Re: Cuba in September/October vs November

[mojitomiss_cuba]

Okay the BIT wants to go back to Cuba this year -yeah you'd really have to twist my arm to go back  :)  but it's her money too, and we plan on going back next may or june (on my dime) so finances are definitely a strong deciding factor for me  :)

[flopnfly]

My only concern about going in September is the weather.  It's still prone to rain and hurricanes, although who knows from year to year?
 
 Selloffs in September are great, I've watched them for years.  By November the prices are starting to go up, and the weather is getting cooler.  Not cold...you'll still be able to wear a bathing suit, but not 35 degrees.  
 
 The year we went in November it was windy and around 24 25 degrees during the day and dropped down to about 19 at night.  Still not too bad.
 
 The ocean was ok for swimming but the pool was freezing.  
 
 Others have gone in November and said the weather was great.
 
 We said that given a choice we wouldn't go back in November again, but if it means meeting up with everyone then we'll go.  
 
 It's hard to say what the weather will be like this year, look at us here in Toronto.  40 degrees last week and this week we're back to wearing jackets.
 
 Prices are unpredictable as well.  We paid $900 for Tryp Varadero in November, not a great deal even for last minute (1 week before).  Tryp normally prices at around $1200.  
 
 Tough choice you've got.    :)

[mojitomiss_cuba]

Heather, I posted a modified version of this over on Debbie's and I think I've got enough "negative sept/oct" responses over there to convince the BIT that we would rather go in November  :)
 I'm going to have her read them so she can hear it from other seasoned travellers. I personally would rather go in November and meet up with all of you guys than go in Sept/Oct, but like I said, she's actually paying her way so I really feel she should have a say in when we go.
 I think she'll be convinced that Nov. is better  :)
 
 Oh and of course all the Debbie regulars now want in on the "cuba night in Holguin in November" lol

[flopnfly]

Wendy,
 
 I think you're "safer" to go in November weather wise.  
 
 I read your post on Debbie's and I noticed that a couple of others wanted to join in.  I liked your response to them.     :)  
 
 We like to go away in November, but we usually go to Jamaica because it's always warm there.  We did try Cuba one year and found it cooler.
 
 When Fred and Tracie said that they were going in November I jumped in and invited myself and as you know it just snowballed from there.  It's not a private party.  But it will definately be a PARTY  
 
                 
 
 Heather

[bellagio]

mojitomiss_cuba:
 
 Well as you know Heather and John, Fred and Tracie and myself are all planning a November visit - well the fact that I'm going will probably convince you that Sept/Oct is better  :rof:  
 
 Convince the BIT that Wonderland is open until Oct 9th so she needs to get full use of her Seasons Pass!!!  Also it would be better to go in November as the clocks will have altered in Canada and the nights will be drawing in and the weather will be colder - just the right time to visit Cuba.
 
 If you go I assume it will be for one week only.  Will it definitely be the PCV or are you open to any 'deal of the day' type offer?  Finally what dates are you thinking of should you choose November?

[FredTracie]

Wendy
  We have gone to Cuba Sept/Oct for the last few years. The weather was HOT as, well you know anyway we normally would have gone the end of Oct. but getting together with Heather, John, Bellagio and hopefully you and Kristen and who ever else happens to be in the neighbourhood, was all the more reason to adjust our departure by a couple of weeks! By the way do you work for a politician? Because enjoyed reading your post on Debbie's  :)  Being in Holguin should make for better weather than Varadero, last Nov. the weather wasn't very nice in Varadero when we were there in Nov.But No Hurricanes either! We are still hoping to bring the Darryl's along depending on school etc.Who knows maybe we can get a group rate out of TO????
 
         Cheers......F&T
 
 
                       ....Road Trip  

[FredTracie]

By the way
 
     Tracie has booked that week off at work and so have I!....F&T

[bellagio]

F&T:
 
 You mean you've booked the week commencing Saturday November 12th.

[FredTracie]

Bellagio
  We've booked the time off work, It's a little easier for me since i'm the boss! Tracie just sort of tells them she 's going away and she has done that. I just make sure I schedule everything around that time frame. But we havn't booked anything to Cuba yet that will be later! We are departing Toronto on the 12th/13th of Nov. for 1 week!
 
            F&T

[flopnfly]

We're in the same boat as you Fred.
 
 John is his own boss (well except for when he's at home   :D  ).  I've booked the week off at work too, I don't think there will be any problem waiting until last minute to book.  I'm going to start watching the prices and I might book earlier if I see them going up.
 
 Heather

[mojitomiss_cuba]

I will cancel one of my weeks in the summer, so that will leave me with a week in the fall. The only week I cannot get away is the week after thanksgiving monday as one of my co-workers is already booked off that week. My holiday scheduling in the fall is quite flexible, so grabbing a last minute deal's not a problem.
 If we go in November we would definitely go the week of Nov. 12/13
 There's no point going in November if I don't plan on the same week as everyone else.
 F&T: just checked out the 2005-2006 school calendar to see if I would luck out and hit a PA day, but they don't have one (here anyway) until Feb. 10
 When talk of meeting in Holguin in Feb surfaced, I was kind of on board with that, but in all honesty, I don't want to go in February, it's too friggin cold here when you get back. I like going away in spring and coming home to the nice weather. So that's part of the main reason I wanted to meet up in Cuba in November, but I had heard the weather was cooler in November. I hate paying all that money and going south to have to wear jackets/sweaters/pants. I love the sun and the heat and I like when it's still warm at night. A bit fussy aren't I? lol
 
 F&T: is it not definite about the boys going? I kind of figured we could let the kids all hang out and leave us adults alone, lol

[FredTracie]

Hi All
  Well that's the first step, booking the time off! We will wait till the end to book or when the right deal comes along. Who ever thought you could get to Holguin at club Amigo for $292 hell we went for $350 and never thought we would see that price again? Last Nov. we went to Varadero for $488 and hopefully we will get to Holguin for about the same! As far as the boys coming.. well who knows Scott's 18 and Sean will be 17 and of course they know everything!! But 1 week without the internet.. Not sure if they could survive!!! We are going ahead and updating their passports, as this will be the last chance of going away together for quite sometime as they are headed to college and university after next year.
  This will be our 10th trip to Cuba and I've yet had to wear long pants, except in the Ala cartes of course! Heather I know it's early but keep us informed about prices etc. and I was serious about a group rate? I even think we should look into forming a buying group for travel with one or two wholesalers, you just never know!
   Wendy are you stuck on returning to the same resort?
 
           Cheers.....F&T

[bellagio]

Well this is sure looking good for a gathering in Holguin in November.   I'm still up for February too or January or whenever anyone else can go.
 
 Wendy have you persuaded the BIT to drop the idea of a Sept/Oct visit now?
 
 It would be nice if some of us, if not all of us, could be at the same resort though.   I wouldn't want to be stuck at the PCV and find everyone else in different hotels because it would be great to have at least a few meals together.
 
 Looks to me like we are looking at Club Amigo definitely for F&T with the rest of us a little unsure, just waiting for a good deal.

[FredTracie]

I will volunteer to be the Transportation co-ordinator. It involves large amounts of alchol, a Cuban chaffeur, a couple of pesos...oh heck you'll just have to wait!
     
                         
 
         Cheers....F&T

[bellagio]

F&T:
 
 Pleased to hear that as you are far more familiar with that area than any of us.
 
 Transport Co-ordinator - I like it.  I trust you appreciate the fact that it is unpaid  :rof: