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Go Back   ScubaBoard > Regional Travel and Dive Clubs > Mexico > Cozumel
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Cozumel World Class Marine Park drift diving, renown cuisine and great hospitality. The island with a Mexican heart and a Caribbean soul! You’ve seen the Corona commercials, come experience the reality.


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Old July 4th, 2009, 09:11 AM   #51
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I probably will still take a nitrox course as I am interested in this. Plus the computer I bought has both air/nitrox modes. Margaritas I do like, but the regular ones.....maybe strawberry for breakfast,(kinda like a bloody mary).
Seems like the pricing for a single person is much higher. 7 nights/5 two tank dives, breakfast, lunch on dive days, and one dinner, and unlimited shore dives=$825 + what ever tax is.
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Old July 4th, 2009, 10:34 AM   #52
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I probably will still take a nitrox course as I am interested in this. Plus the computer I bought has both air/nitrox modes. Margaritas I do like, but the regular ones.....maybe strawberry for breakfast,(kinda like a bloody mary).
Seems like the pricing for a single person is much higher. 7 nights/5 two tank dives, breakfast, lunch on dive days, and one dinner, and unlimited shore dives=$825 + what ever tax is.
I guess you're joking, but I honestly did not realize that drinking alcohol before or between dives is a big no-no on my second dive trip. I'm not much of a drinker these days (survived much worse) but I caught hell on a Roatan trip for having a beer at lunch even tho the next scheduled dive was 6 hours later.

Yes, a private room at Blue Angel is a pricey luxury. The rooms are huge for 2 divers. I've always done Blue Angel even when traveling alone, as I like the resort and everything there on the small property - even better now than last year, but next I'm alone time I'll be tempted to stay some place cheaper and just book dives with Blue Angel.

A lot of that decision depends on the air. When I can get the plane for $300 RT, the bottom line with plane plus diving, room, and 2 meals a day is lower. When the plane is around $500, doing air & hotel on a discount package plus diving seperately can sometime be more appealing.

These comparisons will vary greatly, but looking at my Aug 18-23 trip from Lubbock, this time my home bud is going with me, and I got the plane tickets at $300 RT inclusive, but - if I were booking those dates today and alone...?
1: American could be one for $477, Contienental $525, and it'd be worth it to me to pay more for Contienental.

2: Funjet offers me Continental flights and Casa del Mar private room for $808 including taxes. Can I stay at Blue Angel for less than $300 for 5 nights? Well, maybe - once I email with the dates, factor in package discounts, etc, or maybe not. I could still book all my dives with Blue Angel. Long hike for shore dives but then I don't do many of those really.

3: Orbitz offers me Continental and Casa del Mar for $828 and I should be able to use coupon Entertain200, but Orbitz changed the rules to a six night minimum since I looked last.

4: Orbitz then offers me Continental and Casa del Mar 6 nights for $887 and I use coupon Entertain200 to get that down to $687 total.
The Casa del Mar room might include breakfast, not sure, have to check more, but if they still do, it's a more significant breakfast by far. Even if I book only dives with Blue Angel, I think that would still include a gear locker and lunches if I wanted to hike a mile each way before and after. Or I could forgo the free lunches & shore dives and just let them pick me up at the CDM dock. It's too bad that the vacation package companies don't list Blue Angel but Jeanie tells me with their 30 rooms that they are just too small for such.

In the end, your custom trip may be different when you plan actual dates and details, but like my willingness to pay more for Continental, I would be somewhat willing to pay some more to stay, dive, and eat at Blue Angle.

Good luck on your plans.
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You wouldn't think of diving Nitrox without analyzing the O2 content first; why would you trust your life to CO analysis that may have been completed three months ago - IF THEY EVEN DO THAT?! The time, effort, and cost to check each and every cylinder of gas you dive for carbon monoxide is negligible, especially when considering the dire outcome of contaminated dive gas.
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Old July 4th, 2009, 01:35 PM   #53
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this time my home bud is going with me

Would that be Jerry? Seems like he was your bud during the trip we met.
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Old July 4th, 2009, 02:42 PM   #54
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Would that be Jerry? Seems like he was your bud during the trip we met.
Yeah, good on names there! He's the one I practice with here, and we can stick to our agree procedures. I can only get him to go about 1 time in 3 tho. Other times I try to not get into too much trouble, but do learn some impromptu saves.

Sometimes people ask us where our women are, why we didn't bring them - and we don't mind, even tho we know what they're wondering. We just tell them it's too much trouble; we dive here and chase women at home. Honestly it'd be nice if we have lady dive partners, but that has always back fired one way or another. His current GF won't travel; I'm on a dry spell.
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You wouldn't think of diving Nitrox without analyzing the O2 content first; why would you trust your life to CO analysis that may have been completed three months ago - IF THEY EVEN DO THAT?! The time, effort, and cost to check each and every cylinder of gas you dive for carbon monoxide is negligible, especially when considering the dire outcome of contaminated dive gas.
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Old July 4th, 2009, 03:16 PM   #55
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Just kidding about the Margaritas for breakfast. I usually drink one beer in the evening after all is settled and done, or maybe two. For me the best flight I've found is with Continental air. One flight arrives in COZ at 1130 and one at I think 3:30. Price is the same about $450 from LAX. then going back there is a 1200 & 3:30pm flight. Thought arriving at 11:30 am would be perfect and leaving around noon would work well also. I just like to stay/dive/eat at one place, (but have the option to eat in town from time to time), and the Blue Angel sounds great. At least for me.
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Old July 4th, 2009, 05:30 PM   #56
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What dates and what airports? I am finding SNA-CUN for $283 RT and up.
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You wouldn't think of diving Nitrox without analyzing the O2 content first; why would you trust your life to CO analysis that may have been completed three months ago - IF THEY EVEN DO THAT?! The time, effort, and cost to check each and every cylinder of gas you dive for carbon monoxide is negligible, especially when considering the dire outcome of contaminated dive gas.
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Old July 4th, 2009, 08:01 PM   #57
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I am stuck with LAX as SNA (John Wayne airport) is very difficult for me to get to. LAX is easy access and I don't need to take a taxi. I would prefer to fly directly into COZ as flying into CAN, then the bus to playa del carmen-then ferry to COZ-then shuttle to resort would be a long, tiring day. The red eye flight appears to be a good choice. Leave LAX, October 23 Thursday night, (actually Friday morning), at 12:30, a short lay over in Houston with a change of terminals, 1 hour I believe, then arrive COZ about 1125 am. Friday morning. Be at the resort by maybe 1300. Then fly back Monday, November 2nd, leaving 1220 COZ, arrive LAX about 1730 with about a 2 hour layover in Houston again. Just need to work on the price a bit
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Old July 4th, 2009, 11:21 PM   #58
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I am stuck with LAX as SNA (John Wayne airport) is very difficult for me to get to. LAX is easy access and I don't need to take a taxi.
Oh, I've done the Super Shuttle from LAX to various locations, and have used some of the other airports there as well, but if you want to stick with LAX, ok.
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I would prefer to fly directly into COZ as flying into CAN, then the bus to playa del carmen-then ferry to COZ-then shuttle to resort would be a long, tiring day.
Oh, I've done worse, leaving my house at 2am/midnight your time, to drive to Lubbock, take the 5am departure, connect into Cancun, spend half a day with a dentist visit in the city before the bus to Playa del Carmen, ferry, taxi, and mad the 8am boat, but I've been there a few times. Still if you can save more than $100 on Cancun, it's worth looking at I think. The buses are more comfortable than the planes or the Cozumel airport vans.
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The red eye flight appears to be a good choice. Leave LAX, October 23 Thursday night, (actually Friday morning), at 12:30, a short lay over in Houston with a change of terminals, 1 hour I believe, then arrive COZ about 1125 am. Friday morning. Be at the resort by maybe 1300. Then fly back Monday, November 2nd, leaving 1220 COZ, arrive LAX about 1730 with about a 2 hour layover in Houston again. Just need to work on the price a bit
Ok, let's look at that, but Oct 23 is Friday so I guess you meant that red-eye. US, Frontier, and Mexicana will do it for a little less than Continental, but the travel time is waaaaay too long. Looks like maybe the same flights, code-sharing perhaps. Forget them!

I see your red-eye, LAX@12.30am to CZM@11.22am with 2 hour time change for $516 RT including taxes. You might sign up for email alerts with Sidestep.com and/or other sites to watch that one for you, see if the fare drops? I did check several sites. You can check Continental.com and in the end I try to book there, but clear your Continental cookies before you finally book as they raise fares as you shop sometimes.

Delta out of SNA or ONT to CUN for $275 RT inclusive. You don't like Super Shuttle and the Bag Drag for $241 less air? Okaaaay.

But as you compare and discuss with Jeanie at Blue Angel, keep in mind that Orbitz could fly you Continental LAX-CZM 10/23-11/2, same flights, 10 nights at the nearby Villa Blanca or Casa del Mar, air, hotel, taxes included: $850 with coupon Entertain200. With 10-2 tank Blue Angel boat trips for $660 or so including taxes, $1510. I'd rather stay at Blue Angel, but when you crunch numbers on private room, something to consider. If she can do private room for 10 nights plus 10-2 tank trips for less than $1,000 including taxes, great; it'll be tough tho. Something to think on, huh.

Have you ordered a Can-Do Cozumel map yet? Good idea to understand where things are and more: $10. Do request a free Cancun airport map in notes, just in case.
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You wouldn't think of diving Nitrox without analyzing the O2 content first; why would you trust your life to CO analysis that may have been completed three months ago - IF THEY EVEN DO THAT?! The time, effort, and cost to check each and every cylinder of gas you dive for carbon monoxide is negligible, especially when considering the dire outcome of contaminated dive gas.

Last edited by DandyDon; July 4th, 2009 at 11:44 PM..
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Old July 5th, 2009, 12:15 AM   #59
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A lot to digest here. I saw the $516 RT, but may look into the CUN "bag drag" as $241 is a lot less, but would spend maybe $70-100 on taxi/shuttle to/from SNA. As much as I would love to stay at Blue Angel, I may check out Villa Blanca or Casa del Mar. These are in COZ I presume. I believe I was told $825 for 5-2 tank dive and 7 nights. How did you come up with $660 for the 10-2 tank Blue Angel boat trips?
Anyway, thanks for all the advice and tips.
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Old July 5th, 2009, 12:38 AM   #60
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A lot to digest here. I saw the $516 RT, but may look into the CUN "bag drag" as $241 is a lot less, but would spend maybe $70-100 on taxi/shuttle to/from SNA.
That much, huh? How much for you to LAX and back or car parking?

From CUN, figure about $8 RT for buses, $22 RT for ferries, $8 RT taxis = $38 or so vs $17 RT or so from the CZM airport.
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As much as I would love to stay at Blue Angel, I may check out Villa Blanca or Casa del Mar. These are in COZ I presume. I believe I was told $825 for 5-2 tank dive and 7 nights.
Yes, Villa Blanca is a nice walk, few blocks. Casa del Mar is next, quite a hike. I went down there in March to check on something; I offered the taxis $2 US each way and I think it worked twice. If you ask "how much," expect $4 each way, but if I have an idea what the fare is in advance, I offer half that and dicker. I was not carry gear at the time.

Private room there, 7 nights, 5 trips: $825 plus or including taxes? I guess it is time to ask how much for 10 nights, 6 or 8 or 10 trips, including taxes? Ask if cash (not travelers checks or credit cards) would get a discount?
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How did you come up with $660 for the 10-2 tank Blue Angel boat trips?
Anyway, thanks for all the advice and tips.
That was an estimate for boat trips and taxes only, nothing else - to be added to air & hotel elsewhere. If you consider that route, ask about dive only packages.

I'd rather stay at Blue Angel, but private room - pricey!
If you stayed at Villa Blanca, you might plan to walk to/from Blue Angel so you could use a gear locker and enjoy the divers lunches.

If you stayed at Casa del Mar, too far for me to walk before and after diving, and the taxis would be more than the lunches, so I'd want to be picked up there - but there is no dock fee for doing so, and you might get free, big breakfast at that hotel.
Well, whatever you price at Blue Angel, 6 or 8 or 10 trips, price it with room and with dives only, including taxes. Explain that you are alone and may have to sleep someplace cheaper.
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You wouldn't think of diving Nitrox without analyzing the O2 content first; why would you trust your life to CO analysis that may have been completed three months ago - IF THEY EVEN DO THAT?! The time, effort, and cost to check each and every cylinder of gas you dive for carbon monoxide is negligible, especially when considering the dire outcome of contaminated dive gas.
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