KayDee
Guest
Dive Operator: BlueXTSea Diving 30-Apr to 10 May
Boats: Fast boats. One 6 pax & one 8 pax. The most divers we ever had was 6; the majority of the time it was only 4. Absolutely awesome considering we dive in California and are used to 24+ divers on a boat. Incidentally, the other divers we met while diving with Blue XT were all very nice, funny, and accomplished divers. Both boats are covered, have lights for night diving and the larger one (Bandito II) has a private bathroom/changing area (if needed).
Crew: Outstanding! We had the pleasure of both Adan and Mago as our Captains. Their accuracy at hitting the reefs was perfect. But most of all their assistance and patience helping us with our gear was wonderful. Our dive masters (DM) were above excellent-Pedro Pablo, Alan, and Arturo. These guys are amazing at spotting animals 100 feet away. Words cannot explain the comfort we felt knowing that we were diving with some of the islands safest and best DMs. And let me not forget to mention how handsome the entire crew is!
Surface Interval (SI): Well timed, always on a beach with snacks, H2O, and juice. My favorite was the abandoned house-lots of interesting spiders and a caved in bottom floor. What one would call a real fixer upper! Maybe we can get it for a good price and open a SI Club {what do you think Christi?}
Diving: Truly one of our best dive trips ever! We have dove Cozumel previously but only as day trips from the Playa Del Carmen/Riveria Maya side. I thought the wall dives were breath taking, the swim thoroughs were fun, and the drifts thrilling. Outside of the night dives, Maricaibo Fingers and Santa Rosa Walls were our favorites and least affected by the hurricane. Sure, most of the shallow dives still had quite a bit of sand and damage, but we always saw a lot of creatures. Sand in the ocean, who knew? Best of all each dive buddy team is allowed to dive their computer. Most if not all dives lasted 60-70 minutes. Dry towels were provided after each dive and the sunshine was free!
Overall: Blue XT Sea Diving earned our (and our kids) business for life on this trip.
Hotel:Fiesta Americana 30 April 10 May 2005, All Inclusive Package
Check in: About a 15 minute ride from the airport. Our room wasnt ready so the bellman stored our bags and we went to the beach restaurant for lunch and drinks.
Room: 7th floor. 1st impression was of a large clean room with a king-sized bed, table with chairs, lots of storage and a wonderful balcony with an awesome view. OK, so the toilet was only 4 inches from the wall but the view made up for the lack of knee space. Small per diem mini bar (kind of pricey), do yourself a favor go into town and buy your snacks and morning coffee needs it will be cheaper. Interestingly there was no refrigerator in our room but you could tell there was a space where one may have been (probably for an additional fee). We survived because there was an ice machine down the hall from our room. Lots of clean towels supplied twice a day and upon request. The air-conditioning was adequate but we keep our doors open most the time for the awesome breeze that whipped though. No bugs so it wasnt a problem. There is an in room safe but you have to pay a daily fee for usage (this kind of bugged me considering most guests have to store passports, cash, jewelry, etc.). And yes thankfully there is a coffeepot in each room.
Beach: Beautiful, soft sand above a mostly limestone shore, plentiful palapas with lots of glorious shade. Just note that the beach bar has great bar and food service and they will deliver to your palapa. Bring your sand shoes for beach entry and exit. There is a wonderful on site pier where dive/snorkel boats pick up and drop off customers. For divers/snorkelers/swimmers there is a rinse tank and warm fresh water shower right off the pier. Just note that the beach current runs from strong to non existent. I recommend a short walk north to Dzul Ha and a slow drift dive/snorkel/swim back to the pier. PS I heard the beach night diving/snorkeling was awesome!
Restaurants & Food: 1st the Reef- This is where breakfast and lunch buffets are served. We felt the food was consistently very good but lacked the variety of the Iberostar or Palace resorts. Keep in mind that taste, quality and selection is an individual preference. 2nd The Tropical Forest. This is the primary dinner buffet. Once again the food was consistently good and the menu varied around a nightly theme. 3rd The Hacienda Miramar. This is their upscale restaurant. Here the menu is fixed but once again the food, service and ambience was wonderful.
Bar: Very strange but they have no draft beer, only cans and bottle. However, we have simple tastes and a cold beer with lime and salt was all we needed. OK maybe some Amaretto and Kahlua as needed after dinner too! All bar staff and waiters were friendly and attentive. There is a swim up bar at the main pool.
Pools: We are not pool people but both pools appeared clean and the main pool had planned activities. We did play volleyball and bingo one day, very fun! The only downside to the pools is the lack of shade. I asked for an umbrella and was told they did not have any. Go figure burning and crisping in the hot Caribbean sun-Ouch!
Overall Service: Outstanding! If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to email us. If you require 5 star accomodations, you probably wont be happy here, but, this is a great resort with great staff and a incredible bargain for a pair of diving fools! For reference this was our 1st trip to Coz but our 7th trip to Mexico. We usually stay at the Palace or Iberostar Resorts, but when we go to Cozumel, we will definitely stay at the Fiesta Americana again, it is quite comfortable, and truly one of the best values we have discovered.
Boats: Fast boats. One 6 pax & one 8 pax. The most divers we ever had was 6; the majority of the time it was only 4. Absolutely awesome considering we dive in California and are used to 24+ divers on a boat. Incidentally, the other divers we met while diving with Blue XT were all very nice, funny, and accomplished divers. Both boats are covered, have lights for night diving and the larger one (Bandito II) has a private bathroom/changing area (if needed).
Crew: Outstanding! We had the pleasure of both Adan and Mago as our Captains. Their accuracy at hitting the reefs was perfect. But most of all their assistance and patience helping us with our gear was wonderful. Our dive masters (DM) were above excellent-Pedro Pablo, Alan, and Arturo. These guys are amazing at spotting animals 100 feet away. Words cannot explain the comfort we felt knowing that we were diving with some of the islands safest and best DMs. And let me not forget to mention how handsome the entire crew is!
Surface Interval (SI): Well timed, always on a beach with snacks, H2O, and juice. My favorite was the abandoned house-lots of interesting spiders and a caved in bottom floor. What one would call a real fixer upper! Maybe we can get it for a good price and open a SI Club {what do you think Christi?}
Diving: Truly one of our best dive trips ever! We have dove Cozumel previously but only as day trips from the Playa Del Carmen/Riveria Maya side. I thought the wall dives were breath taking, the swim thoroughs were fun, and the drifts thrilling. Outside of the night dives, Maricaibo Fingers and Santa Rosa Walls were our favorites and least affected by the hurricane. Sure, most of the shallow dives still had quite a bit of sand and damage, but we always saw a lot of creatures. Sand in the ocean, who knew? Best of all each dive buddy team is allowed to dive their computer. Most if not all dives lasted 60-70 minutes. Dry towels were provided after each dive and the sunshine was free!
Overall: Blue XT Sea Diving earned our (and our kids) business for life on this trip.
Hotel:Fiesta Americana 30 April 10 May 2005, All Inclusive Package
Check in: About a 15 minute ride from the airport. Our room wasnt ready so the bellman stored our bags and we went to the beach restaurant for lunch and drinks.
Room: 7th floor. 1st impression was of a large clean room with a king-sized bed, table with chairs, lots of storage and a wonderful balcony with an awesome view. OK, so the toilet was only 4 inches from the wall but the view made up for the lack of knee space. Small per diem mini bar (kind of pricey), do yourself a favor go into town and buy your snacks and morning coffee needs it will be cheaper. Interestingly there was no refrigerator in our room but you could tell there was a space where one may have been (probably for an additional fee). We survived because there was an ice machine down the hall from our room. Lots of clean towels supplied twice a day and upon request. The air-conditioning was adequate but we keep our doors open most the time for the awesome breeze that whipped though. No bugs so it wasnt a problem. There is an in room safe but you have to pay a daily fee for usage (this kind of bugged me considering most guests have to store passports, cash, jewelry, etc.). And yes thankfully there is a coffeepot in each room.
Beach: Beautiful, soft sand above a mostly limestone shore, plentiful palapas with lots of glorious shade. Just note that the beach bar has great bar and food service and they will deliver to your palapa. Bring your sand shoes for beach entry and exit. There is a wonderful on site pier where dive/snorkel boats pick up and drop off customers. For divers/snorkelers/swimmers there is a rinse tank and warm fresh water shower right off the pier. Just note that the beach current runs from strong to non existent. I recommend a short walk north to Dzul Ha and a slow drift dive/snorkel/swim back to the pier. PS I heard the beach night diving/snorkeling was awesome!
Restaurants & Food: 1st the Reef- This is where breakfast and lunch buffets are served. We felt the food was consistently very good but lacked the variety of the Iberostar or Palace resorts. Keep in mind that taste, quality and selection is an individual preference. 2nd The Tropical Forest. This is the primary dinner buffet. Once again the food was consistently good and the menu varied around a nightly theme. 3rd The Hacienda Miramar. This is their upscale restaurant. Here the menu is fixed but once again the food, service and ambience was wonderful.
Bar: Very strange but they have no draft beer, only cans and bottle. However, we have simple tastes and a cold beer with lime and salt was all we needed. OK maybe some Amaretto and Kahlua as needed after dinner too! All bar staff and waiters were friendly and attentive. There is a swim up bar at the main pool.
Pools: We are not pool people but both pools appeared clean and the main pool had planned activities. We did play volleyball and bingo one day, very fun! The only downside to the pools is the lack of shade. I asked for an umbrella and was told they did not have any. Go figure burning and crisping in the hot Caribbean sun-Ouch!
Overall Service: Outstanding! If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to email us. If you require 5 star accomodations, you probably wont be happy here, but, this is a great resort with great staff and a incredible bargain for a pair of diving fools! For reference this was our 1st trip to Coz but our 7th trip to Mexico. We usually stay at the Palace or Iberostar Resorts, but when we go to Cozumel, we will definitely stay at the Fiesta Americana again, it is quite comfortable, and truly one of the best values we have discovered.
