WORLD FAMOUS Manado & Lembeh Straits!!! THE BEST OF INDONESIA Nov 3- 13 shorter pkg or Nov 3-16 longer pkg or Nov 3 to ??? your customized pkg, 2010
The best value in Asia for world class diving would be N Sulawesi Island Indonesia. You have a most extraordinary opportunity to dive 2 very different underwater seascapes only 1.5 hours apart, so for combined convenience and world class diversity there is no rival destination!We are offering a 10-13nt trip to combine 1nts Singapore each way, 5 nights at Santika Resort, Manado http://www.santika.c...do-premiere.php diving the panoramic walls of Bunaken Marine Reserve, and 5 nights at KungKuyngan Bay Resort, the Pioneer resort at famed Lembeh Strait http://www.divekbr.com/ if doing the longer pkg Nov 3-16 or 3 nites 3 days diving if doing the shorter pkg Nov 3-13 . (Note you can CUSTOM design your own pkg and our air consolidator will assist with ticketing and we can assist with extra nights or even different resort extensions.) This area is renowned as being the planet's epicentre of marine bio diversity. Here you'll find a higher concentration of marine life than anywhere else on the planet. World famous for macro photography and its wondrous critters (sometimes referred to as "muck diving"), Lembeh also offers many other underwater riches including beautiful soft coral sites and several historic wrecks. Offering something for everyone, Lembeh and Bunaken are a truly unique combination. But hurry...we will be co-promoting this trip in the dive industry due to the last minute nature so we hope it will fill quickly! ...ONLY 10 SPOTS! SingleDivers.com has been wanting to do this trip for YEARS!!! Come and join us!!!
Manado & Lembeh Straits Package Overview:
SHORTER OPTION: Nov 3-13, 2010 'shorter pkg' (1 nt Singapore, 5 nts 4 days diving Manado, 3 nts 2 days diving Lembeh & 1 nt Singapore $2065 d/o for 4 boat dives a day Manado & 3 boat dives Lembeh + Unlimited Shorediving Lembeh)
PLUS: Air from SFO to Manado $1425 (see early booking discount of $100 off air!)
TOTAL: $2065 + $1425 = $3490 + Hotel Option(s) for Singapore both inbound and outbound (approx $50 to $225)
or
LONGER OPTION: Nov 3-16, 2010 'longer pkg' (1 nt Singapore, 5 nts 4 days diving Manado, 5 nts 4 days diving Lembeh & 1 nt Singapore $2400 d/o for 4 boat dives a day Manado & 3 boat dives Lembeh + Unlimited Shorediving Lembeh)
PLUS: Air from SFO to Manado $1425 (see early booking discount of $100 off air!)
TOTAL: $2400 + $1425 = $3825 + Hotel Option(s) for Singapore both inbound and outbound (approx $50 to $225)
or
CUSTOM OPTION: Nov 3-16++, 2010 (1 nt Singapore, 5 nts 4 days diving Manado, 5 nts 4 days diving Lembeh & 1 nt Singapore $TBD d/o for 4 boat dives a day Manado & 3 boat dives Lembeh + Unlimited Shorediving Lembeh + Extra Days Lembeh or connection to another destination.)
PLUS: Air from SFO to Manado $1425 (see early booking discount of $100 off air!)
TOTAL: $TBD + $1425 or your choice of add'l air options = $TBD + Hotel Option(s) for Singapore both inbound and outbound (approx $50 to $225)
Singapore Hotel Options:
1. Option of a hotel room with bed and bath in either single, double or triple occupancy for approx $100US + tax split 1-3 ways (final price to be confirmed).
2. Or you can opt for one of the transit lounges for $25 US with oversized big chairs for naps and salad bar, shower area, computers, weight machines. (BOTH areas offer massages and the airport hotel has an outdoor pool!)
3. Or you can go luxury on the return portion of your trip and layover in Singapore with a 2night Package on the return at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront $225 and includes taxes/transfers. (Don't forget you need to choose one of the airport options on the inbound.)
NOTE: We will book these in advance for you. If wanting a d/o or 3/o we will need to see how the other trip participants opt to go before we can lock this in. We'll finalize all at 30 days out.
Early Booking Special: Book and pay in full by July 26th for either the shorter pkg* or longer pkg EVEN IF YOU ARE ADDING EXTRA DAYS/DESTINATIONS and you will receive $100 off the air making it $1325 vs $1425 or $75 off the pkg if doing your own air. (The air went up $125 and we have 16 spots on the contract locked in so add'l savings goes to those who help us use these spots.)
*If you wish to stay longer than Nov 16th you must book the longer pkg. for purposes of the booking promo since we can not figure out your entire pkg in time to benefit from the discount. If you book the shorter pkg and then change to the longer pkg you will forfeit the early booking discount so please do not book the shorter pkg merely to get the early payment discount.
This trip has 10 spots. (Single Occupancy is available but price is TBA at the moment. All rooms have a/c!)
Non-Diver Pricing: TBA by July 20th
NOTE:Many of you may wish to stay a day or so longer to do extra tours, diving, etc. Let us help you make those arrangements.
Extra Day Hotel + Breakfast Lembeh: $TBA d/o or $TBA s/o - TBA by July 20th
Extra Day Diving Lembeh: $TBA for each extra day of 2 tank am diving - TBA by July 20th
Extra Day Food/Taxes/Tips: $TBA per day for food, drinks, taxes etc. -TBA by July 20th
Extra pm Dive: $TBA per tank -TBA by July 20th
Extra Nitrox: $TBA per tank. -TBA by July 20th
Night Dive: $TBA -TBA by July 20th
Pricing for 5 nites/ 4 days diving in Lembeh: $TBA - TBA by July 20th
Pricing for Extra Week in Lembeh: $TBA - TBA by July 20th
Pricing for Tours: POSTED UNDER OPTIONAL PRICING BELOW.
AIR ROUTINGS, PRICING & ARRIVAL:
We are MINIMIZING time in Singapore to sleeping only. (The return will allow you flexibility to explore/shop if you want.) These are the flights we are using as they are filling up and we need to block them. I have blocked 16 spots and these spots will allow us to vary the return...add on to the return for those staying even longer than our planned jaunt or return earlier for those who can not stay the full 5 nites and 4 days of diving at each resort. I have also looked at the various flight options and here is what we will be able to offer.
Pricing: Final contract pricing is $1425 for the flight from San Francisco to Singapore and Singapore to Manado. We have requested a fare rate that will include miles for those who wish to have mileage credit estimated to be $175 to $200 more FINAL PRICE TBA. NOTE: Pay in full by Aug 26th to get $100 off the airfare!!!
SIN = Singapore
MDC = Manado
Outbound:
1 SQ 15N 03NOV W SFOSIN SS1 145P 115A 05NOV -sleep airport and connect AM to;
2 MI 274Q 05NOV F SINMDC SS1 925A 105P /
Return:
3 MI 273Q 15NOV M MDCSIN SS1 150P 505P /
4 SQ 16N 16NOV T SINSFO LL1 920A 1115A /
This flight allows you time to arrive in CA that morning and time to depart effectively on the return to almost any destination. NOTE: we can also set your flight for departing the 17th and arriving US the 17th. This will allow a full day for tours.
Manado & Lembeh Availability Update:
SD honors a first come and first served premise that is driven by posting in our community. Once a trip has been filled from the "My Check & Documents in the Mail List" with CONFIRMED deposits/payments we will open an official waiting list for the trip. As openings occur we'll open up the Waiting List for add'l trip participants. Only deposited members will decrease the number of spots on the trip. Only members who have sent their deposit or paid for the trip TIMELY and have sent in their documents TIMELY i.e. Trip Waiver and Trip Survey will be moved to the official "Who's Going" list. Please note that while you may send pm and email requests for availability, the official availability is only available in the main trip post. Thank You! -ww
Trip Instructor:
Trip Videographer:
Trip Photographer:
Who's Going: Click HERE or check post #2 for all lists of all participants!!!
Boat Diving Only Boat Diving is available in Manado and we have 4 boat dives a day set up for you there and 3 boat dives a day in Lembeh.Shore Diving There will be no shorediving in Manado but all you want in Lembeh including the famous mangroves. Nitrox Currently there is nitrox in Lembeh but not Manado. We are working on getting Nitrox in Manado if at all possible. What is "Muck Diving"? So called "Muck Diving" is a term the was made up to denote diving on barren bottoms or places other than coral reefs. It also usually means that you are looking for small marine animals. Don't let this term fool you, most of our "muck" diving is on clean black sand bottoms. Over the years, we have found that a lot of the "weird critters" people like, spend their lives out on these underwater plains of black sand. Night Diving You can do a night dive if we have enough people for a boat in Manado & every night of the trip that one is possible in Lembeh that we are not doing a resort transfer or on the last day before departure. Max Depth: 130 ft Water Temp: TBA degrees F Air Temp: TBA - degrees.
- You all should be aware that you are gonna be at the resorts the entire time. The town of Manado is only OK, and is no entertainment local. Plus you are all supposed to do the night dives! They are the best. At least at KBR, there is a TV, internet (which was really slow and rather expensive on my last visit), books and most folks hung out in the restaurant after dinner, then were off to bed, exhausted from 3 or 4 dives a day. TV and or internet may be improved since then.
- The resort are all inclusive and have local Indonesian dishes plus western/continental cuisine. Neither of them is gourmet, but my meals at KBR were tasty and I usually picked an Indonesian or fish dish for my dinners, breakfast and lunch are usually buffet with a number of items to select. I did not get sick at all at KBR, and enjoyed my trip there. They usually asked us to order dinner before the night dive, and the waitress was on the pier with the menu as we were boarding the boat. This was good because it seemed to take forever for the food to come, but it was hot when I got it!
- Make sure you try the Magnum ice cream bars. Yummy.
- And for all the photographers, KBR has an incredibly nice and secure camera room! With plenty of room, plugs for both 220 and 110V and good lighting.
- And one last thing, bring bug lotion cause there can be mosquitos.
OVERVIEW:
Hey gang...we have great pricing for a great trip this fall to THE BEST OF INDONESIA! This part of the world is safe and boasts some of the finest diving anywhere. We are offering a 'shorter option' which is 10 days including an overnite in Singapore on both ends of the trip and a 'longer option' which is 13 days including an overnite in Singapore on both ends of the trip and a 'custom option' for those who wish to add to the 'longer pkg'. We will also offer add-on air fares from any city in the US to provide you with a 'thru ticket' whereby all segments are on one record. This will enable the airlines to know your final destination is Manado and not SFO. The pkg air is out of SFO (San Francisco) and we will get add-on fares as requested. I should have the first round in a day or so. After that it will take approx 2 business days to get fare requests.
Regarding the 'overnites' in Singapore at the Singapore Changi Airport. We will offer you the option of a hotel room with bed and bath in either single, double or triple occupancy for approx $100US (final price to be confirmed). Or you can opt for one of the transit lounges for $25US with oversized big chairs for naps and salad bar, shower area, computers, weight machines. BOTH areas offer massages and the airport hotel has an outdoor pool!
You will be able to purchase this before trip with our without our air contract. However pls give us a chance to meet your add'l travel needs and use a spot on the contract. We hope to be able to be competitive as well as offer add'l service.
Manado Satika Hotel:
Lembeh KBR Hotel:
SCHEDULED ITINERARY
Detailed itinerary to be posted by 7-20-10.
Nov 3 depart SFO (see airline info below for flight times. Make sure to arrive approx 3 hours before the int'l flight)
Nov 5 arrive Singaport early am sleep in Singapore
Nov 5 later am depart Singapore arrive Manado
Nov 6 Manado 1st day of diving
Nov 7 Manado 2nd day of diving
Nov 8 Manado 3rd day of diving
Nov 9 Manado 4th day of diving
Nov 10 (Most likely early transfer to Lembeh 1.5 hrs away)
Nov 10 Lembeh 1st day of diving
Nov 11 Lembeh 2nd day of diving
Nov 12 Lembeh 3rd day of diving
Nov 13 depart Lembeh arrive Singaport, sleep and return to US Nov 13 (SHORTER OPTION)
Nov 13 Lembeh 4th day of diving
Nov 14 offgas & touring day
Nov 15th depart for Manado/Singapore
Nov 16th depart Singapore for US
WHAT YOU'LL SEE:
Coming Soon!
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Coming Soon![/b]
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Manado:
• 5 nights/4 days 4 tank boat dives in a double occupancy room at beautiful Satika beach resort
• All Inclusive including meals, snacks,
• 4 days diving 4 tanks dives with Dive Operation on premises (sorry no shorediving due to ripping currents)
• All taxes included
• Daily SD.com H20 Happy Hours - don't forget to bring some munchies!
• Diving Gifts and Giveaways from various SD Vendor Partners as available
• Meals: Meals are included. We will do all of our meals at the hotel.
• Transport to Lembeh then ultimately back to Manado to leave for Singapore for our return home.
Lembeh:
• 5 nights/4 days 3 tank boat dives in a double occupancy room at beautiful KBR if doing the LONGER OPTION or 3 nites 2 days diving if doing the SHORTER OPTION.
• UNLIMITED Shorediving including the famous mangroves.
• Lunch on boat? (TBD)
• Transport to Manado when time to leave for Singapore
Singapore:
• SD T-Shirt commemorating the trip!
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• Airfare to SFO. However please ask us what add-on prices from your home airport are to SFO.
• Hotel or sleeper chair in Singapore (Must choose your sleeping arrangement so we can set it up in advance to ensure your preferred choice(s)
• Possibly lunch in Manado (TBD)
• Additional boat dives beyond 4 per day in Manado and 3 per day in Lembeh
• Nitrox upgrade $TBA for Lembeh, $TBA possibly for Manado
• Rental, instruction and retail charges
• Crew gratuities
• Trip Insurance (see the end of this post for 2 great insurance links)
OPTIONAL:
Additional Tours or Diving: If you want to book add'l tours after our trip let us know! We have a full list of them posted BELOW!!!
Extra Dives in Manado - $TBA
Night Boat Dive in Manado - $TBA
Nitrox Upgrade Lembeh $TBA, $TBA possibly in Lembeh
Single Supplement Manado: $TBA per nite (all rooms have a/c) or $TBA for the pkg
Single Supplement Lembeh: $TBA per night (all rooms have a/c) or $TBA for the pkg
Total Single Supplement for the whole trip: $TBA
Extra Night Hotel Manado: $TBA in Manado d/o or $TBA s/o
Extra Night Hotel Lembeh: $TBA in Lembeh d/o or $TBA s/o
Airport Night(s) Hotel: $TBA for room with shower/bath approx $100 + tax for single or up to 3 people
Airport Night(s) Transit Lounge: $25 for oversized chair and amenities.
Extra Day Diving Lembeh: $TBA for each extra day of 2 tank am diving or $TBA 4 tank am/pm diving
Extra Day Food/Taxes/Tips Lembeh: $TBA per day for food, drinks, taxes etc.
Pricing for additional Full Week in Lembeh ONLY: $TBA
TOURING INFO (that can be done in off times during the pkg or extend your stay to accommodate):
Land excursions
North Sulawesi is famous for its underwater world by travellers from all over the world.There are some great activities beyond diving, which give you the opportunity to see amazing wildlife, beautiful scenery, friendly people, arts and cultures which will make your experience truly unforgettable. With pleasure, our friendly staff at Kungkungan Bay Resort will guide you on any of the following land excursions. Please find below our itineraries with a short description about the places that you will visit on a variety of trips:
Early-morning Bitung City trip
An early-morning trip where we show you around some local places in the city of Bitung.
This trip departs at 6AM and you will be back in the Resort by 8:00AM so you won't have to miss the 1st dive!
Itinerary: Kungkungan Bay Resort * Bitung Fish Market/ Traditional Market * Primary school * Kungkungan Bay Resort.
*Bitung Fish Market*
Every morning, the local fishermen gather here to sell whatever they caught while they were out fishing all night to the hard bargaining wholesalers.
*Traditional Market*
Everything here starts early in the morning. Local women buying spices are amongst the many things you will see but the scenery is dominated by the bartering between sellers and buyers.
*Downtown Bitung*
We are going to visit a primary school and many of the children will be cheering as soon as you set foot inside the classroom. It is no problem to take pictures, in fact, the kids will love it!
*Buddhist Temple*
See some Chinese culture in a beautiful temple in Bitung. (No pictures allowed inside the temple)
*Bitung Harbour*
This is the most important harbour in North Sulawesi. This harbour connects people with other parts of Indonesia.
This trip costs US$ 40 per person and includes transportation and entrance fees
At some of the above sights it will be greatly appreciated to leave a small donation to help the local communities.
A minimum of 2 people is required for the trip and a cancellation fee for the daily rental of the car will apply
Minahasa Highland Tour
North Sulawesi has been known as 'The Land of Smiling People' and we will prove this to you while we show you around the highlands. Feel the cool mountain air far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We start this trip – where we visit a number of sights - at 8:00AM and the duration is about 9 to 10 hours.
Itinerary: Kungkungan Bay Resort * Sawangan * Sumaru Endo * Lake of Linau * Rurukan * Buddhist Temple * Gardenia Resort (Volcano view) * Kungkungan Bay Resort.
* Sawangan *
This place is an ancient Minahasan cemetery which has 144 very special graves called 'Waruga'. Each Waruga tells its own story through beautiful decorations.
* Sumaru Endo *
A great place to view 'Lake Tondano'. With the cool mountain air, you can view the hot spring.
* Lake of Linau *
Beautiful lake with 3 colours of water. In some places you will see natural gas escaping from the ground around the lake.
* Rurukan *
A high hill in the Tondano area with a stunning view where you can see Lake Tondano, Bitung City and even Lembeh Strait in the distance.
* Woloan *
This place in the Tomohon area is where they actually make all the beautiful wooden traditional houses and you can see them lined up on the side of the road. It is even possible to have a look around inside.
* Buddhist Temple *
A Buddhist temple with a high tower (9 levels) which offers a beautiful view of 'Lokon' volcano. (No pictures allowed inside)
* Gardenia Resort *
Have a rest or you can take a walk around the gardens with a nice view of 'Loko' volcano in the background... After this we will be taking you back 'home' in Kungkungan Bay Resort...
This trip costs US$ 80 per person and includes transportation and entrance fees
At some of the above sights it will be greatly appreciated to leave a small donation to help the local communities.
A minimum of 2 people is required for the trip and a cancellation fee for the daily rental of the car will apply.
Manado City Trip
For those who like shopping, we will take you to the other side of North Sulawesi Island. You will visit a souvenir shop but we also have some other interesting places to show you. This trip takes around 6 – 7 hours.
Itinerary: Kungkungan Bay Resort * Kali Waterfall * Pineleng * Souvenir Center * Kungkungan Bay Resort*
* Kali Waterfall *
A waterfall with a clear pool at the bottom where you can take a refreshing dip while enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
*Pineleng*
From this view point you can take some nice scenic photos of Manado bay with Bunaken Island in the background
* Souvenir Shop *
In this shop you will be able to buy unique handicrafts and souvenirs to take home with you.
* Manado Buddhist Temple *
This is an old - and also the main - Buddhist temple in Manado City. No pictures inside please. (You might be asked to leave a small donation to the temple, so carry some small notes with you)
This trip costs US$ 60 per person and includes transportation entrance fees.
At some of the above sights it will be greatly appreciated to leave a small donation to help the local communities.
A minimum of 2 people is required for the trip and a cancellation fee for the daily rental of the car will apply
Tangkoko jungle tour
This tour is perfect to do on your last day when you are off-gassing for your flight back home on the following day, as we leave the resort at 1:30 PM - so you will still be able to do the 1st dive!!! - and you will be back at the resort around 7:00 PM.
- On this trip we take you to Tangkoko Duasudara Nature Reserve where you can see a variety of wildlife.
- One of the highlights of this trip is the nocturnal 'Tarsier' (Tarsius Spectrum), a tiny monkey, endemic to Northern Sulawesi. The total body length of this little creature is approx 10cm with a body weight of little over 100 grams.
- With some luck you can even encounter Black Macaques - a larger monkey with no tail - , KusKus, Hornbills - the largest birds living in Tangkoko - and lots of other flora and fauna.
- Wear long pants and sleeves and a pair of comfortable shoes with socks to avoid any mosquitos or ants. Our staff will bring bottled water, fruit and insect repellent for you.
- You are going to a rainforest after all!
At some of the above sights it will be greatly appreciated to leave a small donation to help the local communities.
A minimum of 2 people is required for the trip and a cancellation fee for the daily rental of the car will apply
TRANSFERS:
Manado: Included details TBA
Lembeh: Included details TBA
Singapore: Included details TBA
TEMPS & CONDITIONS:
Coming Soon!
AIR ROUTINGS, PRICING & ARRIVAL:
We are MINIMIZING time in Singapore to sleeping only. (The return will allow you flexibility to explore/shop if you want.) These are the flights we are using as they are filling up and we need to block them. I have blocked 16 spots and these spots will allow us to vary the return...add on to the return for those staying even longer than our planned jaunt or return earlier for those who can not stay the full 5 nites and 4 days of diving at each resort. I have also looked at the various flight options and here is what we will be able to offer.
Pricing: Final contract pricing is $1425 for the flight from San Francisco to Singapore and Singapore to Manado. We have requested a fare rate that will include miles for those who wish to have mileage credit estimated to be $175 to $200 more FINAL PRICE TBA. NOTE: Pay in full by Aug 26th to get $100 off the airfare!!!
SIN = Singapore
MDC = Manado
Outbound:
1 SQ 15N 03NOV W SFOSIN SS1 145P 115A 05NOV -sleep airport and connect AM to;
2 MI 274Q 05NOV F SINMDC SS1 925A 105P /
Return:
3 MI 273Q 15NOV M MDCSIN SS1 150P 505P /
4 SQ 16N 16NOV T SINSFO LL1 920A 1115A /
This flight allows you time to arrive in CA that morning and time to depart effectively on the return to almost any destination. NOTE: we can also set your flight for departing the 17th and arriving US the 17th. This will allow a full day for tours.
AIRFARE INFO FROM MEMBERS:
- Yesterday I flew Silkair SIN-MDC to Manado.
- Some comments. Flight is 3 1/2 hours in a A320 plane. After entering the airport there is security screening at the gate. If you overnight at the Transit hotel .... be certain to have a reservation! I can not stress this enough, as there were people turned away when I was checking in for my room at the Transit Hotel. The Transit Hotel is nothing special, but a decent enough bed and shower, and do spring for the $$ for the ensuite room, vs the Budget room, unless there are no standard rooms, then take whatever they have!
- After boarding the plane, we had a nice flight (but full) to Manado. The FAs block the aisle untill the entire Business cabin is deplaned before opening the curtain. We were served a "light meal" not breakfast on this morning flight. Chicken or fish. I took the chicken. It was OK, but nothing special. Bring a book, there is no IFE. As I am *Gold on United, I was allowed to board at my convenience, but it was very civilized and we left on time.
- We got a jetway at MDC! Yeah! No steps!
- OK the process at MDC has improved since my last visit. After entering the terminal at the jetway, there is a line to pay for your "Visa on arrival" $25, fresh new bills expedites the line. The idiot Aussie ahead of me did not have the correct change and took 5X the time I did.. grrrr..... Then you take the receipt for visa inside to "Immigration" where they glue the visa (entire blank page needed) into your passport. You need one entirely empty page for the visa and another for the stamps for entry and exit. The you go down ..... an escalator.... (this is entirely new) to the immigration officer who stamps your passport. Immediately after there is an xray belt for "customs" to inspect your carryons. They did not open up any of my three carryons (backpack, camera bag, and camera/housing rollaboard). Wait for you check in luggage, hand your luggage tags to customs officer and then out the door.
- Wow it was fast and nice, with slight air-con in most of the places, cause it is really hot out here in Manado right now.
- Tomorrow I am flying MDC- KAZ (Tobelo, Halmahera Indonesia) and will board the liveaboard. The boat itinerary is Halmahera-Bitung Sulawesi, then debark over to Lembeh Resort for two days of the finest muck this side of the Philippine Sea!
- I broke down and brought a pint of Bacardi 151 with me. No mention or questions about booze whatsoever. Some people did have their bags opened up at the customs station. I believe you are allowed one liter per person, but would recommend looking at Indonesia duty-free allowances on their websites.
- I am currently staying at Cocotinos Resort. Rooms are nice, spacious, grounds kept well maintained. Free internet access for guests. Food is expensive and tasty, however really expensive, and I had one happy hour drink yesterday -- 96,000rupiah.... as expensive as in NYC! No more drinks for me.
- As for the SFO-INC-SIN flight, it is a long flight. There were lots of kids, including the brattiest 3 year old sitting in the row behind. I paid the extra $50 for seat 31H exit row for the preferred seat. The two guys sitting next to me in the row did not pay, but took a big chance as they got assigned at the airport.
- Unless you purchase your Singapore Airlines ticket on Singaporeair.com you will not be allowed an advance seat assignment, nor will you be able to check in online. sad.gif So if connecting in from another flight, your bags can be interline checked through all the way to MDC, but you will not have a seat assignment nor a boarding pass at your first airport. Travel agents also can't get seats assigned, as I tried/begged my dive travel agent to do this for me, and it was not possible. I called SA customer service and still no dice. So that was why I forked over the $50 for the assigned aisle exit row seat. Excellent leg room in Row 31. If you are *Gold, then you can go into the Singapore Air lounge and the agent at the desk will do your checkin and transfer the baggage tag numbers into your SA file, and so I was issued my BP for all the way from SFO to MDC at the lounge in SFO. If you are not *Gold, then you will need to exit the secure area in SFO and go to the SA ticket counter to do the checking process, then re-enter through TSA into airside. The KrisFlyer lounge is very nice, BTW for those with the credentials to enter. tongue.gif
- Airplane Food was OK, but I would have purchased a sandwich in SFO and enjoyed my meal better. J class was esssentially empty SFO-Korea but entirely filled up Korea-SIN. I guess that says were the $$$ are now, as those F and J seats are never discounted.
How to Book a Spot on this Trip:
1. Post in this thread that you plan to join us filling out the BOOKING TEMPLATE OF QUESTIONS and tell us your payment is on its way via our Payment Button
We'll then put your name on the 'check's in the mail' list. (Please send your pymt asap as we'll only hold your spot for 5 days.) - To post on the site you need to register as a member of the site. Registration is free or if you want to upgrade premier membership levels are available for as little as $35 a year AND you get $25 of it back after this trip if you file for it after the trip. (See forms forum for form). Click here to learn more.
2. Fill out the Trip Rooming & Diving Survey plus the SingleDivers.com Medical Liability Release 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.) If you cut & paste the Survey into a WORD document and type in your responses, please save it in an older format (.doc, and not .docx) since most of our volunteers have an older version of MS Word, which cannot read Office 7 documents. Alternatively, you can cut & paste the Survey into the body of an email. Send the Survey to trips@singledivers.com, and fax the completed Waiver to (864) 944-6769 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (864) 944-6769 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (864) 944-6769 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or SCAN and EMAIL to trips@singledivers.com.
3. Send your 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 work with you. See the forms link in my signature for our credit card authorization form if you can't use the payment gateway.
4. We need to know what pkg you want, day you are arriving and departing as well as add-on flight options you want us to check for you, if you need rental gear, if diving nitrox in Lembeh (none currently avail in Manado but working on it) if you want d/o for the whole trip or if you want s/o for any portion of the trip. You MUST include as much of this information as possible with your initial reservation.
5. 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 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.
c. I will not purchase trip insurance and will accept all losses accordingly.
6. 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.
PAYMENT TERMS & SCHEDULE:
PROGRESS PAYMENTS:
a. $1500 due at booking
b. July 26, 2010: Last Day for $100 early payment in full discount
c. Aug 23, 2010: $1990 shorter pkg due or $2325 longer pkg due
d. Oct 3, 2010: ALL EXTRAS DUE ie nitrox, s/o vs d/o, extra days, tours etc.
Note: Trip must be paid in full 70 days prior to departure ie. Aug 23. Extras must be paid in full 30 days prior ie. Nitrox, extra nights etc. (WE HAVE NO SLIPPAGE ON THESE DATES)
DISCOUNTS:
• First DIBS BOOKING for PREMIER MEMBERS until July 26th MIDNIGHT!
• Sign up and pay for this trip in full by July 26th and receive an early bird booking discount of $100 at time of booking.
• $25 rebate eligible up to 30 days after trip for SD premier and above membership levels (See my signature for link to the forms forum. If you are new to the site send an email to trips@singledivers.com to get the password.)
• Add'l $25 Active Duty Military Discount for any active duty military of any country that fights for freedom.
• Deposit is a $1500 per person non-refundable deposit. (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.)
• Price includes cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via any non-cash methods including paypal or credit card.
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
SingleDivers.com has implemented a new secure 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. (Please note that any non-US bank originating credit card must still use the paper credit card authorization form as different processing procedures must be followed to process international/non-US credit cards.) SingleDivers.com provides its members with pricing that reflects all possible cash discounts so any payments via credit card or paypal will still incur a 3% non-cash convenience fee. Our payment gateway which you can access by clicking the PAY SD NOW button below is not a shopping cart and therefore can not total your trip choices nor add the 3% non-cash convenience fee if you are paying via credit card. You will need to enter that data manually to proceed with your payment.
This trip should sell out fairly soon, 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 NEW SECURE PAYMENT GATEWAY WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR NEW PARTICIPANTS ON THIS TRIP!
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 or 864-557-6079 immediately to manually process your payment for you.
Please add a 3% non-cash convenience fee if paying via paypal or 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. Click here for the form and ask trips@singledivers.com for the password.[/color]
Hotel Information:
Coming Soon!
IMPORTANT TRIP UPDATES: CLICK HERE!!! or check the 3rd post for updates
PLEASE obtain trip insurance - IT IS OPTIONAL BUT STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR THIS TRIP ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. REMEMBER IF YOU MISS THE BOAT….YOU MISS THE TRIP! You can purchase it right online as well as check quotes etc .
Click here for a free quote or to purchase online!
or
Click here for another provider that provides excellent rates and coverage!
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.
Click here for Diver's Alert Network and use our reference ID 1603080.
or
DIVE ASSURE ... get BOTH TRIP & DIVE insurance in one convenient package
Edited by WreckWench, 28 August 2010 - 09:42 AM.