Riviera Maya, Mexico

Oh, Jetblue...

Fifteen minutes into Cancun, and my traveling companion has already been detained for sharing a name with a wanted man, and our only checked bag lost. Apparently, for flights from NYC to Cancun, JetBlue "doesn't send bags direct." According to our friendly baggage claim attendant here at the airport, at least. But not to worry, this half an hour delay only means that we've completely skipped out on the pandemonium of the security checkpoint at the exit. And yet the $30 Jetblue credit "for future use" sitting in my pocket does not comfort me. (More on that later in the post.) I just stood at the desk praying that our pre-booked airport transfer to the resort hadn't left us.

After we raced through the timeshare/tour package gauntlet that is the passageway between the customs desk and the exit to the Mexican sun, Tourex found us no more than two steps outside the sliding glass doors...after only three taxicabs attempt to solicit us, but not quick enough to help us shed a particularly persistent cabbie who wouldn't leave even after finding out that we'd prepaid for our ride to the resort.

While our knowledgeable driver drove us the 30-40 minutes to the Catalonia Puerto Aventuras resort, making two stops at other resorts to drop other passengers, we learn that the Quintana Roo region - the eastern part of the Yucatan peninsula - encompasses Cancún, Cozumel, la Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Juárez, and the ancient Maya ruins of Tulum, Tupak, and Xcaret.

Catalonia Puerto Aventuras, all-inclusive...and yet...

Upon check-in at Catalonia Puerto Aventuras, we are handed two Bellinis, and taken to our rooms. Even though I had a badly-sprained ankle, the best the front desk could do was a room on the ground floor (which required flights of stairs since everything was on the 2nd floor level). Also painful: the circuitous, strolling paths (which would have been great for night time strolling), and a resort map that was not entirely useful. Mostly, in that it was not indicative of actual walkways or paths, resulting in more ankle-bruising walks to nowhere. However, to drown out the pain of flights of stairs every time I left the room, we were constantly offered tequila. Sometimes jokingly. Maybe.

Not being big drinkers, we enjoyed the eating & snacking offered at this all-inclusive resort most. But it takes a bit of maneuvering. Here's why...

There are two buffet restaurants, one of which is closed for breakfast & lunch on alternate days. It's best to scope out which days once you arrive. There are four reservations-only restaurants on-site:

• Japanese (Mikado)
• Italian
• Mexican; and
• Steak (Bamboleo)

And go knowing that the resort's goal is to limit you to two dinner reservations per 4-night stay, and three reservations per 5-night stay. (According to the front desk anyway.) Plus, you have to trek down to a canopy on the far beach to find their dinner reservation table, so get reservations when you arrive pronto.

The breakfast selection at the buffett was extensive and healthy. The dinner selection, however, was just passable. We enjoyed our dinners at Bamboleo and Mikado much more. Especially when followed by dessert at the Creperie!

The resort also featured a four pools, beach & pool volleyball, and festive ping pong tournaments. Not to mention a complimentary taxi to the popular Playa del Carmen. What isn't included is snorkeling & kayaking, and of course, tipping the cleaning & waitstaff. The resort tour desk also arranges trips to Tulum and Mayan pyramids at Chichen Itza. If I may insert a plug for guest services here, they were above and beyond in helping badgering...I mean, following up with...JetBlue to deliver my lost luggage.

Redeeming JetBlue Credit
After losing the same bag going to Mexico (through Orlando International Airport) and flying home to New York direct, JetBlue seemed tho think that a credit of US$30 will cover any amount of time spent searching for lost luggage, and spinning your wheels at their desk or on the phone with customer service. What might have made the lost luggage chronicles slightly more palatable would have been if the credit could actually be used. Rather, the Jetblue representative at the sales desk (on the Mexican side), who helped upgrade us to a direct flight home, didn't know how to use it. It took another call to Jetblue in the US to manage a refund.