Hi All,
Found this site via another message board: www.divetrip.com (aka Island Dreams)
Sounds like lots of good news to me!!!
Michelle
Click on Cozumel when you get there. I've copied some of what the page says:
The following on-site reports come from our clients who weathered the storm, and friends and suppliers who live on the island full time. They help to tell the tale of Hurricane Wilma as it blew through Cozumel.
Monday, October 24, 4:30 p.m. CST --- Continental Airlines Operations Summary
Service to Cancun and Cozumel, Mexico is suspended through October 25th due to Hurricane Wilma. Service will resume pending airport conditions. Continental is currently operating extra sections out of Merida, Mexico to accommodate distressed passengers. You are advised to check http://www.continental.com/travel/tcTodaysOperations.asp for further details.
Monday, October 24, 2:00 p.m. CST --- Re-Open Dates for Fiesta Americana
Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort advises that they will be closed through November 6. New guest arrivals will be welcomed beginning November 7. The hotel is very well constructed and fortunately weathered the storm successfully. The next two weeks will be occupied with cleaning and repairs, as well as allowing time for city services and supply lines to be re-established.
Monday, October 24, 12:30 p.m. CST --- Brandon Baldwin, guest at FACDR
Just had a long conversation with client Brandon Baldwin, via his cell phone from Cozumel. Brandon and other Island Dreams guests safely weathered Hurricane Wilma at the Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort. Brandon likened this hotel to "a fortress during the storm." Brandon reports that Cozumel suffered major damage. The oceanfront road on both sides of Fiesta Americana is seriously damaged. Chacanab Lagoon Park "is gone." Heavy debris is scattered everywhere. Downtown, the International Cruise Ship Pier suffered major damage. At the moment, food and water are coming to be in short supply. As a result, tourists are now being encouraged to depart Cozumel, via ferry to Playa del Carmen. Brandon and his party plan to take the local bus from Playa to Chetumal. From there, we will arrange flights to Mexico City, and on for home. Considering the ordeal they just experienced, he was remarkably upbeat. Brandon...thanks for keeping such a cool head during this stressful time. It is our pleasure to serve you!
Monday, October 24, 11:00 a.m. CST --- Juan Leca, Dive House Cozumel
Island Dreams' owner Ken Knezick was able to reach Juan Leca this morning via cell phone. He, Evelyn, and Splash safely weathered the hurricane. Juan is the owner of Dive House, and a native of Cozumel. He made it clear that this was a very powerful storm, which blew at Cozumel for more than 40 hours. Juan estimates that the eye of Hurricane Wilma was stalled over Cozumel for 10 to 12 hours. There were very large waves hitting Cozumel's western shores, with substantial damage resulting. Juan's own oceanfront home suffered major damage. He reported that some of Dive House boats were impacted, but that repairs are underway. Roads around downtown San Miguel are already mostly passable. The roads that run along the seaside will require work. While cell phones are operational now, he estimates that restoring electricity and landline phone service completely may require at least a week. Oh and Juan said that the weather today in Cozumel is beautiful!
Monday, October 24, 10:45 a.m. CST --- Scuba Club Cozumel
Scuba Club Cozumel reports no major damage but that a good deal of clean up will be required. The hotel informed us that they will re-open to receive guests on November 15.
Monday, October 24, 10:45 a.m. CST --- Client, Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort
One of our valued clients just phoned from Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort. He reported that the physical structure of the hotel stood up very well in the face of the storm. He also made a point of expressing his gratitude for the way he was treated by the staff and management at that property throughout the experience. This same gentleman reported to us that five ferryboats had already arrived on Monday morning, bringing supplies and equipment.
Monday, October 24, 10:00 a.m. CST --- Update from Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines has advised us they will resume service into Cozumel, Mexico effective Wednesday, October 26. Apparently damage to the Cancun Airport was greater, thus initially Continental Airlines will use Cozumel for all air travel in and out of the Yucatan area. Overland and ferry transportation will be arranged to connect Cozumel and Cancun. The voluntary reschedule of flights for alternate dates is still in effect, but only for those booked to travel in the October 19-25 date range. That window has not been extended. You are advised to check www.Continental.com for further details.
Monday, October 24, 9:35 a.m. CST --- Enrique, Hotel Cozumel
Our first communication was with Enrique from Hotel Cozumel. He reported no major damage at that property. Trees and branches are down, and sand from the beach is scattered about. They are already beginning the clean up. The hotel is currently on generator power. He hopes to have the computers connected to the generator by Tuesday, at which time internet access and email services will hopefully become available.
Found this site via another message board: www.divetrip.com (aka Island Dreams)
Sounds like lots of good news to me!!!
Michelle
Click on Cozumel when you get there. I've copied some of what the page says:
The following on-site reports come from our clients who weathered the storm, and friends and suppliers who live on the island full time. They help to tell the tale of Hurricane Wilma as it blew through Cozumel.
Monday, October 24, 4:30 p.m. CST --- Continental Airlines Operations Summary
Service to Cancun and Cozumel, Mexico is suspended through October 25th due to Hurricane Wilma. Service will resume pending airport conditions. Continental is currently operating extra sections out of Merida, Mexico to accommodate distressed passengers. You are advised to check http://www.continental.com/travel/tcTodaysOperations.asp for further details.
Monday, October 24, 2:00 p.m. CST --- Re-Open Dates for Fiesta Americana
Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort advises that they will be closed through November 6. New guest arrivals will be welcomed beginning November 7. The hotel is very well constructed and fortunately weathered the storm successfully. The next two weeks will be occupied with cleaning and repairs, as well as allowing time for city services and supply lines to be re-established.
Monday, October 24, 12:30 p.m. CST --- Brandon Baldwin, guest at FACDR
Just had a long conversation with client Brandon Baldwin, via his cell phone from Cozumel. Brandon and other Island Dreams guests safely weathered Hurricane Wilma at the Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort. Brandon likened this hotel to "a fortress during the storm." Brandon reports that Cozumel suffered major damage. The oceanfront road on both sides of Fiesta Americana is seriously damaged. Chacanab Lagoon Park "is gone." Heavy debris is scattered everywhere. Downtown, the International Cruise Ship Pier suffered major damage. At the moment, food and water are coming to be in short supply. As a result, tourists are now being encouraged to depart Cozumel, via ferry to Playa del Carmen. Brandon and his party plan to take the local bus from Playa to Chetumal. From there, we will arrange flights to Mexico City, and on for home. Considering the ordeal they just experienced, he was remarkably upbeat. Brandon...thanks for keeping such a cool head during this stressful time. It is our pleasure to serve you!
Monday, October 24, 11:00 a.m. CST --- Juan Leca, Dive House Cozumel
Island Dreams' owner Ken Knezick was able to reach Juan Leca this morning via cell phone. He, Evelyn, and Splash safely weathered the hurricane. Juan is the owner of Dive House, and a native of Cozumel. He made it clear that this was a very powerful storm, which blew at Cozumel for more than 40 hours. Juan estimates that the eye of Hurricane Wilma was stalled over Cozumel for 10 to 12 hours. There were very large waves hitting Cozumel's western shores, with substantial damage resulting. Juan's own oceanfront home suffered major damage. He reported that some of Dive House boats were impacted, but that repairs are underway. Roads around downtown San Miguel are already mostly passable. The roads that run along the seaside will require work. While cell phones are operational now, he estimates that restoring electricity and landline phone service completely may require at least a week. Oh and Juan said that the weather today in Cozumel is beautiful!
Monday, October 24, 10:45 a.m. CST --- Scuba Club Cozumel
Scuba Club Cozumel reports no major damage but that a good deal of clean up will be required. The hotel informed us that they will re-open to receive guests on November 15.
Monday, October 24, 10:45 a.m. CST --- Client, Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort
One of our valued clients just phoned from Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort. He reported that the physical structure of the hotel stood up very well in the face of the storm. He also made a point of expressing his gratitude for the way he was treated by the staff and management at that property throughout the experience. This same gentleman reported to us that five ferryboats had already arrived on Monday morning, bringing supplies and equipment.
Monday, October 24, 10:00 a.m. CST --- Update from Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines has advised us they will resume service into Cozumel, Mexico effective Wednesday, October 26. Apparently damage to the Cancun Airport was greater, thus initially Continental Airlines will use Cozumel for all air travel in and out of the Yucatan area. Overland and ferry transportation will be arranged to connect Cozumel and Cancun. The voluntary reschedule of flights for alternate dates is still in effect, but only for those booked to travel in the October 19-25 date range. That window has not been extended. You are advised to check www.Continental.com for further details.
Monday, October 24, 9:35 a.m. CST --- Enrique, Hotel Cozumel
Our first communication was with Enrique from Hotel Cozumel. He reported no major damage at that property. Trees and branches are down, and sand from the beach is scattered about. They are already beginning the clean up. The hotel is currently on generator power. He hopes to have the computers connected to the generator by Tuesday, at which time internet access and email services will hopefully become available.
