By Mike O (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 10:32 pm: |
Just got back from a stay at Belmar. It was, in most respects, a good experience. One thing did get to me, however. For the "guided" dives, the shop assigned one guide to go with our group and they charged the guided dive fee per person. For example, we had three people who hadn't been diving in a while and, though one guide was assigned to go along with them for the first dive, the charge was $35 per person. The assumption going in was that the guide charge would be the same whether one person was guided, or three were. For our Salt Pier dive, there were five of us. Again, one guide and they charged $25 per person -- grand total of $125 for that guide to go with us to the Salt Pier. Can't recall them doing that on my previous trips. Seems a bit much to charge per person. Is this common practice among the shops?
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By a retired Grunt, back in May (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #659) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 11:25 pm: |
I can only speak as to the Salt Pier dives; the cost has been "per person" since the requirement for it to be a guided dive. I agree it seems expensive. It has to do with US port requirements after 9/11.
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By David Johnson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #483) on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 2:48 am: |
In the case of Salt Pier (and Town Pier) it has always been described as per person to me. Just as boat dives are typically per person. That said, you might be able cut a deal with a given DM.
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By Vince DePietro (Bonaire Beach Condo ) (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1766) on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 7:04 am: |
Mike: the dive guide is in reality responsible for all in the group he/she is leading. Obviously their task is a bit more difficult leading a group of 5 as opposed to 1. To expect a guide to lead a group of 5 at the same price as 1 individual is not realistic.
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7018) on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 8:42 am: |
Every time I have used a guide it was charged per person. This leads to one of my weird thoughts about Bonaire, I do not begrudge them (Bonairians) asking for money. Most times it's earned, but even in marginal cases I am way more forgiving than in the states. I'm not sure why, it may be due to how difficult it is making a living on Bonaire, it may be buying a friend, and it may be envy (which would be backwards).
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By Kristi, the GOOD (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4121) on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 11:14 am: |
a guided dive is per person. IMO and experience. And it should be..IMHO
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By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1613) on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 12:11 pm: |
it had never occurred to me that it would be other than a per-person charge....as was stated earlier, it's like a boat dive without the boat. and i agree that when you are going with a guide, that guide is responsible for everybody in the group.
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By Debbie B. ~ Jersey Gal (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #8360) on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 1:58 pm: |
Uh, as long as I have been coming to Bonaire, been many years, always be per person charge, I don't get what you are saying as being different?
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By Mike O (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 3:15 pm: |
Thanks for the responses. As usual, a bit more direct than perhaps anticipated, but the internet is not always conducive to the most pleasant of conversations. Your points are well taken and, yes, the dive was enjoyable. Thanks for asking.
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By lisa z (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #195) on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 1:08 pm: |
And, as usual, it always helps to ask in advance....is this per person, or per dive?
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