Cozumel July 10-17

[Natasha]

Do ya think that Palace will bring in more comfortable beds?

Cheers,

ggunn:
I sure hope so. Although I really didn't think they were as bad this last time as the time before. Go figure?
I'm not crazy about the all inclusive part, because, like you, I love to eat in town.
I'll probably use it for a fast breakfast, and a late night snack, and still eat at all my favorite places.
I miss it so much already!

 

[caribdiver]

Thanks Parrotheaddiver,

I'll ask for divemaster Orlando or Jaime. I couldn't pass up being picked up at Plaza Las Glorias at 7:30am, being raced to the southern sites at no extra charge on one of their 4 fast small boats that hold 6 to 8 people, getting free unlimited shore dives, getting a free video of one of the dives, getting a free night boat dive, all for $50.00 for two tanks of morning diving! DWM seems like great value.

if all of this really happens. I dove with them on my last trip to Coz and was very disappointed. I thought it all sounded too good to be true, and it was.

Let us know if they deliver what is promised.

 

[DiverG]

Thanks Parrotheaddiver,

I'll ask for divemaster Orlando or Jaime. I couldn't pass up being picked up at Plaza Las Glorias at 7:30am, being raced to the southern sites at no extra charge on one of their 4 fast small boats that hold 6 to 8 people, getting free unlimited shore dives, getting a free video of one of the dives, getting a free night boat dive, all for $50.00 for two tanks of morning diving! DWM seems like great value.

Caribdiver, what part of this quote did you find not to be true in your case? I know when I used Dive with Martin in January I got free unlimited shore dives, a free video, a free night dive and 5 days of 2 tank diving for $250. We left the main docks around 7:30 ish, and several times we picked people up at the southren hotels.

if all of this really happens. I dove with them on my last trip to Coz and was very disappointed. I thought it all sounded too good to be true, and it was.

Let us know if they deliver what is promised.

 

[divematt]

Caribdiver, what part of this quote did you find not to be true in your case? I know when I used Dive with Martin in January I got free unlimited shore dives, a free video, a free night dive and 5 days of 2 tank diving for $250. We left the main docks around 7:30 ish, and several times we picked people up at the southren hotels.

I TOO CARIBDIVER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW EXACTLY ON WHAT ISSUE DID DWM FALL SHORT.

 

[caribdiver]

I TOO CARIBDIVER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW EXACTLY ON WHAT ISSUE DID DWM FALL SHORT.

We never got our night dive. Every night it was scheduled, there was an excuse. Ok, it was supposed to be free, but don't advertise it if you aren't going to deliver. I heard from some other divers that did a night dive with DWM that the only choice for the night dive was Paradise reef (because they don't have to use much gas to get there). This is a nice night dive, but it gets really crowded. I would rather pay for a night dive (which we ended up doing), and have a choice of where to go. We had an excellent night dive with another operator at Yucab.

The video wasn't our dive, it was a stock video and not professional quality.

Ulimited shore dives. So what? Big deal in Cozumel. Tanks are cheap to rent, and the shore diving isn't that great in Coz anyway. By the way, the only free shore dives are right there at the ship pier by the shop, not wherever you want to go.

One person in our group had to rent equipment because her luggage didn't make it to Cozumel when we did. The equipment was awful but at least she only had to rent for one day until her own equipment was delivered to the hotel.

Not being charged to the southern sites is special, but there are other operators who do this as well.

We had some questionable DM's and boat captains. We are used to having the same crew or at least the same few all week. I was also not impressed with the boats.

We gave DWM a try because or trip was last minute and we were trying to make this trip on a budget. We've also been vowing to try out different operators in case we can't get into our favorites at some point. We won't scrimp next time, you get what you pay for. The service just simply does not compare to what we've been used to. I guess it just depends on what is more important to you. Price or quality.

Our ops of choice in Cozumel are Liquid Blue and Careyitos Advanced Divers. I would like to try a couple of others often mentioned here, but haven't had the chance to do so yet.

I hope your experience is better than ours was.

 

[DiverG]

Caribdiver, my experience was different from yours. I'm sorry that you did not a good experience with DWM

Yes the free shore diving is from the shop location, but that is clearly mention on the website.

My free video was not a stock video, and was taken over two of my dives.

As far as one of your group having to rent equipment, it states on the DWM website the rental equipment is included in the price. You should not of had to rent equipment.

I too would like to try some other dive operators, and may try to arrange an afternoon, or night dive with some of the favorites from this board.

 

[caribdiver]

Caribdiver, my experience was different from yours. I'm sorry that you did not a good experience with DWM

Yes the free shore diving is from the shop location, but that is clearly mention on the website.

My free video was not a stock video, and was taken over two of my dives.

As far as one of your group having to rent equipment, it states on the DWM website the rental equipment is included in the price. You should not of had to rent equipment.

I too would like to try some other dive operators, and may try to arrange an afternoon, or night dive with some of the favorites from this board.

I realize that it is mentioned on the website where the shore diving is available. I personally didn't even take advantage of the shore diving other than to do a check-out dive. Like I said, shore diving in Coz is not why I go. Others may not read the website, so I was just making it clear and really my point was that that is nothing special. It costs the shop virtually nothing to offer that option.

As far as the equipment goes, I didn't say she had to pay for it. Perhaps I should have said "borrowed." Nevertheless, I would NEVER have paid rental for that equipment. There is a reason he doesn't charge for it. You can't complain about it if it's free right!

I guess my problem too is that DWM lures you in with all of these "extras" they throw in, when really, these extras are nothing special and the service leaves alot to be desired in my opinion. I form this opinion based on my experiences with numerous operators both in Cozumel and other palces around the world. Again, it depends on what is important to you, price or quality. DWM prvides cheap diving, and I use that word deliberately. It was not a quality experience for us and I do not feel that we received value for our diving dollars. This is my opinion, and I realize some may disagree. That's what makes the world interesting. We all have our own expectations and priorities. Mine is quality and value, not the cheapest.

 

[ggunn]

Sorry you had such a bad experience. Fortunately, there are other alternatives on Cozumel that provide great service and quality diving on small fast boats at a great price. Blue Angel and Cozumel Equalizers come to mind; I have personal experience with both and give them high marks.

 

[DiverG]

... It was not a quality experience for us and I do not feel that we received value for our diving dollars. This is my opinion, and I realize some may disagree. That's what makes the world interesting. We all have our own expectations and priorities. Mine is quality and value, not the cheapest.

I can not agree with you more. We all have different expectations. I was happy with my service, and you were not. I hope your next trip to Cozumel exceeds your expectations.

BTW what part of Houston do you live in? I'm in the Northwest side of town.

 

[caribdiver]

I can not agree with you more. We all have different expectations. I was happy with my service, and you were not. I hope your next trip to Cozumel exceeds your expectations.

BTW what part of Houston do you live in? I'm in the Northwest side of town.

I'm inside the loop. Kirby and Richmond area.

As far as my next Coz experience, I'm sure it will be fine. I've been to Coz 9 times in the last three years (14 times since 87) and will most likely stick with my favorites when they are available.

I just wanted to see what all the hype was with DWM since we were trying to keep this trip under $1000. I just wasn't impressed at all. I'd rather pay more and get a little more.

I can't believe I just found out about this board. You'll be seeing alot of me around now, but in spurts. My work goes in slow and busy spurts. I am in a slow time this week.