Like Scuba Club but different?

[Venom]

Planning a trip down to Coz late April / early May, we are 60+ years old but in decent shape.
Just don't want to do tons of walking to get to pick up / drop of points.

Would like a nice hotel / resort with on site dive op and shore diving opportunities.

I was all set to book at SCC but wifey would like something a little "nicer".
Meaning in room TV, softer beds, maybe even room service.

Would like minimum 2 tank boat dive daily, on a boat large enough to have a ladder but not so large that there are 20 divers on board.

Budget is about $3,500 USD.

Suggestions / recommendations needed.
I'd like to book something this week. :cool2:

 

[Sue Sue]

Take a look at El Cid la Cieba. The resort is not too far South of town that taxi fares are out of reach, around 80 peso one way. It has a beach area, pool, good restaurant, bar, and resort amenities. It also has a dedicated boat pier for dive op pick up. Now I will say that the beach area does get a bit crowded during the day with cruise ship people, however, for the several times my DH and I have stayed there, we pretty well avoid most if it as we are out diving during the day. By the time we get back, have lunch, clean up, the pods are pulling out and then all quiets down. I would also recommend you look into a 1 bedroom in the "tower". Kitchenette, TV, balcony, tub, phone, etc. Ask for 6th floor or higher. For your dive op you may want to bypass the in house op.... Take a look at Blue XT Sea Diving. Bandida is a larger boat- 6 divers. (My DH and I are both soon to be 55 and can handle the ladder with full gear...) Then also, Dive with Allison, has a larger boat and limits to small groups. There are of course other dive ops that could easily fit the bill. As far as shore diving...it could be done at El Cid perhaps via the in house dive op. I think that your $3,500.00 budget would cover things well enough. Check out the orbitz or expedia deals... Maybe there is a discount code out there as well. Regardless of where you end up, have a Wonderful dive trip ! Would enjoy reading a review when you get back, and oh, don't forget your C-card and DAN insurance !!

Sue

 

[mstevens]

What does that budget need to cover? Everything including airfare, diving, meals, and room? Room alone?

 

[Ron Lee]

Please leave the airfare out of the budget. Possibly meals and diving as well.

 

[Venom]

Please leave the airfare out of the budget. Possibly meals and diving as well.

Seriously?

I have a quote right now for 10 days at SCC, meals & diving with air fare for $4,600.
The air fare is about $1,500, that's why I said $3,500.

---------- Post added February 15th, 2013 at 12:26 PM ----------

What does that budget need to cover? Everything including airfare, diving, meals, and room? Room alone?

Would like the budget to cover room and diving. Meals would be a bonus.

 

[briankinley2004]

Have you checked Cozumel Palace or Sabor? Your diving should run 1500 or so for 10 days using Living Underwater, XTC or similar high end dive ops. 2 grand ought to get you a nice stay as thats $200/day with food. Wife and I can eat like royalty for $100/day in Coz so that leaves $100 for lodging. If you go all inclusive or do on your own your budget should allow you for a great time with no worries.

 

[robint]

I would recommend the Hotel Cozumel, right next door to SCC. YOu can pick whatever dive op you want, have them pick you up at that pier. You can get the inclusive package for meals, or walk to town (about 15-20 min) or take a taxi for fairly cheap. (or walk to town, eat, then take taxi back to resort)
It is a bit fancier than SCC, tv in room, don't know if you will find soft beds on the island though.. it is just the Cozumel way to have the same mattresses at all hotels. Maybe some have something softer, but I always here people complain about the beds. (I like the hard mattresses, myself)

look at packages on some of the Dive Travel specialists websites... Caradonna and Island Dreams have them.
Cozumel, Mexico - Lodging and Scuba Diving _Packages
Scuba Diving Vacations - Caradonna Dive Adventures

I have used both of these travel sites to book several trips, they are both excellent.
there is also BayAdventures, and many others. ALL get basically the same packages. IF you are planning to book diving separately, then you may want to contact the DIVE OP first, and see what deal they can get you on hotel. Many of them can book you at HOTEL COZUMEL and give you a package price.

robin

 

[Ron Lee]

Seriously?

I have a quote right now for 10 days at SCC, meals & diving with air fare for $4,600.
The air fare is about $1,500, that's why I said $3,500.

Seriously you ask "seriously?"

How do we know if your budget includes airfare and diving? How much do we allocate for those expenses? Your original request was not clear on what the $3500 included.

 

[Venom]

Ron, sorry I guess I misread your post.
I thought you were saying that for $3,500, I better not plan on eating or diving.
My mistake.

Anyways, thank to all for the advice however, I went ahead and booked at SCC, seems to have the best bang for the buck and I needed to get this trip booked this week end.
Thanks again. I'll let you all know our impressions when we return.

 

[BettyfromToronto]

Venom: Glad to hear you booked SCC. Have you been there before? You'll see from my signature that hubby & I love SCC. Yes there is no TV but we like to sit outside and meet & talk with the other divers. Our room is to sleep in - afternoon siesta and early to bed for our 6:30am wake-up.

SCC is also so close to town. Did you buy the 3-meal package? Or 2-meal (breakfast & lunch)? You won't need a TV if you go into town for dinner.

Betty