ScubaToys Blackbeards Trip

[ScubaSteve]

Anyone going on this trip chime in! We're out of state so this is the closest thing to a pre-trip get together for us.

We are -

Steve and Michelle. Former Dallasites and ScubaToys alumni. 5th Blackbeards trip for us. First since they relocated to Freeport.

Lookin forward to it!

[woody]

3 Spots left!

[Zenagirl]

Sounds like its going to be a great time. Too bad we can't join you.

[namabiru]

Not to hijack, but I've got a quick question as I'm thinking about joining the trip

$899 doesn't include gratuity, port tax, underwater park tax, etc. However, I'm wondering. Can someone perhaps give me a total price on what it would cost to go on this, after gratuity, etc.? Is $1100 a good guestimate? I'm not trying to be a piker, mind you. Is $1100 a high-end estimate? More like $1050?

[mike_s]

Originally Posted by namabiru

Not to hijack, but I've got a quick question as I'm thinking about joining the trip

$899 doesn't include gratuity, port tax, underwater park tax, etc. However, I'm wondering. Can someone perhaps give me a total price on what it would cost to go on this, after gratuity, etc.? Is $1100 a good guestimate? I'm not trying to be a piker, mind you. Is $1100 a high-end estimate? More like $1050?

have you checked the FAQ on Blackbeards website?

http://www.blackbeard-cruises.com/sc...ving-quest.htm

How much spending money do I need? Spending money for an evening ashore (drinks, souvenirs) and crew tips (15% recommended). You might note some of the smaller Bahama Out Islands do not accept major credit cards. The currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian Dollar which is on par with the US dollar and is used inter-changeably. There is a 40.00 port tax, $25 fuel surcharge and a 10.00 Bahamas Underwater National Park fee that must be paid at the time of final payment.

Are Crew tips required? The crew relies predominantly on gratuities for income. 15% of trip value is customary in the Caribbean live aboard dive industry. This can be given to the captain at the end of the week.

[namabiru]

Yeah, I did check it out. I had checked out the site much earlier, forgotten that information, posted my last post here, and then rechecked the site and realized that if I could add ('could' being the proper word in this case) I could probably figure out what I needed for money.

I thought I was about right on my guestimate, but couldn't think of how I got the amounts in my head.

[thesmoothdome]

Originally Posted by namabiru

Yeah, I did check it out. I had checked out the site much earlier, forgotten that information, posted my last post here, and then rechecked the site and realized that if I could add ('could' being the proper word in this case) I could probably figure out what I needed for money.

I thought I was about right on my guestimate, but couldn't think of how I got the amounts in my head.

Hehe....math isn't my strong suit either . I always end up overtipping my dive masters. Somehow, I don't think they mind though.

[namabiru]

I did it! I did it I did it I did it!!!

I just booked one of the last 3 remaining spots for the Blackbeards trip.

I decided, why not treat myself after finishing my grad. school, especially as my job will start in September or October.

So who am I?

I'm Jessica (Jess), Big Sky Country native, citizen of the world, beer appreciation club member, currently residing in the Big Sky Country, and getting ready to relocate to Qatar.

This is my first ever liveaboard, and I must confess my excitement. As you probably gathered.

I hope to enjoy myself immensely, and look forward to getting to know all of you as well

As we'd say in Japanese, yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

[ScubaSteve]

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll enjoy. We've been on several Blackbeards... all were memorable.

[namabiru]

Originally Posted by thesmoothdome

Hehe....math isn't my strong suit either . I always end up overtipping my dive masters. Somehow, I don't think they mind though.

Ha ha... yeah. I'm sure they chase you down the street to give the extra money back.

I probably tend to overtip too.

I feel, though, that service should be paid what it's worth. If you get good service, and the person cares about doing a good job and working hard, then reward that. The expression I've picked up from my dad there is "piker". So I'm not a piker. There are others, of course, but if I expend myself here I'll have nothing to shock people with on the boat.

(Shock not as in 'impress', but shock as in 'it's amazing what people think these days...')