Maryland Diver Looking for Travel Buddy

[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

[scubarobin]

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!

[Ron G.]

Robin,

Thanks for the helpful reply.

I've looked at the Nekton website before and it looks like a happy medium between the luxury Explorers, etc. and the spartan Blackbeards. I keep trying to imagine being confined to a boat (and the sea) for a full week. I'm not a night-life, bar-hopping kind of guy, so it would probably be fine. I'd also probably be trying to make the most of the diving, so the eat-dive-sleep routine sounds okay (along with some quiet time to read, etc. in between).

I read your trip review. I've heard other mentions of live-aboards having a number of empty spaces. I've wondered if someone could call them up a month ahead of time and get a 50% discount (or whatever) on a left-over spot. (I see Nekton is offering $300 discounts on many of their trips.)

I'm pretty flexible about when I can travel, so it seems like these boats (or even resorts, for that matter) might offer aggressive discounts to fill spaces a month out.

It does seem like live-aboards are pretty good about accommodating singles. I've heard they'll pair up singles (or even give you your own room) and not have to charge a single supplement. The single supplements I seen in some resorts are sometimes nearly the cost of a second person.

I'm really hoping to find a travel partner (whether they're here in Maryland or elsewhere) so that I'd have a diving buddy that I know I'm compatible with. Traveling alone and counting on instant buddies seems like a risk (not that I'm such a prize).

I'm gonna go on the local club trip to Cozumel in October and see if I happen to find someone. Otherwise, your suggestions are good ones.

Thanks.

Ron

[georoc01]

I've heard of last minute discounts, but in general the cost of flying last minute over took any savings.

[MDDIVER]

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

Hey Ron,

I think I am going to be in the same boat. My wife to be 11 days and counting is taking the class but I think she would pick sitting on the beach reading a book and maybe only taking a dive a day or every other day. I am open to diving in the area mostly on weekdays. I work most weekends but that's the draw back of working for my police agency, everything happens on the weekends. After are wedding we are going to be looking to take more trip to the islands, keys, Mexico and so on. If you need a dive buddy in this area to get a few more dives under your belt let me know and maybe I can join for a local dive or 2.

[thagar]

Hey Ron, I live in the big EC too, I am just getting in to diving though. Due to my schedule and lack of funds, I can't help you with trips, but if you need someone to go locally I might be able to go with you.