Ljacks
While I agree with some of your comments should someone wish to stay at my resort and dive with us pre-booking is highly reccomended as dive boat space is VERY limited and my in house guests and package divers get Priority space.
i only operate 2 boats with just 6-8 divers MAX Am and Pm each boat and once I am full thats it.
I focus on a very high level of service and keep numbers small I charge more than most diveshops but limit the number of divers I will take on any boat.
Should anyone book any package of mine and WE cancel because of weather then we offer a refund on that dive based on the amount paid in the package. (In many cases the amount paid is much lower than normal rack rate)
You are correct in that should a person decide not to dive for there own reasons ie hungover decide to go on another trip then in normal circumstances its not refundable however if someone is genuinly ill we will refund or issue a credit.
However Packages tend to offer a better value overall when you take into account accomodations etc.
If people read reccomendations of a certain operator time after time such as Amigos I think they can safely assume that it is a quality dive operator and they should feel totally comfortable booking a package with them.
As you mentioned the best companies will be less inclined to offer a discount outside of the ones they get in a pre-booked packages and the only reason I am offering a 50% discount to NYC firefighters is for the hard work they have done over the past 12 months and because by god they deserve it.
Dive Safe
Gaz Cooper
Playa Blanca Dive & Beach Club
www.playablancabelize.com