Dive Trips

USA Overseas Dive Program

USA Dive Club Overseas Diving 2011-2014

2011 was an unusual year. We had two sold out trips, to Little Cayman Beach Resort (30) and Caribbean (18) Explorer to Saba & St. Kitts. A thank you to the trip leads, Kathi and Julie. “30” was the highest number we have seen in the last 15-20 years. It was the first time in this millennium that we revitalized the concept of an active “waiting list”. We were able to accommodate everybody, by adding spots to the Cayman trip. But the waiting list stayed in effect for the Saba trip.

Waiting lists are a mixed blessing. If you need to cancel, and you need somebody to take your spot, it is nice to have a waiting list. [We handled several cancellations in 2011 without any losses; anyway, there is never a guarantee that it will work to your liking, so we also recommend cancellation insurance]. If you are last, it is not the best place to be. In times of economic uncertainty, it is important for the club to fulfill its obligations to the boats and resorts we do business with, so from a business perspective a small waiting list is “desirable” compared to un-sold spots.

The club’s officers did recognize that the minor recovery in the economy late 2010 and in the beginning of 2011 could lead to a waitlist. A review of the waitlist part of the overseas guidelines was performed and the GL was updated in line with the general trend in how the clubs does it business and what our members want. You can see the changes here:

Click here to view USA DIVE TRIP GUIDELINES FOR OVERSEAS DIVE TRIPS and MINI TRIPS (chapter 8 is the new priority rules)

TheOverseas Committee and the VP of overseas travel plan next year’s program, through a set of meetings, typically 2-3 times a year. On top of that I will typically go to DEMA, talk to the dive operators we do business with and pick up, offers, contacts, etc. In the end we put a program together, as you see in this newsletter. We try to consider multiple factors: Liveaboards (gives you the most bottom time); Land based (you do other things than diving; often we can add spots to mitigate waiting lists); airfare (luggage allowance; no/minimal connections; FLL when possible); fuel surcharges, etc. When (vacation time; warm water; seasons at the destinations). These meetings are open to all members. If you are interested, please let me know and I will add you to the mailing list.

In the end we pick destinations, we think a large proportion of our members are interested in, because it is a numbers game. When we travel as a group we get predictable company and better terms and conditions. All the trips have some kind of bonus arrangements. These benefits will be shared with the members upon return. In 2011 both trips paid out refunds to the traveler on return. Also please remember that all our trips are priced “all inclusive”. If you try to compare our prices and don’t see the club benefits, please come see me and I will explain

We often have the travelers buy their own airfare – especially when the hassle of booking a group is excessive. For the Provo trip, this applies. One thing to be aware of is that airline reservation computers sometimes get confused when we all try to book airfare at the same time (popular destination = higher prices); when you get approved for the trip, Clare or I will give instruction to spread out the activity over a few days to keep the price at bay.

Our contribution is that we must be able to commit early. The operator can trust that the sale is final. The club always takes a small risk when we sign a contract, but our members “confirm” early via the signup process that we are good; or we try at that time to make minor adjustments, while it is still cheap to do so.

If you plan to travel on your own using one of our traditional vendors please see me first. I will be happy to make the booking for you, that way I keep current contacts with as many vendors as possible, and it might also be beneficial to you.

Note that we do require DAN or similar accident insurance on all trips and that we recommend that you do consider other kinds of insurance: cancellation, interruptions, etc.

Program 2012: One half of the January Program will be the 2012 trip presentations: by the Trip leads and/or Nils:

For 2012, we have three trips planned for USA’s overseas diving program. The dates appearing below are confirmed.

Prices are accurate at this time. Sign-up period begins with USA’s January 5th general membership meeting and continues through January 19, 2019.

SOLD OUT WAIT LIST ONLY Provo Liveaboard, June 9-16, 2011. Explorer Ventures’ fleet, same as USA’s last year’s Saba trip and the similar 2006 Turks and Caicos trip to Provo. Purchase your own ticket with American Airlines. All meals and beverages, 27 boat dives, free NITROX, airport transfers, gratuities, port taxes, departure taxes and fuel surcharge ($125 included): $2,500, or $2,700 with a VIP upgrade. More info from trip lead: Clare Anthon or me. overseasdiving@usadiveclub.com
SINGLE SPOTS might BE AVAILABLE – ON REQUEST ONLY - Philippines, Atmosphere & Siren July 4-22, $4,200 without airfare. overseasdiving@usadiveclub.com
SOLD OUT WAIT LIST ONLY Cayman Brac Beach Resort, August 4-11. All meals, 17 dives, airfare, tips, etc., $1850. Non-diver $1300. Cheaper, more luggage allowance than LCBR 2011. More info from trip lead: Ronnie Farr or me. overseasdiving@usadiveclub.com
FOR WAITING LIST: please contact Nils and/or trip leads

2014: The committee also looks ahead. We had this year tried to plan the next Exotic trip, preferable to Palau, preferably 18 months after the Philippines trip. I found an excellent offer at DEMA: new boat, Palau Siren, from the worldwide Dive and sail-fleet (same fleet as Philippines), offering 4 free spots. We made the commitment for April 8-15, 2014. We will keep talking about the detail throughout 2012: Extensions to Yap and or Micronesia, etc. The actual announcement and signup will be decided later.

Questions? Click here to contact VP of Overseas Diving Nils Jacobsen by e-mail.

Nils Jacobsen
VP Overseas Diving
overseasdiving@usadiveclub.com