Caribe Blu/BXTS/28Apr-5May/2005 vs 2007/report & new lessons learned (long!)

[Crazyduck]

Scott,
I was thinking of the air integrated Smart Com-
Sorry for the mistake.
Glad to hear your enjoy your computer- I have a smart tec in my stable of computers; very nice computer.

Andrew

 

[RonFrank]

Also, pobably not a good idea to let Ron know what I was up to under the water. What happens in Coz, stays in Coz!

Heh, Yeah, except I already got the story, or at least ONE story from you big guy!

What's this what happens in Coz stays in Coz stuff! You think it's Vegas or sumptin? What happens in Coz get's posted on a 5 page trip report! :11:

 

[RonFrank]

....so, it appears Cozumel has trended the wrong direction with respect to developments since the devastating hurricanes of '05....... instead of reducing prices and providing full tanks, to attempt to compensate for the substantially diminished quality of diving there, they've resorted to even higher prices than before, and short filling the already modestly sized AL80's. Just when I begin to toss around the possibility of returning to Coz, I hear news like this......

AL80's are a standard. We dove in Jan, and most tanks were between 2800~3000. Many ops offer 100's if you need more air.

I'd hardly call the diving "substantially diminished".

Even higher prices meaning the hotel has gone from a budget $65 per night to $80 per night? I paid more for a crappy hotel in Ft. Lauderdale last year, much crappier

You really expect them to REDUCE prices when they have IMPROVED the accommodations, and spent so much time and effort rebuilding?

I found Coz to be on the low side for diving costs. There are places where the dollar stretches much farther, but you have to fly half way around the world and back to get there.

 

[jeancmo]

"$80/night vs. $65/night at Caribe Blu"

I know of no where else in the Caribbean where you can have ocean front balcony room for $80/night! Caribe Blu is a bargain!!!!

 

[cowboyneal]

Here are some hints:

Bring your own snacks, then you can eat them when you want (and have what you want as well);

Bring your own towel, and you can have your favorite fish or whatever towel, and have it when you want;

Fills are fills...I come back from every dive with 1200 psi, even if I start out with 2700...people should learn how to breathe;

Bring a bottle of water and pour it over your head...well-ah...fresh water spray...

I remember when diving was a bunch of hearty pople that jumped on whatever boat, put on whatever gear, used whatever tank, ate and drank whatever they brought and weren't so freaking needy...is it just me or has this whole thing pretty much gone to seed?

CN

 

[Hooked4Life]

"$80/night vs. $65/night at Caribe Blu"

I know of no where else in the Caribbean where you can have ocean front balcony room for $80/night! Caribe Blu is a bargain!!!!

Totally agree about Caribe Blu.

On the complaints about Cozumel.. We all know the saying about opinions. :11doh: To each his/her own.. Personally I cant get enough of Cozumel.

 

[aa777888]

Just to clarify, when I wrote $80 vs. $65 I was not knocking Caribe Blu. We like Caribe Blu the best, that's why we stay there. I was just pointing out the price difference since two years ago, then $65, now $80. It's still the best deal on the island, just not as good a deal as two years ago. And I could have just as easily written "$80 vs. $65 at Villablanca" or any number of other inexpensive places. Inflation and recovery from hurricanes has driven up costs everywhere.

Cowboy: it's not just you, it's you and others like you and there's nothing wrong with that. You want your dive experience to be a certain way. That's fine. But it doesn't seem fair to knock people for their chosen style of diving as long as it's safe.

The nice thing about diving in the 21st century is that the technology, training and services available no longer require it to be an overly adventurous or difficult activity even while maintaining good safety practices (although some training does seem a bit anemic, but I digress). The other nice thing about the 21st century is that your diving experience can now be whatever you want. What seems like complication to some is simplicity to others. Christi and others like her are booked up months ahead. Clearly there is a large market there that wants the services that she and others offer. Obviously since I signed up for that experience you know what camp I'm in

s

 

[cowboyneal]

Cowboy: it's not just you, it's you and others like you and there's nothing wrong with that. You want your dive experience to be a certain way. That's fine. But it doesn't seem fair to knock people for their chosen style of diving as long as it's safe.

Please go back and re-read my post; since you apparently commented before reading. Yes, the 21st century, which should make people even LESS needy than they were before. Demanding snacks and towels isn't a "style of diving." It's "you and people like you" that keep me and most of the people I know off most dive boats...give me a bunch of experienced, self-sufficient divers that don't whine and complain about what time the snacks and towels they didn't even provide for themselves come out (I still really can't believe that) and I'll show you a happy dive trip...

Maybe a sense of gratitude for what you DID get would be more appropriate...

 

[scubawife]

And I could have just as easily written "$80 vs. $65 at Villablanca" or any number of other inexpensive places.

I've stayed at Villablanca 3 times in the past 3 years. The "superior oceanview" rooms on the 2nd floor provide what we want. The most I've paid for those rooms is $72 and that was in Feb '06. In March this year it was $65 and I just checked for the end of June and I can get it for $60. Same prices before and after Wilma...

Casa del Mar also still has pretty much the same pricing they had before. Or at least that's been my experience.