This is a bit complicated, but I'll try to keep it short.
I won a 2 day dive trip in Key West along with 2 nights stay at the Southernmost hotel there. I live in LA so I'm looking to extend this trip by working my way back up through the keys & back to the airport either in Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. I'd ultimately like to book stays using my RCI points or possibly HHonors. I might be solo or going with my wife, depending on her schedule.
I was in Ft. Lauderdale 20+ years ago with a 1 day trip down to Key Largo diving Pencamp. I will be in Orlando for the 2nd time ever this coming spring with the family, so I'm not too familiar what's there. I've already gone through several threads on this board about Key West, but don't have a good feel for what I'm looking for.
Here's the trick...the dates for the free dive/stay package are from Nov 8 - Dec 22nd this year, and June 1 - Oct 31 of 2009. I don't believe I have time to do the trip this year and really, REALLY want to avoid hurricans and acknowledge this is hurrican season in 2009. The dive operator suggested early June, but my kids graduate from high school this June so I'm thinking it's not the best time to go off on a trip, and am leaning toward mid-October 2009 at this moment. Nothing is definite with me. I'm also looking for the cheapest airfare I can find...noting a few dates with SW airlines for $99 each way, LA to Ft. Laurdale.
With that, my initial thinking was to fly to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami based on airfare, rent a car and attempt to get an open season night at HGVC miami or a simple motel six type place/rate one day ahead of the Key West stay to get aclimated before driving down and diving. It doesn't have to be Miami, and frankly could be Key Largo for a couple of nights, possibly using RCI Points, prior to Key West. I'd then look at a stay for a couple nights on the way back up somewhere else working my way back up the keys. I LOVE to dive and surf, but would have to make my last dive on scuba no less than 24 hours before getting back on the plane.
The trick for me is keeping the costs down and avoiding Hurricans, and with all the various possibilities, I could use some suggestions from those who know the region of what might be good, and what to stay away from. I appreciate any info or thoughts you might have.
I won a 2 day dive trip in Key West along with 2 nights stay at the Southernmost hotel there. I live in LA so I'm looking to extend this trip by working my way back up through the keys & back to the airport either in Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. I'd ultimately like to book stays using my RCI points or possibly HHonors. I might be solo or going with my wife, depending on her schedule.
I was in Ft. Lauderdale 20+ years ago with a 1 day trip down to Key Largo diving Pencamp. I will be in Orlando for the 2nd time ever this coming spring with the family, so I'm not too familiar what's there. I've already gone through several threads on this board about Key West, but don't have a good feel for what I'm looking for.
Here's the trick...the dates for the free dive/stay package are from Nov 8 - Dec 22nd this year, and June 1 - Oct 31 of 2009. I don't believe I have time to do the trip this year and really, REALLY want to avoid hurricans and acknowledge this is hurrican season in 2009. The dive operator suggested early June, but my kids graduate from high school this June so I'm thinking it's not the best time to go off on a trip, and am leaning toward mid-October 2009 at this moment. Nothing is definite with me. I'm also looking for the cheapest airfare I can find...noting a few dates with SW airlines for $99 each way, LA to Ft. Laurdale.
With that, my initial thinking was to fly to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami based on airfare, rent a car and attempt to get an open season night at HGVC miami or a simple motel six type place/rate one day ahead of the Key West stay to get aclimated before driving down and diving. It doesn't have to be Miami, and frankly could be Key Largo for a couple of nights, possibly using RCI Points, prior to Key West. I'd then look at a stay for a couple nights on the way back up somewhere else working my way back up the keys. I LOVE to dive and surf, but would have to make my last dive on scuba no less than 24 hours before getting back on the plane.
The trick for me is keeping the costs down and avoiding Hurricans, and with all the various possibilities, I could use some suggestions from those who know the region of what might be good, and what to stay away from. I appreciate any info or thoughts you might have.
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