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B:
a. I have insurance that covers this trip.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip
Flight Details: E-mail your flight details to Trips@singledivers.com
Bringing School/Life Supplies: Tell us Yes or No, if you can help!
Other: Let us know if you have special dietary needs, gear rental needs, sight seeing needs, or want a "Dive Mentor aka Rent-A-Buddy"
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
a. I paid in full by 6-30-2014 and locked in LOWER 2014 pricing of $4395
b. I paid in full by 6-30-14 so qualify for 2x chances at one of the limited main floor staterooms
c. I made my deposit by 6-30-14 so qualify for a chance 1x entry into a drawing to win one of the limited main floor staterooms
d. I made my deposit by 7-30-14 so qualify for a chance at a $300 Diver's GPS & Safety Device.
e. I made my deposit by 9-1-14 so have a chance at winning FREE NITROX worth $150. (If you do not dive Nitrox a substitute prize at SD's discretion will be awarded since prizes are non-transferable)
f. I paid in full by 7-30-14 so have a 2 chances at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device
g. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.
h. I am Active Duty Military in a country that fights for FREEDOM with the USA so I qualify for an add'l $25 off
i. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off.


TRIP SUMMARY RECAPS:

1. Kamala aka WreckWench d/o
2.

Those who are diving Nitrox ($150)
1. Kamala aka WreckWench - PD $150
2. Jose aka Jesterdiver - Pd $150
3. Susan aka Resqdew - Pd $150
4. Jenny aka Tabeak - Pd $150
5. Sheri aka Huntres
6. Dennis aka Underwaterwizard




Those who paid in full by 6-30-14 & LOCKED IN LOWER 2014 PRICING and have 2x chances in the drawing for a Main Floor Stateroom AND the drawing for FREE DIVER's GPS and the Drawing for FREE Nitrox:

1. Jose aka Jesterdiver
2. Tim aka Buzo Guero

Those who DEPOSITED $1000 by 6-30-14 and are in the drawing for a Main Floor Stateroom AND FREE DIVER's GPS AND the Drawing for FREE NITROX:

1. Jose aka Jesterdiver
2. Tim aka Buzo Guero
3. Jenny aka TabeaK
4. Kim aka Kimbuddha
5. Susan aka Resqdew
6. Sheri aka Huntres
7. Dennis aka Underwaterwizard


Those who DEPOSITED $1000 by 7-30-14 and are in the drawing for a FREE DIVER's GPS AND drawing for FREE Nitrox worth $150

1. Jose aka Jesterdiver
2. Tim aka Buzo Guero
3. Jenny aka TabeaK
4. Kim aka Kimbuddha
5. Susan aka Resqdew
6. Sheri aka Huntres
7. Dennis aka Underwaterwizard


Those who DEPOSITED $1000 by 9-1-14 and are in the drawing for FREE Nitrox worth $150

1. Jose aka Jesterdiver
2. Tim aka Buzo Guero
3. Jenny aka TabeaK
4. Kim aka Kimbuddha
5. Susan aka Resqdew
6. Sheri aka Huntres
7. Dennis aka Underwaterwizard


Those Wanting to Use Cochran Computers to Aid DAN PDE Research Efforts (Limited # Participants) -
1. Kamala aka wreckwench
2.

Those wanting to participate in the "Dive Mentor" aka Rent a Buddy program (limited # participants & MUST TALK TO KAMALA FIRST) -
1.
2.

OFFICIALLY COMPLETED THE BOOKING PROCESS:

1. Kamala aka WreckWench
Payments Summary To Date: PAID $4395 + PAID $150 nitrox
D/O or S/O: d/o
Extra Days/Nights: I plan to arrive several days early hopefully as part of a group or by myself to ensure my bags arrive ok and to sight see a bit
[/color]Nitrox Yes or No: Yes - PAID
Documents: SD Waiver: _YES_ SD Survey_YES_ - SD Ins Summary _YES_ EV Waiver: _YES__
Dive Insurance Current: Dive Assure #
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B: A
a. I have insurance that covers this trip.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip
Flight Details: TBD
Bringing School/Life Supplies: YES
Other: Yes to sightseeing, mostly vegetarian, will be taking pictures
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
a. I paid in full by 6-30-14 and locked in LOWER 2014 pricing of $4395
b. I paid in full by 6-30-14 so qualify for 2x chances at one of the limited main floor staterooms
c. I made my deposit by 6-30-14 so qualify for a chance 1x entry into a drawing to win one of the limited main floor staterooms
d. I made my deposit by 7-30-14 so qualify for a chance at a $300 Diver's GPS & Safety Device.
e. I made my deposit by 9-1-14 so have a chance at winning FREE NITROX worth $150. (If you do not dive Nitrox a substitute prize at SD's discretion will be awarded since prizes are non-transferable)
f. I paid in full by 7-30-14 so have a 2 chances at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device
g. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.
h. I am Active Duty Military in a country that fights for FREEDOM with the USA so I qualify for an add'l $50 off
i. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off.



THOSE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF THE BOOKING PROCESS:


1) Kamala aka Wreckwench

2) Tim aka Buzo Guero
Payments Summary To Date:
$4295
D/O or S/O:
D/O
Extra Days/Nights: Yes
Nitrox Yes or No: YES
Documents: Rec'd
EV Waiver: Rec'd
Dive Insurance Current: Name of Provider & Policy # DAN 2063114 11/30/13
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B:
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip
Flight Details: Tell us your flight details here AS YOU GET THEM
Bringing School/Life Supplies: No
Other: Let us know if you have special dietary needs, gear rental needs, sight seeing needs, or want a "Dive Mentor aka Rent-A-Buddy": None
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
e. I made my deposit by 2-3-13 so have a chance at winning 2013 pricing for my trip vs 2014 pricing.
f. I made my deposit by 2-3-13 so have a chance at winning a $300 Diver's GPS.
g. I made my deposit by 12-1-13 so have a chance at winning Free Nitrox worth $150
i. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.
k. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off.

3. Jose aka JesterDiver
Payments Summary To Date:
$4495
D/O or S/O: Double Occupancy
Extra Days/Nights: Yes
Nitrox Yes or No: Yes Pd
Documents: Rec'd
EV Waiver: Rec'd
Dive Insurance Current: diveassure & Policy #
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B:
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip
Flight Details: Tell us your flight details here AS YOU GET THEM
Bringing School/Life Supplies: TBD
Other: Let us know if you have special dietary needs, gear rental needs, sight seeing needs, or want a "Dive Mentor aka Rent-A-Buddy"
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
a. I paid in full by 2-3-13 and locked in 2013 Pricing for 2014
b. I can do the 2nd date if it becomes available and therefore save $50 AND get a chance at FREE Nitrox.
c. I paid in full by 2-3-13 so qualify for a chance at one of the limited main floor staterooms
d. I paid in full by 2-3-13 so qualify for 2 chances at a $300 Diver's GPS
e. I made my deposit by 2-3-13 so have a chance at winning 2013 pricing for my trip vs 2014 pricing.
f. I made my deposit by 2-3-13 so have a chance at winning a $300 Diver's GPS.
g. I made my deposit by 12-1-13 so have a chance at winning Free Nitrox worth $150
i. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.
k. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off.

4. Susan aka resqdew
Payments Summary To Date:
$4395 + $150
D/O or S/O: CHOOSE Double Occ
Extra Days/Nights:
Nitrox Yes or No: Yes
Documents: SD Waiver: ___ SD Survey___ - SD Ins Summary ___
EV Waiver: _____List when Rec'd & Faxed to the boat
Dive Insurance Current: Name of Provider & Policy #DiveAssure and DAN
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B:
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip--- only if I can file the claim from the Truk trip :-)
Flight Details:
Bringing School/Life Supplies:
Other: will plan my own
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
a. I paid in full by 6-30-2014 and locked in LOWER 2014 pricing of $4395
b. I paid in full by 6-30-14 so qualify for 2x chances at one of the limited main floor staterooms
c. I made my deposit by 6-30-14 so qualify for a chance 1x entry into a drawing to win one of the limited main floor staterooms
d. I made my deposit by 7-30-14 so qualify for a chance at a $300 Diver's GPS & Safety Device.
e. I made my deposit by 9-1-14 so have a chance at winning FREE NITROX worth $150. (If you do not dive Nitrox a substitute prize at SD's discretion will be awarded since prizes are non-transferable)
f. I paid in full by 7-30-14 so have a 2 chances at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device
g. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.
h. I am Active Duty Military in a country that fights for FREEDOM with the USA so I qualify for an add'l $25 off
i. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off.
I am on a road trip now, so I will finish my post and pay on Monday June 16.

5. Jenny aka TabeaK
Payments Summary To Date: $1000 + $1845 + 1700
D/O or S/O: d/o
Extra Days/Nights: I plan to arrive several days early hopefully as part of a group or by myself to ensure my bags arrive ok and to sight see a bit (arriving Dec 25th, departing Jan 7th)
Nitrox Yes or No:Yes
Documents: SD Waiver: SD Survey Ins Summary EV Waiver: Tbd
Dive Insurance Current: DAN - will renew policy in Nov14
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B: A
a. I have insurance that covers this trip.
Flight Details: TBD
Bringing School/Life Supplies: Maybe, weig/ht is an issue on this trip, may give cash.
Other: Yes to sightseeing, but may be doing my/our own thing
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
a. I paid in full by 6-30-14 and locked in LOWER 2014 pricing of $4395
b. I paid in full by 6-30-14 so qualify for 2x chances at one of the limited main floor staterooms
c. I made my deposit by 6-30-14 so qualify for a chance 1x entry into a drawing to win one of the limited main floor staterooms
d. I made my deposit by 7-30-14 so qualify for a chance at a $300 Diver's GPS & Safety Device.
e. I made my deposit by 9-1-14 so have a chance at winning FREE NITROX worth $150. (If you do not dive Nitrox a substitute prize at SD's discretion will be awarded since prizes are non-transferable)
f. I paid in full by 7-30-14 so have a 2 chances at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device
g. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.
i. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off. (this doesn't really work from outside the US)

6. Kimbuddha aka Kim
Payments Summary To Date: $1600 + $1000 + $1500
D/O or S/O: D/O
Extra Days/Nights: I believe I will arrive 12/25-1/6
Nitrox Yes or No: Yes
Documents:
EV Waiver: _____List when Rec'd & Faxed to the boat
Dive Insurance Current: # DAN 2150782
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B:
a. I have insurance that covers this trip. Dan annual policy#008931-1980 until 2/13/2015
Flight Details: Coming soon...
Bringing School/Life Supplies: Yikes, I will have luggage weight issues so will give $ can we leave a suitcase at the RIOS hotel? Then I can bring some.
Other: No gluten please, no dairy if possible.
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
c. I made my deposit by 6-30-14 so qualify for a chance 1x entry into a drawing to win one of the limited main floor staterooms
f. I paid in full by 7-30-14 so have a 2 chances at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device?? Maybe
g. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.
i. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off.

7. Sheri aka Huntres
PaymentsSummary To Date: $4395
D/O or S/O:CHOOSE Single Occ or Double is OK
ExtraDays/Nights: yes arriving Dec 27
Nitrox Yes orNo: yes
Documents:SD Waiver: ___ SD Survey_x__ - SD Ins Summary ___ EV Waiver: _____List whenRec'd & Faxed to the boat
DiveInsurance Current: Name of Provider & Policy #Allianz Policy No.:EUSP2048910789 DiveAssure and DAN#2417513
a.Have insurance
FlightDetails: Arrive 12/27 Depart 1/6
BringingSchool/Life Supplies: TBD
Other: Wouldlike to join others, video mostly
AvailableDiscounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
a. I paid infull by 6-30-2014 and locked in LOWER 2014 pricing of $4395
b. I paid infull by 6-30-14 so qualify for 2x chances at one of the limited main floorstaterooms
c. I made mydeposit by 6-30-14 so qualify for a chance 1x entry into a drawing to win oneof the limited main floor staterooms
d. I made mydeposit by 7-30-14 so qualify for a chance at a $300 Diver's GPS & SafetyDevice.
e. I made mydeposit by 9-1-14 so have a chance at winning FREE NITROX worth $150. (If youdo not dive Nitrox a substitute prize at SD's discretion will be awarded sinceprizes are non-transferable)
f. I paid infull by 7-30-14 so have a 2 chances at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device
g. Isubmitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75document fee.
h. N/A
i. I am apremier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30days after the trip for an additional $25 off.

8. Dennis aka Underwaterwizard
Payments Summary To Date:
$3000 + $2000
D/O or S/O: D/O
Extra Days/Nights: 12/5, 25, 26, 27 & 28, 1/5
Nitrox Yes or No: YES
All Documents Rec'd - Thank you
EV Waiver: _____List when Rec'd & Faxed to the boat
Dive Insurance Current: Name of Provider & Policy # Rec'd
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B:
a. I have insurance that covers this trip.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip
Flight Details: Rec'd
Bringing School/Life Supplies: No
Other: Need to Rent Diver GPS
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
c. I made my deposit by 6-30-14 so qualify for a chance 1x entry into a drawing to win one of the limited main floor staterooms
d. I made my deposit by 7-30-14 so qualify for a chance at a $300 Diver's GPS & Safety Device.
e. I made my deposit by 9-1-14 so have a chance at winning FREE NITROX worth $150. (If you do not dive Nitrox a substitute prize at SD's discretion will be awarded since prizes are non-transferable)
g. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.
i. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off.

9. Stefano aka CowaBungee
Payments Summary To Date: $3745
D/O or S/O: CHOOSE Double or Single Occupancy
Extra Days/Nights: TBD as we get closer to the trip # of extra nites you plan to stay -
Nitrox Yes or No: Yes Pd
SD Documents: ______
EV Waiver: _____List when Rec'd & Faxed to the boat
Dive Insurance Current: Name of Provider & Policy #
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B:
a. I have insurance that covers this trip.
b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip
Flight Details: E-mail your flight details to Trips@singledivers.com
Bringing School/Life Supplies: Tell us Yes or No, if you can help!
Other: Let us know if you have special dietary needs, gear rental needs, sight seeing needs, or want a "Dive Mentor aka Rent-A-Buddy"
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
a. I paid in full by 6-30-2014 and locked in LOWER 2014 pricing of $4395
b. I paid in full by 6-30-14 so qualify for 2x chances at one of the limited main floor staterooms
c. I made my deposit by 6-30-14 so qualify for a chance 1x entry into a drawing to win one of the limited main floor staterooms
d. I made my deposit by 7-30-14 so qualify for a chance at a $300 Diver's GPS & Safety Device.
e. I made my deposit by 9-1-14 so have a chance at winning FREE NITROX worth $150. (If you do not dive Nitrox a substitute prize at SD's discretion will be awarded since prizes are non-transferable)
f. I paid in full by 7-30-14 so have a 2 chances at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device
g. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.
h. I am Active Duty Military in a country that fights for FREEDOM with the USA so I qualify for an add'l $25 off
i. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off.

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#4 WreckWench

WreckWench

    Founder? I didn't know we lost her!

  • Owner
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 53,489 posts
  • Location:FL SC & Dallas, TX
  • Gender:Female
  • Cert Level:DM & Technical certs
  • Logged Dives:5000+

Posted 12 June 2014 - 11:25 AM

Saved for Future Use

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#5 WreckWench

WreckWench

    Founder? I didn't know we lost her!

  • Owner
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 53,489 posts
  • Location:FL SC & Dallas, TX
  • Gender:Female
  • Cert Level:DM & Technical certs
  • Logged Dives:5000+

Posted 12 June 2014 - 11:36 AM

THOSE INTERESTED IN BEING NOTIFIED WHEN THIS TRIP OPENS FOR BOOKING:

1. Kamala aka WreckWench
2. Susan aka Resqdew
3. Andrew aka Diver666
4. Rhi aka Rhiannon
5. Kim aka Kimbuddha
6. Tim aka Buzo Guero
7. Traci aka Scubagal
8. Jose aka Jesterdiver
9. Jenny aka TabeaK
10. Robert aka SDSquirrel
11. Donna aka Scuba Donna

CHECK OUT THE AMAZING PICTURES UNDER THE FAQ OF WHAT WE'LL SEE IN GALAPAGOS:

LOOK HERE FOR ONGOING IMPORTANT TRIP UPDATES - CHECK HERE OFTEN TO AVOID READING ALL THE POSTS IN THIS THREAD:

1. 6-1-2014 Trip opened up for Premier Member and Above & Pay in Full Early booking until June 30, 2014.

2. We only have 16 spots...come join us for this EXCLUSIVE Bucket List Dream Trip! NOTE: Monitor the 3rd post for official availability and Who's Going!

3. PRICES for 2014 have increased to $4595 BUT you can lock in the LOWER 2014 price of $4395 by paying in full by June 30, 2014.

4. Check the discounts section in the first post for all discounts, prizes and perks available on this trip.

5. AIR: When purchasing your air for this trip....Check out SD's New Online Booking Engine FIRST & get $200k in FREE Travel Accident Insurance on every airline ticket you purchase + Much Much More! Simply click THIS link, register as a free preferred member and get LOTS of FREE perks on every ticket you buy & Save Money! (For biggest savings make sure you are logged into Rovia when searching and booking airfares!)

6. NOTE: Beginning In 2012 and onward all trip participants will need to be premier members of our site so that we can effectively communicate with you and help to manage your trip/vacation more easily. Its only $35 a year and you'll get $25 back after EVERY trip you take with us if you file for it. To become a premier member click on the MEMBERSHIP tab along the top of the forums and follow the prompts.

7. NEED HELP BOOKING THIS TRIP? SIGNING UP AS A PREMIER MEMBER? HAVE QUESTIONS? Please post your specific trip questions in the thread or for general help on signing up email trips@singledivers.com and our awesome volunteers will help you! :)/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/> Special questions can be addressed to kamala@singledivers.com



GALAPAGOS & GENERAL SD TRIP RELATED FAQ!

Q. Why the big deal over trip insurance and when do I have to buy it if I want it?
A. The Galapagos is a long ways off and MANY things can happen. No one can afford this type of loss so you must get insurance within a short period of time of signing up for the trip. CHECK YOUR POLICY FOR TIMING RESTRICTIONS. People are used to things being pretty good and not worrying about things like insurance. However for some reason MORE people have experienced having to cancel a trip or having their vacation ruined due to accidents, illness, death in the family and even death of the member. And while our vendors and SD truly want to help you, we are extremely limited in what we can do if you did not take out trip insurance. NOTE: The last possible date to buy insurance VARIES by the policy you purchase. Some require it within a limited number of days after signing up.

Q. I am new to the single divers website and am interested in getting some more information about your trips. I was looking at the Galapagos trip. Do you have people from all over and all ages and experience levels that go on these trips?
A. Yes we do. Divers range from about 25 to 65, we average about 40% women…sometimes more on our trips…several have been essentially 'chick trips' with more gals than guys and we have every one from novices with 6 dives to master scuba diving instructors on trips. EVERYONE is welcome and we love new(er) divers. We even offer an innovative program for new divers that is part divebuddy/dive mentor. Its called Rent-A-Buddy and you hire a private DM to be your buddy so you can focus on YOU and YOUR diving and not worry about anything or anyone else. Your buddy will also mentor you providing customized feedback on YOUR diving helping to reinforce GOOD habits or develop GOOD habits right from the start. Everyone who participates in this program RAVES about it. Its quite reasonable…$50 per day or $150 for the week. (NOTE THE RAB WILL BE LIMITED ON THIS TRIP...PLEASE TALK TO KAMALA@SINGLEDIVERS.COM BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR IT! THE REASON IS YOU NEED APPROX 100 DIVES TO MAKE THIS TRIP BY DEC 2014 AND BE AOW or EQUIVALENT)

Q. I'm trying to decide if I should do a double to save money or a single just in case the roomie thing does not work out. What do you recommend?
A. You have CHOICES on our trips. One of our primary goals is to AVOID SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS. We use an extensive rooming and trip survey to help us with rooming decisions. If we help you with rooming you won't be disappointed. And if for some reason your roomie looked good on paper but just didn't pan out in reality...TRUST ME WHEN I SAY...it's not a big deal and we'll get you swapped with someone else in a flash. EVERYONE knows that it could be them that didn't mesh with their roomie so they are happy to help someone else match up better. After all...it could be them the next time. So let us know which way you want to go and you can see by the extensive survey we do...we have LOTS of parameters to help you match on many levels with a potential roommate. And if you just want to unwind and pamper yourself...the single upgrade fee is not that much and you can have a luxurious time by yourself. The CHOICE is YOURS!!! :cool1:/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>

Q. I noticed in the "who's going" section that most of the people have nitrox, is that a problem if I don't?
A. Absolutely not but many divers find it will allow them to dive more since we are doing 3 boat dives a day. We'll have an instructor on the trip so if you want to take the class while you are there it's a great way to combine diving and training. Air divers will be buddied with other air divers and/or I'll dive with any air diver that needs a buddy. SD.com will help you with the buddy arrangements using the info from the survey we have you fill out. You are never locked into these suggestions and are free to change at any time. Most of our members rave at how well our dive buddy suggestions turn out to be!

Q. Do I need to sign in as a premier member to be able to access all the forms that are needed?

A. Yes you will need to register on the site with a screen name (choose a fun diving or personality related one if you can) and you'll need to be logged into the site to post. Once you tell us you are going on a trip with us we send you a link to the forms in case you have not found the link in my signature along with the password for the forum. (Note it is NOT the same as your login password.) To sign up for a trip simply POST in the topic/thread that you want to go with us, your payment is enroute and then tell us if you'll need extra days, if you want double or single occupancy, if you want nitrox or air, etc. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL TRIPS IN 2013 WE REQUIRE YOU TO BE A PREMIER MEMBER SO WE CAN EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE VITAL TRIP DETAILS DURING THE BOOKING PROCESS AND ALL PRE-TRIP PHASES. AS A PREMIER MEMBER YOU WILL QUALIFY FOR MEMBER ONLY DISCOUNTS FOR EARLY BOOKING, FIRST DIBS ON LIMITED SPOTS, $25 MEMBER REBATE AFTER EVERY TRIP IF YOU FILE FOR IT AND WE'LL SEND YOU PRIVATE MESSAGES WITH IMPORTANT TRIP HAPPENINGS AS A SPECIAL COURTESY FOR OUR PREMEIR MEMBERS AND ABOVE ONLY!

Q. What would be the easiest way to pay with my credit card for this, could I call you and pay that way?
A. You can pay with credit card via our secure online web payment gateway. Simply click on the CLICK HERE TO PAY SD NOW button on the home page or in my signature below or along the top of each page of the forums and it will allow you to pay via cc or your checking account. All prices are discounted for cash so if not paying via check please include the 3% non-cash convenience fee. If using a credit card not drawn on a US bank you may have to fill out our credit card authorization form so we can process your payment manually (found in the forms forum link in my signature) and email it as a pdf to me to kamala@singledivers.com or fax it to me to 864-944-6769. Again please include the 3% non-cash convenience fee if paying via this method.

Q. Is it more common for people to book their own flights, or do you do most of the travel arrangements for people?
A. Actually most people do book their own flights. We are happy to help but charge a nominal $30 booking fee for researching and booking flights for you unless the flight is part of the trip package and then the price is covered in the trip cost already. Let us know if you'd like us to make travel arrangements for you. We simply add the $30 fee to your total invoice. OR SAVE BOOKING FEES AND MONEY BY BOOKING VIA OUR ONLINE AIRFARE BOOKING SYSTEM HERE!

Q. Can I get a Rent-A-Buddy for this trip...how does it work? A. Yes you can rent-a-buddy AKA a "Dive Mentor" for the trip...we have a limited number of DM's/Instructors available for you to rent to help you focus on only yourself and not worry about being someone's buddy or to allow you to improve your air consumption and bouyancy etc. You are hiring a professional 'coach' to help you reinforce your recent open water skills or to help you refresh them or to just basically help to mentor you. The price is $50 per day or $150 for the trip. If you need your rent-a-buddy to do your first night dive it is recommended that you consider the night dive specialty or even just the night dive sign off of AOW...Advanced Open Water via one of our instructors. THEN you can do one with your rent-a-buddy! - PLEASE CONTACT KAMALA@SINGELDIVERS.COM FOR LIMITED AVAILABLITY FOR RAB'S ON THIS TRIP.

Q. I will need Rental Gear. What do I do?
A. Let us know what you need for rental gear? We will have Cochran computers available that you can for FREE to do DAN research AND avoid having to rent. As for other rental gear...please let us know and we'll get you the prices. - RENTAL GEAR IS VERY LIMITED ON THIS TRIP AND MUST BE SIGNED UP FOR IN ADVANCE.

Q. I want to bring School & LIFE Supplies for the kids. What is best to bring?
A. Last year we discovered the need for the orphanage which covers ALL AGES includes simply clothing, toiletries and basic supplies which are always hard to come by...notebooks, paper pads, pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners, markers, etc. Please bypass the ones that are more like toys. And please bring them in one of the million canvas tote bags you get from conventions etc....that way they stay together AND a child will end up with a book bag...plus we don't add more plastic to the already challenged environment. You might also pick up some cheap 'readers' from the dollar stores...they will help kids who have a problem reading without glasses. And if you do not want to bring supplies but would rather donate money that is fine too. School supplies have a 50% import tax on them so they become very expensive in the country. That is why paper is good to bring as it is heavy to import and expensive once it is on island. But ANYTHING you bring will be gladly accepted and put to good use. NOTE: Do not pack a box to bring supplies in. Use a suitcase so it looks like it is your personal items. A box will usually be opened and then you will be taxed on the supplies you are bringing in...EVEN if they are for charity.

Life Supplies: We will compile a full list of things needed by the orphanage for the kids and let you know!

Q. Is there a place on the site behind the scenes to discuss meeting up at airports, sign up for rental trucks, impart tips & tidbits about diving in the Maldives?

a. Yes, please check out this forum: INSERT LINK HERE The password will be sent to everyone, but if ever needed again, please send an email to: Trips@singledivers.com and we will send it to you again. Check this link often for updates! It will not appear in the "view new posts".

Q. I noticed that none of my flight info is listed in the area where everyone else's is for the MALDIVES trip! Was I supposed to post that info myself? If so, how do I do it!
A. Yes if you want your info posted in the thread for your flight details you post it in a post saying here are your flight details and our trip coordinators or myself will post it in the first post. This also lets others know when you will be arriving as well.

Q. Have you by any chance figured out who is going to room together yet? A. You are correct that we do not announce the rooming until you get to the hotel/Boat. Keep in mind that rooming is ALWAYS subject to change especially before the trip begins but even after it has begun. If we discover that we have a problem and have to change someone then obviously several people would have to be changed to make it work. But it works because EVERYONE knows it could be them so they are willing to be flexible. This is part of what makes this group so great. If your roomie does not work out despite being good 'on paper' you simply let us know and we start working on suitable changes. We ask that you give us at least 24 hrs to work out a rooming change. Within 24hrs the problem may have worked itself out or we will have found someone willing to swap roomies to make it all work. Either way it will work out if everyone is willing to be flexible. :respect:/>/>/>/>/>/>/>/>

Q. Also for those of us who signed up ahead of time who might be able to get an upgrade...when does that all take place? When we get there?
A. We do not announce the upgrade winner until right before the trip or until we get there.

Q. What kind of night life does QUITO offer?
A. QUITO is a cultural paradise and because it is a major city it has abundant night life. Some parts of the city are safer than others so limited forays are always prudent.

Q. So how does the $75 Document Fee work?
A. Timely documents are critical to the success of our organization. Simply get your docs into us within 3 weeks of signing up for a trip and you'll save $75. If you need more time to complete your docs, we'll simply add the document fee to your final invoice. Wanna save some money get your docs in timely. Need more time? We'll just add the document fee to your invoice. NOTE: All documents are required no later than 45 days prior to the trip. Failure to submit them could result in the loss of your spot. If you are signing up within 45 days of the trip you have 3 days to get us your docs. PLEASE NOTE THAT FLIGHT DETAILS ARE NOT NEEDED UNTIL YOU HAVE PURCHASED YOUR FARE.


The Boat:

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The Diving & Water Scenery:

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Sightseeing & Touring:

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Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#6 WreckWench

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Posted 12 June 2014 - 11:48 AM

IMPORTANT SUMMARY OF WHAT GALAPAGOS DIVING IS ALL ABOUT!!!

To try to ease your questions a bit, I will give you an idea of what the diving was like. On the day that we flew out to the boat, we were given a dive procedure briefing. We then did a shallow check out dive in about 20 feet of water, mainly to check gear and weighting, as most of us were wearing a thicker suit than usual. This was done close to the boat mooring, so if anyone had an equipment issue, they could attempt to address in on the island before the boat departed. The next morning, we did what I considered somewhat of a second check out dive. As the first one was mainly on our own, to check gear and weighting, this one was supervised by the guides to assess the divers in the water. From this dive going forward, all dives were done in two groups, with everyone having to stay with their group. We hit the bottom around 60, and worked our way down to about 100. The dive ended in about 15 feet of water where we were entertained by some sea lions and white tip reef sharks. From there, the boat headed to Wolf and Darwin Islands. There was more current there, but a decent swimmer could swim against it without much of an issue. That said, we didnt really swim. We would descend, drift along a bit, and then the guide would signal us to stop. We looked for a decent size boulder to get along side, finding a hand hold and or a spot to brace our leg. Then it was waiting or watching. If the excitement was not sufficient, we would move after a bit. Some times, we would swim out into the blue water, and hang for a bit to see if we had any close encounters. I do not consider myself to be a strong swimmer, and I never had an issue with swimming into the current a bit if I wanted to head that way to find a good spot to settle into. All dives were done from the two dive tenders. You suited up on the boat, stepped into the tender for a short ride, did a back roll as a group, and descended. If I am ever lucky enough to make a return trip there, I will skip the dive glove on my left hand, and get a heavier type of work glove. The right hand was holding the camera, so that hand was not on the boulders. The left hand glove was torn up by day two. I would also buy one of the Lava Core tops. I wore a 5 mil suit, and was warm for some of the dives, and chilly on several others. The Lava Core would have been a welcome addition. As Bill has a dive shop, I am sure Kamala can help anyone that is interested in buying one. Although I have not dove the Maldives yet, I have to figure that you are qualified to dive the Galapagos if you have done the Maldives. Ed


Why don't you? Posted Image

You are soooooooooo lucky! I am glad you get to have this experience! Posted Image/> I wish I could come along! Posted Image/>


Posted Image/>Hmm..I'd loooooooove to, but I suspect that Galapagos might be a bit above my skill level at the moment...but it would be a worthy follow up trip to the Maldives, lol! I have to maintain my standards, after all!



Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#7 TabeaK

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Posted 12 June 2014 - 12:38 PM

Yay, it's open!

2. Jenny aka TabeaK
Payments Summary To Date: PAID $1000
D/O or S/O: d/o, rooming with jesterdiver
Extra Days/Nights: I plan to arrive several days early hopefully as part of a group or by myself to ensure my bags arrive ok and to sight see a bit (arriving Dec 25th, departing Jan 7th)
Nitrox Yes or No: Yes
Documents: SD Waiver: SD Survey Ins Summary EV Waiver: Tbd
Dive Insurance Current: DAN - will renew policy in Nov14
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B: A
a. I have insurance that covers this trip.
Flight Details: TBD
Bringing School/Life Supplies: Maybe, weig/ht is an issue on this trip, may give cash.
Other: Yes to sightseeing, but may be doing my/our own thing
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
a. I paid in full by 6-30-14 and locked in LOWER 2014 pricing of $4395
b. I paid in full by 6-30-14 so qualify for 2x chances at one of the limited main floor staterooms
c. I made my deposit by 6-30-14 so qualify for a chance 1x entry into a drawing to win one of the limited main floor staterooms
d. I made my deposit by 7-30-14 so qualify for a chance at a $300 Diver's GPS & Safety Device.
e. I made my deposit by 9-1-14 so have a chance at winning FREE NITROX worth $150. (If you do not dive Nitrox a substitute prize at SD's discretion will be awarded since prizes are non-transferable)
f. I paid in full by 7-30-14 so have a 2 chances at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device
g. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.
i. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off. (this doesn't really work from outside the US)



PS: Kamala, feel free to ignore my PM regarding paying my balance for this trip. With the price increase it makes sense for me to pay in full by end of June - my Euro/Dollar conversion fees will still be cheaper than the increase.

Edited by TabeaK, 12 June 2014 - 04:13 PM.

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#8 Resqdew

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Posted 12 June 2014 - 02:20 PM

NAME aka SCREEN NAME: resqdew
Payments Summary To Date: We will post your payments as we receive them
D/O or S/O: CHOOSE Double Occ
Extra Days/Nights:
Nitrox Yes or No: yes
Documents: SD Waiver: ___ SD Survey___ - SD Ins Summary ___ EV Waiver: _____List when Rec'd & Faxed to the boat
Dive Insurance Current: Name of Provider & Policy #DiveAssure and DAN
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B:

b. I will purchase trip insurance to cover this trip--- only if I can file the claim from the Truk trip :-)
Flight Details:
Bringing School/Life Supplies:
Other: will plan my own
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
a. I paid in full by 6-30-2014 and locked in LOWER 2014 pricing of $4395
b. I paid in full by 6-30-14 so qualify for 2x chances at one of the limited main floor staterooms
c. I made my deposit by 6-30-14 so qualify for a chance 1x entry into a drawing to win one of the limited main floor staterooms
d. I made my deposit by 7-30-14 so qualify for a chance at a $300 Diver's GPS & Safety Device.
e. I made my deposit by 9-1-14 so have a chance at winning FREE NITROX worth $150. (If you do not dive Nitrox a substitute prize at SD's discretion will be awarded since prizes are non-transferable)
f. I paid in full by 7-30-14 so have a 2 chances at a Diver's GPS & Safety Device
g. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.
h. N/A
i. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off.

Edited by Resqdew, 13 June 2014 - 06:07 PM.

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#9 Kimbuddha

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Posted 12 June 2014 - 03:29 PM

Kimbuddha aka Kim
Payments Summary To Date: $1600 deposit

D/O or S/O: D/O
Extra Days/Nights: I believe I will arrive 12/25-1/6
Nitrox Yes or No: yes cert #700077
Documents: SD Waiver: ___ SD Survey___ - SD Ins Summary ___ EV Waiver: _____List when Rec'd & Faxed to the boat
Dive Insurance Current: # DAN 2150782
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B:
a. I have insurance that covers this trip. Dan annual policy#008931-1980 until 2/13/2015
b
Flight Details: Coming soon...
Bringing School/Life Supplies: Yikes, I will have luggage weight issues so will give $ can we leave a suitcase at the RIOS hotel? Then I can bring some.
Other: No gluten please, no dairy if possible.
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
a.
b.
c. I made my deposit by 6-30-14 so qualify for a chance 1x entry into a drawing to win one of the limited main floor staterooms
d.
f.
g. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.
h.
i. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off.

Edited by Kimbuddha, 10 August 2014 - 06:33 PM.

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If you change the way you look at things...the things you look at change.

#10 jesterdiver

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Posted 12 June 2014 - 03:36 PM

Jose aka JesterDiver
Payments Summary To Date: We will post your payments as we receive them
Galapagos Dec 29-Jan 5
D/O or S/O:
Double Occupancy with Tabeak
Extra Days/Nights: Yes, 26/27, -28, 6th
Nitrox Yes or No: Yes Paid
Documents: SD Waiver: ___ SD Survey___ - SD Ins Summary ___ EV Waiver: _____List when Rec'd & Faxed to the boat
Dive Insurance Current: diveassure & Policy # DAN and diveassure
Trip Insurance CHOOSE A or B:

a. I have trip insurance to cover this trip diveassure trip protect
Flight Details: Submitted
Bringing School/Life Supplies: TBD
Other: DIN Tanks if Available
Available Discounts (PLEASE DELETE THOSE THAT YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR):
a. I paid in full by 2-3-13 and locked in 2013 Pricing for 2014

c. I paid in full by 2-3-13 so qualify for a chance at one of the limited main floor staterooms
d. I paid in full by 2-3-13 so qualify for 2 chances at a $300 Diver's GPS
e. I made my deposit by 2-3-13 so have a chance at winning 2013 pricing for my trip vs 2014 pricing.
f. I made my deposit by 2-3-13 so have a chance at winning a $300 Diver's GPS.
g. I made my deposit by 12-1-13 so have a chance at winning Free Nitrox worth $150

i. I submitted my documents within 3 weeks of signing up for the trip, so no $75 document fee.

k. I am a premier member of SD.com and I can send in my SD.com member rebate within 30 days after the trip for an additional $25 off.


Edited by jesterdiver, 12 June 2014 - 07:58 PM.

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#11 WreckWench

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Posted 12 June 2014 - 07:29 PM

Check out these amazing pictures from Diver Ed of Galapagos!!!!

A brief little detail on the pictures....... The hammerhead is self explanatory. You will see a LOT of sharks. Picture taking was a bit difficult for me, as a lot of the sharks were right around the thermocline, so a lot of pictures that I hoped were good, turned out hazy. The other issue is where to look. The best opportunities for shots were of sharks that came up behind me. I had a few close tail shot opportunities. The second photo is a pair of Frigate birds. As I wrote on one of the trip pages, we did a quick check out dive the day we got on the boat. The next morning, we did another deeper check out dive, and then did a land tour on North Seymour Island. That was a wonderful tour, with tons of photo ops. That is where this picture was taken from. The third picture is the welcoming committee. After our flight out to San Cristobal, we were taken to the dock, and had about half an hour to roam around before boarding the boat. These guys were lounging on the benches, swimming in the water, or lounging on the swim platform and gunnels of boats. It wasn't hard to figure out that this was going to be a special week. Ed

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Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#12 WreckWench

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Posted 12 June 2014 - 07:34 PM

As an FYI on the baggage limits...... They are the same limits that were in force for my trip last April. I did not worry about them, and went close to my usual packing, figuring that I would not worry about any additional charges for overweight bags, as any cost was minimal compared to a once in a life time trip. My checked bag was 44 pounds, and my carry on was about 40. I also had about 20 pounds in my photo vest. I seem to recall them weighing my checked bag, which was within a pound of their limit, and they never looked at my carry on or my photo vest. I was not charged any extra for being over weight. I was told that there was one person that was a stickler, and pretty much every one else there was fine. The woman that Kamala uses as a contact there did a wonderful job. The airport pick ups and drop offs were done by a husband and wife. The husband stayed in the car by the curb, while the wife was inside the airport to pick us up. The morning that we flew to the islands, the woman walked us into the airport, got our tickets and got us through all the necessary lines, and only said goodby after we were all set to fly. As a person that does not understand any Spanish, I was very happy with how easy they made things for us. Ed



Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#13 WreckWench

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Posted 12 June 2014 - 07:39 PM

The diving was amazing, as was the whole trip. No one wanted to get off of the boat when it ended. The excitement of the trip has me wanting to post and share it all, but I am trying to just post it bit by bit, and get to the best parts when I am home, and can include some photos along with the report. There were really only two negative aspects of the Explorer Ventures portion of our trip. One was the food. I have been trying to partake in the fitness challenge, and after about six weeks of not losing any weight, I finally dropped about eight pounds over several months. Unfortunately, the chef on the boat has put all of that weight back on me I am sure. The second negative of the trip was what you typically face on a regular trip. There were two distinct groups of people, and there was close to zero interaction between the two groups. Our group consisted of five Americans, an Ausi, a Russian, and a French woman that lives in Switzerland. The other group was made up of four French and two Spaniards. In fairness to the Spaniards, I think they were stuck at the other table as there was not any room at our table. The one woman started complaining the minute she got on the boat. After dives, she would stand under the hot shower on the dive deck, very slowly taking off her wet suit, while numerous other divers were just standing there in front of her waiting. Her friend was even worse with the shower. She stood under the shower with her wet suit on for several minutes without doing anything, and then started the five minute ritual of getting out of her wet suit, all the while keeping others from their thirty second hot shower. They were also rough in the water, as they often kicked other divers in the head as they swam in front of someone to take a picture. By no means do I intend for this post to be critical of French people. This is a situation where the two people that stood out in a poor light to a lot of the people on the boat were French, and the group separation was mainly English speaking and non English speaking groups. My reason for going on about this is that I have done a lot of traveling with SingleDivers, as well as trips outside of SD. The non SD trips often have separate groups that do not interact, while I have never seen that as an issue with SD trips. This trip reminded me how special the SingleDivers group is, and how courteous and thoughtful the people are here.



Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#14 WreckWench

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Posted 12 June 2014 - 07:40 PM

I have been very busy the last couple of months, and have not had much time to do anything with the pictures from my trip to the Galapagos. Sorry for letting the trip reports go by the way side. Eventually, I will get back to them. In the mean time, one of the people that we met on the boat was Alex. He entertained us in the evening with his guitar and singing. I did get his permission to post a video that he shot using his GoPro. I hope you enjoy it. It is just a taste of the amazing trip that is in store for you. Ed



Alex Moraitis
http://www.jasminere...com.au/home.cfm



Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#15 WreckWench

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Posted 12 June 2014 - 08:03 PM

Thank you gang! Its going to be a great trip! :wakawaka:

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906




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