Re: Cozumel - Calica - Playa del Carmen

We did this two years ago on the Celebration. We used Sand Dollar and went
to Santa Rosa Wall @80 ft and Paradise Reef @45 ft.

It took forever to get everyone equipped. We took our own gear so we just
waited while everyone else got wetsuits and bc's. It ended up taking more
than 4 hours.

Sand Dollar did just fine, I didn't have any problem and wouldn't hesitate
to use them again. Taking this long didn't give us much shopping time. :)

I would also like to add a note about an excursion we took at Calica/Playa
del Carmen.
We took the Tulum/Xel Ha trip. While both places were interesting, we
didn't get to spend enough time at either to make the trip worthwhile. Our
'guide' at Tulum spent 30 minutes talking about 2 buildings and then said we
have 20 minutes to look around. I could easily have spent 2-3 hours more
and a guide about all the buildings. The lagoon at Xel Ha was fun, we went
snorkeling, but didn't get to look around. They gave us 45 minutes at this
place.

If you take this trip, I'm not saying your experience will be similar, but
beware. I would gladly have gone to either of these places and spent the
day there and not traveling on the bus as occurred to us. Of course we did
get to stop at a tourist trap, where we spent 30 minutes on the pretext of
it being a comfort stop. The womens restroom had attendants handing out 1
(one) square of toilet tissue to each woman entering.

Larry


"NTE2301" <dgarris4@cox.net> wrote in message
news:8j1Ja.4954$VQ6.1010@lakeread01...
> Hi everyone!
>
> I have been subscribing to this NG for a few months now and reading all
> posts about Cozumel, Calica and Carmen Del LaPlaya.
>
> I recently earned my PADI open water Scuba Diving Certification. I am
going
> on Carnival's Celebration Cruiseship to Cozuemel, Calica and Carmen del
> Playa the week of July 4th. I'll only have (1) day at Cozumel and (1) day
at
> Calica. I got the shore excursions info in the mail today and it appears
to
> have only one Scuba Dive excurion listed. I shortened the info and typed
it
> below:
>
> Certified 2-tank Dive - 4hrs, using one of Mexico's premier dive operators
> (not listed). First dive is 80ft to Palancar Reef. Second dive is 50ft to
be
> decided the day of the dive. Tanks, weights and belt are provided. BC and
> Regs are $5 usd ea. (rental)
>
> Anyone have any comments? I want to enjoy my breif "one-day" at-port stay
> there and I worked hard to earn my PADI certification and want to make the
> most of the scuba diving. Thanks in Advance for your reply.
>
> Dan
>
>

Thanks Larry!

Everyone has given some good replies including you. This is a good NG. I
have a question since you used Sand Dollar and Celebration... Do I need a
wetsuit at Coz? I have my own.... or should I avoid the load of lugauge and
use their wetsuits. I have a full-body 3.5mm suit and then a nice Spring
suit. Which should I take? I will take my own Mask, fins and snorkel of
course!! Again thanks for the great reply!!! Dan


"Larry Hayes" <rsdeel@cox.net> wrote in message
news:JZkJa.307175$3n5.59376@news2.central.cox.net. ..
> We did this two years ago on the Celebration. We used Sand Dollar and
went
> to Santa Rosa Wall @80 ft and Paradise Reef @45 ft.
>
> It took forever to get everyone equipped. We took our own gear so we just
> waited while everyone else got wetsuits and bc's. It ended up taking more
> than 4 hours.
>
> Sand Dollar did just fine, I didn't have any problem and wouldn't hesitate
> to use them again. Taking this long didn't give us much shopping time. :)
>
> I would also like to add a note about an excursion we took at Calica/Playa
> del Carmen.
> We took the Tulum/Xel Ha trip. While both places were interesting, we
> didn't get to spend enough time at either to make the trip worthwhile.
Our
> 'guide' at Tulum spent 30 minutes talking about 2 buildings and then said
we
> have 20 minutes to look around. I could easily have spent 2-3 hours more
> and a guide about all the buildings. The lagoon at Xel Ha was fun, we
went
> snorkeling, but didn't get to look around. They gave us 45 minutes at
this
> place.
>
> If you take this trip, I'm not saying your experience will be similar, but
> beware. I would gladly have gone to either of these places and spent the
> day there and not traveling on the bus as occurred to us. Of course we
did
> get to stop at a tourist trap, where we spent 30 minutes on the pretext of
> it being a comfort stop. The womens restroom had attendants handing out 1
> (one) square of toilet tissue to each woman entering.
>
> Larry
>
>
> "NTE2301" <dgarris4@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:8j1Ja.4954$VQ6.1010@lakeread01...
> > Hi everyone!
> >
> > I have been subscribing to this NG for a few months now and reading all
> > posts about Cozumel, Calica and Carmen Del LaPlaya.
> >
> > I recently earned my PADI open water Scuba Diving Certification. I am
> going
> > on Carnival's Celebration Cruiseship to Cozuemel, Calica and Carmen del
> > Playa the week of July 4th. I'll only have (1) day at Cozumel and (1)
day
> at
> > Calica. I got the shore excursions info in the mail today and it appears
> to
> > have only one Scuba Dive excurion listed. I shortened the info and
typed
> it
> > below:
> >
> > Certified 2-tank Dive - 4hrs, using one of Mexico's premier dive
operators
> > (not listed). First dive is 80ft to Palancar Reef. Second dive is 50ft
to
> be
> > decided the day of the dive. Tanks, weights and belt are provided. BC
and
> > Regs are $5 usd ea. (rental)
> >
> > Anyone have any comments? I want to enjoy my breif "one-day" at-port
stay
> > there and I worked hard to earn my PADI certification and want to make
the
> > most of the scuba diving. Thanks in Advance for your reply.
> >
> > Dan
> >
> >
>
>

"NTE2301" <dgarris4@cox.net> wrote in message news:<6XHJa.10297$VQ6.1995@lakeread01>...
> Thanks Larry!
>
> Everyone has given some good replies including you. This is a good NG.

obviousely no one has insulted you (yet)......




> I have a question since you used Sand Dollar and Celebration... Do I need a
> wetsuit at Coz? I have my own.... or should I avoid the load of lugauge and
> use their wetsuits. I have a full-body 3.5mm suit and then a nice Spring
> suit. Which should I take? I will take my own Mask, fins and snorkel of
> course!! Again thanks for the great reply!!! Dan
>
>
> "Larry Hayes" <rsdeel@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:JZkJa.307175$3n5.59376@news2.central.cox.net. ..
> > We did this two years ago on the Celebration. We used Sand Dollar and
> went
> > to Santa Rosa Wall @80 ft and Paradise Reef @45 ft.
> >
> > It took forever to get everyone equipped. We took our own gear so we just
> > waited while everyone else got wetsuits and bc's. It ended up taking more
> > than 4 hours.
> >
> > Sand Dollar did just fine, I didn't have any problem and wouldn't hesitate
> > to use them again. Taking this long didn't give us much shopping time. :)
> >
> > I would also like to add a note about an excursion we took at Calica/Playa
> > del Carmen.
> > We took the Tulum/Xel Ha trip. While both places were interesting, we
> > didn't get to spend enough time at either to make the trip worthwhile.
> Our
> > 'guide' at Tulum spent 30 minutes talking about 2 buildings and then said
> we
> > have 20 minutes to look around. I could easily have spent 2-3 hours more
> > and a guide about all the buildings. The lagoon at Xel Ha was fun, we
> went
> > snorkeling, but didn't get to look around. They gave us 45 minutes at
> this
> > place.
> >
> > If you take this trip, I'm not saying your experience will be similar, but
> > beware. I would gladly have gone to either of these places and spent the
> > day there and not traveling on the bus as occurred to us. Of course we
> did
> > get to stop at a tourist trap, where we spent 30 minutes on the pretext of
> > it being a comfort stop. The womens restroom had attendants handing out 1
> > (one) square of toilet tissue to each woman entering.
> >
> > Larry
> >
> >
> > "NTE2301" <dgarris4@cox.net> wrote in message
> > news:8j1Ja.4954$VQ6.1010@lakeread01...
> > > Hi everyone!
> > >
> > > I have been subscribing to this NG for a few months now and reading all
> > > posts about Cozumel, Calica and Carmen Del LaPlaya.
> > >
> > > I recently earned my PADI open water Scuba Diving Certification. I am
> going
> > > on Carnival's Celebration Cruiseship to Cozuemel, Calica and Carmen del
> > > Playa the week of July 4th. I'll only have (1) day at Cozumel and (1)
> day
> at
> > > Calica. I got the shore excursions info in the mail today and it appears
> to
> > > have only one Scuba Dive excurion listed. I shortened the info and
> typed
> it
> > > below:
> > >
> > > Certified 2-tank Dive - 4hrs, using one of Mexico's premier dive
> operators
> > > (not listed). First dive is 80ft to Palancar Reef. Second dive is 50ft
> to
> be
> > > decided the day of the dive. Tanks, weights and belt are provided. BC
> and
> > > Regs are $5 usd ea. (rental)
> > >
> > > Anyone have any comments? I want to enjoy my breif "one-day" at-port
> stay
> > > there and I worked hard to earn my PADI certification and want to make
> the
> > > most of the scuba diving. Thanks in Advance for your reply.
> > >
> > > Dan
> > >
> > >
> >
> >

I use a .5 mil Scubapro wetsuit, it works for me at any water temp over 78.
It also stows away in a small bundle.
The summer water in Coz should be in the 80's, 3.5 would be overkill for me.
I'll be there late July for a week, taking just the .5 mil. My wife may
take her 3mm, she gets cold after a week of diving.
I guess I don't get around enough, because I don't know what a Spring suit
is.

Have fun.

Larry


"NTE2301" <dgarris4@cox.net> wrote in message
news:6XHJa.10297$VQ6.1995@lakeread01...
> Thanks Larry!
>
> Everyone has given some good replies including you. This is a good NG. I
> have a question since you used Sand Dollar and Celebration... Do I need a
> wetsuit at Coz? I have my own.... or should I avoid the load of lugauge
and
> use their wetsuits. I have a full-body 3.5mm suit and then a nice Spring
> suit. Which should I take? I will take my own Mask, fins and snorkel of
> course!! Again thanks for the great reply!!! Dan
>
>
> "Larry Hayes" <rsdeel@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:JZkJa.307175$3n5.59376@news2.central.cox.net. ..
> > We did this two years ago on the Celebration. We used Sand Dollar and
> went
> > to Santa Rosa Wall @80 ft and Paradise Reef @45 ft.
> >
> > It took forever to get everyone equipped. We took our own gear so we
just
> > waited while everyone else got wetsuits and bc's. It ended up taking
more
> > than 4 hours.
> >
> > Sand Dollar did just fine, I didn't have any problem and wouldn't
hesitate
> > to use them again. Taking this long didn't give us much shopping time.
:)
> >
> > I would also like to add a note about an excursion we took at
Calica/Playa
> > del Carmen.
> > We took the Tulum/Xel Ha trip. While both places were interesting, we
> > didn't get to spend enough time at either to make the trip worthwhile.
> Our
> > 'guide' at Tulum spent 30 minutes talking about 2 buildings and then
said
> we
> > have 20 minutes to look around. I could easily have spent 2-3 hours
more
> > and a guide about all the buildings. The lagoon at Xel Ha was fun, we
> went
> > snorkeling, but didn't get to look around. They gave us 45 minutes at
> this
> > place.
> >
> > If you take this trip, I'm not saying your experience will be similar,
but
> > beware. I would gladly have gone to either of these places and spent
the
> > day there and not traveling on the bus as occurred to us. Of course we
> did
> > get to stop at a tourist trap, where we spent 30 minutes on the pretext
of
> > it being a comfort stop. The womens restroom had attendants handing out
1
> > (one) square of toilet tissue to each woman entering.
> >
> > Larry
> >
> >
> > "NTE2301" <dgarris4@cox.net> wrote in message
> > news:8j1Ja.4954$VQ6.1010@lakeread01...
> > > Hi everyone!
> > >
> > > I have been subscribing to this NG for a few months now and reading
all
> > > posts about Cozumel, Calica and Carmen Del LaPlaya.
> > >
> > > I recently earned my PADI open water Scuba Diving Certification. I am
> > going
> > > on Carnival's Celebration Cruiseship to Cozuemel, Calica and Carmen
del
> > > Playa the week of July 4th. I'll only have (1) day at Cozumel and (1)
> day
> > at
> > > Calica. I got the shore excursions info in the mail today and it
appears
> > to
> > > have only one Scuba Dive excurion listed. I shortened the info and
> typed
> > it
> > > below:
> > >
> > > Certified 2-tank Dive - 4hrs, using one of Mexico's premier dive
> operators
> > > (not listed). First dive is 80ft to Palancar Reef. Second dive is 50ft
> to
> > be
> > > decided the day of the dive. Tanks, weights and belt are provided. BC
> and
> > > Regs are $5 usd ea. (rental)
> > >
> > > Anyone have any comments? I want to enjoy my breif "one-day" at-port
> stay
> > > there and I worked hard to earn my PADI certification and want to make
> the
> > > most of the scuba diving. Thanks in Advance for your reply.
> > >
> > > Dan
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

I was in Coz the first week of May and people were using dive skins or
nothing or 3 mm shorties. For a couple of dives it really doesn't
matter down there much. I would wear a tee shirt at a minimum. For a
week, I like the 3 mm shortie. I brought my regulator, bcd, snorkel,
mask, fins, booties, knife, gloves, etc. The snorkel stayed in my dive
bag, but it doesn't take a lot of room. You can hang around a couple of
feet below the surface at the end of a dive in Cozumel without using up
much air.

I'm married, but my wife doesn't dive so I always get paired up on the
boat. It's not a big deal. The financial end is more of an issue.

Eric

"Michael Sutton" <mike_sutton@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:b773503d.0306231358.2c7183e@posting.google.co m...

> obviousely no one has insulted you (yet)......

My thoughts exactly. So I'll start:

> > I have a question since you used Sand Dollar and Celebration... Do I
need a
> > wetsuit at Coz? I have my own.... or should I avoid the load of lugauge
and
> > use their wetsuits. I have a full-body 3.5mm suit and then a nice Spring
> > suit. Which should I take? I will take my own Mask, fins and snorkel of
> > course!! Again thanks for the great reply!!! Dan

You have four dives, and two wetsuits? What do you do, sleep in them at
home?

But for a serious answer, the water will be 84 degrees, give or take a
degree or two. So wear whatever makes you feel warm enough in 82 degree
water and you'll be fine. For some, that's a T-shirt. For others, it's a
5mm. Rule of thumb: if you're fat, go with the T-shirt since you'll look
better in that; if you're skinny, wear a 5mm and hood and still bitch about
how cold you are to all the other divers wearing T-shirts (there's always
someone on the boat to fill that role, so it might as well be you).