Join this amazing diving excursion in Key West July 8th to start 5 full days of fabulous liveaboard diving onboard the MVSpree ...our vessel of choice when diving the Texas Flower Gardens and NOW the DRY TORTUGAS!!! The Spree has expanded its trip offerings and we are excited to be diving this wonderful place at the entry to the Florida Keys. Known for its pirate history these waters are spectacular, unique, and are nationally significant marine environments, including seagrass meadows, mangrove islands, and extensive coral reefs. These environments are the marine equivalent of tropical rain forests in that they support high levels of biological diversity, are fragile and easily susceptible to damage from human activities, and possess extremely high value to our existence if properly conserved.
Seventy miles west of Key West, the remote waters surrounding the Dry Tortugas teem with 250 species of fish, dazzling displays of mushroom-shaped coral reefs and swaying seagrass beds. The waters serve as a marine nursery for grouper, snapper, shrimp and other species important to both commercial and sport fishing. The powerful Gulf Stream current washes eggs, larvae and juvenile fish from the remote Tortuga nurseries out to populate the waters surrounding the Florida Keys and the state's southern tip.
Dry Tortugas..Pirates Haven & Diving Dream for $1150 AI (same as 2007) shared occupancy includes food, rooming, FREE NITROX and the t-shirt! (less $25 premier & above rebate after the trip) This is a very unique opportunity to see a large variety of marine life both above and below; see Famous Key West and Dive with other Single and Buddyless Divers!!! This trip is limited to 24 people maximum and we will use the thread to facilitate people arriving early, staying later and flying into different Florida Cities and carpooling to Key West! ~~Non-Diver Pricing:~~ TBA
NOTE: Many want to arrive in Florida for a few extra days of diving before the trip starts or after it ends. I am doing the NC 4th of July trip so can't arrive early but can stay late if people want to dive other places in the Keys or even the Vandenburg if it has sunk by then. Let us help you make those arrangements. Simply post in the thread what you want to do and we'll start firming things up based upon interest! We have lots of Florda members who have offered to help pick members up and carpool so this will be very similar to our Flower Gardens trips and promises to be even more fun!
Who's Going...Only 24 Spots!:
1. Kamala aka Wreck Wench - Dallas, TX, shared/occupancy, PAID, FREE NITROX, 18# lead, Can't arrive early but can stay later to dive or sightsee! Waiver/Survey/Spree Waiver rec'd
2. Barb aka DiverBabs, FL, (PAID IN FULL)shared/occupancy, FREE NITROX, Waiver/Survey Rec'd
3. Zach aka DivZac, FL (PAID IN FULL), Shared/occupancy, FREE NITROX, Waiver/Survey Rec'd
4. Tim aka Netmage, FL (PAID IN FULL) Shared/occupancy, FREE NITROX, eCCR, Survey/Waiver Rec'd
5. Bill aka ScubaTex, TX PAID IN FULL shared/occupancy, FREE NITROX Waiver/Survey Rec'd
6. Jim aka Kelp Diver, CA (PAID IN FULL) Shared/occupancy, FREE NITROX - Waiver/Survey/Spree Ap
7. Keith aka MNJoe, MN, (PAID IN FULL) Shared/occupancy, FREE NITROX Survey & Waiver Rec'd
8. Gary aka Doc-49, MD, PAID IN FULL Shared/occupancy, FREE NITROX Survey/Waiver Rec'd
9. Robert aka Rockfish, PAID IN FULL, Shared/occupancy, FREE NITROX - Survey/Waiver Rec'd
10. Bruce aka ScubaShafer, FL, (PAID IN FULL), Shared/occupancy, 0# Lead, FREE NITROX,
Survey/Waiver Rec'd
11. Erica aka TXAggieDiver, PAID IN FULL Shared/occupancy, FREE NITROX Survey/Waiver Rec'd
12. Chuck aka Hambergler, TX, PAID IN FULL, Shared/occupancy, 12# Lead, FREE NITROX, Survey/Waiver Rec'd
13. Ray aka Latitude Adjustment, NJ, (PAID IN FULL) shared/occupancy, FREE NITROX Survey/Waiver Rec'd
14. Jeff aka Sparky103, PAID IN FULL, Shared/occupancy, 18# FREE NITROX Survey/Waiver Rec'd
15. Margarita aka Margarita, AZ - shared/occupancy, PAID IN FULL, 12# Lead, FREE NITROX, Survey/Waiver Rec'd
16. Jim aka tgnjim, shared/occupancy, Lead #16, FREE NITROX, PAID IN FULL, Transfering Galapagos Payment, Survey/Waiver Rec'd
17. Heidi aka uwfan, PAID IN FULL, FREE NITROX, #14 Lead, Using Cochran, Survey/Waiver Rec'd
18. Steve aka Lobstermobster, shared/ocupancy, PAID INF ULL FREE NITROX, Lead? Nitrox Class Pd, Waiver/Survey Rec'd
19. Robert aka Robert in Denver CO - Shared/occupancy, PAID IN FULL, FREE NITROX - Waiver/Survey Rec'd
20. Caroline aka CarolineL - NY, Shared/occupancy, (PAID IN FULL), NITROX, Nitrox Class PD, 10# lead, (Survey & Waiver Rec'd)
21. Eric aka Easy FL - Shared/occupancy, (PAID IN FULL), FREE NITROX, Lead #14, Survey/Waiver Rec'd
22. Butch aka Cajun Diver TX - (PAID IN FULL), Shared/occupancy, FREE NITROX, Survey/Waiver Rec'd
23. John aka Doc Crawdad FL - TX Shared/occupancy, (PAID IN FULL), FREE NITROX, Lead #6 - Survey/Waiver Rec'd
24. 24. Que aka Sea Urchin, TX - PAID IN FULL,Shared/occupancy, FREE NITROX, Survey/Waiver Rec'd
Those doing DAN Research and using a Cochran Computer:
1. Kamala aka wreckwench
2. Heidi aka uwfan
3. Caroline aka CarolineL
4. Jeff aka Sparky103
Those Wanting To Stay Later to SightSee:
1.
2.
Those Wanting To Stay Later to Dive other parts of FL:
1. Bruce aka ScubaShafer
2.
Those Wanting To Arrive Early to SightSee:
1.
2.
Those Wanting To Arrive Early to Dive other parts of FL:
1. Bruce aka ScubaShafer
2. Bill aka ScubaTex
3. Erica aka TXAggiediver
Wait List:
1. Wayne aka Walrus
Very, Very, Super Interested, but can't quite commit:
1. Dave aka DivinDave
2. Ed aka Bowjunkie
OVERVIEW:
Hey gang... one of our favorite boats has expanded it destinations from just diving Texas!
The Spree is now diving the Dry Tortugas...originally named that because it was so far from fresh water...hence the name "Dry" and due to the abundance of turtles seen when Ponce de Leon in 1513 discovered the area! Many will want to add additional sightseeing and FL diving to this already great trip! And look at that price??? Where can you do up to 5 dives a day on most days including meals and accommodations for $1150 or under $250 per day in a world renown diving venue??? SCHEDULED ITINERARY
Days Prior to start of our trip: Let us know in the thread if you want to arrive early to dive or sightsee and we'll all help to work it out!
Jul 8 Tues: Arrive in Key West area specifically Stock Island where the boat is docked here. Or meet at the Rusty Anchor in Stock Island for Dinner at 5:30pm.
Jul 9 Wed: Diving the Dry Tortugas
Jul 10 Thurs: Diving and enjoying the 3rd largest barrier reef!
Jul 11 Fri: More diving and eating...EAT DIVE EAT DIVE EAT DIVE EAT DIVE EAT DIVE EAT SLEEP!
Jul 12 Sat: Yes we dive again all day!
Jul 13 Sun: This is our last day of diving and we'll be back at port at approximately 5pm. Yes you can stay on the boat overnight.
Jul 14 Mon: This is our travel day for those who can't stay or possible another day of diving or sightseeing for those who can! Everyone must depart no later than 9am.
WHAT YOU'LL SEE:
The Dry Tortugas are teeming with abundant Marine Life and we'll be lucky enough to make some of our dives in the Tortugas North Ecological Reserve part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This is a protected 'no take' zone so no fishing, touching or harrassment of marine life is allowed. The marine life is so diverse here that we'll see hundreds of different species of fishes, invertebrates and marine plants. Most of the dives will be 40 to 100 feet and you can get up to 22 dives in the 5 days of diving planned for this trip spotting numerous turtles, goliath groupers, moray eels, tons of junvenial fish and hopefully a few dolphins as well!
A long-time pirate hide-out, the place was chosen by the US Navy as the "Gibraltar of the Gulf", a strategic location to control shipping from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. Despite formidable logistical challenges, Fort Jefferson, the largest brick structure in the Western Hemisphere, was built on Garden Key using 6 million hand-made bricks. However, by the time the fort was nearly finished, advances in artillery had rendered it obsolete, so its use was mostly as a civil war prison, holding 2500 prisoners and four men convicted of complicity in the assassination of President Lincoln. These men left account of how desolate and boring the place was, but today's visitors enjoy the peace of an isolated island lost between sky and water, some of the most pristine coral reefs in the United States, and a rich wildlife. The islets, only 40 acres of sand, some of them appearing and disappearing through the decades, are surrounded by 67000 acres of the most varied underwater coral reefs in the United States, at the convergence of the Atlantic, Guff, and Caribbean ecosystems. The warm and clear waters are teaming with live coral, tropical fish, and still home to the endangered green sea turtle and the threatened loggerhead turtle. Bush key is the only regular nesting place in the Western Hemisphere for 100,000 sooty terns, during the only time that they don't spend in continous flight. Long key is the home of magnificent frigate bird that soar with 7-foot wingspans.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
• 6 nights/5 days diving and lodging aboard the MV Spree...yes EAT SLEEP & DIVE! - Divers can stay onboard Sunday the 13th but must depart no later than 9am Monday July 14th!
• FREE NITROX if nitrox certified (ask about special classes if you are not!)
• Lead and tank rental included
• SD Famous 'Meet & Greet Get To Know Everyone' Parties
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on the boat each day of diving along with all the snacks in between! (Full dinner not served on our last day but heavy lunch and snacks will be provided!)
• Up to 5 dives daily except for the last day or a total of 22 dives for the week!
• Transfers from the Rusty Anchor restaurant or the Key West Airport INCLUDED!
• Dinner at the Rusty Anchor on Tuesday July 8th included! (Alcohol is not included in our complementary dinner!)
• SD T-Shirt commemorating the trip!
• Daily SD.com H20 Happy Hours...yes someone will be celebrating someplace...come and join us! (Soda & Alcohol available for sale by the boat)
• Diving Gifts and Giveaways from various SD Vendor Partners as available
• All taxes and Marine Park fees included
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• Airfare or Transportation to Key West or Stock Island (10 miles from Key West). The cabbies all know where stock island is as that is where all the cab companies are located!
• Transfer from any other airport than Key West Airport. (However many of our members have offered to pick up members from FLL, MIA etc and/or carpool from various destinations in Florida. Post in the thread so we can work this all out!)
• Drinks on Jul 8th our day of arrival nor on the boat... (sodas are a $1, beer is $2, and premium beer and wine $3 each)
• Dinner our last night on the boat Jul 13th
• Your own towels! (You'll need one for regular showers and the dive deck)
• Additional boat dives in Florida or additional sightseeing
• Rental, instruction and retail charges
• Crew gratuities usually 15% for a liveaboard
• Fuel Surcharge(s) if applicable. (subject to change 30 days prior to departure)
• Trip Insurance...we STRONGLY urge you get trip Insurance...its cheap and it will save your vacation if the unexpected happens! (see the end of this post for 2 great insurance links)
• DAN or equivelent Insurance ...we REQUIRE that you have DAN or equivelent trip insurance for this and all diving trips. For $99 a year or less you can be airvac'd to medical attention or treated in a chamber...don't gamble with your life!
OPTIONAL:
• Extra Dives in Florida...as this shapes up we'll get rates and try to work out details for everyone!
• Extra nights in Key West or other parts of FL! Check out this great 'What to Do in Key West' FAQ!
• Night Dives are Optional but Included: Please bring at least one light per diver, one tank marker and one back up light per buddy team.
• While computers are required...you can participate in DAN Research and use a Cochran Computer for free! Simply aid us in getting DAN your dive profiles and you'll be able to use a new state-of-the-art computer for Free!
DISCOUNTS:
•$25 rebate eligible after trip for SD premier and above memberships
•Price includes cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via paypal or credit card.
TRANSFERS:
Key West: Upon arrival to the Key West Airport (IF you have supplied your travel details to SingleDivers.com in advance) a driver will pick you up and take you to the boat to drop your bags. Be looking for a Spree Expeditions sign. Your transfers are part of your trip price. Stock Island The Rusty Key Restaurant: If you are meeting us at the restaurant you'll follow the group back to the boat where you can park your car at the Marina. Stock Island Marina: If you are meeting at the boat, you can drop luggage but will not be able to board until after dinner at the Rusty Anchor. Any Other Locations/Airports: Our wonderful members have offered to help with carpooling and pickups at local area Florida airports. PLEASE post in the thread if you'd like to participate in this generous offer and we will help to organize who can pick up from where. If a bunch of you want to fly into FLL or MIA then we'll help you organize shared rides, rental cars or lodgings as well as extra diving. Just let us know! Most people will want to add days to this trip so instead of making it manditory we are allowing you complete flexibility to do it 'YOUR WAY'!
DRY TORTUGAS AVAILABILITY UPDATE:
SD honors a first come and first served premise that is driven by posting in our community. (Posting means you register on our site which is free and you then post in this thread/topic telling us you want a spot and your payment is on its way!) Once a trip has filled up from the "My Check & Documents is in the Mail List" and the confirmed "deposits/pymnts list" we will open an official waiting list for the trip. As openings occur we'll open up the "Waiting List" for new 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 and have sent in their documents i.e. Trip Waiver and Trip Survey and Boat 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 and trip updates are only accurate in the main trip post. Thank You! -ww
Trip Instructor: TBD (let us know if you are interested)
Trip Videographer: TBD (let us know if you are interested)
TEMPS & CONDITIONS:
The weather in Florida is remarkably consistent year-round but the waters in the Dry Tortugas Marine Park are the WARMEST on this trip. The temperatures range in the 80's during this time of year and the water temps are in the low to mid 80's making this truly a diving 'dream'!
ARRIVAL:
July 8th is our arrival day and you can arrive anytime. The only thing planned for day 1 is getting to the boat to drop off luggage, doing some sight seeing and eating dinner at 5:30 at the Rusty Anchor in Stock Island, then after dinner getting settled in and having fun! Again you arrive via Key West or other Florida airports and then carpool or commute to Stock Island (10 miles from Key West)
How to Book a Spot on this Trip:
1. Post in this thread that you plan to join us and your check or payment is in the mail or on it's way. 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 7 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 but you'll get $25 of that back as a rebate after the trip. 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.)
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 below for our credit card authorization form.
4. We need to know what day you are arriving and departing as well as flight times, if you need rental gear, if diving nitrox or want a nitrox class, if you want to arrive early or stay late for sightseeing and/or diving. You NEED to include as much of this information as possible with your initial reservation but don't wait too long or you may lose your spot!
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
Please add 3% if paying via paypal or credit card.
If paying via paypal go to www.PayPal.com and send payment to kamala@singledivers.com Be sure to include your address, contact number and screen name, along with TRIP NAME in the details section. PLEASE include all details as to what you are paying for so our accountant will be able to credit your account correctly!
If paying via check or money order, please make Payments Payable to SingleDivers.com LLC and send payment to:
Attn: Kamala Shadduck
SingleDivers.com
3957 Gaspar Ste#200
Dallas, TX 75220
214-350-7003
kamala@singledivers.com
If paying via credit card (Visa, MC) download the SD Credit Card Authorization Form, complete and fax to 214-350-2558. Click here for the form.
PAYMENT TERMS & SCHEDULE:
ASAP: $300 deposit immediately
PROGRESS PAYMENTS:
a. $300 due at booking and must be rec'd within 7 days to hold your spot!
b. Mar 6, 2008: $450
c. May 6, 2008: $400
Note: Trip must be paid in full 60 days prior to departure.
BOAT INFORMATION:
• 100' live-aboard, air conditioned/heated
• Customized for Gulf diving, including large dive platform, gear-donning benches, and huge sun deck.
• Two breathing air compressors.
• Triple screw (whatever that means), 13 knots cruising speed,
• Four fresh-water rinse tanks for rinsing dive gear, computers, and cameras. Inside charging stations for charging strobes, cameras, laptops, etc.
• DVD, VCR, TV, and stereo on board.
• A total crew of 8, including 2 captains, 2 divemasters, a chef, a steward(ess), a sanctuary trained naturalist, and a photo pro.
• All bedding provided.
• Four heads, four showers (two public, two private.) - Don't forget your own towels!
• Full galley serves three meals a day, snacks and beverages all day (soda and beer for sale.)
HOTEL & SIGHTSEEING INFORMATION:
If staying extra days/nights in Key West see some great hotel options on the Spree FAQ located here!
WEATHER CANCELLATION POLICY:
To date, the Spree has experienced very little adverse weather at the Dry Tortugas especially in July the nicest month of diving! But with all remote diving destinations, the Spree watches the marine forecasts continuosly to monitor for weather. If the seas are forecast to be 4 feet or higher on dive days, the dives will be cancelled. The trip will depart in no more than 5-foot seas only if the boat is confident that the waves will subside to less than 3 feet on dive days. The trip could be cancelled in less than 5-foot seas if there is weather in the forecast that could cause the seas to increase above the 5-foot mark. In the unlikely event of a blow out, unused trip fees will be refunded as quickly as possible.
IMPORTANT TRIP UPDATES:
1. Check Here OFTEN for Important Updates: Check here often for updates. If you are reading the thread you'll see them but we will post the most important ones here in this main post. Please check back here often as we do not email or mail updates to members.
2. For great information please check Dry Tortugas FAQ
Thread FAQ:
Q. Can we arrive early or stay late and do some extra diving or sightseeing in the area?
A. Absolutely! Just post here in this thread/topic that you want to do that so we can help you plan it!
Q. What is the cost of nitrox? What if I don't dive it?
A. NITROX is FREE!!! If you don't dive it then AIR IS FREE! However ask us about specials on learning to dive nitrox on this trip!
Q. Are married divers allowed on this trip?
A. Sure! We have many married but buddyless divers join our trips all the time and we even have a few 'couples' join us as well! All are welcome but need to be 'single and solo friendly'!
PLEASE obtain trip insurance ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. You can purchase it right online as well as check quotes etc. It is very economical and averages about $ for this trip.
Click here for a free quote or to purchase online!
or
Click here for another provider that provides excellent rates and coverage!
Diving Insurance: Diving Insurance is REQUIRED for this and all SingleDivers.com trips. You must obtain either DAN (Divers Alert Network) insurance or Travel Assure or verify that you are fully covered for emergency air vac's from outside the US, emergency hyperbaric treatments and all other emergency hospital treatments that might arise when traveling or diving.
Edited by ScubaPunk, 02 July 2008 - 08:01 AM.
