Help alleviate our fears :)

[cgarman]

We're considering our first visit this March, and are still to make the formal plans. We plan to stay between 4 and 7 nights. I have a few questions for all of the regulars out there:

- What is the "typical" arrival and departure schedule? I think we'll be a little slow to interact (by choice) so I'd rather not start getting to know people just as they all pack up to leave, and a new set of people arrive. So basically, the question is - what set of days (Wed to Tue, Sun to Sat, etc.) give us the best chance of being around the same crowd for the longest time?

- Suppose we have decided to spend $X. Right now, I'm considering the Jacuzzi rooms, because we tend save up to have a little luxury on vacation. Would anyone trade a better room for a shorter stay, or vice versa? Would you rather pay to stay longer, or stay in a better room? I've heard of plumbing problems and other issues - the wife would not be pleased. Does a higher category of room lessen the chance of these basic issues?

- We have decided exactly what we want to get out of the trip (as a couple) and are not going to overstep those bounds. Should we just show up as wallflowers, and try to get our bearings? Should we try to open a conversation now with some regulars who will be there at the same time? The wife (and I) are concerned that our (limited) interests will not align with the majority, and we won't get what we're looking for.

- Regarding the hot tub - I assume that pretty much anything goes Does anyone have any safety concerns? Should we? I simply don't know if it's an issue, so I'm asking.

Thanks, and hopefully we'll meet some of you in a few months!

[CLG]

- From March 8 - 15th, there is a resort takeover by LL. So people visiting shortly after that date are arriving about the same time, that is something to consider in picking your dates.

- Don't know if there are less issues with the upgraded rooms, but in general we have had no issues that we would consider significant with the garden view rooms we always book. Personally, I would stay longer vs upgrading the room, especially when most people that have concerns such as yourself realize that Desire is fantastic and there wasn't really any reason to be concerned, just try to read a lot of reviews from 1st time guests.

- We don't really join any groups prior to going, we like just seeing what happens, while many guests join Yahoo groups. It would probably be easier with your concerns to break the ice with others through a group, you'll know a few faces when you arrive & probably make you a little more relaxed.

- We have never had safety concerns at the hot tub.

Many, many guests have initial concerns about going to Desire or other similar resort. In the end, there is a reason that so many of us become repeat guests; it is just a fun, sexy, relaxing place to meet some great people.

CLG

[werfun]

We haven't been to the Cancun resorts but have been to the Los Cabo Desire 5/6 times.
The important thing to remember is to go with the idea of having fun and enjoying yourself. Say hello to everyone and talk to any and everyone about anything. We have found out that most guest are the friendliest people around. Don't be standoffish just mingle with all and you will have a great time. You may be asked if you are in the lifestyle and a simple no will be enough. There are a lot of guest that are not in the lifestyle but just like the sexy vibe and being nude at the pool. Yes the hot tub is where a lot of action goes on but you can just watch if you want to or just talking to others, its all up to you.
As to the question of which room, we have stayed in a Passion Suite, a hot tub room as well as the standard room and found out that we only slept and changed clothes in the room. The rest of the time we were at the pool. disco. hot tub so to us the higher price rooms weren't worth it. We would rather stay longer in a standard room that a shorter time in a higher price room. That is just us as we have such a good time that we want to stay as long as we can.
If you are not in the lifestyle you may not want to go when there is a large group or a resort takeover.
To sum it up go planning on having a great, fun, sexy time and you won't be disappointed and planning your next trip.

[eddieandjojo]

Okay, so perspective #2 (make that 3 as werefun beat us to it), although we agree with CLG's post/comments!

Arrival/Dept - we have found that Wed is a typical transition day, meaning it seems the majority of people arrive Wed, Thurs and leave Tues/Wed in order to be at the resort, well rested for the weekend.

Upgraded Rooms - for us this would be an easy decision, we would rather stay longer than book a jacuzzi or passion suite, hence our March trip is scheduled for 12 days. You'll find most people rarely use their rooms for anything other than sleep and getting ready for the dinner/disco, etc...!

Pre-meet - we are fans of the Yahoo Groups, if nothing else it gives you an idea of who will be there during your stay. You may decide, wow, I'd love to meet them and chat them up before going. It definitely helps ease into your first trip, plus you can ask "veterns" many questions that you've always wondered about but maybe were afraid to post on the forum.

Safety concerns at the hot tub - nothing other than if you are not ready for it visually! Yes, there plenty of action both in the hot tub and on the beds so just know that up front. People are very respectful of boundaries so no worries there.....just let them know politely and you won't have any issues.

Enjoy! You'll be very, very glad you decided to visit Desire.....you can go as crazy as you want OR not at all and still have the times of your lives!

E&J

[cgarman]

Thanks for the quick and thorough feedback. As was expected - your answers generated more questions

- Someone mentioned Yahoo groups... which ones would be appropriate for newbies like us?

- Regarding the hot tub, I think I wasn't clear. Neither of us has any problem with what we're sure to see. My wife was asking about whether there are concerns with those activities in communal water. I'm not a doctor (nor do I play one on TV) but I would think that chlorine and ozone go a long way there. Again, perhaps a silly question, but without any firsthand experience, I simply don't know.

- Regarding the LL event - that explains why we couldn't book our first choice of March 8-15. Should we avoid that previous week entirely? It would seem like we might be crashing a party of friends, and would be the outcasts since we know no one. Maybe it's better to go when everyone is a "stranger" so we're all in the same boat. Thoughts?

Thanks!

[CokeMann]

The LL week is a takeover which means that if you want to go that week you would have to book thru LL rather than the resort or other TAs. I wouldn't be concerns about booking the week before or after - during group trips most group members are just there for that weeks events

[desireaddict]

Safety concerns about the hot tub.

Most people are just "playful" in the hot tub and eventually move to the adjacent beds. Even those who might get "carried away" in the hot tub do not pose a risk to anyone. It is cleaned daily I believe, chemical levels are maintained, it is HOT (that kills about anything you'd have to worry about), and finally, the floaty stuff that some folks worry about in this or any hot tub -- is suntan/sunscreen/makeup products as well as body oils. (Frankly, the "stuff" you are likely concerned about settles to the bottom as it has a slightly higher specific gravity than does water.)

Of course, with all the playful BJ activity that goes on, there is another simple solution to anything like that getting into the water................

Get ready to have the time of your life!

DA

[cgarman]

Thanks DA - it seemed to me just from reading here that most folks posting have some common sense about them. I was hoping that most of the action moved out of the hot tub, and am glad to hear that is usually the case.

I have to say that the posts here seem to represent a cross section of people with reasonable intelligence and respect. That's more than I've found from any other (run of the mill) forums I've read.

I look forward to meeting some good folks.

[Lkncouple]

Last year about this time we were in your exact same shoes. Very nervous about our trip. We are 9 days away from our second trip and could not be more excited. I will try to answer your questions from a fairly newbie point of view.

Upgraded room vs Length of Stay. Most everyone will say stay longer. I would have to agree. Unlike any other vacation you really don't spend much time in the room at all. From some of the reviews, I was really worried about the condition of the rooms. They are actually fine. The bathrooms are small in some of the rooms, closet and drawer space is tight, but the bed was great, the mini bar is free and fully stocked, and the room was clean. After our first time, I said I would only get a garden view room, but when we booked this time they had a special on Oceanview rooms and they were almost the same price so we did an oceanview again.

As far as when people arrive and leave, I have no idea, the vets can help you out with that.

Your thought about being wallflowers is interesting. We are not in the Lifestyle, and my wife is very shy, so we were wallflowers the first couple days. I will say it was our biggest mistake, we should have joined in the Volleyball games, trivia games, ate with other people, etc. You hear about how friendly people are, it is really true. You may hear discussions about things you never thought you would hear or have with people, but nobody really cares if you are in the lifestyle or not.

I think most people answered your question about the hot tub. When we were there is was really hot, so I am pretty sure that nothing could survive in the water. It is probably cleaner than any water park you may have been to.

I would say go for it. You need to do this stuff while you still can. You don't want to look back on your life and regret you didn't try it.

[ourfuntrip]

We have been to RM several times and I will give you feedback from my perspective having been newbies and having been to RM.

We always arrive Sat and depart usually on Sat. I have found that we meet people leaving Sunday. And many new guests on Sunday.

I would get a cheaper room to stay longer. We usually go for a week. We have stayed in a garden room and upgraded from there. We have never had problems with our room and I really don't think your room category means anything relative to problems with the room.

We usually try to chat with people prior to the trip because it is nice to see some people you "know" when you arrive. It is also fun to see who will be there during the trip.

Most guests keep stuff out of the hot tub. So it should not be an issue.

I encourage you to talk to other guests as soon as you arrive because it makes for a fun trip. People are respectful and will not try to convince you to do something you are not comfortable with. If you sit by yourselves and wait until several days go by, you will regret not getting to know people sooner. If you travel there to have time alone, you can do that but there are so many open minded, nice people that I think you will regret not talking with people.

[Lkncouple]

One other thing. You asked about the Yahoo groups. The only thing that makes made me nervous about the Yahoo groups is that they require you to submit a picture of you and your spouse and they post it so others can see you. While I understand why they want to do this, for us meeting some new people that will be there before we go is not worth the risk of having our picture on the web.

[CokeMann]

One other thing. You asked about the Yahoo groups. The only thing that makes made me nervous about the Yahoo groups is that they require you to submit a picture of you and your spouse and they post it so others can see you. While I understand why they want to do this, for us meeting some new people that will be there before we go is not worth the risk of having our picture on the web.

Just a FYI - reality check - all moderators of Desire Yahoo groups that I know of set their groups to totally private - ie their groups do not show up in the Yahoo search for groups nor are any of the search engines Google, Bing, etc able to index them.

So the only fear you should have is that some other member of the group might copy your picture and post it on the public web - highly unlikely

For admission to any of the groups all they require is a "G" rated photo of the two of you - ie a typical snapshot taken at a birthday, anniversary, vacation - so nothing shocking or revealing so even if some other member of the group might copy your picture and post it on the public web there would be no association with the group, Desire, etc - it would be just another people snapshot in the millions that exist on the web.

Honestly, if you are socially inclined, and I don't mean lifestyle, ie just into meeting people and having a good time then joining and participating in a Yahoo group with others that will be there at the same time as yourselves is the best way to kickstart and maximize your Desire vacation -

[melb_cple]

Just a FYI - reality check - all moderators of Desire Yahoo groups that I know of set their groups to totally private - ie their groups do not show up in the Yahoo search for groups nor are any of the search engines Google, Bing, etc able to index them.

I may be a bit slow when it comes to the net, but if the groups are private and don't show up in searches how do you find them to join ?

[eddieandjojo]

if the groups are private and don't show up in searches how do you find them to join ?

You will find links on this forum to which you formally request membership. The mods typcially ask for your dates of travel, a little info from you and yes a G rated pic. Some will allow you on without a pic or two but will remove you if it's not uploaded within a certain amount of time. I have run some in the past and can assure you those that are suspect and/or don't comply with the very modest amount of rules were removed without re-entry.

Anyway, it is a good way to hit the ground running!

[Georgia fun]

I fully agree with the previous posts. Going to a place that you know very little about and have tons of questions and scenarios running thru your mind before hand is hard. We live by the balls to the walls standard and decided to jump into this a year ago both feet forward. Not knowing anything at all about the lifestyle or any variety of it was scary at first. As soon as we booked our trip we joined a yahoo group and discovered that there were many, many other curious people out there just like us. Other newbies, many fairly new, and lots of people that were experienced in different ways. I would personally highly recommend joining one. There are month, week, or even resort specific groups. You can ask other like minded people all sorts of questions you might have. You can also learn a lot of things from others. The chatter is great as well. Most importantly, you won't be showing up wasting days away in paradise not knowing anyone or watching from afar. Wherever you decide to go within the lifestyle or not is fine for you and your spouse. That's the great thing about being around other like minded people. You can do as little or as much as you want. You can be completely exclusive with each other or not. As long as you set the boundaries in your relationship everyone is very respectful of it. Going our second time this weekend and there isn't any other vacation spot in the world we look forward to like DRM! Good luck