153 replies to this topic

[Diver Ed]

OPTIONS WE ARE WORKING ON:

1. Set up central air contract from one port (most likely LAX due to extra savings from this departure city AND better routings and MORE add-on air options) for everyone to depart the US together except those only doing the 2nd week. This will qualify us for the savings which I'll have all the details locked in, in the next day or so.

2. Set up one or more tour options to include India as a 3 day pkg you can do after the main week of diving. (This will still be covered by the air contract as ONLY the US departure date needs to be the same.)

3. Set up a 2nd week of diving on the boat which currently will be $1795 (or $1595 if we get 10+people on it) and allow members to only join us for the 2nd week if that fits their schedule better so we can work to get 16 on the first week and 10+ on the 2nd week.
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Hello Kamala,

I just did a quick search, and found cheaper air from JFK, along with 2 hours less travel time. That was just based on an Orbitz search to MLE from both JFK and LAX. Being from the East coast, I would not want to have to spend the time to get to LAX prior to starting this trip. Not knowing your situation with putting these trips together, nor knowing the percentage of people departing each coast, or from somewhere in the middle, are there options of flying from NY, if the masses depart from LAX? Thanks. Ed

[ScubaTex]

I wouldn't mind diving for another week in the Maldives, if there are enough people interested. And I certainly wouldn't mind laying over for another week or 10 days of diving around Lembeh, Phillipines, or other destination; which would be dictated by where the scheduled stopover is.

Bill

[WreckWench]

OPTIONS WE ARE WORKING ON:

1. Set up central air contract from one port (most likely LAX due to extra savings from this departure city AND better routings and MORE add-on air options) for everyone to depart the US together except those only doing the 2nd week. This will qualify us for the savings which I'll have all the details locked in, in the next day or so.

2. Set up one or more tour options to include India as a 3 day pkg you can do after the main week of diving. (This will still be covered by the air contract as ONLY the US departure date needs to be the same.)

3. Set up a 2nd week of diving on the boat which currently will be $1795 (or $1595 if we get 10+people on it) and allow members to only join us for the 2nd week if that fits their schedule better so we can work to get 16 on the first week and 10+ on the 2nd week.

Hello Kamala,

I just did a quick search, and found cheaper air from JFK, along with 2 hours less travel time. That was just based on an Orbitz search to MLE from both JFK and LAX. Being from the East coast, I would not want to have to spend the time to get to LAX prior to starting this trip. Not knowing your situation with putting these trips together, nor knowing the percentage of people departing each coast, or from somewhere in the middle, are there options of flying from NY, if the masses depart from LAX? Thanks. Ed

Ed the secret is that the CONTRACT air will be less going via LAX. However you can opt to do your own thing...just won't be under the umbrella of the group. And the contract options on Singapore Air ARE better via the West Coast for most. Again I will have these in the next few days and a day or so after that to sanity check to what members can find on their own before we lock anything in. Most will be coming via the mid or west coast so also take into consideration them getting to the East Coast without laying over the day before as well as losing a night on the return.

I will show BOTH options so people can see the benefits to choosing the LAX option for the group flight.

[Diver Ed]

Ed the secret is that the CONTRACT air will be less going via LAX. However you can opt to do your own thing...just won't be under the umbrella of the group. And the contract options on Singapore Air ARE better via the West Coast for most. Again I will have these in the next few days and a day or so after that to sanity check to what members can find on their own before we lock anything in. Most will be coming via the mid or west coast so also take into consideration them getting to the East Coast without laying over the day before as well as losing a night on the return.

I will show BOTH options so people can see the benefits to choosing the LAX option for the group flight.

That is pretty much what I expected for an answer. I just wanted to make sure that I would not effect the whole group, if I opt for a different flight schedule. I am more concerned with travel times than a few hundred dollars, when looking at a trip like this. My back is never happy in airports or airplanes, and the thought of adding a flight from Savannah to LAX prior to the flight to Male, is not appealing. Just looking at options and getting a better understanding. Thanks. Ed

[WreckWench]

No worries...at least I hope we don't have to have everyone on the contract to participate. I did not get that impression however I'll only be able to allow 1 or 2 at most to do their own thing or it will preclude the others from using the contract.

I have the routings for both ways...and we should have BETTER routings via LAX both ways...

[jannacha]

I am sooo jealous!! I learned to dive while working at Club Med Thulagiri in the Maldives - 6 months of Maldivian bliss - never wanted to come up for air. Enjoy !!!

Edited by jannacha, 30 March 2010 - 07:28 PM.

[ASDmike]

K- this may be the one. Put me on the interested list.

For the contract air, it looks like SQ, so please check to see if we get credit on Star Alliance (ie. Continental, United...). That much flying, I usually pay more to keep earning status.

Great seeing y'all at BTS

[WreckWench]

K- this may be the one. Put me on the interested list.

For the contract air, it looks like SQ, so please check to see if we get credit on Star Alliance (ie. Continental, United...). That much flying, I usually pay more to keep earning status.

Great seeing y'all at BTS

I have asked about miles counting or not. And yes the contract would be with Singapore Air. I can also get BETTER than published pricing for other carriers flying into the region...but not as deep of a discount as we'll get. And I have also asked if we can still count you as part of the contract EVEN if you pay a bit more to have miles accrue.

Will let you know when I find out.

[BJ MathPro]

Just checked on Orbitz. Current low fare is around $1500 Chicago to MLE (11/3-11/13). This looks more and more like a trip I can and will try to take.

Certainly Singapore Air is a better carrier. Kamala, what would be the range your contract from Chicago to MLE?

[WreckWench]

With the Easter Holiday I won't have an add-on for you but many from the Midwest major cities have been $200 or less that I've seen so far roundtrip.

[Dragonhd]

I would be interested in this trip for 1 week, first or second wouldn't matter. I am in Seattle, so no concerns of where it starts from, lol. :
Would an airfare package work for the second week?

[susiq]

I'm probably in the minority as I live in NYC, but the fares to Male are about 1379 as of today (through London, and on Sri Lankan Airline) so if the contract goes through LAX I probably would only take it if it beats this kind of price..... It's a lot of extra travel time for those of us on the East Coast (maybe only me?)

just adding my 2 psi to the discussion.....

PS my trip to Coz was a bust because I got sick after diving for 2 days and stayed out of the water the rest of the week..... pretty expensive way to do nothing, huh?

Oh well, I'm even more eager for this trip now....

[KellyDiver]

I will be flying out from Boston. I am all for any airline that lets me keep accruing miles on Star Alliance.

[ScubaTex]

For the contract air, it looks like SQ, so please check to see if we get credit on Star Alliance (ie. Continental, United...). That much flying, I usually pay more to keep earning status.

I will be flying out from Boston. I am all for any airline that lets me keep accruing miles on Star Alliance.

Wench - I'll vote with the Star Alliance, it seems they fly to more scuba destinations

Bill

[BJ MathPro]

... many from the Midwest major cities have been $200 or less that I've seen so far roundtrip.

$200 less?! I am sold! I am packing this moment
So where do I sign?