Cozumel All Inclusive
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Brules
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Wouldnt recommend it as Dressel divers is the onsite op and the hotel is a real PITA about other dive shop boats picking up there. Most won't/don't due to the monthly fee IB/Dressel wants to charge them.
So based upon them being so jerky about it - I would say pick another hotel that is more open/accomodating.
Also Dressel is just an "ok" op - they use european DM's and not locals, so that in my book is another tick against them on top of their mostly cattle boats (they may have a small boat - not sure). Just not a big fan of them. Too many other ops that are 10x better to pick from.
So based upon them being so jerky about it - I would say pick another hotel that is more open/accomodating.
Also Dressel is just an "ok" op - they use european DM's and not locals, so that in my book is another tick against them on top of their mostly cattle boats (they may have a small boat - not sure). Just not a big fan of them. Too many other ops that are 10x better to pick from.
imoto
Contributor
I've been to Cozumel 4 times now and stayed at the Iberostar each time. Dressel may have a lot of people on the boat but their boats were larger than the two I was on when I went with Dive with Martin this past May. DWM will pick you up at the Iberostar pier and you can handle all the paperwork and reservations without taking the taxi back into town. Aldora will pick up at a wade-to location between the Iberostar dock and Alberto's.
Dressel visits the same dive sites as per their weekly schedule, and after a few trips with them I wanted to see other parts of the reef. They are quite safety conscious, dives may be limited to 50 minutes, and if you are paired up with an air hog, there's a chance that they will send you up with your buddy rather than finding someone closer to his/her air consumption. I've had it both ways.
Iberostar means you're close to the major dive sites, Dressel returns to the resort after each dive so you can grab a quick drink and bathroom break.
If you are a "foodie" than this AI isn't for you. After a week I found the lunches to be quite repetitive but I'm a picky eater and don't care much for the salad bar offerings.
The next time I travel to Cozumel, most likely it will be to the Iberostar, on an Apple Vacations trip. I'm not too adventurous when it comes to learning a new place, especially when I don't speak the language and don't know where to go. Too much hustle and bustle in the city for me.
That's my two cents worth. It all depends on what you want.
Dressel visits the same dive sites as per their weekly schedule, and after a few trips with them I wanted to see other parts of the reef. They are quite safety conscious, dives may be limited to 50 minutes, and if you are paired up with an air hog, there's a chance that they will send you up with your buddy rather than finding someone closer to his/her air consumption. I've had it both ways.
Iberostar means you're close to the major dive sites, Dressel returns to the resort after each dive so you can grab a quick drink and bathroom break.
If you are a "foodie" than this AI isn't for you. After a week I found the lunches to be quite repetitive but I'm a picky eater and don't care much for the salad bar offerings.
The next time I travel to Cozumel, most likely it will be to the Iberostar, on an Apple Vacations trip. I'm not too adventurous when it comes to learning a new place, especially when I don't speak the language and don't know where to go. Too much hustle and bustle in the city for me.
That's my two cents worth. It all depends on what you want.
I agree that the DM's at Dressel are not up to par with other ops on Cozumel. We went there twice. The first time we had one DM that we really liked but on her day off and for night dives the others were mediocre to poor. The second visit she was no longer there and we had different DM's every few dives and didn't really enjoy any of them.
Brules
Contributor
Dressel dives a schedule? Seriously? That would REALLY SUCK!!!!!!!!!
Not to get on my soapbox, but Ibero charges op a subscription based charge, not by diver, so smaller ops sufferer even more than big ops. Imagine a small op with 1 diver for 5 days out of Ibero paying the same as a big op with 5 divers for 20 days for the same fee. (Those are not perfect examples, but you get the idea.) If the idea spreads, it will hurt the small ops and perhaps change the face of diving in Cozumel.
Just sayin'
lbussell
Contributor
I've dived with Dressel at the Iberostar 15 times in the last 6 years and love it. Sometimes the boats are a little crowded, but the groups never have more than 8. I dive with the advanced groups- Morning dives are 1 hour, afternoon dives are 50 minutes. It's really nice having the short boat rides to the sites. We love the resort- yeah, the food is not gourmet, but we always find something to eat that we like. We have become friends with many of the staff. They're so nice! We like the beautiful, lush landscaping and wildlife all along their curving paths. I understand some of the above criticism, but for us (and many repeat customers that we know) we'll be back for more fun.
imoto
Contributor
Could be up to three groups possibly. The room on the boats isn't that crowded though. The problem is when they have two boats diving the same reef. All it takes is a nurse shark and green moray sharing the same space and it's like take a number and wait your turn to swim up and take your photos.
But I do love the resort.
Next time I think I'll try Aldora but I don't like having to stop at their shop to complete paper work. Our transfers are part of our fare and I don't like the idea of paying for a taxi from Aldora to Iberostar just to fill out paper work etc. Hopefully, there is a work around this.
But I do love the resort.
Next time I think I'll try Aldora but I don't like having to stop at their shop to complete paper work. Our transfers are part of our fare and I don't like the idea of paying for a taxi from Aldora to Iberostar just to fill out paper work etc. Hopefully, there is a work around this.
bilboinsa
Contributor
Before last November, I would have heartily recommended Fiesta Americana. Aldora picked us up at the wonderful FA dock. Very close to reefs. Great food. Total bliss. I am told that Dive House is now the resort dive op. No experience with them, so I cannot vouch. I do not know what Aldora can do now regarding picking up there. Good luck and have fun!
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