We had a very bad experience with CDC Dive Center. (www.cairnsdive.com.au) We ended up with no dives and not our 1000 Australian dollar back.....
We booked a boattrip for a 3 days/2 nights for $1000,- at Global Palace agency, and during booking explained about allergic reaction on plankton, and asked if it would be safe then to dive with the jellyfish as it is stinger season. It was no problem, and at booking time no medical clarification was needed and no further questions about it. So we booked the trip and 2 days later went to dive. Eventually we were on board of the diveboat, and I was getting nervous about the jellyfish because they were very serious about it. So once again I explained about my allergic reaction, and got the advice not to dive. If I have an allergic reaction on plankton, what could the reaction then be on the jellyfish: potentially very dangerous for me. So we had the choice to go back straight away or stay. Fun was gone, so decided to go back. Nobody told us at that moment that at mainland we would not get back any money.
So at mainland the guy looked at us, saying what is wrong. Explained the story, waited for a reaction...He looked at us as we were crazy asking "and?" What and? We want money back... We were only for 2 hours on the boat, paid 1000 Australian dollar for 3 days, so can we get some money back? No no no, nothing. The guy was getting very unpatient with us, wanted us to leave. At the end the only thing we could get is a letter for the insurance company. Finally after 30 minutes or so he made that letter as at first he wanted us to come back next day. It's really unbelievable.. We told them that if we would have known that we dont get money back that we would have stayed at least one night. So we opted to go back the next day then. Also that was not possible, we had to pay again!!! Can you believe it? Something else was not told neither, if you want a guided dive with divemaster, you have pay per person additional 11 dollars..... It is really the biggest bullshit diveshop I have ever seen. So please watch out and surely dont book with these idiots.
Contributed by JoanS added 2007-12-19