Introduction

This was our fifth trip to Cozumel Iberostar. The others were in 2004, 2007, 2009, and 2010, Obviously we like the place.

The Providers

Sun Wing,     Iberostar Hotels,    Dressel Diversr.

Preparations and Travel

We started looking at available flights in late December. Prices went up and down and then the week ahead of our intended week sold out. Eventually we bought our travel package about 3 weeks before departure and the next day, the price went up $150 a person. It stayed higher than our purchase price until 3 days before we left, at which point it went to $10 less than what we paid.

When we went to bed the night before leaving it was raining. When we woke up, it was snowing and was quite cold. This is a bad combination and I almost couldn't get my car door open to get to the airport. Eventually we got there, but changed our parking plan. We spent the extra money for valet parking. We boarded the aircraft on time, but all the ice caused a few delays. First, we waited about 45 minutes for refuelling. Then the pilot announced that the tow bar was frozen so we couldn't leave the gate. I have no idea how that happened. Then, coming as no surprise, we had to be de-iced. The overall delay was about an hour and 45 minutes, but it was no big deal because we still got to the resort in time for lunch.

The return trip was also delayed. Sunwing's plan was to load a plane full of people, fly from Toronto to Cozumel, change passengers, and fly back. The execution started ok, but the plane hit a bird just after leaving Toronto and had to go back. Sunwing had to find another aircraft and flight crew, which they did, but the result was a nine hour delay. Sunwing handled it well though. We had actually gone to the airport, but were able to go back to the resort and hang around there for awhile. Sunwing paid the two extra taxi rides so all it cost us was time. We got home very late but, thanks to Virtual Private Networks and Remote Desktop Connection, I was able to sleep in and work from home the next day.

The Resort

It's a great resort, which is why we keep going back. Details are available in my other trip reports and on their website.

The Diving

Even though we knew it would be more expensive, we dove with Dressel Divers, the onsite dive shop. We weren't sure how many dives we wanted to make and wanted the flexibility afforded by having the dive shop right there.

One bit of flexibility they do offer is four one tank dives per day. I actually went with the itinerary that led itself to the best all around vacation as opposed to the best diving. In other words, I did the two morning dives each day. This allowed me to have beer with lunch, take a nap in the afternoon, etc. However, the early morning dives are the ones I like the least. They tend to be the ones with all the swim throughs, which I consider boring. Also, early in the morning you tend to be diving in the shade instead of the sunlight. But I did have a choice.

The actual diving was still good. We saw fish, turtles, and a few crustaceans. On one dive we saw a couple of eagle rays, but they never came close enough for pictures. All in all, another fun dive trip.