Cancun by Carl Wilson

Cancun, 1997
Author: Carl Wilson

Below is my take on a trip to Cancun. It is a fast report without any editing......my editor went to bed and I did not want to wake her up :)

Apple Vacation Package to CanCun September 1997 COST.....$845.00 (USDOLLARS)

I recently took a quick trip to Cancun, Mexico with Apple Vacations. This was a total inclusive package for 6 nights.

Living in West Virginia, I had the choice of departing from Pittsburgh, PA or Columbus, OH. Pitt was booked so we drove to Columbus, Oh and caught the plane there.

Apple has a captive charter airline, Allegro. I think the planes have an 2-3 extra rows pushed in them. Seating is tight, all the seats are coach. Inflight meals are meager, served in a bag.

At the airport we were met by Apple representitives who directed us to the bus going to our respective hotels. During the trip into town from the airport the guide explained the local bus system (3 pesos or $0.50) that will take you all over town for a lot less than a cab. I rode the buses and never had to wait more than 10 minutes for one to come by.

I was booked into the Cancun Princess. The Princess group of hotels includes the Moon Princess, Cancun Princess, Sun Princess, and Ocean Princess (i think). The Cancun Princess was the most expensive package, being about $85.00 more for the 6 night stay than the others. Just to make the situation confusing there is also the Cancun Palace, which is in another group of hotels.

The Cancun Princess is a new modern hotel with a lot of marble, brass doors and nice rooms. Although there are some suites, most rooms are doubles with two double beds in each one with a nice size bathroom. Each room has a private balcony, cable TV, telephone and individual air unit. Rooms were about 4 grades above most dive resorts:)

Upon checkin each person is given a bracelet, similar to the ones hospitals use. The color of the bracelet identifies which package you bought, I had the total inclusive-my bracelet was red. Others which had less inculsive packages had white and clear bracelets.

All food and drinks (read local here-made in Mexico) were included. The bars were open from about 10:00 Am until 1:00 AM. Breakfast was served at 7:00 AM. During the day various buffets were set up in the lobby, by the pool, near the beach and other places. It was possible to eat from 7:00 AM until about midnight. Quanities were not limited on the food. The food was pretty good, not great, not bad, but pretty good. I had two dinners in town at the Chris Ruth's Steakhouse, excellent, but expensive.

The 6 night package I had included two "activities". I took a day trip to an island and snorkled and went to the Mayan Ruins at Chickten-Itza on one. One activity listed is a day trip to Cozumel.

Apple has their own tour of the ruins. I paid extra and went with Apple. The Apple ruins tour included lunch, a full day instead of half a day tour, bus with beer and a more luxiours bus. I think with 7 nights one gets 3 activities. The resort also has a couple young people (20's) that organize pool games, and activities for the children.

I had the overall impresssion that the package is a cruise except that you are at a land resort.

I would like to stress, it is possible to take this package and not spend another penny if one uses the hotel facilities and tours, ect. Actually, at $845.00 for 6 nights total inculsive, it was a good deal.

BAD POINTS

When you get to the resort on the early flight from Columbus or Pittsburg, the rooms are not available until around 2-3PM. We arrived at the hotel at 11:00 AM. On checkout the situation is similar, I checked out at noon and my flight did not leave untill 7:00 PM.