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Flights to Cuba
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raspberry_pie
Posts: 5 Forumite
The other half booked flights awhile ago through lastminute.com. We're travelling to Cuba on November.
Under the circumstances, we'd like to cancel, or go somewhere else. (I'm not interested in pursuing our accommodation - those poor people need every penny they can get).
A friend of mine in the know has told me not to go. He said Cuba has poor infrastructure anyway... made worse by the hurricane. He says its extremely unlikely they will have everything in order for when we travel. That getting around the island will be impossible.
Indeed, official advice from the home office is
"Hurricane Irma passed over Cuba on 7 to 10 September. Many areas, particularly the northern coast, are without electricity and are damaged and/or flooded. Many roads are closed are due to flooding and storm damage or debris. The electricity was switched off in Havana as a precaution before the storm and has remained off. Some areas have problems with water supply. Airports will remain closed until safe."
I've spoken with lastminute.com who said, to paraphrase: "If you cancel, we can refund your taxes, but thats it".
I spoke with Virgin Atlantic who said that they are still flying to Cuba and Florida. I asked if they had read the home office advice, and was told Its personal choice. If people want to go its up to them. I asked is that not irresponsible? and was told "We're still flying people out there".
What are my options?
Under the circumstances, we'd like to cancel, or go somewhere else. (I'm not interested in pursuing our accommodation - those poor people need every penny they can get).
A friend of mine in the know has told me not to go. He said Cuba has poor infrastructure anyway... made worse by the hurricane. He says its extremely unlikely they will have everything in order for when we travel. That getting around the island will be impossible.
Indeed, official advice from the home office is
"Hurricane Irma passed over Cuba on 7 to 10 September. Many areas, particularly the northern coast, are without electricity and are damaged and/or flooded. Many roads are closed are due to flooding and storm damage or debris. The electricity was switched off in Havana as a precaution before the storm and has remained off. Some areas have problems with water supply. Airports will remain closed until safe."
I've spoken with lastminute.com who said, to paraphrase: "If you cancel, we can refund your taxes, but thats it".
I spoke with Virgin Atlantic who said that they are still flying to Cuba and Florida. I asked if they had read the home office advice, and was told Its personal choice. If people want to go its up to them. I asked is that not irresponsible? and was told "We're still flying people out there".
What are my options?
0
Comments
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Your options are to cancel but incur the charges for cancelling or still travel out there. The hurricane hit Northern Cuba hardest and some friends of mine flew to Holguin yesterday. The flight was only 30% full
We are due to go out in February next year and will be keeping an eye on things to see whether or not we will still go0 -
[STRIKE][/STRIKE]It depends where in Cuba you're going. Hotels around Guardalavaca and Holguin are mostly fully functioning now, let alone by November. Cuba, despite everything, have some of the best hurricane defences in the world, and even before the hurricane had fully passed the repair works had started. I'd go in a heartbeat now, let alone in a few months time. The Cayos took the biggest hit and going there is unlikely to be possible in November.
It's a big island to get around, and unless your taking internal flights you won't get to see much of it anyway, unless you were driving and doing a touring holiday.0 -
Virgin are allowing those passengers booked to fly to Cuba up until 17th September to change to a later date (up to 14th October) or change destination (again with travel to be completed by 14th October)
Flight after 17th September are subject to the fare rules of the tickets purchased so from the sounds of it you have non-refundable tickets and will likely get the APD refunded (£75) less any airline and agency fees
It is also unlikely your travel insurance will cover decision not to travel unless there is an official ban against travel
Given that you are likely to get very little (I suspect Lastminute admin fee to take most/all) back if you cancel I would hang onto the reservation until nearer the time to see if you change your mind (money is gone anyway) or there is a significant schedule change to the flights that allows you to cancel for refund0 -
@Caz3121 Sound advice. Will hold on then...0
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