Advice re Sea Base Registration

[alex gregory]

Any tips on when and how to register for Sea Base, or travel tips?

When does registration usually open?

How hard is it to get the time slot you want?

How hard is it to get the activity you want?

What happens if your crew gets bigger between the time you register and when you're ready to go - e.g. you register 8 for a small boat cruise and Johnny Come Lately decides that Sea Base sounds like a lot of fun after all?

What are the best ways to get to Sea Base w/o busting the budget?

Has anybody had success with meeting in Orlando and then travelling to Sea Base - give the guys who are interested a chance to visit the Land of Mouse?

Anything else I should know?

[Ursus Snorous Roarus]

Go to the website: http://www.bsaseabase.org Click on ‘login’ across top of screen and get set up with a login for your crew. You must login to see the current openings = on the bottom left of the home page is a ‘Current Openings’ link, but it is not updated. Once you’re logged in, click on the ‘Open Reservations’ tab across the top and it will allow you to pick which adventure you are interested in by clicking ‘select and continue’ on the right side of the desired adventure. That will give you an idea of their availability and open dates. I do not know if they are using the lottery or not, we just picked an open date they had that worked for us.

[alex gregory]

FYI, I know how the procedure and dates etc. are explained at the website. I'm really interested in learning how it all works in the real world.

The money admin idea is excellent (really like the suggestion of a schedule for payments to keep people on target), and I can see why getting the physicals taken care of early is as important as getting a jump on passports.

I know it's boy led and all that groovy stuff, but Hooters just ain't happening on my watch.

[Ursus Snorous Roarus]

Hurrican season is always looming out there for your plans. Might not be a bad idea to leave SeaBase's emergency plan with one of your adults so everyone knows the contingencies in case needed.
Got this just today, some good advice. Edited some for brevity:

***********************

Manage your vacation during hurricane season
By Gerri Willis, CNN, NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com)

Know the danger zones
Be advised that if you have booked a trip to Key West, Florida, New Orleans or the Gulf of Mexico, you may face the wrath of Gustav as early as this weekend.... Hurricane season runs from June to the beginning of November. ...

Be prepared
Before you leave, register with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration web site at travel.state.gov. This way, if there's an emergency, it will be easier to contact you. If you're in one of the areas where Gustav could hit, check in with your tour operator or airline about their policies for travel back to the US in case of a hurricane. For example, Delta is allowing passengers who may be affected by Gustav to change their travel plans if they planning to travel by September 1st. And of course, leave a detailed itinerary and your local contact information with a friend or family member in the US. Keep in mind if your flight is cancelled because of a hurricane and you put the cost of the tickets on your credit card and you're not rebooked on another flight, you can refute the charges. ...

Consider your options
... If you plan on spending thousands of dollars on your vacation, you may consider travel insurance that will reimburse you in case your plane is delayed or canceled. Some travel insurance policies can cost up to 8% of your trip.

[VenturingL]

"Keys time" is an important comment - when you send your payments, allow plenty of time. I sent ours UPS Blue envelope because I wanted to be able to track it & was usually close to a deadline - Blue = 3 days delivery in Keys, Red = 2 days. It's a "remote location" for UPS. What I would do differently if I had to do it again: book the flights earlier (I booked in April for June trip) and fly in the day before adventure started. We flew into Ft. Lauderdale in a.m., airline had failed to get 2 bags on the flight, so we waited for the next flight that had them (delayed us getting on road by about 1.5 hours). We were at Brighton, which was about 4-5 hours by slow, 2 lane island highway. Barely got there for supper & had to do swim test next a.m. Things are more expensive in the Keys, so if scouts get to go shopping/eating in Key West, be prepared. And don't let them eat Wendy's in Key West - tell them to schedule supper at about 4:30/5:00 so they can be in & out of a restaurant with local cuisine in time to get back to ship or base. There are a lot of good restaurants that are not super expensive. Some of the museums can be a little pricey. We waited to get dive booties when we got there - they stock a lot, but don't carry small sizes - I think a women's 7 was the smallest (look the same as men's), so depending on the size of your scouts, you may have some that should purchase before going.