VS064 HAV-LGW 20 NOV 14 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

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Return after a good 3 days in Havana and then a week at a beach resort... we were staying at Breezes Jibacoa - about an hour from Havana, half way to Varadero.

Left the resort very early (as usual with a package...) and got to the airport at about 16:45 for a 19:30 departure.

A large queue already at check-in, and one desk each for UC & PE but not managed at all so we ended up behind some Saga customers in PE who "crowded" the area. No big deal and dropped the bags and were given the invite for the shared lounge.

Security was pretty slow - took about 15 to 20 minutes. Into the departures area... some shops (mainly kiosks) so we headed into the lounge which was pretty poor to be honest. A small self service drinks selection and some small sandwiches. A request for a sugar free cola was met with consternation, and after disappearing "out the back" one can was brought out, but none loaded into the fridge.

After a while, my wife decided we should make a move even though the flight hadn't been called in the lounge... so we wandered down, to see boarding in full swing, and that people were being called into the priority line as no one was using it - so we got stuck for a few minutes. I explained that no call had been made in the lounge, so a quick phone call was made!

UC was full this time, while PE & Y both had a few spaces. We settled into 6A & 6K again.

We pushed back just about on time, but there was a problem starting the #4 engine which took about 30 minutes to resolve. Flight desk kept us up to date and we eventually left about 40 mins late but with a good tailwind we more than made that up.

Service was good - I had the "Japanese chicken" thing that was fine, and my wife had the beef which she said was good.

Settled down for a sleep and I must have had a good 3 hours or so plus another couple of hours "dozing" so didn't suffer any jetlag afterwards.

We landed a few minutes early at 08:55 (due at 09:10). Disembarkation again was slow behind the PE cabin, and quickly through the passport e-gates. Luggage was quickly out, and met our taxi driver and out of the airport by 09:30 for the drive home.

So another good UC flight overall....

Thank you for the TRs. Sounds like a good flight, and (from your outbound TR) great news about getting the green light for UC to St Lucia next year!

What did you think of Cuba? It's on my list for 2016 (still deciding whether to use my PE vouchers for Cuba or Florida Keys) so would be great to hear your views.

Also was the twin-centre thing all arranged by VH?

Thank you

Great TR, glad you bagged 6a and 6k! mrsw I can only give you my opinion of the keys as I haven't been to Cuba. The Keys is in the all time top 3 destinations list for me, could even be top, it's truly incredible if you stay in the right place. We stayed in Marathon if it helps

Good review - I bet the inflight food was better than that at Breezes

Thanks for the TR. I agree with you about the shared lounge. It must be the most unwelcoming and depressing lounges we have used. Pleased to hear you had a good flight home.

mrsw: - yes, the entire thing was booked with VH - in our local Tesco! This included all the transfers to make life simpler.

Re Cuba or the keys: Havana was a very "different" holiday to the keys. Havana is an interesting city, with plenty of old squares, small streets, lots of little (and friendly) bars & restaurants. But it is a "city sight seeing" break, with lots of walking and museum-type things to do. We spent 3 days and it was enough for the key areas. I wanted to do this before Fidel passes away as I think there will become a much more American influence then.

The beach bit was "standard Caribbean inclusive" and reminded me of the Dominican Republic in many ways - and with lots of Canadians as well. Breezes was "OK" but not as good as Sandals for example - I don't know how much if the difference is due to "Breezes" or "Cuba".

The Keys is a good beach & entertainment break, but as it isn't all-inclusive you do get to visit more bars & restaurants... so that is the balance. Also take the travel into account; Key West is about 4 hours or so from Miami so you might want to do an overnight stay near the airport before driving south. We enjoyed Key West a few years agom but again 3 days is probably enough for seeing & party-ing; I guess other parts of the keys will not be so "frantic".

Re Cuba or the keys: Havana was a very "different" holiday to the keys. Havana is an interesting city, with plenty of old squares, small streets, lots of little (and friendly) bars & restaurants. But it is a "city sight seeing" break, with lots of walking and museum-type things to do. We spent 3 days and it was enough for the key areas. I wanted to do this before Fidel passes away as I think there will become a much more American influence then.

The beach bit was "standard Caribbean inclusive" and reminded me of the Dominican Republic in many ways - and with lots of Canadians as well. Breezes was "OK" but not as good as Sandals for example - I don't know how much if the difference is due to "Breezes" or "Cuba".

Our feelings as well. I would love to go back to Havana for a long weekend, but the resort was a resort, only with less good food than the standard Caribbean. I did like the style of being offered a fresh coconut, top sliced off with machete and a large slug of rum poured into it.

You don't go to Cuba for the food..... as it goes by Cuban hotel standards Breezes is pretty good!

@Gasmonkey, pjh and deep_south:

Thank you all for the insight! Very helpful. I, too, would like to visit Cuba before things change, but for us good local food is a big part of the holiday, so I've always worried about that. But I have a real soft spot for a fresh coconut, and can (and have managed to on a couple of occasions) drink coconut water all day long, I'm sold!

Thanks for a great TR. Always good to read

Appreciated.

Dan