Timing & Question

[sittingduck]

We are newbies, but we are going to Pearl for our 20th anniversary this fall. We are young for 20 years, 39 and 37 because we got married right out of High School (wife was still in HS) and its worked our perfect! Like most of, this forum helped us make the decision and it will be out first time to do anything like this, but figured we better give it a shot before we are too old. We are your average couple; I am an engineer, the wife is a stay at home mom and the High School PTA president, we just got married really early.

2 Questions
1. Our anniversary is in early Dec, but we can probably visit Oct, Nov or Dec.... whats the best month of those three (Weather is our 1st concern, and avoiding group takeovers is 2nd because we want meet people not in a click).
2. How many days is best and what start and end days are best to meet more people and not miss any good theme parties. Looking for the best 5 day, 6 day and 7 day options.
- 5 Days - arriving Wed leave Sunday, arrive Sat leave Wed, arrive Monday leave Friday
- 6 Days - Sat to Friday, Friday to Thursday, ect.
- 7 Days - Sat to Sat, Sunday to Sunday, Tuesday to Tuesday ect.....

Whats the best option for a 5, 6 and 7 day trip in your experienced opinions? We are worried if we split he main arrival/departure days (Guessing Sunday?) it gives us less time with people we meet early, but might let us meet many people too.... So need your advice.

Also, we are not swingers, first time for naked pool activity, but we want to have some fun and meet new people and kick-off off next 20 years with a sexy fun week outside our comfort zone!

[Kscpl]

Hey Sittingduck. Fellow engineer here. We have a "somewhat similar story." We've been to Desire Pearl three times now, so not overly experienced, but all three visits were during different times of the year. I will say that if you have 7 days OR MORE, do it! No matter how long you stay, you'll be wishing you could stay longer. I'd love to give you our perspective in a PM.

[TandD]

If weather is your first concern, October is prime hurricane season. Of course, there's no telling where they will strike and the weather can be beautiful if there is no disturbance.

For me, I think I would shoot for late November to early December so the weather is calmer but the nights are still warm.

We've done 2 trips now, both 4 nights Wed - Sat (leaving Sun.). We think it's a perfect length since we have fair skin and tend to have enough of the hot sun after that.

If you arrive/depart on a Sat., you run the risk of missing the foam party - it's pretty fun and kind of a signature event.

Hope that helps.

(Oh, and I'm an engineer also for what that's worth )

[co_chicago]

Since this seems to be the engineer thread I'll chime in also though admitting I have an engineering degree may have killed any credibility I might have had as someone qualified to speak about fun, naughty and erotic vacations.

The only comment I will make is to reconsider traveling with a group. Yes, sometimes people in a group can be somewhat clique-ish but we have also found that the groups can be very fun and welcoming to newbies. The groups often will arrange meet-n-greets and other activities that make it easy to meet others and there seems to be good participation in theme nights from group members. Sometimes the groups will arrange special outings or activities beyond what the resort does. Also, couples looking to play are generally very interested in meeting new couples so you should not have much issue being welcomed by most into the group. In the end, you may become part of a clique of friends that you stay in touch with all year round.

[beagirl]

Since this seems to be the engineer thread I'll chime in also though admitting I have an engineering degree may have killed any credibility I might have had as someone qualified to speak about fun, naughty and erotic vacations.

The only comment I will make is to reconsider traveling with a group. Yes, sometimes people in a group can be somewhat clique-ish but we have also found that the groups can be very fun and welcoming to newbies. The groups often will arrange meet-n-greets and other activities that make it easy to meet others and there seems to be good participation in theme nights from group members. Sometimes the groups will arrange special outings or activities beyond what the resort does. Also, couples looking to play are generally very interested in meeting new couples so you should not have much issue being welcomed by most into the group. In the end, you may become part of a clique of friends that you stay in touch with all year round.

I as well am trying to decide between October and November, and group vs no group. I saw that the Party Naked Group is coming in November and wondered if that would be a great way of meeting people or if they would be cliquish. How's the weather during middle November ? Is the pool still warm enough in the afternoon?
Thanks!

[gaviao]

I'd say at least 6 nights. Last time we stayed for 8 and weren't enough (nothing is enough at DP).
Try not arrive on Sat, neither depart on Sun. They are the most complicated days at airport for arriving/departing.
As a guy (not engineer) who lives in a warm city, I prefer from warm to hot weather. First days of Nov would be fine; hurricane probabilities are near to zero for that time of the year. On Dec you may find cold nights and maybe cloudy days.
I'd avoid groups. After all, it's YOUR anniversary and maybe you'll prefer dedicate time to each other. Everytime are fun/erotic activities without the need of being subject to a schedule.
Have the best time of your lives!

[sittingduck]

Great feedback, thank you very much. Happy to see other engineers are with me on this too!

[TandD]

Great feedback, thank you very much. Happy to see other engineers are with me on this too!

I had a shirt in college that said "Let a Double E check your shorts"

It never worked...

[K and P]

Our favorite time to travel is the first part of December. We were at Pearl for the first two weeks of December last year and plan to be back at the same time this year.

The logic of this is that hurricane season runs through into November. By the end of the month you usually get very good weather. It is also before 'high season' which tends to start around mid-December.

I believe that Pearl is offering the 4th night free so you are best off looking at either 4 or 8 nights. We are big believers that more is better.

We noticed that the crowd changed many times during this last stay. Things pick up a bit towards the end of the week and then get very busy on Saturday before quieting down on Sunday. The only real mistake that we made was that we arrived on a Saturday (missing the foam party) and left on a Saturday (missing another foam party). Sigh.

There weren't any groups when we were there. We were at Desire Cabo when there was a big group and it did alter the vibe of the resort so I can see why you might want to avoid it. This past year we were at Pearl when RM had a swingers takeover so there was a bit of a spill over but nothing significant.

Hope this helps a bit. We are headed to Temptations in a week and a half and hope to do a day pass over to Pearl to catch the foam party and say hello to the entertainment staff. I think that Pearl is an amazing resort and we are very much looking forward to being there again in December!

[SunBeachFun]

Great feedback, thank you very much. Happy to see other engineers are with me on this too!

I had a shirt in college that said "Let a Double E check your shorts"

It never worked...

Wonder why that didn't work, nearly Every time?!? Here's an idea ... the girls who would have possibly gone for it, didn't understand "EE" or an electrical short? Or was it the dude wearing it, of course before you matured into the amazing guy you are today?!!!

[co_chicago]

That's the problem with all the funny and clever engineering t-shirts. No one gets the joke except for other engineers.

One additional comment about traveling with a group. There seems to be a difference of opinion here on groups and that's certainly understandable since your expectations for your trip will determine whether or not a group is right for you. We like to mingle and be social. We like to participate in the activities and themes so for us, we always try to book with a group. If you are looking for a more private vacation, you may find the group to be a bit much. Keep in mind that all the group activities are purely voluntary. If you don't want to be bound by the group's schedule or if you want to take a day and be by yourself, that's perfectly fine. We've always found it easy to get to know people in the group and we've made some friends that we've stayed in touch with over the years.

[sittingduck]

Our favorite time to travel is the first part of December. We were at Pearl for the first two weeks of December last year and plan to be back at the same time this year.

The logic of this is that hurricane season runs through into November. By the end of the month you usually get very good weather. It is also before 'high season' which tends to start around mid-December.

I believe that Pearl is offering the 4th night free so you are best off looking at either 4 or 8 nights. We are big believers that more is better.

We noticed that the crowd changed many times during this last stay. Things pick up a bit towards the end of the week and then get very busy on Saturday before quieting down on Sunday. The only real mistake that we made was that we arrived on a Saturday (missing the foam party) and left on a Saturday (missing another foam party). Sigh.

There weren't any groups when we were there. We were at Desire Cabo when there was a big group and it did alter the vibe of the resort so I can see why you might want to avoid it. This past year we were at Pearl when RM had a swingers takeover so there was a bit of a spill over but nothing significant.

Hope this helps a bit. We are headed to Temptations in a week and a half and hope to do a day pass over to Pearl to catch the foam party and say hello to the entertainment staff. I think that Pearl is an amazing resort and we are very much looking forward to being there again in December!

Good call, 8 days is the same as 7. Being an engineer with a black and white mind it says 4th night free, not every 4th night free so thanks for the tip! Looking at the first or second week of Dec now so thanks!

Question: For a first timer is 8 days too much? We d a lot cruises that are 7-10 days but a little worried the food and location will get old by day 8 being a small resort. BTW love the EE Shirt!

[sittingduck]

Hey Sittingduck. Fellow engineer here. We have a "somewhat similar story." We've been to Desire Pearl three times now, so not overly experienced, but all three visits were during different times of the year. I will say that if you have 7 days OR MORE, do it! No matter how long you stay, you'll be wishing you could stay longer. I'd love to give you our perspective in a PM.

Kscpl, send me your perspective I would love to hear it.

[K and P]

Whoops. Didn't mean to confuse things. As I understand it 4th night free means every 4th night. So 4 nights is the same as 3 while 8 nights would cost the same as 6. Just means that it makes more sense to book either 4 or 8 nights to get the largest benefit.

[co_chicago]

Question: For a first timer is 8 days too much? We d a lot cruises that are 7-10 days but a little worried the food and location will get old by day 8 being a small resort.

Tough question to answer as we've met people who had stayed 10+ days and were quite content. It will be different for everyone. For us, I think 8 days would be a bit much. We'd probably get a bit bored. It wouldn't likely be an issue with the food as I think the food variety would keep us happy for 8 days. I just think after 8 days we might get a bit bored with laying by the pool or beach (as crazy as that might sound).

Usually on vacation, we like to explore the area and we have yet to do that in Cancun. Next time, I could see us booking a longer stay and booking an excursion to the ruins or going into Cancun or maybe doing a snorkeling or sailing trip. Those type of activities could make an 8 day trip more enjoyable and break up the routine.