Last minute trip to Cozumel Feb 24-27, 2007

[marianne777]

My friends and I just booked a last-minute trip to Cozumel for Feb. 24-27. We have a reservation at Reef Club hotel but we may change considering the negative reviews here. What do you recommend for a hotel with the following: beachfront, high-speed internet, all-inclusive meals/drinks, spa amenities? I've been reading the other threads and it looks like these are good, fast boat, small dive ops:

www.bluextseadivers.com --> already booked during our trip :-(
www.liquidbluedivers.com
www.bottomtimedivers.net
www.divewithmartin.com

Do these dive ops pick up from Reef Club? Any of them do night diving? Two of us are Advanced OW and have only 2 full days to dive so we'd like to do 2-3 dives a day if possible. Third person may consider an open water course if time permits. If you have any input on hotels or dive ops, please let me know! Thanks!!!

 

[DandyDon]

I'm sure you'll get some good replies tomorrow. I've not stayed at an A-I in years nor dived with the other three you listed at all. With but 10 days to get your plans together and you'll surely be booking in advance to make the most of your diving - have you inquired of the other three yet?

Recent reports on the Reef Club have seemed favorable, and I do see a great special on Orbitz.com for $259 a night - the only real reason I am posting on this thread since I cannot really help you with your specific request. (My stupid Sidestep program ran a search right beside the Orbitz and didn't know about the 30% discount! ) That may be be hard to match and they throw in "FREE UP Grade + SPA Aromatherapy Treatment" for two per room.

If your non-diver has been taking pool lessons and is ready for the Open Water certification, that's about as much as can be accomplished in 2 days with 18 hours Surface interval before flying. S/he will more likely enjoy the beach and drinks while you two are off diving.

You other two might manage 3 dives the first day, 2 the next. I see on your profile that you are Aow, less than 25 dives - over 5 years, is that correct? Do tell your DM how long since your last ocean dive. I do hope you both have DAN insurance, Safety Sausage and a Storm whistle which you will have on/in your BC at all times just in case (I try to allow for the unlikely), and all three of you have Trip Insurance.

Have a great trip, and I'll be watching too as the more informed replies come in here...

 

[JessH]

My recomendation would be to avoid the AIs. IMHO one of the best things about Mexico is the good cheap food. Use meals as an excuse to get out and explore. You will save money this way and eat a lot better. Of course this works best if you either stay in town or rent a vehicle.

~Jess

 

[marianne777]

Is Fiesta Americana better? The reason we want to go with an all-inclusive hotel is to not worry about where we're eating! When we have options, it just makes it more complicated. ;-) I've stayed in an AI before in Cabo and loved it.

I've contacted bottomtimedivers and looks like they can take us. I'm still waiting to hear back from the other two. I got my AOW just last month so it hasn't been that long since I've gone diving. My friend got hers last December. We don't have DAN insurance.......

 

[pa diver]

Get Dan......, enough said.

 

[Jinjer]

Definitely get DAN before you go. You can do it online and print temporary cards to use until your actual cards arrive.

 

[DandyDon]

Is Fiesta Americana better? The reason we want to go with an all-inclusive hotel is to not worry about where we're eating! When we have options, it just makes it more complicated. ;-) I've stayed in an AI before in Cabo and loved it.

I've contacted bottomtimedivers and looks like they can take us. I'm still waiting to hear back from the other two. I got my AOW just last month so it hasn't been that long since I've gone diving. My friend got hers last December. We don't have DAN insurance.......

I'm sure you'll be receiving suggestions from our member who like AIs and use them there soon. Many of us prefer non-inclusive hotels close to town and dining at a various places (see BlueXTSeaDiving restaurant guide for good list if you ever have time), but you'll be there for only 3 nights - I can see your reasons for preferring the AI. Plus you'll have a non-diver who will really want the beach & free drinks.

Fiesta Americana's regular rate is half of Reef clubs so I'd be surprised if it was as nice, or - maybe they have an AI option? I haven't been to their site, but they do not list a beach or Internet on the Orbitz site. BTW, I see Reef Club came down another $60 over night - now only $190. Wow! I think you might do well to just rebook your current res there to save money. I don't see "AI" on the Orbitz site, but I think that's all they do? Or maybe the AI option is a bit more...?

Now, diving accidents are rare, but they do happen, so most of us have DAN insurance or similar - just in case we need a very expensive chamber ride or more. I have known some divers whose regular insurance did cover them outside of the country, did cover them on scuba diving, they were completely positive, and they had unlimited credit cards to satisfy the chamber clinics payment needs and seek reimbursement later. This is not common, tho - and DAN insurance covers those needs if there is any doubt at all. If you are sure about your regular insurance, remember that you may have to prepay several thousand dollars to receive proper treatment in an emergency.

I see you 777 in your username. Are you three by chance all airline employees who will be non-reving to CZM? Trip insurance is another option I add to every out of country trip. Your needs may vary.

 

[Diver Kat]

Scuba with Alison picks up from the south docks, so you might see if she has availibility .....if you end up at a southern AI that is ..... she's a great DM as well as a real sweetie!!

I like the food in town too much to do an AI, but I can understand you going for the convenience on a short trip.

And like everyone has said - get DAN ..... worth every penny, and it's not even expensive!!

 

[ggunn]

I see you 777 in your username. Are you three by chance all airline employees who will be non-reving to CZM?

Or maybe he's a Unix programmer, as in "chmod 777". ;^)

EDIT: Oops, I mean "she". Sorry.

 

[DandyDon]

Or maybe he's a Unix programmer, as in "chmod 777". ;^)

EDIT: Oops, I mean "she". Sorry.

Meet The Esteemed Ggunn - who knows Coz a lot better than most.