Trip Dates 2007-12-08 to 2007-12-15

Introduction

Something we rarely do is return to the same resort, no matter how
good it is.  This was an exception.  We visited Iberostar in Cozumel
in 2004, (trip report ==> http://www.pathcom.com/~bracuk/Trips/cozumel04.htm).
Since then the resort was closed due to hurricane damage, but we had
such a good time the first time, we went back.  Once again it was
great.  Everything on my previous trip report is still true.</p>

The Providers
Air Canada Vacations http://www.aircanadavacations.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/home_page?storeId=10
001&langId=-1"
Park and Fly http://www.parknfly.ca/
Iberostar Hotels http://www.iberostar.com/EN/home.html
Dressel Divers http://www.dresseldivers.com/

Preparations and Travel

We booked everything ourselves.  The flight/hotel package was pretty
simple, we submitted an html form and that was that.  Dressel Divers
offers a 15% discount if you pay in advance, but you have to do by
email.  We did, and that inspired a phone call from our credit card
company.  Once we verified that the expense was legit, everything was
done.

Our air travel was uneventful, but not so much the rest of it.  We had
direct flights and both were more or less on time.  Our itinerary was
pleasant as well.  We left Toronto just before 9 am and was at the
resort in time for lunch (1 hour time difference).  Coming home, our
departure was early afternoon and we were home at suppertime.  This
was despite a smash bang crack em up on the way out of the airport.
Park and Fly uses small buses to transport their passengers.  On the
way back to parking lot, we got pranged by a car that ran a red
light.  He got us good too, he hit near the back wheel and moved us
well over a foot.  There was a tow truck at a gas station on that
corner, so he was on the scene immediately to hook up to the car,
which was quite badly damaged.  Park and Fly is a rather large
operation and has lots of buses, so they sent another one to pick us
up and drive s the rest of the way.

The Resort

The resort was great, just like last time.  Actually there were a
couple of differences.  There was a new bar on the beach.  The
significance for divers is that this was now the closest washroom to
the dive shop, just in case.  Also, last time, there were hanging
plants in clay pots on the balconies but this time there were
hammocks.  They were equally useless but I didn't once bump my head on
a hammock whilst hanging gear, so we'll call it an improvement.

The food was also very good.  Breakfast and lunch were buffets and
dinner was either a buffet or you could go to an a la carte
restaurant.  Last time we did both and I felt that the a la carte was
not as good as the buffet.  This time we did both again, and I thought
the a la carte was fantastic.

The Dive Shop

I really liked the dive shop.  It wasn't an issue for me, but, singles
were not forced to buddy up.  They were also generous on bottom time.
the morning dives were 60 minutes and the afternoon were 50.  They
were not as generous on the air fills though.  My fills were anywhere
from 2600 to 3000 psi.  I've been spoiled by all those other shops
that overfill tanks.  It also meant that had to really focus on lack
of effort in order to make it to 60 minutes.  I'm not as good on air
as some people are.

The dive boats were big, but had the potential to get crowded.  We
were there during a quiet week, so we didn't have that problem.  A
nice thing they did was to throw more guides aboard so that the
underwater groups were smaller.  For those who have not dove Cozumel
before, it's pretty well all guided drift diving.  This increases the
liklihood of the divers returning to shore in the boat from which they
departed.

Once again, they have a great itinerary.  There are 4 one tank dives
per day with about an hour between them.  Coming back to the hotel
between dives gives you a chance to make a pit stop if necessary, or,
in my wife's case, grab a cappucino.

The Diving

Some of the dive sites are still showing the effects of the hurricanes
of 2005.  The ones near or north of the hotel were a lot sandier than
they had been in the past.  This includes Punta Tunich, San Francisco
Reef, Cedral Passage, and Santa Rosa Reef.  South of the resort, on
Palancar and Colombia Reefs, you would never know that there was a
hurricane.

The water was crystal clear and 80 F.  This being Cozumel, there was a
current.  Despite the sand, there were still lots of fish.  We also
saw at least one turtle a day, plus a couple of eagle rays.

The Rec Scuba Connection

Brian Nadwidney was in Cozumel at the same time, but in a different
resort.  We had intended to hook up.  I heard later that whenever he
called, we were out.  Next time.

However, the gentleman who posts as ben bradlee was there, along with
his lovely wife who does not post under any name.  She also doesn't
dive and had to amuse herself with other things while ben dove.  We
dove with the gentleman who posts as ben and shared a meal or two with
him and his wife.  They are delightful company.  You have to admit,
rec.scuba is full of very nice people.

If You Go, You Should Know

There is a $2 per day park fee.  This is not part of your dive
package.  Also not part of your dive package is a chamber fee.
However, if you have DAN insurance, that fee is waived.

The resort has North American style electrical outlets, but not very
many of them.  We had to unplug the alarm clock to make coffee or
charge batteries.  An extension cord with extra receptacles would have
been a handy thing to pack.

Always wear skivvies to the evening shows.  You never know when you
might be asked to de-trouser yourself.