Booked on XL flight 12th January 2008

Phil Walker · Post by **Phil Walker** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 10:15 am

Hi all, this is my first post on this forum, so treat me gently!

My partner and myself have booked the above XL fight for what I believe, to be a good price of £644 for two!

Only recently have I heard some of the horror stories associated with XL. I'm in two minds whether to cancel and book with Virgin, but that would mean changing dates, and we're already booked in at Ali-Babas Sea Breeze.

Anybody got any views on these flights, I'm just really concerned about possible delays and the reported state of some of their planes!

Thanks....

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 11:19 am

Hello Phil

Welcome aboard!

Its a difficult one. Yes, XL haven't got the greatest of track records and they have deservedly come in for criticism. However, there have been some huge changes at the company since a management buy-out last year and I know they are very aware of the reliability issues and taking them seriously. All I can tell you that we have been using XL for our Tobago flights ever since they took over from Monarch about 3 years back and have never had a problem. In fact, just the opposite - we've had excellent flights which have been early, more often than they have been late. Don't be fooled - the other airlines suffer delays as well. Yes, just don't expect any frills with the XL service. I know who I will be booking with for our next journey out there, simply because it is such excellent value for money.

Phil Walker · Post by **Phil Walker** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 1:25 pm

Thanks for that Steve.

I have seen some good reviews, and the next cheapest price with Virgin is over £1000 for two, so I think I'll leave it and hope for the best

I'll no doubt be posting some more in the near future as this forum looks to have some good information. I always like to be prepared when visiting a new place!

Bill B · Post by **Bill B** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 5:46 pm

Hello Phil,

You've joined on of the best travel forums anywhere.

We spent four wonderful days at Ali-Babas Seabreeze in January as part of our trip and really enjoyed it. It's a relaxing. friendly and a beautiful location. $\:D/$ See my photo links for some pictures of Seabreeze and Castara.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your partner and what you're interested in doing while in Tobago and I'm sure lots of the regulars will join in with information, advice and opinions.

Bill

Phil Walker · Post by **Phil Walker** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 8:48 am

Hi Bill. Great pics btw, seems like I'm there already!

Just returned from Cancun and got talking to a few guys from Chicago and other parts of Illinois, great guys.

Done quite a bit of research on Tobago, so I've a fair idea of what to expect, but do appreciate advice from the enlightened ones

Actually I've not mentioned yet as probably not the right forum, will post in correct forum later, but me and my partner Sarah are getting married whilst in Tobago and my Dad and his wife are joining us!

We've been in contact with Marie at tobago weddings, but we're also trying to get hold of Porridge at Castara Retreats for a quote, but have been unable to contact him. Any ideas on this much appreciated.

Other than that, we may do a trip or to, I'm sure Brian at the Seabreeze will sort us a cheap trip or two! Sarah wants to spend 1 night right in the jungle, never thought about that myself, and wouldn't have thought you could do such a trip.

Checked out restaurants on line, but any personal recommedations would be welcome oh and lastly (sorry) what do you think our budget should be per day, what sort of prices can we expect?

ATB

Phil

Tony G · Post by **Tony G** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 9:03 am

Hi Phil

Tobago is a great place to get married. My long-time partner and I did just that in Feb 2007. We did no pre-planning and it was dead easy - shorts and t-shirts at sunset on Mt. Dillon overlooking Castara Bay. Then down to Cascreole for rum punch and a fish supper on the beach.

The only downside about a stay in Castara is that you eventually have to leave.

I am at the moment planning our next visit, which looks like it may be around the same time as you. Perhaps we will bump into each other. I will be the middle-aged dude wearing a big smile.

Tony

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 9:09 am

Hi Phil

I now that Porridge is in England at the moment. I'm not sure for how long, but at least a couple of weeks and he only arrived last week. My guess is that his partner, Jeanelle, back in Tobago has emailed him but he's enjoying himself so much that he's not thinking of work. You probably won't get a reply until he gets back to Tobago.

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 10:11 am

Hi Phil,I am sure that Brian(Alibaba) does overnight in the rain forest.
I shall have been ensconced at Seabreeze for a month when you and Tony G arrive,I shall endeavour not to consume too much Carib or White Oak to ensure that there is an ample supply to celebrate your nuptuals!
David

Phil Walker · Post by **Phil Walker** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 1:51 pm

Wow, thanks for all the replys, guys, been a great help already.

I'll keep you posted with any info on the wedding.

Oh, Steve, the e mail I have for Porridge is coming back undeliverable, the address I have is- [email protected].

Is there another e mail address I could use to contact them?

Cheers

Phil

Johanna Y. · Post by **Johanna Y.** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 3:39 pm

Phil,

Try this address for Porridge and Jeanelle [email protected]. I found it a lot easier to reach them by using that one. I can't recommend Porridge enough, he's great

. Enjoy!

Johanna

Sioned And Tim Sims · Post by **Sioned And Tim Sims** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 8:33 am

Hi Phil,

I think Porridge is in the Uk for 5 weeks but if you email Jeanelle on the address Johanna has given you she will be able to tell you when he's getting back, as Joanna has said Porridge is a lovelly man and he will do all he can to make your day perfect.

We have flown both Virgin and XL and have found not much to choose between them, the difference of £356 will buy you a lot of champagne to celebrate your wedding.

Have a fantastic time
Sioned

Sioned And Tim Sims · Post by **Sioned And Tim Sims** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 8:39 am

Hi Steve,

Sorry to be a pain, but is there any chance of getting a Welsh flag.

Sioned.

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 9:14 am

Hi Sioned

Ooh, you've left yourself wide open to some heavyweight banter there. I'm struggling to avoid cashing in on the opportunity.

There IS and always HAS BEEN a Welsh flag (well, more of a handerkerchief actually). I've always provided flags for all of the colonies - but you had selected the UK flag when registering your account, not the Wales flag. Just shows where your true leanings are, I guess.

Anway, teasing aside, I've changed the flag in your profile for you.

As regards Porridge, I've been in touch with Phil - he had a typo in the address so I'm sure the matter will be fully resolved shortly.

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 9:23 am

I hope you are not referring to Kernow as a colony Mr Wooler

David
ps where has my flag gone?

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 9:40 am

Who or what is Kernow? Can't say I've ever heard of it, to be honest.

Lost your flag, have you? Well, that will teach you not to be such a misbelieving sod, won't it, young man????? You read my reply to Sioned and didn't believe me, so dived straight into your profile to check the flags. Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England are there - but not Cornwall (we can't allow it to mix with 'real' places, can we?).

Joking aside, I manually tweaked your account to show the non-standard flag. Trouble is, the moment you went into your Profile and looked at the flags, you effectively picked 'none' for your flag and that over-wrote your non-standard entry. Not to worry - all fixed. Never click on the Submit button unless you want any changes to be written permanently.

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:50 pm

Sorry boss

.
Kernow is the ancient country that you Saes call Cornwall.It is one of the three(maybe four)areas where Europes oldest written and spoken language is still used.(Cymraeg,Wales: Bretton,Brittany:Kernowek,Cornwall),some also have the fourth as being Basque---but that is more a Latin tongue than Indo-Celtic.
And Kernow/Cornwall has never ever been part of the UK.
David,Kernow bys vyken!

Phil Walker · Post by **Phil Walker** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:33 am

Thanks for the replys guys. I did have the wrong e mail address, as Steve kindly pointed out. This was due, not to my typing, but to the incorrect address being posted on the simply tobago website!

I had to double check it at least twice as I couldn't believe it was wrong. It had 3 t's in it not 2.

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:42 pm

WHAT website????Sir there is an unwritten rule,Mr Wooler in all his splendour has the ONLY Tobago website of any covenance,so on your behalf I will give apologies for you using the bad words

David(Seriously counting)

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Phil Walker · Post by **Phil Walker** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:59 pm

Oh yes, I did tell Mr W, his was by far the better website of course.

I did offer to flagellate myself to within a inch of my life, for such flagrant breech of etiquette but he did say it wasn't necessary

this time anyway

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:37 pm

David