Considering Aldora? Check this out:

[alcina]

After checking out Aldora's website before this hoo-hah and receiving an email from them, I decided immediately that this is not an operation I would dive with. But that isn't why I have decided to post.

As long as the dive op puts you accurately on the reef (which most of them can do), IMO the quality of the actual diving experience has more to do with the diver than the dive op.

(this quote is from ggunn and I know from his posts that he isn't an irresponsible person when it comes to picking who he gives his money to, so this isn't about that or him, he just summed up something well - more of a general rant as I have seen this reflected by divers & people not as aware as g!)

Maybe - BUT there is more to the diving experience than the 90 minutes you are underwater. Is the dive op responsible so the dive site and creatures will be there next time? Does the dive op treat newbies and every other diver with respect? Is the dive op professional, safe, courteous, friendly, enthusiastic about the whole area, not just his/her dive op? No? Then why support them? Why not give your business to those who are doing more than plunking divers in the water? To me a good dive op offers far more than getting you to the reef and getting you home again, far beyond providing snacks, bigger tanks or towels or even excellent guides. It's attitude, too. Towards their divers, their competitors, their environment, their livelihood, their service, their area, their employees (and ex employees...I mean, jeez, people move on!), their customer service, their ethics...just something to think about. BTW - I use this not just for diving for lots of choices of where I spend my money!

I just hate to see mediocre businesses get support when there are great businesses out there that should be rewarded!

 

[HammerNoMore]

(this quote is from ggunn and I know from his posts that he isn't an irresponsible person when it comes to picking who he gives his money to, so this isn't about that or him, he just summed up something well - more of a general rant as I have seen this reflected by divers & people not as aware as g!)

Gordon is a good guy to quote, especially when it comes to Cozumel. From what I've seen here, he is level headed and really knows his way about the island.

I just hate to see mediocre businesses get support when there are great businesses out there that should be rewarded!

Amen to that. Cozumel is a diving microclimate. There are probably dive op's there in the 3 digits. Some are downright bad, some are mediocre and some are great. This is one of the big reasons I come to SB, when I go to a new diving destination, I want to find out which are the great dive ops...

James

 

[ggunn]

Gordon is a good guy to quote, especially when it comes to Cozumel. From what I've seen here, he is level headed and really knows his way about the island.

Aw, shucks, James. I'm blushing... ;^)

And to Alcina, of course all that customer service stuff is important, but IMO a lot of what are touted as "features" of dive ops just aren't worth any extra money. To me, that is; that's my perspective, and certainly not meant to be any kind of absolute. If the DM is knowledgeable and enthusiastic (most are), the operation is safe (most are), and they put me on the reef in the spot where we are supposed to be, I'm happy as the proverbial clam. I wish I was there RIGHT NOW, as a matter of fact, and I'm jealous as hell of you people who are looking forward to trips to Cozumel in the near future. I hate you all. ;^)

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

And the Aldora debate goes on and on and on . . . .

 

[rje634]

If this guy was smart he would pull that off his site ASAP.
Martin & Julie

Looks like he took your advice and had it pulled from the site, the link is dead...

 

[ggunn]

Looks like he took your advice and had it pulled from the site, the link is dead...

It was gone within a day or two of the time the news of it appeared in here.

 

[spthomas]

Well ya'll keep on gossiping. I got into this sport to DIVE. But I understand picking apart words and attacking people is MUCH more entertaining (evidently, since a thread about DIVING would have died a long time ago.

 

[alcina]

IMO a lot of what are touted as "features" of dive ops just aren't worth any extra money

Amen to that!! Glad you popped that in as sometimes ppl can really be caught out by those things!!

See, that's why I said the ggunn was on the money - at least I hope so...I planned a lot of our holiday based on a lot of his posts

 

[ggunn]

Amen to that!! Glad you popped that in as sometimes ppl can really be caught out by those things!!

See, that's why I said the ggunn was on the money - at least I hope so...I planned a lot of our holiday based on a lot of his posts

OK, so long as you accept the standard disclaimer caveats - everything I post is of my own impressions and opinions, and I speak only for myself. YMMV.

But never fear; I'm sure you will have a great time! I only wish I could be there to show you guys around myself. You are staying at Caribe Blu, are you not? Please say hello to Jeanie and Alejandra for me, OK? And hoist a cold Leon Negra in my honor, too...

 

[5615mike]

Maybe we should all be seeking some discounts with all of this hot competition. Especially from Aldorra, it looks like their demand curve is falling.

Dream on..........Dave won't discount