Does Bahamas trip offer options that an average UK fan can afford

John Calpari estimates close to 3,000 Kentucky fans came to the Bahamas four years ago when UK went there for exhibition games but fans will find a trip this year quite a bit more expensive. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Kentucky will get four games against international competition when it goes to the Baha Mar Resort in Nassau for a seven-day trip from Aug. 8-14.

Here are the four teams that coach John Calipari’s team will play:

Aug. 10 — Dominican Republic U-22 Team, the Dominican Republic’s national program with players all under the age of 22. 

Aug. 11 — Monterey Tech, a Mexican collegiate team boosted by U23 national team players as well.

Aug. 13 — Carleton University of Ottawa, Canada, winners of 16 of the last 19 collegiate national championships in Canada and has wins over Syracuse, Wisconsin and others in its summer tour exhibition history.

Aug. 14 —  Bahamas National Team composed of Bahamian players competing for a berth in the AmeriCup and World Cup.

If you want to be part of the official excursion, cost is $6,200 for single occupancy and $7,800 for double occupancy. That includes airfare, six nights of lodging, and a daily breakfast buffet.

But that’s still a lot of money for most fans considering UK coach John Calipari always talks about what a great experience this is for UK fans … and it might be for those who can afford it.

“I know our fans are excited as we once again make a trip to the Bahamas,”Calipari said in a news release. “This has always been a memorable trip for our teams and our fans, and it has always given us a springboard heading into the season.”

Again, it is memorable but it is also expensive.

“Baha Mar is currently the hottest resort in the world and will provide a very appropriate, world-class destination location for Big Blue Nation,” said Brooks Downing, President and CEO of bdG Sports. “Our firm has been working with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism for the past decade to attract premium sporting events to the country.

“We are excited to showcase the Baha Mar Resort and the natural beauty of the Bahamas to the University of Kentucky, the players and staff of this year’s team.”

Downing understands the tour price is expensive but says there are other options for fans.

“Fans can book whatever they want, which they’ve never been able to do before. They can come for one game, two games, all games. They can stay at the resort or they can stay elsewhere and just buy a ticket to the games,” Downing said.

“They’ve never had this flexibility in the past at the other resort where you had to buy the package to get the ticket.”

That’s true and is a plus for UK fans who might hope they can save some money by booking on their own. However, one thing I like about Downing, who helps manage more than two dozen games at Baha Mar each November, is he is realistic and honest.

“I’m not sure any ‘foreign’ tour that any team has ever taken has been designed for the average fan of that team,” Downing said. “Autsralia, Europe, the Caribbean. Even for the Cats, Italy in ’96, Atlantis in prior years. Joe B. (Hall) even took teams to Japan. Were their affordable options on those trips?
 
“There are here. And our fans will find them. They don’t have to buy the package with an ocean-front suite and a seat on the private team plane, but they can still find options right at the Baha Mar Resort that may fit their budget.”

I hope he is right because I know a lot of fans that were hoping they would be able to afford this trip.