Things are quiet here…. | Debbie's Caribbean Resort Reviews Forums

Just wondering why? I’ve only been back for 3 weeks and already missing Cuba. Despite the grinds of daily life, I still check in every day to see what’s new. FYI: My cell has died, I’m looking for a new one – getting really frustrated at the providers (each trying to outdo the other while increasing costs). So what has everyone been up to?Tried to post on the Cuban forum but didn’t seem appropriate. So let me try here.

Five weeks and feeling it too, sundog.The cell providers here have stacked the deck. If you want a free phone you pay the big monthly bucks. If you pay a bit more for the phone it really pays off quite quickly with reduced monthly rates.

Virgin had great rates last month and retained the old phone number for my client.

Hmmm…guessing the "honeymoon" period for the new Debbie’s is over?One member has already been banned so the entertainment factor is now minimized and I guess the sparring partner is less interested in posting these days.

We need Gardengal to come up with a new thread idea. She seems to have a knack for it!

	Maybe Gardengal would like the challenge to create a winning, Off Topic thread?

	Maybe Gardengal would like the challenge to create a winning, Off Topic thread? That would be a huge challenge!Many members are totally unaware of the Off Topic section hidden away at the very bottom of the page. Was that done on purpose?If Off Topic were a bit closer to or even part of the very active Cuba forum, it might actually get noticed.

Usually during summer time there is less people traveling to the south and less people doing searches in the google and other search engines. If you check Google trends you will know what I am talking about. Other thing is that finally after long winter and many raining days we started to see some sunshine and that is the time when spring cleaning and gardening starts so many members get busy with work around home. Google trends is great tool and shows predictions and interests of the online surfers.

	I think I’m going to bite the bullet and try to get to Cuba this summer. We’ll see if I can handle the heat…!

	No problem with the heat. You fended off a hot taxi driver, after all, eh?

I think I’m going to bite the bullet and try to get to Cuba this summer. We’ll see if I can handle the heat…!

I am sure you will be able to handle the heat as you are on the beach. I went many times during summer time and its very nice during summer in Cuba. Anyway back to the topic we had 28 Members, 802 Guests in the last 24 hours on the forum so not too quiet around

Spunky: re cell phones. I ran into an issue with a provider. Bought it online, but when completing the info, it kept coming back my address didn’t match my card number (the provider is my own the I’ve used for years). So I kept trying! Long & short story: I called Visa and my card had been charged 5 times. So I explained what had happened, Visa flagged my card, I called the provider and got the phone free!!!

Admin: Yeah, I know about the summer trends and I’m thinking we don’t have many Brits here at Debbie’s. They seem to do most of their travels in summer time and on another forum, they are asking questions like crazy. And I do agree with you about our CDN summers, they are so short that few are checking travel forums; they’re to busy outside just enjoying Mother Nature (that will include me when some nice weather arrives in my neck of the woods – we’re still cleaning up after the ice storms in Dec & Jan).

No problem with the heat. You fended off a hot taxi driver, after all, eh? LOL

He was more romantic than hot! Just one of the bartenders at Kawama warned me off of August, as that’s when the hotel is full of Cubans (? why is that a bad thing) and it’s killer hot. That was my view too, though, that I’d be paddling in the ocean, not working in it.

Just one of the bartenders at Kawama warned me off of August, as that’s when the hotel is full of Cubans (? why is that a bad thing) and it’s killer hot. That was my view too, though, that I’d be paddling in the ocean, not working in it.

It is bad for bartender as he will not get any tips

Just one of the bartenders at Kawama warned me off of August, as that’s when the hotel is full of Cubans (? why is that a bad thing) and it’s killer hot. Aside from the lack of tips from Cubans, I’ve noticed they can be quite rude to the resort staff as well.My colleague mentioned a resort full of Cubans is like a resort dominated by Russian guests. The resort has a very different ambience!August is way too hot for me, and did I mention it’s hurricane season.

Maybe Gardengal would like the challenge to create a winning, Off Topic thread? That would be a huge challenge!Many members are totally unaware of the Off Topic section hidden away at the very bottom of the page. Was that done on purpose?If Off Topic were a bit closer to or even part of the very active Cuba forum, it might actually get noticed. LOL… That’s going to be tough… but I do love a "challenge" Spunky! So I accept!

"Let the games begin!"

Virgin had great rates last month and retained the old phone number for my client.

Well, I got the free phone AND a $150 credit on my account. Visa cancelled my card because it was compromised and then I hit the roof. I guess it pays to play ####y? Not that I am that person, meek, mild and well-mannered! (Don’t ask my family, they think I’m outspoken.)

	Admin: Yeah, I know about the summer trends and I’m thinking we don’t have many Brits here at Debbie’s. They seem to do most of their travels in summer time and on another forum, they are asking questions like crazy. I will try to invite some Brits to join us and I will try to target them in my ads.

	Great idea Admin. I know we have a few now, but I love to read their posts. I sometimes have to ask for a translation!! Not really, but they have idioms that I’ve never heard and so I get a better education.

	She did say something. My skills with cut & paste are lacking!At Rancho Luna last week, the place was about 60% Cuban guests. Many of them had bags to carry excess food for delivery to friends who were outside the gates of the place. The buffet ran out of food very quickly with no management oversight to prevent this.

At Rancho Luna last week, the place was about 60% Cuban guests. Many of them had bags to carry excess food for delivery to friends who were outside the gates of the place. The buffet ran out of food very quickly with no management oversight to prevent this. Sounds a little like the recent review for Sol Cayo Santa Maria that was…*Overall a disapointing poor experience*???The people had quite a few issues, and then "…suddenly the resort got filled up by people coming from God knows where that starting to trash the place like unbelievable these people would leave food in the swimming pool glasses all over it was just a mess.we even seen a girl vomiting on her feet and then go wash them in the swimming pool that is how disgusting that place got the be.we try to find out what was going on and we were told that he was the national weekend and that people were just getting in for next to nothing…."On the SCSM fb page they also showed pictures of some type of celebration for girls turning 15yrs old? Apparently there is some type of "coming of age" party for young girls in the cuban/Latino culture called "Quinceañera". It’s like a prom, dressing up, makeup & hair done, photos, and a big bash afterwards… and now some "well to do" Cubans are booking the party at "All Inclusive Resorts".

Quinceañera is the equivalent of a Debutante Ball or a Coming Out party here and is celebrated when a young woman becomes 15 and is no longer considered a child.A "Quince" is a big deal in the Spanish and French cultures in the Caribbean as well as in ex-pat communities worldwide.The hotel managers have the responsibility of moderating their guests, no matter where they come from.Hardly a rule but I get the sense that vacationing Cubans use (or have access to?) the lower priced properties in an area, just like some of the younger "Party Crowd" from Canada.** In DR a few years back, locals took over the hotel property through a long weekend.

In this case, however, the parking lot was full of their BMW’s, Mercedes and Lexus, but the experience was close to what you described. LOL****

She did say something. My skills with cut & paste are lacking!At Rancho Luna last week, the place was about 60% Cuban guests. Many of them had bags to carry excess food for delivery to friends who were outside the gates of the place. The buffet ran out of food very quickly with no management oversight to prevent this. I’ve been to Rancho Luna before and can verify what you experienced. Unfortunately, there was lots of waste and lots of theft when it comes to the food and booze. Mounds of sandwiches and beer were left on the tables uneaten. I saw people ordering far more food then they could ever eat and just leave it rotting everywhere. The bartenders and especially the cooks at the outdoor snack bars look so frustrated as they were extremely busy, but knew that they were working like crazy for nothing as the food was being wasted.People were leaving the resorts with bags so heavy, they coud barely carry them.Lots of Cubans on the beach who were not guests of the hotel but were being supplied by the Cubans who were paying guests.I think they chip in for one to be a customer than that person carries out stuff to give to the others. They get their money’s worth.

This isn’t the only resort where I have seen this.

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