LIVEABOARD VACATIONS – “SLEEP, EAT & DIVE”

Liveaboard vacations are a whole other beast when compared to land-based scuba vacations.  For some it is the ultimate and only type of dive vacation.  Climb aboard your charter and sail toward the horizon, bound for remote dive destinations.  Once you’ve set sail, you simply have to roll out of bed each morning, stumble to the salon to fuel up for your dives, then head out to the deck to gear up and climb into your tender, or stride directly of the swimstep into the water, to start yet another day of four to five dives.  Repeat this for 7 to 10 days and you have your liveaboard vacation fantasy fulfilled.

So why, you ask, are so many divers drawn to the attraction of a liveaboard vacation?  Well here are just a few reasons:

The “all-inclusive” cost

Due to the nature of these types of vacations, the upfront package price is frequently more than your typical land-based vacation, but when you compare apples to apples, there are savings to be found in the overall price of your vacation, like the amount of diving included, the expense of food and beverages, and the list can go on.

Unpack once and done

Unpack your gear on the deck and your clothes in the cabin and you are done for the rest of the vacation.  And when it comes to your clothes, remember to pack light.  No need for extra shoes or formal wear on this cruise.  A couple of t-shirts and shorts, and fleece to keep you warm from the cool ocean breeze or air-conditioned cabins, and you are good to go.

However, when it comes to your scuba gear, don’t skimp on back-ups.  Remember, you wanted to get away from civilization, and because of that, there is no dive shop around the corner to replace that broken fin strap or dead computer battery.

Dive to your heart’s content 

On the average liveaboard, you can typically dive four or five times a day if you want (depending on surface intervals and conditions, of course).  For the diver who can’t seem to get wet often enough, a liveaboard vacation has a clear advantage over a land-based operation.

More diving flexibility

The beauty of a liveaboard is its ability to go where the diving is good.  If conditions at one site are not favorable, the boat can simply pull anchor and head to another site.  Also, let the crew know what you are looking for and that could influence what sites the boat may go to.

Less explored dive sites

The beauty of a liveaboard is its ability to go to (and sometimes stay at) dive sites that can’t be reached by your average land-based day boat in a reasonable amount of time.  This means you sometimes find yourself diving sites that few have ever dived.

Smaller groups

Whether it be because the liveaboard doesn’t sail with a lot of divers, or it staggers the divers it does sail with, you get to enjoy your dive sites without having a crowd bumping into you left and right.  Also, the remoteness of the dive sites adds to the chances that you won’t see divers other than those in your group.

Some liveaboards really cater to underwater photographers and videographers

Are you a diver aspiring to expand your photography or videography skills?  Often times, liveaboards are designed to provide special areas for photo/video equipment and will also provide the ability for you to see your work while under sail.  And with a little research, you can find boats offering special sailings with expert instructor workshops to improve your skills.

So if sailing the open seas to remote destinations and setting anchor at dive sites away from civilization sounds like your cup of tea, then you may need to rethink how you prepare for your scuba vacation. Remember to do some research to find the liveaboard that's right for you.  And check out my expert tips for trip preparation, and packing your bags for this adventure, in my liveaboard information guide available FREE to you.

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TRAVEL INSURANCE...who needs it?

Why should I buy travel insurance? Isn't it just a gimmick for my travel agent so they can up-sell me and get higher commission?

Given all the factors that could upset or interrupt that dream vacation you have been planning for forever now, is it worth the financial gamble not to buy that insurance? You hear it on the news everyday, political unrest or natural disasters around the world. Or, maybe it is a little closer to home; you suddenly fall ill, a family member passes, or you were on the way to the airport when you were in a traffic accident. Any or all of these events could spoil your chance at enjoying that long-needed vacation, and you could loose all those non-refundable dollars you invested in that trip.

So why invest in travel insurance?

To protect you against the unexpected; to protect your investment in this vacation; and simply to provide you with some peace of mind. Furthermore, it is best to keep in mind that when traveling to a foreign country, most regular health insurance plans provide only partial or absolutely no coverage for medical expenses incurred when abroad. And if you are covered by Medicare, there is definitively no coverage for health-care expenses outside of the United States.

And for those of us who are scuba divers, most health and life insurance plans do not cover accidents that occur during the participation in any hazardous sports.  And keep in mind if your vacation is on a liveaboard.  Your final destination may be far away from land, and if your luggage does not arrive with you, you may not see it until you return to land.  That is, unless you want to cough up some serious change to have it transferred to you.

What about my homeowners, life, and auto insurance policies? Doesn't my credit card have travel insurance already?

Your other insurance policies may cover some of the expenses, but once again, are often very limited when traveling abroad. Most credit cards who offer travel insurance have coverage that is limited to an low-level annual cap or a limited lists of reasons. Both trip interruption and travel delay coverage are limited as well. In addition, most credit cards do not cover medical expenses or evacuation.  And what about that insurance you purchase through the airlines you're flying with?  Well, it might cover minor expenses, but read the policy carefully.  Generally, the airline is out to cover itself more than you.

Aren't there always a bunch of "loopholes" hidden in the fine print?

As with any contract, read everything and do your best to understand it thoroughly. If you don't understand something, ask questions. Everything you need to know about your travel insurance plan is covered in the "Policy Certificate". And for consumer protection, all travel insurance companies provide a limited "Free Look Period" so that you may review your policy after purchase. If after purchasing a particular plan you feel it is not the right one for you, you can cancel it for a 100% refund, if you do it within the specified time period.

So what am I looking for in this fine print to avoid these "loopholes"?

1) Cancellation/Interruption Coverage

There isn't a policy out there that covers everything. Make sure to read the list of cancellation reasons covered in the Policy Certificate by a particular plan to ensure it meets your needs. If in doubt that you have all the coverage you need, you can generally opt to spend a little extra on a "Cancel For Any Reason" rider to cover all your bases.

2) Pre-Existing Conditions

Insurance is meant to cover sudden or unexpected events; not a condition that happened prior to the purchase of insurance. Many travel plans offer an optional waiver to the "Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion" for a small fee and based on a few requirements.

• You must buy the insurance soon after your payment of your trip deposit (initial payment)
• You must be medically cleared for travel at the time of purchase
• You must insure the full cost of your trip

3) Coverage Exclusions

Read and understand your Policy Certificate for the general policy exclusions. Some examples of exclusions would be pregnancy-related issues, loss due to intoxication, self-inflicted injuries, etc.

4) Enrollment

Don't enroll too late. Get travel insurance within days of your first payment. This will maximize your period of cancellation coverage. If you get sick before you purchase insurance, it's too late. If that hurricane looming in the Caribbean is already named, it's too late.

5) Incomplete Documentation

Your Policy Certificate will outline the various documentation required to be submitted for a claim. For example, a cancellation claim due to injury or illness needs to be the result of a doctor recommending cancellation of the trip. If you have any issue that will affect or has affected your trip, contact your insurance company immediately and start saving all documents and receipts for submittal to cover your bases.

Remember, you can avoid the frustration of "loopholes" down the road if you take the time to read and understand your Policy Certificate, and buy your travel insurance plan early.

So what's this travel insurance going to cost me?

It all depends on the trip cost, your age, and the amount of coverage you choose. Generally, you can find a very basic plan for about 4% of your trip cost, or a premium coverage plan may go up to over 12% of your trip cost. If you opt to protect yourself by choosing a travel medical insurance only plan, the cost can be as few as dollars per day.

Ok, so maybe I will buy travel insurance after all. Where do I go next?

Well, if you book your travel through me, for your convenience, a quote from Allianz Travel Insurance will be sent directly to you at the time of booking.  The quote will be re-sent automatically one week later if you do not respond.  After that, if you choose to opt out, a waiver will be sent that says you have chosen to decline insurance.

For divers in particular, you have to remember your primary medical insurance may exclude scuba diving as a hazardous sport. If it does cover scuba diving, it may pay only a minimal amount for chamber treatment. Both the DAN (Divers Alert Network) and Diveassure Dive Accident Insurance Plans provide coverage locally and around the world. They are recognized worldwide and can be confirmed easily by a phone call 24 hours a day. Not only do these providers cover dive accident insurance, but dive travel insurance as well. No matter how many dives you do or how many trips you do in a year there are plenty of choices from either DAN or Diveassure. Both DAN and Diveassure have 3 levels of dive accident insurance to choose from.

           DAN Insurance                                                                                        Diveassure

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How Far In Advance Should You Plan A Scuba Vacation?

For all those scuba travelers out there who think the best way to get a great deal is to wait until the last minute - think again. Often times, you'll find the early bird gets the worm.  When you wait, you may find resorts in your desired destination are encountering high demand at that time, or worse, filled, and then there will be no bargains to be found.  And for those who do find that bargain basement deal, is it really all you wanted to experience in your vacation?

Those travelers who plan in advance generally have an advantage over the last-minute bargain hunters.  Working with a dive travel specialist, scuba travelers can mold their vacation to suit their tastes and needs. Creating the perfect trip that encompasses everything it should takes time.  Wait for a "deal" and be prepared to settle for something not so special.

So the question then is how far out should you start to think about your next adventure or relaxing getaway?  Well, there are 3 main factors to take into consideration:

1. Where you want to go.
2. What time of year you want to go.
3. How important is it to you to create the ideal experience.

Where you want to go

Ideal planning times firstly depend on the destination. International scuba trips by their nature simply require more lead time than your average domestic vacation.  Trips to Asia or the Pacific islands should be booked far more in advance than a trip to the Caribbean. As a minimum, I say a good general rule of thumb would be for trips to Asia or a Pacific island, book at least 9-10 months out; Caribbean or Mexican destinations 3-4 months out; Central American destinations 6 months out; and South American or African destinations also 9-10 months out.  Liveaboards, no matter the destination, should be planned 12-18 months out to have a better chance at securing the itinerary and the type of cabin you desire.

What time of year you want to go

Most destinations will have definitive "seasons" - those times of the year when levels of demand vary. Generally resorts base their pricing on high season, low season, and the in between shoulder season. Traveling during high season, with its greatest level of demand because of preferred conditions, requires advanced planning for obvious reasons.  This can hold true for shoulder season as well, though to a slightly lesser degree. If you opt to travel to a destination during low season, this is when you have a lot more leeway.  This is when the last minute deals are to be had, but at a different price.  You should be aware that you are being offered the lower price because generally this season is during less than optimal conditions.

How important is it to you to create the ideal experience

Was there a special occasion you wanted to celebrate on this trip?  Was there a particular event you wanted to experience that only happens a certain time of year? What normally happens to last minute shoppers, especially during high or shoulder season, is that you are not able to plan your perfect trip. Now you have to settle for what’s left or don't go. It is not unusual when a diver waits until the last minute to contact me, that I put together a great proposal, only to have to come back to them the next day and say that the last room was booked, or that unique experience no longer has availability.

As we all know, scuba vacations are rarely cheap.  That's not to say you can't find a dive vacation package that isn't a great value.  But the last-minute dive traveler may not find the ideal experience he or she was searching for.  That said, if it is a choice between last minute travel or not at all, let's go.  However, an ideal vacation is more than a financial investment.  It is an investment in the enrichment of your soul and well-being.  Isn't that worth spending time to craft the experience to what you need?

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Flying Can Be A Real Pain In The Buttocks - Literally

Do you ever feel like a twisted pretzel when you get off of a plane?  I know I do.  My husband always laughs at me because, with my smaller stature, I can manage to curl myself into some interesting positions in a plane seat in my efforts to catch some zzz's.  But because of this, I often feel some interesting aches and pains when it is time to stand up and move.  

So what do I do to try to combat these plane pains?  Here are my hacks for those airborne aches.

Keep Hydrated

Drink plenty of water or other caffeine-free beverages, such as fruit juices to remain hydrated.  Make sure to do this while on the plane and off.  Keeping your body well-hydrated helps minimize muscle aches and keeps you feeling refreshed.

Do Some Simple Stretches

If you are on a long international flight, try to get up and walk the aisle a bit, when you are allowed.  If you can't do that, then do a couple of simple neck stretches like bringing your chin to your chest, or your ear to your shoulder.  Make sure you are sitting up straight when doing this for proper stretching.  Also, you might want to roll your shoulders forward and backward.

When you are waiting at baggage claim for your luggage, you can loosen up with a few quick calf or quad stretches.  Do a small backward lunge to stretch your calf and hold for 30 seconds, then switch sides.  For you quads, grab one of your feet and pull it toward your buttocks and hold.  If you need, use a nearby wall, or the shoulder of your travel companion, to balance on.

Once you get settled in your room at the resort you can do a few more stretches for stretching your buttocks and relaxing the muscles in your back.  First, lay on the floor.  Cross your right ankle over your left knee in a figure-four pose, interlace your hands underneath your left thigh, and gently pull this leg toward your chest.  Switch sides.

Finally, you can do some classic yoga stretches like the cat-cow and the downward dog-cobra-child poses.  Always remember to breath through your stretches for better results and to feel more refreshed.

Change Your Clothes

Whether your are making that final connection for the short hop to your destination, or you've actually made it all the way to your resort, at a minimum, changing into fresh clothes can make you feel more comfortable.  Even your comfy old travel sweats can seem a bit binding after you've been compressed in a plane seat for a while. The act of just changing to something fresh, and preferably a little looser, will make your muscles feel a little less constricted.

Hot and Cold Therapy

If you have the time after you've settled in your room and your accommodations kindly provide you with a mini-fridge, then try this combo therapy method.  First, moisten a hand towel or washcloth and put it in the fridge for a few minutes to cool (do not freeze).  Take it out and massage your sore muscles with the chilled towel for up to 20 minutes (return the towel to the fridge as necessary to keep chilled).  After this, then you should follow up with a warm shower, or a nice soak in a hot bath.

Rub with a Rubber Racquetball

Maybe you've heard of or already use the technique of elongating your muscles with a foam roller, but this is not something you would give up valuable luggage space for; and you don't always have access to a gym at your resort which may or may not even have a foam roller.  So here is what I suggest, pack a firm rubber racquetball in your carry-on.  It is small and compact, and you can use it in small spaces to roll away any tight muscle knots you are suffering from.  Back in your resort room, you can place the ball between you and the wall, and roll it up and down to get to those hard to reach spots.

Try Arnica

Recently one of my coworkers introduced me to this homeopathic remedy.  There are oral doses available, but I suggest bringing along the gel formulation to apply topically to those achy muscles.  It may sometimes take a couple of days to fully kick in, but relief of inflammation and pain is on the way with consistent application.

Book a Massage

Finally, I highly suggest partaking of an exquisite massage.  I always schedule a massage or two on my vacations.  They are an absolute blessing after a long journey to your destination or at the end of an amazing scuba vacation.  Don't think of it as an unnecessary expense, but instead as an unforgettable addition of relaxation  to your getaway.  Plan ahead and ask your travel specialist to book a massage for you upon your arrival, and then you can always schedule another one with the spa while you are there once your dive days are done.
Trust me - you will never regret it!

How about you?  Do you have any tips you'd like to share to relieve those aches & pains from long flights?

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO...Travel Advisories & Warnings

You're sitting at your desk, staring at Google Earth on your computer screen, planning out your next travel adventure. You say to yourself, "Now wouldn't that be a cool place to visit?", but then you remember maybe you heard something on the news last night about some political unrest in that country. Maybe that isn't such a great place to go to after all. Or is it? Take a little time and do your research before you rule it out.

Did you know that you have resources at your fingertips to find out what is going on all around the world? There are agencies that post advisories about political unrest, terrorism, natural disasters and disease in order to alert travelers to what is going on in a region, you just have to know where to look. And just because a country has an advisory or warning posted, it may not necessarily be a country you don't want to visit. There just may be a certain region you should avoid. For instance, an island country took a direct hit from a typhoon, but maybe only the northern islands were affected while the remaining islands sustained no damage. Choosing not to visit this country all together could have a serious effect on this country's tourism trade and economy. Take time to delve deeper into what you hear on the six o'clock news and make sure you get the full story before ruling out that destination.

How Serious Do I Take That Warning?

You have to look at a particular warning and decide how it may actually affect your plans. To do this you may want to ask a few questions:

1) Does this warning encompass the entire country, or just a specific region?

Like I mentioned above, a natural disaster may only affect a portion of the country and not the country as a whole. Or in the case of political unrest, demonstrations and violence may be occurring in and around only one specific city, but some destinations away from that city may still be safe for tourists.

2) What exactly is the danger being specified in the advisory?

For instance, once again political unrest, are the demonstrations and violence being directed toward tourists, or are they strictly directed toward their own government entities and representatives. Another example is the typical annual advisory issued for the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific oceans every time hurricane season rolls around again. With this type of advisory, you may just want to make sure you have good travel insurance, or you pick another time of year to travel to that destination.

3) Is travel insurance an option?

Make sure you know what that travel insurance you are thinking of purchasing covers. Most policies do not cover acts of war, riots and/or civil disorder.

4) When was that travel warning or advisory dated?

If it has been several months since the last advisory was issued, you may just want to do some additional research to see what the current status in that country is. Things may have actually improved. A good source of information may be international news agencies.

5) Do other governments corroborate these warnings?

It has been speculated that some warnings are influenced or instigated by the current political atmosphere. You may want to check other English-speaking governments' websites (ie, Canada, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, for example) to see if they are of the same opinion as to the state of the country to which you want to travel.

6) Is there a safety net for foreign travelers in that country?

Does your home country have an embassy or consulate established in that country? Is it fully staffed and functioning? Embassies are there to assist travelers who are in need of evacuating a country, or need to get in touch with loved-ones back home. Make sure there is some sort of assistance available to you should the worst happen.

To further educate yourself about what may be going on in the country you wish to visit, you may want to check out the following sites.

The U.S. Dept. of State has a page to assist the traveler with alerts  and warnings. They define "Travel Warnings" as an issue you might want to consider very carefully to determine if you wish to visit that particular country at all. A "Travel Alert" is a short-term issue you may want to know about when planning your trip. They also provide a wonderful travel resource page which links you up with all sorts of information from things like obtaining your passport or visa,  to various travel tips, to handling emergency situations abroad.

Homeland Security has a travel alert page which directs you to TSA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of State, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC's website offers great information on what vaccines you may wish to get before traveling to a country, as well as advice to travelers on packing your prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs. They also provide travel health notices and updates for destinations around the world.

So what do I do if I decide to chance it and go anyway?

Many tourists often take the warnings into consideration, but choose to travel despite them. If that is your case, then make sure you cover your bases just in case.

1) Take your first STEP toward preparation.

The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs  offers a free service allowing U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The benefits of enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) are:

• The traveler will receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in their destination country to help them make informed decisions about travel plans.
• Enrollment will assist the U.S. Embassy in contacting the traveler in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
• It will also help family and friends get in touch with the traveler in case of an emergency.

2) Stay in touch.

Stay in touch with the folks back home by either email or phone. Not only will this let them know you are ok, but may keep you informed about what is going on in the world. Also, always leave a copy of your itinerary at home so that people will know where you are supposed to be and when in case you fall out of touch. (Also, leave a copy of your passport with them just in case it is lost or stolen.)

3) Have a plan just in case something does go wrong.

Find out the location of your country's embassy or consulate in the area(s) you will be visiting and make sure to carry a copy of the address and contact details with you. This could be a great resource in assisting you to return home in case of an emergency.

4) Be prepared. Stay safe.

Purchase that travel insurance plan. Check with your doctor to make sure you have the necessary vaccines. Use the links above to do your research. Inform yourself of the political and cultural atmosphere of the area to which you are traveling. And finally, learn the tips and tricks essential to avoid being a victim of tourist scams and other crimes.

Like what you've read? Want to learn how to better enjoy your scuba diving vacation? Maybe you'd like to travel with Delightful Departures on an upcoming adventure? Become part of the Delightful Departures community. Discover different destinations and travel tips in our biweekly newsletter.  Join today.

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