Resorts we should avoid?

[robint]

I have no idea who anyone would stay at SCC and use a different dive op. The SCC charges everyone for being either a diver or snorkeler... .it is not an option really. ALL packages include those services. So really, there is not reason to pay another dive op to pick you up at their pier, duplicating services already part of your package.

We have thought of taking our bags over next door, to Hotel Cozumel once, in order to do a boat night dive since none was offered at SCC that night (not enough people signed up)... but then a group signed up and problem was solved.

 

[Ray and Pam]

Didn't read all 5 pages just the first and the last. We stayed at Reef Residencies about 6 years ago before we started diving. The room was awesome, great sunsets from the rooftop. Only bad thing was I guess the Time Share guy kept wanting to meet us. We'd come back to the room after a day of snorkling and doing the East side thing and there would be a note from him telling us that he would be there the next day at certain time and expected us to be there. Of cource, we made sure we weren't there then. But, we spent some evenings down the beach at the big bar chain "Carlos and Charlies", I think and would be sitting there on the beach in lounge chairs with our feet in the sand drinking fufu drinks or whatever and these little 6 pack boats would pull right up and let divers off. Of course this would be a problem for the larger boats or where there wasn't sand or those that don't want to get their feet wet or covered in sand before going divin

 

[morecowbells]

I understand what everyone is stating about how these policies put the squeeze on the small dive ops. I have seen several dive ops pull up to the Iberostar and the customers wading out hip deep to the boat. My guess is that this is due to the pier fees. Out of curiosity, is this practice still being done at these resorts or is the resort itself trying to put the kibosh on this activity too?

 

[cvchief]

I understand what everyone is stating about how these policies put the squeeze on the small dive ops. I have seen several dive ops pull up to the Iberostar and the customers wading out hip deep to the boat. My guess is that this is due to the pier fees. Out of curiosity, is this practice still being done at these resorts or is the resort itself trying to put the kibosh on this activity too?

I have heard the discussion of picking up gear before and then wading to the boat still going on.

 

[Mossman]

Now that I recall, I believe we did let off four divers staying at the Iberostar on the beach during my June trip. I didn't think anything of it at the time, figured it was because there was no room at the dock.

 

[Brules]

Just to clarify in case anyone isn't clear on how the Park Royal works:

The diver pays $5 to Aquaworld in their shop to get a red bracelet that you wear for the week/duration and that allows your op to pickup/drop you off at the Aquaworld/Park Royal dock.

I consider it by far the best bang for the buck vs taxis daily.

Do know, the Aquaworld dock is a HIGH dock for their big cattle boats. So you need to be aware if you have any physical limitations that the top of their dock is about level with the top of the boat cover of a 6/8 pax panga style boat.

Also, when their boats are in loading/unloading, it can be tricky for your op to get you in and out, but they are nice and will allow you to cross their boats some times.

So for $5 - the PR is by no means a place to avoid. If your dive op will handle your gear for you (not sure if Aquaworld would let you use their lockers) - it is IMHO the best AI that is close to town/south marina for divers to stay at (if you want AI).

 

[cvchief]

Just to clarify in case anyone isn't clear on how the Park Royal works:

The diver pays $5 to Aquaworld in their shop to get a red bracelet that you wear for the week/duration and that allows your op to pickup/drop you off at the Aquaworld/Park Royal dock.

I consider it by far the best bang for the buck vs taxis daily.

Do know, the Aquaworld dock is a HIGH dock for their big cattle boats. So you need to be aware if you have any physical limitations that the top of their dock is about level with the top of the boat cover of a 6/8 pax panga style boat.

Also, when their boats are in loading/unloading, it can be tricky for your op to get you in and out, but they are nice and will allow you to cross their boats some times.

So for $5 - the PR is by no means a place to avoid. If your dive op will handle your gear for you (not sure if Aquaworld would let you use their lockers) - it is IMHO the best AI that is close to town/south marina for divers to stay at (if you want AI).

Well, maybe that is a fine reason to include them in a second section of Hotels that charge their guests to use the dock. As you say, perhaps that is a charge acceptable to most. It certainly does not harm small op over large. I would not fuss much over paying 5 for the week. Be good to know in the interests of full disclosure.

 

[Skittl1321]

I now pay $100/month + $2 per diver to use Aldora pier (mpt to mention the significant extra fuel is to pick-up and drop-off there) - then if I add:

I don't know the politics of it all, but why is there no outcry about this pier fee? Is it because there is no associated hotel that guests have already paid? Why should this pier not charge divers but can instead charge ops? (Especially since they seem to charge flat rate plus per person)

 

[cvchief]

So what do you think, MMM? Can we make up a sticky of hotels that charge extra in some fashion for divers using independent ops? I could draft something, more as a be aware maybe than an avoid thing.

 

[ReefHound]

I now pay $100/month + $2 per diver to use Aldora pier (mpt to mention the significant extra fuel is to pick-up and drop-off there) - then if I add:

$66/month for Secrets
$60/month for Iberostar

That's $226 USD before we've even left the dock

And it gets way worse if the practice catches on and becomes adopted by all hotels.