25 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

We want to do the Texas Flower Gardens again for 2008. Working on dates and preferences. Here are our options:

Thurs/Friday 2 day
Sat/Sun 2 day weekend (higher price)
Mon/Tues/Wed 3 day (lower price)

We are working on next year's calendar NOW... so need your input.

Do you want a 2 day trip and if so which two days? (This means a day of flying in and a day to fly out.)
Do you want a 3 day trip and if so it can only be M-W
Do you want a 4 day trip and if so it can only be Th-Su
A 5 day trip is doable but not usually practical as we would not get many of the local divers and we need them to fill out a boat.

Let me know your thoughts! Thank you!

[landlocked]

I'm ok with either a 2 day Sat Sun trip or the 4 day Thur-Sun trip. Whatever minimizes time away from work is best for me.

Edited by landlocked, 10 April 2007 - 09:07 AM.

[scubafanatic]

We want to do the Texas Flower Gardens again for 2008. Working on dates and preferences. Here are our options:

Thurs/Friday 2 day
Sat/Sun 2 day weekend (higher price)
Mon/Tues/Wed 3 day (lower price)

We are working on next year's calendar NOW... so need your input.

Do you want a 2 day trip and if so which two days? (This means a day of flying in and a day to fly out.)
Do you want a 3 day trip and if so it can only be M-W
Do you want a 4 day trip and if so it can only be Th-Su
A 5 day trip is doable but not usually practical as we would not get many of the local divers and we need them to fill out a boat.

Let me know your thoughts! Thank you!

Hi Kamala,

...given the options, I'd vote for the 4 day Thursday - Sunday option....the 2 day option is my least favorite choice, after all, 'us' local divers can sign up for a 2 day weekend type trip any ol' time...the SD.com needs to be a bit more 'special'.......and it's better than the 3 day Mon - Wed option as the Mon - Wed option 'eats' 3 'normal' work week days, versus only 2 work week days for the Thur-Sun option.......so it's more economical /efficient from the perspective of vacation days consumed........ also, for the fly-in divers, the airfare cost will be spread out /amortized over more dives with the 4 day option ( 4 days: 15 dives / 3 days: 11 dives / 2 days : 7 dives ) so the airfare cost and travel hassle is easier to rationalize.

Karl

[ScubaTex]

Because of the long transit time, I'd prefer either a 3 or 4 dive day trip. And during the coral spawn? Or is that asking too much?

Also, is there a possibilty of doing a Dry Tortugas trip, with Gulf Coast Diving in June 2008, in addition to an FG trip?

[WreckWench]

Because of the long transit time, I'd prefer either a 3 or 4 dive day trip. And during the coral spawn? Or is that asking too much?

Also, is there a possibilty of doing a Dry Tortugas trip, with Gulf Coast Diving in June 2008, in addition to an FG trip?

Yes coral spawning is a bit too much...there is usually a 2 year waiting list for those dates But as we build tenure with the boat we'll work on getitng one of those dates!

There is a possibility but this June is full and next June is Galapagos so not sure if we can get it all worked out. Why don't you start a new thread in the 2008 discussions to see if anyone else is interested in that trip. Thanks, kamala

[nurseshark]

I vote for the 4 day trip. The thursday through sunday trip. The most days diving with the fewest days off from work..Whoo Hooo...Love the flower gardens!

[mantarraya]

Four-day TH-SU trip is optimal for me. Agree that for folks coming in from out-of-town, you really need to do the longer trip, but at the same time, this makes less vacation time to take for those close to Freeport.

[domino22]

I vote for the 4 day trip. The thursday through sunday trip. The most days diving with the fewest days off from work..Whoo Hooo...Love the flower gardens!

Me too! Get one with a holiday weekend conected. Leaves more time for other trips. Did I mention if all goes well at work with my "replacement" I will have seven weeks plus two days available per year for dive trips????? Ha you would think I work for the goverment! NOT!

[ScubaPunk]

I like the 4 or 5 day trip. And why are us locals not suppose to like the 5 day trip?

[netmage]

I like the 4 or 5 day trip. And why are us locals not suppose to like the 5 day trip?

It's a balancing act....
Locals, who might otherwise not have to, would need to burn vacation days...
Out of towners, who would have to commit resources for flying in would be looking to lower the cost per dive.

Being an out of towner, I've heard to many horror stories of high cancellation rates for trips to the Flower Gardens, might not be true, but thats the impression I'm left with... Then again, I've also heard - when its on - its awesome...

[WreckWench]

I like the 4 or 5 day trip. And why are us locals not suppose to like the 5 day trip?

It's a balancing act....
Locals, who might otherwise not have to, would need to burn vacation days...
Out of towners, who would have to commit resources for flying in would be looking to lower the cost per dive.

Being an out of towner, I've heard to many horror stories of high cancellation rates for trips to the Flower Gardens, might not be true, but thats the impression I'm left with... Then again, I've also heard - when its on - its awesome...

The boats run from Feb to November...as you can imagine while Texas winters are mild...getting out in Feb thru April is dicey at best. This will be our 3rd trip in either July or August which is when we schedule them and we've never been blown out. Statistically June, July & August are the best months!

You just don't see the hammerheads during this time

[Kelp Diver]

I know I'm late posting to this thread, but if anyone is still watching it I vote for a 4 day trip. For those of us with two days of travel, a two day trip is way too short. I'll second the vote for a Dry Tortugas trip next June.

[divzac]

This trip is on my list of dives to check off for sure. I agree with the Th-Su 4 day thingy....Yeaaa, what Nurse Shark said! zach

[WreckWench]

Thank you for the input...it is all greatly appreciated it and we will try based upon this feedback to get a 4 day trip!