I’m using one stop parking which is what I used last year when I traveled to California for my Panorama cruise. That is where you can book your parking at various hotels instead of airport parking lots. Then you can utilize the hotel shuttle for your transportation to and from the airport.

I didn’t realize how popular it was until I saw the sign in binder last time at the hotel. If you pick it right you can be at a nice hotel and save a good bit of money. I liked dealing with the hotel shuttles a lot better than the airport parking shuttles I had when I flew to Fort Lauderdale. I’m at a Hilton property for like $30 for the week. I think I would be in the $60-$120 range for one of the airport parking lots.

I used zip ties to secure my luggage and I have nail clippers handy if I need to open it.

I was on the shuttle at 5:55. We pulled out at 6 and we’re pulling through the airport gates at 6:03. I had a group of five on the shuttle with me. We were all going to the same terminal so it didn’t cause a delay.

I don’t know why I do the check in the night before. I still have to visit the kiosk and scan my passport, even though I entered all of the information last night, just to get my luggage tag. I think the only way around it is to go carry on.

The line for the bag drop isn’t bad. It’s about like it was when I went to Fort Lauderdale. Not like when I went to Los Angeles and the line was a nightmare. I never would’ve made my flight had they not let me cut the line.

I guess the lady at the bag drop is a saints fan. When I was looking at my passport and giving instructions she said “and leave the hat.” I thought maybe she said “remove the hat.” No she wanted the hat.

I paid an additional $8 for a shortcut security pass and it turns out I didn’t need it. The only separate line they had was for the TSA precheck. That line didn’t have to do the body scanner. I had just one person in line in front of me so it wasn’t a big deal.

And we’re through security. They didn’t give me any trouble. I don’t think they ever have at this airport.

They called my zone so I am in line to board.

I purchased the exit row aisle seat upgrade for an additional $27 each way. Each time I have done this nobody has booked the middle seat. That was the case again today.

I have my tourist card info easily accessible for when we arrive. I also have that prepaid shared transportation (round trip) that was like a $23 upgrade which is cheap. Here’s the info on that.

We were supposed to take off at 8:40. We didn’t take off until 9:02.  At some point during the taxi I look up and see this.

The flight attendant seat is on our row but on the other side. I got his attention, pointed to it and said “is that a good idea next to my bag during takeoff?” 

He gets up, picks up the iced coffee, and hands it to the person in that seat in front of me. I guess they decided to put it down there during takeoff.

I’m not even sure I like it there. If he kicks if foot back and that goes all over my bag, me and bleach blonde boy are going to have words.

Where was this on my previous flights? $1 WiFi? $3 streaming? This is either new, international only, or I just wasn’t paying attention before. It’s just another reason for me to love spirit. I love the reasonable rates, cheap seat upgrades, and now cheap wifi.

They are passing out these immigration forms to fill out. They say this is different from the tourist card I filled out online.

I thought I had a pen in this backpack. I either don’t or it’s just not easily accessible. I’m either going to have to borrow one or fill this out at the airport. I was under the impression by doing the online form I wasn’t going to have to fill anything out. The flight attendant told me this is different.

I told the crew the shortest distance between two points Is a straight line. It looks like they took the advice.

I pulled my bag back by me. It’s supposed to go back by landing but not while that is there.

The cup issue finally came to an end. A female flight attendant comes by and tells me to put my bag under the seat. I say no way with that iced coffee there. She says “it can go under the middle seat.” What? I’m shocked she was going to allow that iced coffee to sit under the seat during landing. Finally the flight attendant who moved the coffee during takeoff comes over and trashes it.

We landed at 11:05. We get off of the plane and take an escalator down. It smells like I just walked into an antique store.

They lied on the plane. I did not have to fill out the customs form if I  had the tourist card. I didn’t find out until after I filled the form out and asked the customs lady “what about this one?” “It’s the same,” she said.

And we are jammed up.

This one looks like mine.

It is mine.

They did a bag inspection. It’s a good thing I had the nail clippers handy.

The transportation letter is right. Everyone is after you for transportation. You just have to push through it.

All of these people want you to stop and buy a tour or transportation from them. You just have to walk past them. There was a nice little Margaritaville bar to the right that was tempting but I have a resort to get to.

At the end of the outdoor gauntlet, I took a left and found my company.

A rep just came by and gave me a transfer form for my return ride. He said they have two reps at the resort I can confirm it with today or tomorrow. He’s going to get the vehicle and we’ll be on our way.

It looks like the shared transportation I purchased became a private ride in one of their high end vehicles. Sometimes it pays to travel solo.

WIFI PICTURE

This is another new resort they’re working on.

This is an existing resort next to the new one.

Another new resort.

Here’s the Majestic resort.

Catalonia is the resort next to Planet Hollywood.

And we have arrived.

Continue to Planet Hollywood Cancun: Day 1

• all-inclusive
• cancun
• planet hollywood