Good Time at Iberostar Cozumel

[WAPADIDM]

Got back from my trip last week and after reading very negative threads on Dressel Dive Ops and Iberostar, was concerned about our package.

I thought the Dive Guides, Boats and attitudes were great. Being close to Palancar and Punta Sur meant short boat rides, the better reefs and really no complaints at all, and generous tips for the guides for the smiling help attitudes.

So, Dressel was fine for me. Including a trip to Playa for a day of Cenote dives with Dressel.


The resort was a great value. The food wasn't 5 star but it was good and consistent. Drinks are included and they will serve call brands if you ask otherwise their well. XX beer is always good to drink anyway.

for $950 for a week of lodging, food, booze and 10 tanks of boat diving I was very happy.


Regarding the other dive operators picking up off the dock:

I saw multiple (non Dressel) boats each day picking up divers for day and night dives. There is a security person who checks the boat and operator. No words or arguments were heard.

No comment on their requirements to pick up there, this could be a legitimate complaint but didn't affect my trip, or activites.

Not all the quest are divers, so no cattle boats. In fact, only one day did we have a full boat, but didn't feel crowded.

I would have no problem recommending Iberostar or Dressel for the package price I paid and will probably go back there again.

I'm sure there are other great operators who do as good, even better, but this board has really trashed both Iberostar and Dressel, and I think all of you are wrong.


Not trying to start a fight with anyone here, just felt a differrent opinion besides the "piling on" here was justified.

 

[Dave W]

I agree with the Iberostar resort. We had a great time there. Dressel worked fine too, but we ended up using another dive op (Eco Divers) for the majority of the diving. We did use Dressel for two night dives.

The price you quoted, did it include the diving and air fare? That was a great prive from Washington.

 

[ednedfred]

Glad your trip went well. We love the Iberostar in both Cozumel and Playa. My two trips with Dressel did not go as uneventful as yours.

 

[WAPADIDM]

Glad your trip went well. We love the Iberostar in both Cozumel and Playa. My two trips with Dressel did not go as uneventful as yours.

Maybe Dressel is awful, but they were great for me and the other couple we dove with. I spent time DM'g in San Pedro on the boats to Catalina and the other Islands. I used to have guys ***** because I asked them to give me an OK before their decent. Alot of times you do what is right, who cares if they like you, they just don't get hurt on your watch.

I thought that Dressel catered too much to the new or less experienced divers.
When I spent my time taking pictures, they let me become a straggler and came back to pick me up after all the other people. They showed good judgement and allowed us all to work and play with our experience level. Of couse, I always giggle when someone walks up and tells them they have 2,000 dives with an open water rating or under the age of 30, very unlikely.

To the credit of Mike, one of the instructors who has been there 4 years, he dressed down a couple teanagers who didn't pay attention on a previous dive that could have stressed the whole boat being out of control.

For those of you who have never been responsible for other divers, you need to cut some slack to the dive guides around the world. They aren't always perfect, their companies aren't always the best, but, most of you out here are vacation divers who don't have to be responsible.

Let's all have fun, there are enough of you who don't like Dressel which is fine. They are ok with me, and again, I would recommend them for my son or daughter when they dive.

Let's all have fun, with whatever operation you like.