Carolred

Before I went on my first package, I was warned, but not enough. Here is what I hated about the all-inclusive:<BR>- Dinner reservations for the a la carte restaurants, and reservations for the catamarans and banana boats, had to be made 3-4 days in advance... our package had been structured so we were only there 4 nights!<BR>- Food sucked. Salads were all droopy and heavy with mayo (and looked like recycled from last nights hot veggie dishes), hot food was over-cooked and under-seasoned, fruit was not available except whole, pastas were sweet and soft, helado was melting... etc. But anyone who tells you that Cuban food sucks has never left Varadero, and probably never left the all inclusive. Cuban food can be quite good, properly cooked, well-seasoned, excellent variety, fresh un-dressed salads... outside of Varadero.<BR>- If I wanted to have a holiday with Canadians, I would have stayed in Canada! Don't kid yourself about your Cuban &quot;friends&quot;. They are part of the &quot;factory&quot; experience!<BR>- No one told me I was going to be &quot;branded&quot; by having to wear a wrist band!<BR>- A/C is either full blast so you freeze, or off so you cook.<BR>- You can't phone from your room, even though there is a phone there. You have to go to the desk and a booth and get official paper work.<BR>- The excursions cost twice what they were worth.<BR>- Most wait staff are rude even if tipped. I can't believe the tips expected... you could buy the drink with that in town!<BR><BR>The good parts: the beach. Which cost half as much if you stayed in a hotel in town and ate at local restaurants and took excursions through Havanatur and the like. I will stick to independent travel, then I can afford to go twice as often.

Knowing

Carolred,<BR>Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. All AI's are not like that. we have done both and have had good and bad experiences with both. When we've done the AI's, I've never had to make a reservation except on that day. We've usually had a large selection of foods, including Orange Marmalade for our toast in the morning. I was a little surprised to hear about the &quot;Canadians&quot;. If you want a certain &quot;culture&quot; than you avoid certain islands. I have never had to wear a wrist band at any AI. Usually you can turn your A/C for comfort. I have never had any problems placing phone calls. Excursions cost regardless of whether you go AI or not. Wait persons can be rude or friendly at AI's and non. You just had a very bad experience. Period. I can tell you stories about VERY expensive non-AI vacations that were so horrible I still can't believe it. Every trip we have ever taken has been totally different than any other. You may do a non-AI and come home just as angry.

eringo00

I have to agree with Knowing...your post doesn't sound like any AI I've been to. Personally I don't enjoy AI's but when I have been there it has always been a pleasant stay. Maybe you should have reseached this particular AI better.

Canuck_at_Canada_eh

<BR>Well Carolred, I too am sorry you didn't enjoy your AI experience, but I really must take exception to your line.....<BR>&quot;Don't kid yourself about your Cuban &quot;friends&quot;. They are part of the &quot;factory&quot; experience!&quot;<BR><BR>I am sorry you sound so cynical but I have to consider myself most fortunate to have Cuban friends. Through my travels I have been introduced to many fine Cuban people, both in Cuba and here in the ex-patriot Cuban community in Toronto. Some Cuban friends (from Havana) immigrated to Canada last summer (independant immigrant class) and we have had a marvelous time showing them Canadian culture and experiences (eg. cut you own Xmas tree, ice skating, x-country skiing, etc) and through them and their families still living in Cuba I have been greatly enriched by Cuban culture and experiences. Now, after 6 trips, I am fortunate to feel just as if I was heading home to visit &quot;family&quot;. Indeed I am blessed to be so enriched.<BR><BR>From a personal perspective, other than my first trip to Cuba which was AI, I now NEVER travel on an AI plan. I stay at casa particulars and eat local Cuban food all the time. I have enjoyed many great meals from fancy resturants to a quick bite at the local el Rapido. Don't expect North American style food such as a burger and fries. Expand your tastes and eat like a local.<BR><BR>As to things like the Ac being either too cold, or too hot. My god, how trivial. I always carry a roll of duct tape no matter what country I travel to. With this you could easily have just covered over half the vent if necessary. Experienced travellers can handle any small annoyance without a second thought.<BR><BR>enough said.<BR><BR>Steve

puma

We just returned from an AI in the Dominican Republic- the Bavaro Palace. The food was very good; the service excellent and they did not expect tips; never needed to make reservations for the al a carte restaurants, or the water sports. The majority of guests were European and South American. I recommend it and would return. We enjoyed it much more than the Sol Palmeras in Varadero, and the El Cozumeleno(which was the worst).

Carolred

Hi, folks. Interesting comments, and I agree that one AI does not mean they are all like that. However, at that price I expected better.<BR><BR>Steve, half my trip was independent, so I totally agree with your comparison. I would avoid El Rapido, thought, there is much better food at the same price. We got 2 pizzas for $.75 US on the street in Havana!<BR><BR>Regarding the &quot;friends&quot;... it was my experience that many Canadians were disappointed that their letters to the staff were not returned. Although there may be exceptions, my observations were that Cubans in Varadero tolerated tourists for the tips, and some tried to rip us off (taxis) but elsewhere was the place to find friends. Comparing friends at home to AI staff is not a fair comparison at all. I have lots of immigrant friends but I don't kid myself to believe that the bartender wants to be pen pals with me after one night.<BR><BR>I absolutely can not agree that I was inappropriate in complaining about the AC. It was a 4*, for pity's sake! I have travelled to over a dozen countries on independent travel, so I know what to expect. In a cheap hotel I accept a lumpy bed. In a 4*, I should not have to go to a phone booth in the lobby to make local calls, nor repair the AC myself!<BR><BR>We were in Cuba 2 weeks, half package and half independent. The independent cost half as much and was twice as nice. The tours that you pay $100 for from the AI actually cost about $50 if you do it yourself. I'd go back in a heartbeat, but not to a factory.<BR><BR>And Knowing... where in Cuba can you go to an AI without being forced to wear a wrist band? I don't think it exists.

14VK8SHN

Make damn sure you got that wristband on at all times. People try and leave this country and get executed!

kodi

Oh NO!!! YOu were 'branded' and had to wear a wrist band...Oh the horrors of it all. And having to vacation with Canadians. Um, and who did you think would be at the All inclusive resort?<BR>Sounds like you should have done a lot more research, or perhaps just stayed home. YOu dind't really have to spend all that money to be miserable, you could hve been miserable at home.. Oh you are??? ok then.

Bootman4U

Don't sweat it..I suspect everyone who posts here has had at least one not-so-great travel experience (a lot of them would never admit it, but...)and some of them were the SAME experiences that others have RAVED about. Now you know what you won't do next time..at least at THAT particular location. Prior research is always helpful and I suspect you did as much as you felt necessary. In a couple of years after you've had some better travel experiences you'll probably look back at this one with more of a smile on your face.

sinne

carolred...there are many places that don't require you to wear wristbands. beaches varadero and sandals hicacos to name a couple.

At least 80% of the tourists in cuba at some resorts are canadian. Who else did you think was going to be there - americans?

Resorts such as the paridisus varadero or the melia chains (spanish) attract more europeans.

If you think the tours are $$$, then don't take them. You can always book them on your own (cheaper but things like transport and food are not included) or explore on your own in a rented car etc. Just cause you stay in an AI doesn't mean you have to stay on the property all week.

Your AC wasn't working...one room out of how many? Request a room switch then.

Please remember that cuba is a developing nation under trade embargo and as such, can not offer the same level of quality in some items.

It is well known that if it says 4 star in cuba, its more like a 3 star at home. Standards are different.

Obviosuly you like independant travel way better so its best you stick to that now. Thats what you like. Others are more comfortable with the AI experience for the &quot;all in one&quot; low stress holiday.

atticus

Obviously, you picked THE WRONG A/I! To say that our experience with A/I in Negril was the opposite of your experience would be an understatement.

I do not have much experience with A/I's, but what experience I do have has been fantastic, food great, service friendly and satisfying, accomadations exactly as billed on the websites, there were no unexpected costs, did not have to wear any arm bands, etc.,

You should repost and state that you hate that particular A/I.

leodoce

Yes, I was also warned about Al's. I had a wonderful experience in cuba, but I think it was a wonderful trip because I met a person (at the event I attended) who helped me a lot. He is a teacher and organized everything for me: lodging, tickets for buses to move on to another provinces, cheaper taxis, private rooms along the island and so on. He helped me a lot.Someone told me that I was lucky. I will always stay out of hotels if possible. If you want any information about my experiences and feelings about this trip you can send me an email to:
[email protected]

Carolred

I will definitely go back to Cuba. I heard that Baracoa had better beaches than Varadero, and that Camageuy was really interesting, and I have to experience the night life of Trinidad again plus the day trips we missed around Trinidad for various reasons, and I would like to see the forts of Santiago, and the scenery around Vinales. I loved the travel on bus/cab and small tours, and staying in casa particulars.

snowrooster

I've been to one all-inclusive (sans souci in jamaica) &amp; it was great. But then again, I tend to have wonderful vacation experiences. Why? Because I've learned that if you want a nice vacation, you need to do your research BEFORE you go. All of the things you mentioned were specific to your resort. If you had spent some time prior researching your options, I'm sure you would have chose a different place. But evidently you didn't so look what you got? Perhaps you have learned your lesson.

Punani

Snowrooster

How do you check out the quality of the food from your PC when doing research on your AI holiday or when telephoning the agent.

If one goes into a McDonalds one can see pictures of halfway decent looking burgers but when one buys and tries one, one soon relaises they are in fact horrible burgers.

The same is true of Domino's pizza. They look good on TV but are among the worst pizzas on this planet.

I went on a Club Med AI and have to say I wasn't blown away with the food aklthough I understand being French Club Med is supposed to have good food. I have also been to expensive NY restaurants which have been crap but have gotten good reviews. You must have amazing senses if you can tell how succulent the food will be from a &quot;distorted&quot; picture.

JohnPH

You get what you pay for. Cuba is relatively inexpensive so you take your chances. You enjoyed the island with all of the other cheap Canadians.

Also - since you made the decision to visit the location - and assuming you did your homework on what to expect - it makes you look foolish when you complain so vehemently.

When it comes to an important decision like a vacation - it's very simple - make better decisions!!

INFINITYRJ

Hello Carolred,

I have to defend you because a few years ago I had an absolutely awful experience in the Bahama's. I was so frustrated that I had to tell everyone that made eye contact with me!!!! I posted on any and every board just to vent my feelings. There are many uses for these boards and you just needed to vent. Jeeze people. I do find it funny though that people either love or hate AI's. We went to Sandal's Dunns
River property a few years back and thought it was fabulous. I would not have liked to wear an armband... like a child at an amusement park. Sorry your vacation was a disappointment. Better Luck next time!!

ML

sailor

ML, great post!

I must say though, to JohnPH, I had always been under the impression that you get what you pay for UNTILL we booked a Sandals vacation! You don't always get what you pay for.
27 years of traveling with my husband we always picked an island, then a resort within our budget, booked and have always been pleasantly surprised and felt we recieved sufficient too more then we expected for the cost.

When did all this homework stuff come about? Should it have to be so diffucult to select a resort?

I am still frustrated that paying close to 6 grande US, for 7 nights at the Halcyon in St.Lucia. For a room with a value of $100 a night Max.? No room service, no mini frig/bar, no bottled water included, running around trying to get into a restaurant that is not full, days waits on scuba diving, rules, rules, and more rules.

Yes, this was my fault for not doing my HOMEWORK. There's much homework that needs to be done on these(Sandals) resorts. No thankyou! I just can't get over that this company can get away with charging those kind of prices for a glorified summer camp? I get such a kick out of all the statements from people, of all the free stuff you get at these resorts?

Sorry I'm still venting!!!

Punani

John PH

Please explain how you would have know to avoid this resort the original poter is moaning about. I agree that the original poster could have researched booking catamarans prior to departure. However, I think it is a bit much to expect the original poster to be able to tell what the food was like. You must remember that these AI forms put glossy pictures in the brochures making the food look scrumptuous. Much like McDs do. There is a chain of restaurants in London called &quot;Aberdeen Angus Steak Houses.&quot; These sell steaks mainly to tourists in central London. They advertise mainly to American tourists that they offer a traditional English steak and chips and show pictures of large juicy steaks. They attract many Americans (hardly anyoine else goes except the odd Canadian, German of Japanese) and nearlyt everyone you meet who has been complains of how they have been ripped off. How are these poor Americans supposed to know that they are going to be fed a piece of dry leather when the restaurant shows pictures of nice steaks. It is the same with these AI holidyas.

The key is to not go on AIs. Most of your money goes into the pocket of a rich business man and not to the locals.

MrG

It matters not, really ,what other people think on these boards.
Each has his/her own standards and expectations,some people can tolerate more than others and will not let little things spoil the whole.Others on the other hand,consider the little things to be the most important part ( and why not ?) and when spending a lot of hard earned cash to get them are rightly dissapointed when they dont. One resort may be someones heaven or someones hell.
You should not take what you read on these boards as gospel.For every good post there will be a bad one.Your task here is to weed out the moaners from people with genuine complaints and then make YOUR OWN informed desion.

What is good for the Goose is not always good for the Gander.