My dive trip of a lifetime - CANCELLED! What to do?

[Taezar]

Hi all
So here is my situation.
I have planned my entire SC NAN run around a 5 star dive trip out of Suva 14-21st of January. Either side of the liveaboard I have a few days for lazing around. In total it is 17 days away (including 3 travelling). I have been dreaming about this dive trip for around 6 months so far. Needless to say I am pretty gutted.
My options are rather limited given the late notice and the time of year.
I am exploring staying in Fiji and heading to a dive resort (a dive travel agent is looking into what is available) as there are no liveaboard available.
I was looking at going to China after Fiji anyway - so I thought to maybe instead fly to China for a few weeks - cancelling all my accomodation and internal flights in Fiji and going to HK in J via Air Pacific then travelling around China in Winter ( something I have always wanted to do - the only season I haven't experienced so far). Since my flights are flexible and/or J I can move them around, and thankfully I have insurance to cover my prepaid hotels it seems like it might be an option. Though the downside is that I will get no sweet relaxing diving done - less I do a trip in Asia and dive - which I could always do I guess.
Am I over reacting?

 

[Fantic125]

Nope, not overreacting. It's really disappointing when something like that happens, and you know whatever arrangements you make for an alternative dive trip will only be a compromise.

I'd go for the complete change and travel to China, and keep the dive on the bucket list for another time!

 

[docjames]

Nope, not overreacting. It's really disappointing when something like that happens, and you know whatever arrangements you make for an alternative dive trip will only be a compromise.

I'd go for the complete change and travel to China, and keep the dive on the bucket list for another time!

+1 if your losses are covered.

If you will be out of pocket, i'd try and arrange something else for Fiji (not necessarily the diving as you'd be potentially disappointed it wasnt what you'd previously arranged whereas you'll have different expectations if you make something else the focus).

 

[harvyk]

I'm with the others, doing anything else in Fiji will feel like a compromise. Go to China and have a completely different experience, save the diving trip for a later date when it can be done properly.

 

[nlagalle]

Hi all
So here is my situation.
I have planned my entire SC NAN run around a 5 star dive trip out of Suva 14-21st of January. Either side of the liveaboard I have a few days for lazing around. In total it is 17 days away (including 3 travelling). I have been dreaming about this dive trip for around 6 months so far. Needless to say I am pretty gutted.
My options are rather limited given the late notice and the time of year.
I am exploring staying in Fiji and heading to a dive resort (a dive travel agent is looking into what is available) as there are no liveaboard available.
I was looking at going to China after Fiji anyway - so I thought to maybe instead fly to China for a few weeks - cancelling all my accomodation and internal flights in Fiji and going to HK in J via Air Pacific then travelling around China in Winter ( something I have always wanted to do - the only season I haven't experienced so far). Since my flights are flexible and/or J I can move them around, and thankfully I have insurance to cover my prepaid hotels it seems like it might be an option. Though the downside is that I will get no sweet relaxing diving done - less I do a trip in Asia and dive - which I could always do I guess.
Am I over reacting?

I learnt to Scuba in Fiji on Taveuni.. there are some amazing dives including the Great white wall. It's also a fun plane ride there - sunflower airlines on a DHC-6 twin otter! it's the only time I have ever landed in one! (used to jump out of them).

It does an island hop over and back - about 1.5 hours all up. the place i stayed at was with Rainbow reef divers.

hope that helps!

Nick

 

[simongr]

Why is the trip cancelled? Not sure I quite understand the situation.

If you want liveaboard have you thought about a total rethink and heading to the Red Sea? Amazing diving.

 

[Taezar]

Why is the trip cancelled? Not sure I quite understand the situation.

If you want liveaboard have you thought about a total rethink and heading to the Red Sea? Amazing diving.

It was cancelled because they didn't get the minimum numbers for the trip.
I don't want to not take my NAN run - given that I plan to hit my next status level with it. So whatever I do has to be out of NAN or in Fiji.
As for the Red Sea - LOVE it! Dived there twice now.

 

[docjames]

It was cancelled because they didn't get the minimum numbers for the trip.
I don't want to not take my NAN run - given that I plan to hit my next status level with it. So whatever I do has to be out of NAN or in Fiji.
As for the Red Sea - LOVE it! Dived there twice now.

Spend five days at the Intercontinental (~45min transfer from NAN) - we just did and it was super relaxing.

 

[Taezar]

Spend five days at the Intercontinental (~45min transfer from NAN) - we just did and it was super relaxing.

I already have a week of relaxing confirmed. It was more about the diving.
Thanks though.

 

[nzdiver]

Almost all of my major trips are dive related so I would definitely be replacing it with another dive trip (preferably liveaboard).

My top choices would be (in no particular order):
Red Sea
Philippines
Similan Islands (Thailand)
Galapagos
Lembeh

:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

 

[straitman]

Spend five days at the Intercontinental (~45min transfer from NAN) - we just did and it was super relaxing.

... or the Hilton, or the Sheraton, or the Westin etc.

They are all pretty great.

 

[markis10]

What about Christmas Island (Kiribati)- $1100FJD return

Diving Kiritimati and Tarawa - untouched marine world - Kiribati Travel Specialists - Kiribati Holiday Vacation Specialists

 

[docjames]

... or the Hilton, or the Sheraton, or the Westin etc.

They are all pretty great.

Agreed (although I can only directly vouch for the one previously mentioned). But the others also great by reputation.

 

[Taezar]

What about Christmas Island (Kiribati)- $1100FJD return

Diving Kiritimati and Tarawa - untouched marine world - Kiribati Travel Specialists - Kiribati Holiday Vacation Specialists

Funnily enough that is exactly where my Dive Club is for the 14th-21st and chose to do Fiji instead.
I checked with my club - no space for the dates. I suppose I could do something else where there.
Thanks for the heads up Mark.

 

[simongr]

That's a real shame - I have just gotten back into diving after 10 years off and am loving it. Just extended my stay in Jeddah by a couple of days to get three dives in

 

[BAM1748]

I'm with the others, doing anything else in Fiji will feel like a compromise. Go to China and have a completely different experience, save the diving trip for a later date when it can be done properly.

Yep, go to China, get the train to Tibet.

 

[dfcatch]

Side trip to Vanuatu and the Coolidge ?

Truk Lagoon?

Solomons?

Plenty of nearby options that some would argue are far better in any case.

Otherwise - do something completely non-diving related so it doesn't feel like a compromise.

 

[Taezar]

You won't believe this but I got the attached email this morning. After I had got my heart set on the Philippines diving and exploring china instead. What a bunch of muppets. At $3000 a week I expect more. Thanks for your advice and support. Taez.

Sent on the wings of flying unicorns.

 

[docjames]

Be careful they havent roped in two mates just to get your $$$......

 

[Reggie]

You won't believe this but I got the attached email this morning. After I had got my heart set on the Philippines diving and exploring china instead. What a bunch of muppets. At $3000 a week I expect more. Thanks for your advice and support. Taez.

Out of interest, are you going? Taezar