We have a Cozumel sub-forum where you'd get more replies. I could ask that this be move there if you'd like...?
I was there for a week last year. I built my trip around it originally because a dive bud and his wife always stayed there on the All Inclusive deal, after originally getting married there. Nowadays, he can go diving mornings while she enjoys the hotel, amenities, and extras. They had a family emergency and had to cancel, but I still enjoyed it. I got my air fare and seven nights private room with all meals and cheap drinks included for like $700+ including taxes.
They said they always went into town for nicer meals, but since it was just me - I was fine not paying cab fares and for extra cost food off site and just ate in. All Inclusive meals always get boring before the end of a week-long trip for me, but it was fine. They didn't have Kahlua for my coffee but they had a cheap substitute that worked ok.
I'd take my liter coffee thermos with me to breakfast and get the waiter to fill it so I could take it on the dives that morning. My afternoons & evenings were leisurely, siestas, pool side with beer, surfing the net on my laptop, etc. I could have gotten out and done more, but really - I enjoyed loafing between dive trips. You two would probably like going into town for nicer dinners, and if you've not been to Coz before - there's lots of other things to do after diving.
I did not dive with the on-site dive operator. The big Scubaboard "Invasion" does, but that is a huge group, so very few Ops could accommodate them - and the house Op there did give them a nice deal. Beware buying dive packages tho, as they are use-or-lose. If the weather blows out diving one or more days, you mess up your ears or other medical problems, or just want a day off to go to the mainland or something - no refunds. You might get a voucher for dives if you return in a year? On the other hand, there is a lot of convenience to diving with the house Op - especially for newbies who need more help with equipment, etc. That one uses slower boats but you can typically get two dives in a morning and still get back for lunch by 1pm I think, then a third dive afternoons close to the hotel if you'd like. I just prefer paying per trip, depending on the deal offered.
Or you can book with another Op, as any of them can pick you up and drop you off there. The one I used kept and rinsed my BC, fins, and some other equipment, then brought it on the boat for me the next day. I like to keep my mask and regs with me, would rinse them in the tank by the hotel dock before lunch, then again in my shower - but that's me. I soak my camera for an hour, but I do not suggest cameras for anyone with less than 50 ocean dives.
Anyway, the hotel is nice, especially for the price of some packages. I used Orbitz for air & hotel again this year, again selected All Inclusive - for $18 more
for the week, but then had to phone Orbitz for help as I wanted to use the
Travel100 discount to take $100 off my package. See
this link. That works ok.
The "Oceanview rooms" are a rip off I think as the hotel is across the street from the channel, with buildings in the way, so you look over them - and they charge a lot more for those. Whichever package you book,
do not book your ground transfers as an option as you can buy the same van tickets to the hotel, same cab return to airport, for half price once you arrive or are ready to leave - and simpler. Indeed, I don't book
any extra options on those packages as I feel I can plan similar trips on my own cheaper as well as how I like to do things. Trip Insurance I book thru TravelSafe.com - mostly for the medical coverage since my home coverage is no good there, but their Vacation plan is really a good deal all the way around - especially if a hurricane forces a cancellation or evacuation. Those are rare there, but I had one send me home once. I should have canceled before I left and replaned but I was too headstrong betting it would veer off. It did just before hitting, but the boats had been out of the water, the windows boarded up, and me back home for two days. :laughing: Adventure travel!
Ok, I have rambled on a bit but wanted to give you a good first reply. I did a quick check for Birmingham-Cozumel with one plane change, using the same week I go just for discussion not knowing when you want to go: August 19-26 Air, hotel, and looked at the options. You can get that package for $1528 - less the $100 discount above = $1428 or $714 each including taxes. The All Inclusive option this time is $110 more/each?! Funny how that works on checking different trips for different folks, but you might do better other days, or on another site? Or $824 each including meals and drinks is still good, as you'd probably still save that much rather than buying breakfast and lunches on site. Cheaper than I am paying this year, from Lubbock - but many trips are. You have lots of options, all good.
Oh, since you are new to diving - I hope you both have DAN dive insurance, and not the cheapest plan? Just one of those essentials needs....
) I have not done any dives since my check out dive so needless to say, I am very excited and ready to go diving!! 
