153 replies to this topic

[ScubaShafer]

... 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?

Not sure if you got this right, John. The ADD ON from the midwest is supposed to be an ADDITIONAL $200 or less.

[WreckWench]

Thank you Bruce...I am sorry that I did not make that clearer. Kamala

[WreckWench]

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?

That is great! We are hoping to have the contract work for BOTH weeks! That will help us get the 10 we need for the 2nd week to get the better price!

[deb4diving]

Kamala,
I will do whatever you need & whatever is cheapier. Just let me know, when we need to put a down payment. Do you have the dates yet my busy "little bee"-just have to request off for work early-thx. I would like the 1wk diving with the 3 day sight seeing to see the Taj Mahal. Thanks for all your help, chaz.
Debra

[Divegirl412]

Have to say..

1. Agree with the star alliance miles credit. If SQ does not allow that on the contract air, I will probably arrange my own. Be aware that on their website they say they do not give miles for group travel. If they make an exception for us, we should probably get that in writing!!!

From Singapore airlines FAQs:
"I was not aware that Singapore Airlines had restricted classes that do not earn miles. Why is this so, and how do I check if my tickets are eligible?
Most of the booking fares are eligible for accrual of KrisFlyer miles. However, some booking fares, such as Economy Class tickets booked in V, Q, G, N, or T (group and promotional fares) on Singapore Airlines, are very competitively priced and are ineligible for mileage accrual.

When you book your tickets online, information on whether the fares displayed are eligible for mileage accrual or not will be clearly stated. If you are booking through a travel agent, please check with the agent if your fare is eligible for mileage accrual."

2. Do we have any dates yet? I really need to start locking down that time off in November. I am already out of the Sept Turks/ Caicos trip because I committed to an Oct Lembeh/ Cocotinos trip. If I am going to turn around and head out to the Maldives in November, I need to start sweet-talking my partners at work now LOL.

[WreckWench]

Those who wish to save money will not accrue miles. Those who wish to accrue miles will save less money. Our consolidator should still be able to either save you some money for miles tickets or save you convenience. I will be speaking to them tomorrow to iron it all out and clarify our options. Kamala

Have to say..

1. Agree with the star alliance miles credit. If SQ does not allow that on the contract air, I will probably arrange my own. Be aware that on their website they say they do not give miles for group travel. If they make an exception for us, we should probably get that in writing!!!

From Singapore airlines FAQs:
"I was not aware that Singapore Airlines had restricted classes that do not earn miles. Why is this so, and how do I check if my tickets are eligible?
Most of the booking fares are eligible for accrual of KrisFlyer miles. However, some booking fares, such as Economy Class tickets booked in V, Q, G, N, or T (group and promotional fares) on Singapore Airlines, are very competitively priced and are ineligible for mileage accrual.

When you book your tickets online, information on whether the fares displayed are eligible for mileage accrual or not will be clearly stated. If you are booking through a travel agent, please check with the agent if your fare is eligible for mileage accrual."

2. Do we have any dates yet? I really need to start locking down that time off in November. I am already out of the Sept Turks/ Caicos trip because I committed to an Oct Lembeh/ Cocotinos trip. If I am going to turn around and head out to the Maldives in November, I need to start sweet-talking my partners at work now LOL.

[ScubaTex]

The Maldives has been on my bucket list along with other dive locations throughout the world. When the Wench brought this trip to my attention, during the Bonaire trip, the wheels began spinning in my head. What an opportunity to scatch off another destination off the bucket list, the Lembeh Starit of Indonesia. Since returning from Bonaire, I've been researching possible resorts, flight connections, etc. I have come up with a preliminary itenarary, and want to share it with you, in case any one else would like to join me on this dive sabbatical. First it assumes we'll be diving the Maldives for two weeks, then flying to Manado, Indonesia, not to return to LAX until Dec 2.

Nov 3-20 depart LAX, dive Maldives, arrive Singapore with SingleDivers.com group

Nov 21 sightsee in Singapore [filghts to Manado on Silk Air only fly on; Mon., Wed., Fri., & Sat.]

Nov22 depart Singapore on Silk Air [regional airline of Singapore Air] flt MI274

Nov 22-25 Stay at Cocotinos Resort & dive Bunaken http://www.cocotinos...ge=1&title=Home

Nov 26-30 transfer to, stay at Lembeh resort & dive Lembeh Strait http://www.lembehresort.com/

Dec 1 depart Manado on Silk Air flt MI273 to Singapore

Dec 2 depart Singapore on Singapore Air flt SQ12 to LAX, arrive Dec 2

After 2 weeks of diving with the pelagics on the reefs of the Maldives, top off the trip with another 10 days of the finest muck diving in the world. Kamala has agreed to assist me in booking this, please join me for a unique diving opportunity.

Bill

[WreckWench]

First off I am excited to say that I MAY be able to do the second week of diving or at least a sight seeing option as I may not do DEMA this year. Nothing is set in stone but the possibility exists that I will be able to go diving instead of WORKING!

Second I am thrilled to have a chance to challenge my new air consolidator and my indo partners to put together an amazing trip for US and for Bill!

So if anyone else is tempted to 'maximize' their ticket to the region...please let us know. If all goes well we'll be doing more and more exciting trips to THIS SIDE OF THE POND!!!

[Scuba Donna]

Please put me on the 'interested list'. Please keep us posted about possible airline arraignments, as I will want to 'add on' to this trip.

Bill

Since I have done Maldives liveaboard, I am not going to do trip, but from my experience, I can not say enough good things about Emirates Air out of NY with fueling stop in Dubai. Great airline and pretty much as good as Singapore Air.

I am very interested in doing this trip. Don't really like Emirates Air though. They gave me a baby
by snapping a bassinette in front of me from Dubai to NewYork and "my" baby cried-a lot!

[ScubaTex]

Please put me on the 'interested list'. Please keep us posted about possible airline arraignments, as I will want to 'add on' to this trip.

Bill

Since I have done Maldives liveaboard, I am not going to do trip, but from my experience, I can not say enough good things about Emirates Air out of NY with fueling stop in Dubai. Great airline and pretty much as good as Singapore Air.

I am very interested in doing this trip. Don't really like Emirates Air though. They gave me a baby
by snapping a bassinette in front of me from Dubai to NewYork and "my" baby cried-a lot!

Donna-
Check out the above posts. Apparently the air contract will be through Singapore Air. I promise, if you join me on the extended scuba sabbatical to Indonesia, I will not cry... I may SNORE, but I won't cry. Just ask the Wench!!!

Bill

[weescot]

On flights and miles, as a very regular traveller from the UAE to places like Maldves and Asia, both Emirates and Singapore Airlines are pretty good. Emirates however really pack in the coach seats now. In November I was so glad to get off after only a 4 hour flight and I am only 5'1". I much prefer Singapre Airlines - more leg room, better inflight service and now more competitive prices. But I am afraid they don't give star alliance miles on most discounted fares Rosa.

[BJ MathPro]

So if anyone else is tempted to 'maximize' their ticket to the region...please let us know.

I am limited in both vacation time and vacation dollars, so I have to stick to 1-week diving. And I am palnning to go with the first week. (Depending on the package, maybe able to add a few days of exursion).

So are we close to have the packages finalized?

[Elena]

Kamala,

Please add me to the Interested list. I would fly from London, UK.

I was certified at Maldives, so I would go for one (first) week option this time.

Thank you for putting things together.

Elena

[TexasDiver]

The Maldives has been on my bucket list ... I have come up with a preliminary itenarary, and want to share it with you, in case any one else would like to join me on this dive sabbatical. First it assumes we'll be diving the Maldives for two weeks, then flying to Manado, Indonesia, not to return to LAX until Dec 2.
Nov 3-20 depart LAX, dive Maldives, arrive Singapore with SingleDivers.com group
Nov 21 sightsee in Singapore [filghts to Manado on Silk Air only fly on; Mon., Wed., Fri., & Sat.]
Nov22 depart Singapore on Silk Air [regional airline of Singapore Air] flt MI274
Nov 22-25 Stay at Cocotinos Resort & dive Bunaken http://www.cocotinos...ge=1&title=Home
Nov 26-30 transfer to, stay at Lembeh resort & dive Lembeh Strait http://www.lembehresort.com/
Dec 1 depart Manado on Silk Air flt MI273 to Singapore
Dec 2 depart Singapore on Singapore Air flt SQ12 to LAX, arrive Dec 2
After 2 weeks of diving with the pelagics on the reefs of the Maldives, top off the trip with another 10 days of the finest muck diving in the world. Kamala has agreed to assist me in booking this, please join me for a unique diving opportunity.
Bill

I would be interested in this sort of extended trip! Craig

Edited by TexasDiver, 13 April 2010 - 02:40 PM.

[scubabjs]

The Maldives has been on my bucket list ... I have come up with a preliminary itenarary, and want to share it with you, in case any one else would like to join me on this dive sabbatical. First it assumes we'll be diving the Maldives for two weeks, then flying to Manado, Indonesia, not to return to LAX until Dec 2.
Nov 3-20 depart LAX, dive Maldives, arrive Singapore with SingleDivers.com group
Nov 21 sightsee in Singapore [filghts to Manado on Silk Air only fly on; Mon., Wed., Fri., & Sat.]
Nov22 depart Singapore on Silk Air [regional airline of Singapore Air] flt MI274
Nov 22-25 Stay at Cocotinos Resort & dive Bunaken http://www.cocotinos...ge=1&title=Home
Nov 26-30 transfer to, stay at Lembeh resort & dive Lembeh Strait http://www.lembehresort.com/
Dec 1 depart Manado on Silk Air flt MI273 to Singapore
Dec 2 depart Singapore on Singapore Air flt SQ12 to LAX, arrive Dec 2
After 2 weeks of diving with the pelagics on the reefs of the Maldives, top off the trip with another 10 days of the finest muck diving in the world. Kamala has agreed to assist me in booking this, please join me for a unique diving opportunity.
Bill

I would be interested in this sort of extended trip! Craig

I would also be interested in an extended trip like this, last time I spent 7 weeks out and about. Depends on the cost.

Bjs