Palau/Truk: March 2009

[Zendiver]

I tried to get this going for 2008 quite some time back and it was all sold out or couldn't get the dates I wanted, or the dates wouldn't butt up to each other, so I am seriously working on this for it to happen in March 2009.

Questions are: Live-a-Board or Land Based? Quite a bit of difference price wise.

So far, this is the information I have:

Truk Liveaboards
Odyssey Adventures
Includes 8 days accommodations, unlimited diving, free nitrox, all meals, snacks,
beverages, some alcoholic beverages and airport transfers.
Starting from.............................................. .........................$2395

S.S. Thorfinn
Includes 8 days accommodations, unlimited diving, all meals, snacks,
beverages, and airport transfers.
Starting from.............................................. .........................$1790

All prices are per person, double occupancy plus tax and subject to change

Palau Liveaboards
Big Blue Explorer
Includes 8 days accommodations, unlimited diving, all meals, snacks,
beverages and airport transfers.
Standard Cabins............................................ .....................$1899
Deluxe Cabins............................................ .........................$2099

Ocean Hunter
Includes 8 days accommodations, unlimited diving, all meals and airport transfers.
Starting from.............................................. .........................$2695
Deluxe Cabins............................................ .........................$2899

Palau Aggressor II
Includes 8 days accommodations, unlimited diving, most meals, snacks,
beverages, some alcoholic beverages and airport transfers.
Deluxe Cabins............................................ .........................$2495

All prices are per person, double occupancy plus tax, dive permits and subject to change

Palau Resorts with Diving
Includes 8 days accommodations, 5 dive days and airport/hotel transfers - that's it.

Desekel Hotel: $ 840
Cliffside Hotel $1040
Carolina Resort $1127
Palau Pacific Resort $1279

As I get more information and hear back from some of these, I will post it here.

[chaseh]

We would definitely be interested. Scheduling is really the only concern. Not much more can be said this far in advance. We haven't done a live-a-board before, but I'm sure the first time would be interesting with this bunch.

[Far_X]

Live-a-boards are great fun unless you are suffering from a cold! :( A live-a-board would probably get to places you wouldn't normally get to from land everyday.

[farsidefan1]

I'd prefer a liveaboard (the more pristine sites the better) but either works for me. I would like my own cabin (unless Penny and Rob are broke up by then:D ):respect:
Hi Far X, Got any new speedos?:ohmy: I think the red keeps the sharks at bay. roflmao Great trip idea!

I would suggest mid January to mid February from my reading although I would certainly defer to the more experienced folks "wet" time to my reading. I was planing to do the Aggressor in 2008 but was already committed to Fiji in March so I decided to wait. Now I'm glad I did.

[Skyjunky]

Live-a-board.

[erparamedic]

I'd prefer a liveaboard (the more pristine sites the better) but either works for me. I would like my own cabin (unless Penny and Rob are broke up by then:D ):respect:





This sounds like a very fun vacation! I'm curious to see the dates and prices. It would be really nice if Rod and I could go.

[stu_in_fl]

perhaps live aboard 1 week (Truk), land 1 week (Palau) .....doing back to back liveaboards could be $$$$$$$$$$$$

[pennypue]

I'd prefer a liveaboard (the more pristine sites the better) but either works for me. I would like my own cabin (unless Penny and Bob are broke up by then:D ):respect:
Hi Far X, Got any new speedos?:ohmy: I think the red keeps the sharks at bay. roflmao Great trip idea!

I would suggest mid January to mid February from my reading although I would certainly defer to the more experienced folks "wet" time to my reading. I was planing to do the Aggressor in 2008 but was already committed to Fiji in March so I decided to wait. Now I'm glad I did.While I doubt that would happen, he might not want to do a liveaboard and I would need a roommate anyway.:D :evil_4:

I'd LOVE to do this trip.

[TankBanger]

This is on my list of must do's. I would prefer a liveaboard.

Maybe by 2009, I'll have a rich uncle or aunt pass away and leave me the fortune that I need to satisfy all of my dive/travel goals.:D

[Zendiver]

From everything I am reading and hearing from others that have done Truk, a Live-a-board is a must there. From talking with Scott, most of the same dive sites are done whether you are on a live-a-board or stay on land, it's just about a 40 minute boat ride to the sites.

I am trying to get prices both ways.

[pennypue]

ZD, based on that boat ride, I think I'd prefer the live aboard.

[TostitoBandito]

You guys are killing my bank account, I can't turn this stuff down. ;)


liveaboard

[Zendiver]

First post has been updated with more information regarding pricing for Live-A-Boards and Land Based.

[stu_in_fl]

i just did a check to see if you could get from Truk to Palau on the same day, e.g. a Saturday - yes you can (1 way ticket is about $630)....airfares going to be a b**ch on this one...probably close to 3k :)

[Skyjunky]

Finally-something I can use my airmiles on.

[TostitoBandito]

i just did a check to see if you could get from Truk to Palau on the same day, e.g. a Saturday - yes you can (1 way ticket is about $630)....airfares going to be a b**ch on this one...probably close to 3k :)

Well I know from past research that Palau from the states is Continental so at least I can use my Alaska miles on that.

[diveski01]

I'd like the live aboard for diving so long as I could get a bit of time on land to see the place. My uncle fought on Pelilieu (sp?) Palau during WWII in a nasty campaign from what I've read so I might have mixed emotions over seeing the remnants. But on same token am intrigued by same.

Not sure if I could handle the strong currents and I'm definitely not jazzed about reef hooking.

Lots of research and saving $$ before we could commit to this journey....

[SaltyKSue]

I'd like the live aboard for diving so long as I could get a bit of time on land to see the place. My uncle fought on Pelilieu (sp?) Palau during WWII in a nasty campaign from what I've read so I might have mixed emotions over seeing the remnants. But on same token am intrigued by same.

Not sure if I could handle the strong currents and I'm definitely not jazzed about reef hooking.

Lots of research and saving $$ before we could commit to this journey....I agree about being able to spend time on land - seeing the place I've traveled so far to get to.
I went on my first liveaboard just last May, it's just not my thing. I much prefer land based and I don't think a 40 min. trip to a dive site is too bad.

What's this about reef hooking? Is that the kind of diving we would be doing? Not sure I'd be up to that. I'd need someone to babysit me on that one.

No matter. I am definatly interested in this one!

[chaseh]

Reef hooking is when you've got to earn twenty bucks the hard way, and you're underwater.

[pennypue]

Reef hooking is when you've got to earn twenty bucks the hard way, and you're underwater.roflmao roflmao roflmao

Oh, my, rough morning. It took me a minute to get that.:D

[diveski01]

Reef hooking is when you've got to earn twenty bucks the hard way, and you're underwater.

roflmaoroflmaoCan't believe you beat Dan to the punch on that one! roflmao roflmao

[Twinklez]

My LDS is doing Palau in the spring and I really wish I could be going with them. I would definately consider this for 09. I'd like my diving on a liveaboard, but also would like a day or two to explore the land. I saw videos of the initial trip my instructor took before booking it for the shop and there are a lot of things to do on land as well as kayaking, snorkeling and even swimming in a body of freshwater full of non-stinging jellyfish!

Oh... and hey... I'll hook a reef anyday if it means I get to go down! :goodevil:

[SaltyKSue]

Well I know from past research that Palau from the states is Continental so at least I can use my Alaska miles on that.Holy Crap - I just checked airfare to Palau and it is close to $2300! :ohmy:
Does anyone know someone with a private plane that can take us all to Palau for say.... oh ... about HALF that price?

[Skyjunky]

Yes but a private plane would be more expensive.

[diveski01]

Yes but a private plane would be more expensive.

Not if the owner of the plane goes along and has a very generous heart to take the entire group. Too bad I don't know any of those types:( Who's good good buds with John Travolta? Someone can teach him to dive once we get there!

[stu_in_fl]

perhaps you could FedEx yourself

[erparamedic]

Not if the owner of the plane goes along and has a very generous heart to take the entire group. Too bad I don't know any of those types:( Who's good good buds with John Travolta? Someone can teach him to dive once we get there!

Funny you mentioned Travolta... I'd fly with him any day!roflmao

[Zendiver]

Well, this trip doesn't look like it is going to be doable for more than 4 people..all the live-a-boards for that time frame are already booked...and check this, alot of 2010 is already booked.

Still doing some more checking.

[stu_in_fl]

2010 is booked ??!?!? damn, I have trouble planning what to eat for lunch, let alone a vacation 3 years down the line !

[Skyjunky]

Simple solution. Everyone chip in for a yacht.

[pennypue]

2010 is booked ??!?!? damn, I have trouble planning what to eat for lunch, let alone a vacation 3 years down the line !No kidding!!!

I don't think I'll ever get to go there!!

[SaltyKSue]

Well, this trip doesn't look like it is going to be doable for more than 4 people..all the live-a-boards for that time frame are already booked...and check this, alot of 2010 is already booked.

Still doing some more checking.Why do we have to live-a-board? Weren't you checking into land based options too? Or aren't there enough people who would go?

[wb416]

Caribbean Live-a-Board posts split to new thread (http://www.zendiving.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5496)