Crazyduck
Contributor
Cozumel 2007- Occidental Allegro resort and Palancar Divers
June 13th through the 18th
We were dropped off at DFW airport nice and early and cruised through check in and went on to the metal detectors. I have learned to send my wife and son through first and then send myself through last. Carrying a HID light head with cord, camera, underwater camera case, and dive computer makes sure you get the personalized attention by TSA. Sure enough I spent some special one on one time with security- no problem. They asked me about my effects pulled it all out and then sent me on my way. Stopped by the Einstein Bagels and had a bagel and drink- a must to start a good vacation.
The flight to Cozumel was standard two and half hours and the Aero Mexico flight was full. Snack was fruit, yogurt, muffin, and we had sprite to drink. The landing was terrible. Our pilot dipped in the right tire first and the left tire caught about 3 seconds later. I was expecting to see NASCAR streaks on the runway from the landing Last flight to Cozumel was excellent so this was a bit of a surprise. We unloaded and cruised through customs with the standard forms already filed out and ready to stamp.
After getting past the Tourista then we moved on to our shuttle. Standard van to the resort and the fun roads were traffic laws seem only optional. No way in heck you get me to drive on this island.
We arrived at Occidental resort and unloaded the luggage. Tipped the driver for the ride and thanked him. They pile the inbound luggage in front of the bell desk until the rooms are ready. This is the standard and your bags are safe. We walked in and saw Victor again and said hi and he gladly welcomed us back to the resort. Victor is always such a pleasure.
Tip- If you are a returning guest make sure to point this fact out!
Returning guests and time share owners get white bracelets. People on the property do not try to sell you things and you get better attention at the bar and restaurants. This was a definite improvement! Standard bracelet is green.
We were the building directly behind the timeshare and had a wonderful view of the ocean out of our window.
We all had bracelets and headed out; rooms would be ready shortly.
We grabbed our bathing suits, masks, fins, and headed to lunch. After eating and having a drink we headed to the beach. It was amazing the number of staff that we recognized from last year.
We went back some time later and checked in for our room. They provided the usual paperwork, lock for the safe, and credit card slide key. We had bell hops deliver the luggage. Being divers this was the best deal yet. We do not travel light, I tipped the bell man! Our room was right towards the front (beach,) behind the timeshare units. The room was spotless including a towel animal on the bed.
The food this year was better at the resort. We had Hamburgers and Hot dogs and they had out Ketchup, Mustard and Mayo this year. They have a total of three places to eat. One is the up front buffet (by the pool); the second is an outdoor place that was making pizzas and the indoor buffet upstairs indoors. The food is not bad but considering a majority of the visitors were American, Brits, Europeans and few others I am surprised that they did not have at least a Euro-American Sous chef. I am all for new and interesting tastes but a sprinkling of home is nice. This year also for breakfast they added bacon, eggs, and hash browns. All the food was very fresh and overall we were very pleased. Also large water bottles were placed in rooms ever morning, and water coolers were on site with bottled water.
The maid service was impeccable as always. One afternoon I watched another unit be cleaned and I was sincerely surprised how much they did. To include cleaning the bathroom, lavatory, sinks, brushing down the floor, then washing the floors (last thing they did on the way out.) Plus, they stripped the linins if requested, made folded animals and straighten the place. I have a new found appreciation of what goes on behind the scenes.
We did a little snorkeling and decided we needed to visit the dive shop and plan our diving. We did the ten tank special and added the few extra tanks we needed on top. Boats fill up fast so email ahead or plan early for the next couple of days.
Tip- Dive lockers are available for a $10.00 deposit. This way you leave your BC, regulator, and whatever can fit and it does not clutter up your room.
Most people left their towels, wetsuits, and neoprene items over their room rails to dry out. Nothing disappeared however we brought things in at night. A sub hanger might be a benefit for the shower at night.
Beach diving is free if you are diving with Palancar divers.
Tanks available were Al 60s, 80s and 100s. Nitrox 32 is about $10.00 a tank extra.
I dove with my Bare shorty, stainless steel backplate (6lbs) and 14lbs loose weight with an al80 tank.
The dive sites were awesome!
First day we started with the bottom end of Palancar caves as they come out into the Garden. It was a very nice dive. My max depth was 97ft and total run time was over 45 minutes.
Most dives workout this way- 80ft for max depth and then they stair step you up to 40ft for a causal ascent. Shallower sites started at 60ft and worked up.
Once the boat was heading back I approached the advanced divers and asked if anyone was interested in Punta Sur? It was an immediate hit!
So we all went in as a group and inquired for Punta Sur. Since there was a prearranged group- no problem Punta Sur tomorrow.
June 13th through the 18th
We were dropped off at DFW airport nice and early and cruised through check in and went on to the metal detectors. I have learned to send my wife and son through first and then send myself through last. Carrying a HID light head with cord, camera, underwater camera case, and dive computer makes sure you get the personalized attention by TSA. Sure enough I spent some special one on one time with security- no problem. They asked me about my effects pulled it all out and then sent me on my way. Stopped by the Einstein Bagels and had a bagel and drink- a must to start a good vacation.
The flight to Cozumel was standard two and half hours and the Aero Mexico flight was full. Snack was fruit, yogurt, muffin, and we had sprite to drink. The landing was terrible. Our pilot dipped in the right tire first and the left tire caught about 3 seconds later. I was expecting to see NASCAR streaks on the runway from the landing Last flight to Cozumel was excellent so this was a bit of a surprise. We unloaded and cruised through customs with the standard forms already filed out and ready to stamp.
After getting past the Tourista then we moved on to our shuttle. Standard van to the resort and the fun roads were traffic laws seem only optional. No way in heck you get me to drive on this island.
We arrived at Occidental resort and unloaded the luggage. Tipped the driver for the ride and thanked him. They pile the inbound luggage in front of the bell desk until the rooms are ready. This is the standard and your bags are safe. We walked in and saw Victor again and said hi and he gladly welcomed us back to the resort. Victor is always such a pleasure.
Tip- If you are a returning guest make sure to point this fact out!
Returning guests and time share owners get white bracelets. People on the property do not try to sell you things and you get better attention at the bar and restaurants. This was a definite improvement! Standard bracelet is green.
We were the building directly behind the timeshare and had a wonderful view of the ocean out of our window.
We all had bracelets and headed out; rooms would be ready shortly.
We grabbed our bathing suits, masks, fins, and headed to lunch. After eating and having a drink we headed to the beach. It was amazing the number of staff that we recognized from last year.
We went back some time later and checked in for our room. They provided the usual paperwork, lock for the safe, and credit card slide key. We had bell hops deliver the luggage. Being divers this was the best deal yet. We do not travel light, I tipped the bell man! Our room was right towards the front (beach,) behind the timeshare units. The room was spotless including a towel animal on the bed.
The food this year was better at the resort. We had Hamburgers and Hot dogs and they had out Ketchup, Mustard and Mayo this year. They have a total of three places to eat. One is the up front buffet (by the pool); the second is an outdoor place that was making pizzas and the indoor buffet upstairs indoors. The food is not bad but considering a majority of the visitors were American, Brits, Europeans and few others I am surprised that they did not have at least a Euro-American Sous chef. I am all for new and interesting tastes but a sprinkling of home is nice. This year also for breakfast they added bacon, eggs, and hash browns. All the food was very fresh and overall we were very pleased. Also large water bottles were placed in rooms ever morning, and water coolers were on site with bottled water.
The maid service was impeccable as always. One afternoon I watched another unit be cleaned and I was sincerely surprised how much they did. To include cleaning the bathroom, lavatory, sinks, brushing down the floor, then washing the floors (last thing they did on the way out.) Plus, they stripped the linins if requested, made folded animals and straighten the place. I have a new found appreciation of what goes on behind the scenes.
We did a little snorkeling and decided we needed to visit the dive shop and plan our diving. We did the ten tank special and added the few extra tanks we needed on top. Boats fill up fast so email ahead or plan early for the next couple of days.
Tip- Dive lockers are available for a $10.00 deposit. This way you leave your BC, regulator, and whatever can fit and it does not clutter up your room.
Most people left their towels, wetsuits, and neoprene items over their room rails to dry out. Nothing disappeared however we brought things in at night. A sub hanger might be a benefit for the shower at night.
Beach diving is free if you are diving with Palancar divers.
Tanks available were Al 60s, 80s and 100s. Nitrox 32 is about $10.00 a tank extra.
I dove with my Bare shorty, stainless steel backplate (6lbs) and 14lbs loose weight with an al80 tank.
The dive sites were awesome!
First day we started with the bottom end of Palancar caves as they come out into the Garden. It was a very nice dive. My max depth was 97ft and total run time was over 45 minutes.
Most dives workout this way- 80ft for max depth and then they stair step you up to 40ft for a causal ascent. Shallower sites started at 60ft and worked up.
Once the boat was heading back I approached the advanced divers and asked if anyone was interested in Punta Sur? It was an immediate hit!
So we all went in as a group and inquired for Punta Sur. Since there was a prearranged group- no problem Punta Sur tomorrow.
