More opinions on Moon Palace/ Aquaworld

[Scubabaer]

We will be in Cancun the last week in January 2005 and staying at Moon Palace. I've been reading the threads regarding Cancun, Moon Palace and Aquaworld. A few people had bad experiences and another cancelled a weeks worth of plans just to stay with Aquaworld. I'd like to read more if anyone else has any experience with Aquaworld at Moon Palace.

Thanks,
Denny

 

[Mako Mark]

here are some comments I posted in another thread a few days ago..

here is the low down on Cancun.

There is one HUGE dive store and a handful of little ones. I work for the big one, which is a slick water sports marina with large custom dive boats, multiple departures, a stack of other activities to do etc, etc. The main criticisms clients have of it is that it lacks some of the personal touch due to its size, (we do have over three quarters of a million customers per year), and that our schedule is less flexible than the smaller dive stores.. It is ideal for the newer diver that wants help with their equipment, help in and out of the water and a safe guided dive and photos and videos available on every dive boat etc.

The smaller dive shops, have much smaller and older boats, variable quality equipment, less departure times and options, but pride themselves on their ability to provide a more personalized flexible service. These stores are better for those who hate having their equipment set up for them, who want to be on a boat that doesn't have other groups on them, and wants more control over their own dives.

Hope that helps a little and that I was as impartial as possible. Whatever you do, I suggest that you shop around when you get here, dont buy you course from a travel agent who will tell you anything they think you want to hear, go check out the different places yourself. MEETTHE INSTRUCTORS, that you are going to do the course with and make sure you feel comfortable with them.

 

[hermosadive]

We will be in Cancun the last week in January 2005 and staying at Moon Palace. I've been reading the threads regarding Cancun, Moon Palace and Aquaworld. A few people had bad experiences and another cancelled a weeks worth of plans just to stay with Aquaworld. I'd like to read more if anyone else has any experience with Aquaworld at Moon Palace.

During our recent trip to Playa Del Carmen, we took the ferry over to Cozumel to do a day of diving. We didn't have any reservations but I was familar with a few shops by name. We ended up going out on a boat through Aquaworld. I have my own gear and dive weekly and my wife is a couple days a year-rental diver. Aquaworld worked for us because they offered 2 morning departure times, 8am'ish and 11:30am. We went on the 11:30 boat. All the other shops we tried had already departed before we arrived on the island so the additional time slot was very helpful.

The boat was large, clean and looked new. The shop was modern and well stocked. We had approx. 12 divers with us, but broke into 2 groups of 6, the DM was Markus. Normally I would would prefer to have a smaller boat and personalized service, but Aquaworld did a great job. Our DM was personable, informative and provided a detailed dive plan. The asked for our C-cards, something other shops I've dove with didn't do. The equipment looked well maintained.

You haven't provided any dive info in your profile, but if you are a recreational diver I don't think you will find Aquaworld a bad experience. Have fun regardless.

 

[Scubabaer]

Cancun Mark: Thank you for being very impartial. Your advice makes very good sense.

Hermosadive: Thanks for your encouraging comments. As for my dive profile, my girlfriend and I received our OW in June of 2003. Her experience is only what she needed for cerification. I'm not much better. After certification I only went on three other dives.

Our motivation for getting certified was snorkeling in Hawaii, March of 2003.
We lost interest while getting certified in the Bay of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

In spite of the 1.5 hour trip to get to any good dive spots, the struggle getting in and out of a 7mil wetsuit (even in July & August), the low vis and nothing really much to look at once you get in the water, I did enjoy the diving.

But now that we're going to a place where there is something really worth seeing, we have a new interest in diving.

Thanks again for your comments

Denny

 

[alcina]

Make sure you book in for a refresher with an instructor/dive master before you head out diving!

 

[sharkdiver00]

Moon Palace..... hummmmmm I am one of the ones with two bad experiences there. I would not stay there if they paid me to stay there.

Cancun and the surrounding area has way too many other options to pick from when it comes to accommodations. I would also take Cancun Mark's advice when it comes to diving.

 

[Scubabaer]

Moon Palace..... hummmmmm I am one of the ones with two bad experiences there. I would not stay there if they paid me to stay there.

Cancun and the surrounding area has way too many other options to pick from when it comes to accommodations. I would also take Cancun Mark's advice when it comes to diving.

Sharkdiver00,
I searched for your previous comments on other threads. I could not find any where you explain why you would not stay at Moon Palace. Please share your bad experience(s).

Alcina,
I've already planned on that. Actually, one of our traveling friends may take the resort course. We may join her.

Thanks,

 

[Scott Riemer]

I'll disagree. I stayed at Moon Palace in May with my wife and another couple. We had a great time! I had made a connection with catbrown who is a Scubaboard member before we went. She operates Dive Puerto Morelos which is just South of Moon Palace. Again, we had a great time! We talked with the AquaWorld rep. at the hotel and he was only interested in selling. Wouldn't listen and was pushy. I'm glad we had already made arrangements to dive in Puerto Morelos. If you need more info., let me know.

 

[sharkdiver00]

OK, here they go....

First time, last year around Fall... service was very bad, food was worse. Room not cleaned by the time I was back from late lunch... around 1530 or even 1600, always had to ask for towels.

Last time, July this year.... had to stay there cuz I was in a wedding party. Although reservations were made as a group, some of the people got there and there were NO rooms for them. Some guests that were not staying there, were delayed at the gate for so long, they missed the ceremony (although the guards at the gate had a list with names). Most of the 'hot' food for the party was actually cold. We had small kids & babies in the group, requested citronella candles to help with the nasty mosquitos and were told that 'not only we would have to go buy them ourselves, but we would also had to get permission from the manager to bring them into the property.

Again, rooms were not cleaned in a promptly manner and we all had to call twice to have housekeeping come to do their job.

and there you have it. I usually give properties a second chance to redeem themselves, but not three. I have also heard good comments about the Palace properties from different people. My bad luck I guess.
cheers

 

[teamheatwave]

Having dove with several dive ops in Cancun over the years, I just wanted to say that Mark's response was a very fair and impartial response and some good advice. Nice job.