LAND BASED & EARLY ARRIVAL OPTIONS AS WE KNOW THEM AND WHAT WE KNOW AS WE KNOW IT:
11-12-22: The max we can do ANY LAND BASED before the trip or after is 3 days at this point in time. 3 days ensures no travel issues...flights work out timing wise for arrival and getting the transfers to the boat and its not considered a 'vacation'. Anything longer could be considered outside the realm of our legal license options so may not be doable. I will hopefully know on Tuesday in my conf call with the boat.
QUESTIONS TO HELP ME PREPARE THE BEST LAND BASED CUBA OPTIONS before and/or after our epic liveaboard there:
IF YOU ARE ON THIS TRIP....Please answer as many that apply and feel free to give extra details. This will help me set up the BEST option(s) given the unique circumstances we are working under.
- I am going to Cuba for the land pkg as much as the diving so the land options are super critical to me.
- I am going to Cuba ONLY because of the land pkg as I did not get on the boat OR I'm going with one of the people who did get on the boat so will ONLY enjoy the landbased so here is my input. (Now tell us what you think!)
- I am going to Cuba for the diving options more than the land so I may or may not participate and want to see what the 'get to the boat as directly as possible' options are.
- I am going for the best overall Cuban experience I can get so trust that you will set up something that is amazing and helps the Cuban people and therefore which city or how we do that is less important to me.
- If I can't do Havana ...the most iconic of all landbased Cuba then I don't want to go on the trip.
- I understand that even before all the issues that doing Havana was a more expensive option because its a 6 hr bus transfer thru the countryside because Cuba is so long and narrow. Therefore I do not care if we do Havana or another closer but also iconic Cuban city to avoid the long and more expensive transfer.
- I don't care if we do Havana or not but would like to save money by doing a closer and therefore cheaper iconic Cuban city as our land based add on.
- All things equal...I'd rather do Havana but its more important for you to deliver a cost effective option that is more reliable and more guaranteed (nothing is every guaranteed) so you are most able to deliver the amazing and life changing experience everyone says that Cuba offers. If you can do that then let's do it and save some money and time and have more flight options because we can fly into a different city as well as feel more confident that the experience of the cars, and museums (different ones than Havana but still awesome I'm told) and food and people will be more consistent with what you Kamala experienced on her previous trip.
Thank you for taking the time to help me better understand what is important to everyone. And if I forgot an important question please feel free to add it to your comments. and
REPLIES TO THIS SURVEY FOR PEOPLE ON THE TRIP OR JOINING SOMEONE ON THE TRIP FOR THE LANDBASED PORTIONS ONLY:
- DiverEd - There as much for the landbased, no location preferences, experience over cost savings. Will opt for before and after boat tours if possible, so add to the number needed for Havana if that develops.
- Ksue44 - Wants the best overall Cuba experience and trusts your judgement on what to include. Would love to do both Havana and smaller cities.
- Chris and Ted (via DiverEd) - Mostly for the diving, prefer 3 nights land max or what works for flights, but will go with the majority.
- WarmWaterOnly - Mostly for the diving but would like a few days to prevent luggage issues. Won't do the extension and prefers a return flight out of an airport near the port. No need for luxury - safe and clean hotels are fine. Has been to Havana before and prefers to see other cities.
- Just4Trix and Scott - Mostly there for diving, but Just4trix would like some land experience. No specific city preference. Go with what works for most.
- Gigemdiver - Would rather see Havana but go with wherever will give the most reliable great experience. Saving money is not an important factor compared to the best overall experience. Will opt in for both before and after trips.
- Little mermaid - Going for the diving and the best overall experience. It doesn't have to be Havana.
- SalTea - Land and diving and would like to see Havana. Husband is doing land only - is it easier for the land to be before so he's not flying in on his own?
- MudChick - Going for the best overall experience. Havana isn't a dealbreaker.
- Anchorboy - Going for the diving but will participate in the land tour. Would love to do Havana but will be happy with whatever option you put together.
- LetsGoDiving - Diving and landbased. Definitely want to do Havana but thinks 3 days is too much so would like to see some countryside as well.
- Nauti Fantasea - Going for the best overall experience. Has been to Cuba before so defers to the group on itinerary. Flexible schedule for doing the land before or after the boat.
- Zinfandel - Going for the diving. Would love to join the land trip before or after.
- SunnyDiver - Going for the land as much as diving. Would like to see Havana even if it's for a short visit. Land before or after diving is fine.
- Kay aka DryDocked - I prefer your option #8
Edited by dive_sail_etc, 21 January 2023 - 08:57 AM.