Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron G.
I got certified last December with my wife, but she's not interested in dive trips. I'd like to take 5-6 dive trips per year (beginning in December) to warm water locations.
I'm 59, live near Baltimore, and have done about 25 dives (including 15 in Bonaire in May). I'm going with a local dive shop group to Cozumel in October. (Maybe I'll find a travel buddy on that trip 
I'd rather spend my money on several lower-cost trips than a couple luxury trips. For example, I'm thinking I might go to Cozumel a couple times per year. I'm tempted to try a liveaboard, but I'd prefer to save money on a mid-range trip (I'm not sure I'm brave enough for a Blackbeard experience), rather that a luxury/gourmet trip.
The ideal travel buddy would be someone similar to me....older, modest experience, lives in (or near) Maryland, etc. But, I'm flexible.
Interested? Drop me a PM.
Ron |
If you really want to do a liveaboard, there are lots of options between Blackbeards and $$$$luxury trips! Check out Nekton (
Nekton Cruises > Home). There are lots of singles on every trip and they buddy up the first day. It isn't like camping at sea but isn't luxury like Aggressor boats. We have done the Nekton twice and I have trip reports and videos. Our first trip there were 5 single guys whose wives didn't dive. They all liked the Nekton as they could get in the most dives for a week away from spouse (their wives didn't let them take too many dive trips). Great diving (20+ per week) and great fun. More bang for your buck than a land-based trip.
Robin Tackett's Nekton trips album on Vimeo
http://www.rnrscuba.net/NektonRorqual_TripReport.html
Group trips with your LDS are a great option also. You will always get a buddy that way, too. Sometimes they are the best bet for a single price wise as you don't have to pay a single supplement if you agree to share a room.
Other great options are places like Cocoview Resort where groups buy blocks of rooms them open them up to anyone to join the group. They then post their dates on Cocochat website or Scubaboard. There are 3 groups going there that have openings (they are in Oct08, Apr09, and May09). I know about those as we are looking at a trip there...
Then you can also look at the trips offered here on Scubatoys!