Does anyone know whether, as it appears now, Thomson have abandoned Cuba as a destination from April 2014 onwards? I was hoping to go back there again in summer 2014 but it seems they have stopped the flights to Varadero and to Holgiun - and stopped them from both Manchester and Gatwick.
I can see schedules for Jamaica - so I guess it is not just that the long haul plans don't yet exist.
Have we lost Cuba as a destination unless we go scheduled?
If so that's really sad - it was a great holiday destination, both via Holguin and Varadero.
Why have Thomson killed it off? Planes always seemed to be fully booked.

Thomson/First Choice, have decided to drop Cuba, Thomas cook has always had the lead and it is their biggest market, also the equivelent hotels are not on par with other Caribbean destinations such as Mexico, Barbados or Jamaica, feedback from customers tend to be lower from Cuba than other markets, highlighting they are not as satisfied with their holidays. It's a shame as Cuba is a lovely country and has some wonderful things to offer.

It's a great shame, and it has been widely discussed on other forums for a few months now. Plenty of unhappy Cuban fans.
I really wanted to go back to the PRDO at Guardalavaca. I wouldn't fly longhaul on Thomas Cook, so until I can come up with a Plan B..................

Aargh! As Thomas Cook seem to have already stopped taking 'flight only' bookings for Holguin, it looks as if the next trip to Santiago de Cuba for me will have to be scheduled via Havana. Such a hassle - connecting flight to London, Paris or Madrid and then connecting flight at the other end to get from Havana to Santiago or the overnight bus. Either way if usually means spending a night in Havana at each end of the trip. Could certainly do without that!

SM

SMa wrote:

Aargh! As Thomas Cook seem to have already stopped taking 'flight only' bookings for Holguin, it looks as if the next trip to Santiago de Cuba for me will have to be scheduled via Havana. Such a hassle - connecting flight to London, Paris or Madrid and then connecting flight at the other end to get from Havana to Santiago or the overnight bus. Either way if usually means spending a night in Havana at each end of the trip. Could certainly do without that!

SM

Thomas Cook are reintroducing seat only on flights to Holguin, albeit they've currently only got the seats for Sept/October loaded. They did say the winter ones would be loaded by the end of June .......

How about trying a campaign on the Thomson Facebook page to try to get them to change their minds?
I've had several great holidays in Cuba with Thomson and I would challenge the statement that hotels are not up to the standard of those in Jamaica.
Example - The Royal Decameron in Runaway Bay, Jamaica - as offered by Thomson - I found to be a truly dreadful place - nothing like as good as the standard of the hotels I've had in Cuba.
And the big thing - you can walk the streets in Cuba in safety. Without being offered drugs at every street corner as happens everywhere in Jamaica.
You can visit the beautiful capital Havana, Cuba alone, in safety.
You cannot visit Kingston Jamaica without an armed bodyguard!
I really wish Thomson would reconsider this terrible decision. By the time they change it, there's a possibility American tourists be allowed back to Cuba, and look how Mexican resorts suffer from the US influence.

I doubt you'll get them to change a business decision, which is what it is. If they can sell other new destinations without the negative feedback they will, and it's good that they are introducing new destinations.
I like Cuba, but I also like Jamaica, and never had a problem wandering off resort. Being offered drugs happens on most street corners in major cities these days.

I agree its a great shame they dropped it for Summer 2014, but who knows, they may reintroduce it again at some point. They've just starting flying to Puerto Vallerta again, and they dropped that many years ago.

You'll just have to fly Thomas Cook if you really want to go back, or Virgin to Havana, or via Canada or Europe. Personally I don't love it that much, so will hopefully get to one of their new destinations in 2015.

Sunaddict wrote:

I they may reintroduce it again at some point. They've just starting flying to Puerto Vallerta again,.

I do think it is good that a few new (or comeback) destinations are being added to Thomsons flight schedule. But there’s a trend towards very much higher pricing than in the past.

I went to Puerto Vallarta with Thomson/FC back in 2007, just before they stopped the flights, and I really enjoyed it. I stayed at Golden Crown Paradise and paid 1291 for all-inclusive
- and that included single supplement.
I just checked pricing for summer 2014. They now offer the hotel right next door, same hotel group, called Crown Paradise Club, which has almost identical features to the Golden Crown (except, sadly, the club does allow children) and the price is over 2200 – a 70% increase!
I’ve looked at their new Barbados and Mauritus offerings
– and frankly the prices are unbelievably high. Not for me.

Now what I’d REALLY like to see, and would be prepared to break my piggy bank for, is an offering like the “Round The World” trip run by My Travel/Airtours in, I think, 2006.
If my memory is right, it was one A330 plane, flying right around the world for about 25 days, going places like Borneo, Australia, China, India, Egypt, S.Africa, Hawaii, the USA, and more
It cost around 4500 including all hotels and meals!
Sadly, they only did it once, so I guess it didn’t make a profit,
But what a nice way to promote the Dreamliner – hint, hint.
Please Thomson?

Hi Darren
We are on TOM122 tomorrow morning. Please could you tell where the aircraft is coming from before.
Many thanks
Tracy

ukbill wrote:

Now what I’d REALLY like to see, and would be prepared to break my piggy bank for, is an offering like the “Round The World” trip run by My Travel/Airtours in, I think, 2006.
If my memory is right, it was one A330 plane, flying right around the world for about 25 days, going places like Borneo, Australia, China, India, Egypt, S.Africa, Hawaii, the USA, and more
It cost around 4500 including all hotels and meals!
Sadly, they only did it once, so I guess it didn’t make a profit,
But what a nice way to promote the Dreamliner – hint, hint.
Please Thomson? :)

Thomson Airways already do these sort of flights with their 757's, although they are very pricey.

http://www.tcsandstarquestexpeditions.com/aboutourjets.php#axzz2b74YtEHE

We're off to Mexico next Tuesday on TOM030. Does anyone know where the aircraft arrives from prior to our flight?? Thank you!

I'd love to see them re-introduce Costa Rica. It is a massive bucket list destination for me and as it is, outprices me just for flights to get there now, whereas with the package it used to be affordable.

I don't think enough people are aware of CR as a destination for it to be profitable, but with a good destination campaign I could see it doing well.

Tracy1971,

Your aircraft is coming in from Cancun (TOM175) and is operated by G-OBYG.

Have a great holiday

Darren

marshwiggle,

Your aircraft comes in from Sanford (TOM157). It then positions down from Manchester to Gatwick to operate your flight.

Darren

Thank you Darren, I'm looking forward to ordering my first pina colada

Tracy1971 ,

Have a mud slide for me

Darren

Thanks Darren - looking forward to a Tequila on the beach!!

You're all making me turn green! 41 days until I go though

Darren

flying saturday morning to Cancun on Tom 144 could anyone tell me where the flight comes in from and any idea which plane it is likely to be wife is hoping for ALFIE as is grandsons name lol xx thanks