282 replies to this topic

[Diversitea]

Hey all! I am almost packed now, and have most of my work under control. Does anyone want me to bring some Raw Crunch Bars for them to eat on the trip? I am bringing them for myself, but they are so good that I always run out of them personally due to sharing too many of them! retail's steep - $3 each but as Singledivers.com buddies I will do $2.50 (really close to cost) http://www.diversite...CrunchBars.html

I am bringing a couple of boxes with me anyway, but if any of you have had them, you know how good they are, and how impossible to find at sea....PM me and let me know (also which flavors you want...) just so I have a general idea - Please also realize I am not on the trip to sell bars! But to DIVE!!!!! A lot!

Now if I keep them all for myself, I needn't feel guilty!

[WreckWench]

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT LAST MINUTE DETAILS WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & DETAILS:

Early Boarding of the boat:

The earliest we can board any guests is 4pm. If they need to drop off their bags earlier they can do so after 12pm, but crew will be busy working so they will just be able to leave their bags.

Transfers Included and Transfers not included:

For this departure the transfer from Los Patios Hotel to La Paz is complimentary. (Normally $55 pp) Getting from the boat when we arrive in Cabo after the trip to hotels, or airport however is something the boat can help arrange from the boat, but must be paid for by the individuals directly to the taxi or transfer company. The dock you will be returning to is not far from the airport so it might be about $15pp (per person).

Where to meet for the Coach Ride to La Paz to start the trip:

You meet for the coach transfer at Los Patios Hotel which is 20 minutes away from the airport. The boat will have a hospitality suite available for guests to arrive between 12-5pm, leave their bags, and enjoy the facilities. There is a pool and restaurant. You can either take a taxi from the airport or contact a transfer company called Faro Nuevo. They are great to deal with and charge about USD15pp to take you to the Los Patios. If pre-arranged they will be waiting for you when you arrive and be holding a sign I believe. Their e-mail address is faronuevo@prodigy.net.mx.

Why we needed your flight details upfront for the boat:

Please let me know who is arriving late and what time. We do require ALL flight info for ALL guests so we know when to expect people and who is taking the transfer. That way if we are waiting for someone we can look at the flight info and start checking with the airlines to see if there were delays etc.

When do we pay the $65 tax?

The $65 is paid by cash on the boat at the end of the trip.

[ScubaHawk]

ok, so 'bout $100 for the taxi rides around and $65 to leave the country.

Now to Barracudababe's question . . .

How much is a good amount to plan for tips for the crew, just so I make sure to have enough cash on hand?

Good question, 'cause there's no way I can tip 10% on this one unless I have the best Sunday night I've had in decades.

[finGrabber]

ok, so 'bout $100 for the taxi rides around and $65 to leave the country.

Now to Barracudababe's question . . .

How much is a good amount to plan for tips for the crew, just so I make sure to have enough cash on hand?

Good question, 'cause there's no way I can tip 10% on this one unless I have the best Sunday night I've had in decades.

I'd probably do $150 to $200, depending on the service

[ScubaHawk]

ok, so 'bout $100 for the taxi rides around and $65 to leave the country.

Now to Barracudababe's question . . .

How much is a good amount to plan for tips for the crew, just so I make sure to have enough cash on hand?

Good question, 'cause there's no way I can tip 10% on this one unless I have the best Sunday night I've had in decades.

I'd probably do $150 to $200, depending on the service

That sounds do-able. Thank ya dear.

[WreckWench]

Taxi rides should be $15 from the plane to the hotel and $15 from the boat to the airport when we return. Plus $65 so that is $95. (Amy is staying longer so she may have an add'l taxi or two. )

As for tips...normal and customary is 10% of the liveaboard price but is always subject to the level of service you receive.

That puts tips in the $300 range however, you can do less or more contingent on your financial ability and the service they provided.

Tips can be collected by SD in advance in cash and pooled as we usually do or put on your credit card at the end when you tab out with the boat. The choice is yours.

[ScubaHawk]

Taxi rides should be $15 from the plane to the hotel and $15 from the boat to the airport when we return. Plus $65 so that is $95. (Amy is staying longer so she may have an add'l taxi or two. )

As for tips...normal and customary is 10% of the liveaboard price but is always subject to the level of service you receive.

That puts tips in the $300 range however, you can do less or more contingent on your financial ability and the service they provided.

Tips can be collected by SD in advance in cash and pooled as we usually do or put on your credit card at the end when you tab out with the boat. The choice is yours.

Yeah, tipping $370 would be nice, and probably fair - just not possible. We just got done with harvest season up here - things were real sloooooooow.

[WreckWench]

Taxi rides should be $15 from the plane to the hotel and $15 from the boat to the airport when we return. Plus $65 so that is $95. (Amy is staying longer so she may have an add'l taxi or two. )

As for tips...normal and customary is 10% of the liveaboard price but is always subject to the level of service you receive.

That puts tips in the $300 range however, you can do less or more contingent on your financial ability and the service they provided.

Tips can be collected by SD in advance in cash and pooled as we usually do or put on your credit card at the end when you tab out with the boat. The choice is yours.

Yeah, tipping $370 would be nice, and probably fair - just not possible. We just got done with harvest season up here - things were real sloooooooow.

And I am sure that they understand that some people blow the wad just to get on the trip! It will be fine!

[WreckWench]

One final helpful document... (The boat sent us the following Pre-Departure PDF which is very helpful!)

Attached Files

•  Predeparture_info___Sea_of_Cortez.pdf   316.16KB   37 downloads

[grayfins]

Tried to open the document, but got a blank screen.
Bill aka grayfins

One final helpful document... (The boat sent us the following Pre-Departure PDF which is very helpful!)

[WreckWench]

Ok here is the text version:

Sea of Cortez PRE-DEPARTURE INFO
… and Socorro ‘combo trip’ info

When and where do I board the Nautilus?

For folks flying into SJD and requesting our USD55 return transfer to La Paz, please ensure that you are at the following meeting place no later than 3:45 p.m. on the day of departure. We highly recommend this property for pre and post trip hotel stays...

Los Patios Hotel
Transpeninsular Highway Km 4.5
Cabo San Lucas, BCS, Mexico 23450
Tel+52-624-145-6070
From the USA: 1-888-582-8442
www.lospatioshotel.com info@lospatioshotel.com

The highway coach is scheduled to depart at 4:00pm and we kindly ask that you check in with a Nautilus Explorer crewmember between 3:30pm and 3:45pm at the hotel. There will be beverages available on the highway coach for the approximately 2 hour and 15 minute travel time. The Nautilus Explorer berths at the Marina de La Paz for our Sea of Cortez trips and for most of our ‘combo’ trips. Upon arrival at the Nautilus Explorer, crew will be eager to assist with your luggage whilst you check in at the bar onboard for paperwork and a margarita!

What to Bring?

Dive gear. Any rental requests should be made via a direct request to our shore office (info@nautilusexplorer.com) with your name, trip date, height, weight, chest, waist, inseam and shoe size. Just to be safe, please contact us directly for rentals rather than making your request online via our website. You can expect water temps from the low 80’s.
Surface weather should be "very nice" and summer clothing (ie. Shorts, t-shirts and sandals) will be fine for most of your trip. We always recommend bringing a sweater and Windbreaker/rain jacket "just in case".
You should also bring personal toiletries, camera gear, lots of memory sticks and a good book. We take great pride in our service levels and will do our best to pamper you down to and including a bathrobe and deck towel for our hot-tub! You don't need to worry about bringing alcohol as our bar is extremely well stocked and includes 35 different kinds of beer and 11 types of single malt scotch!

What's not Included:

Gift shop, bar tab, gear rentals, nitrox, steel tank rental, transfers, port fees (USD65 payable in cash onboard please) and crew gratuities.

Communication / Emergency contact info:

A handheld satellite phone is available onboard with airtime charges of USD3.00 per minute. If a family member, friend or business associate needs to urgently reach you, they can either send an e-mail to: info@nautilusexplorer with the following subject heading: e-mail for John Doe, guest onboard the Nautilus Explorer with plain text formatting of the e-mail. Html e-mails will be transferred to plain text and thus, some information and pictures may be lost. OR call our office, toll free 1-888-434-8322 and a message will be passed to the ship via Inmarsat C satellite telex. If our answering service picks up the phone (rather than someone in our office), the caller should state that it is urgent or an emergency and ask that our duty officer be contacted. Non urgent emails can be forwarded to the ship as well but USD5.00 per incoming email will be charged to the recipient’s onboard account.

Getting to and from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD):

We would be very pleased to recommend Faro Nuevo for all of your local transfers needs whilst in the Cabo area. They can be reached via e-mail faronuevo@prodigy.net.mx and their transfer rates from SJD to Cabo hotels are approximately USD15pp one way (payable in cash, directly to the driver).

At SJD Airport there are the following terminals:

Terminal 1 (America West, Continental, Aero California, Mexicana, Areomexico)
Terminal 2 (Charter, Cargo and General Aviation)
Terminal 3 (Alaska Airlines, Delta, Frontier)

Getting to and from La Paz International Airport (LAP):

We highly recommend Manuel with MannyManny Tours for all of your local transfers needs whilst in La Paz. He can be reached via e-mail (mannymannytours@hotmail.com). His rates are USD15pp one way (payable in cash, directly to the driver).

[WreckWench]

Fingrabber is awesome! She contacted the local transport company and asked them to be ready, able and willing to pick up all the divers arriving on Nov 20th in SJD to transport them to the hotel! Kim!!!

Kim

I cant make the confirmation letter for you, but ours drivers and I will be waiting for
all the people the Nov. 20. The fare per person are $15 usd one way.
I can´t check the email until monday, but don´t worry, we´re gonna make the service.


Best regards


LILIANA BARRON ARRAS
Reservations Manager
TT Faro Nuevo SA de CV
Paseo de Las Gaviotas S/N Col. El Mèdano
Cabo San Lucas, 23410 BCS.
Tel. Office (624) 143-1872 Fax. (624) 144-4031.

[WreckWench]

Seals, Mantas and Sharks (Hammerheads) OH MY!!!

This trip was fantastic and the full trip report is located here!

This will definitely be a 'repeat destination' so stay tuned for when!