Houndfish

Looks like June 5th (tomorrow) is the date the changes will be posted in the Federal Register.

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm700

Hope the cruise and travel lobbyists will be able to get some relief later.

I guess if you booked a cruise that leaves prior to tomorrow you are ok.

If you booked a private trip that will be allowed.

It will be interesting to see itinerary changes for Cuba cruises after tomorrow. We should know soon.

On ‎5‎/‎28‎/‎2019 at 7:28 AM, cruisinagainDnR said:

Hi! Out of curiosity, what tour guide and company did you use and on what day of the week were you in Havana? We will be there on Monday the 17th of June and are using Havana Memories with Roly as our guide and photographer. I am just wondering if the day of the week that the ship is in port has anything to do with the ease of debarkation. Also, were there any other cruise ships in port at the same time as yours?

This is the link for cruise port activity in Havana

http://crew-center.com/havana-cuba-cruise-ship-schedule-january-june-2019

Thanks.

In checking the State Dept. restricted list I noticed that Hotel Nacional was not mentioned. It was my understanding that it is on the list.

Can someone clarify that for me?

Excellent, many forget about toilet paper. Some places charge a CUC for a toilet seat which they hand to you once you've paid.

It depends on how long you will be in Havana on day 2.

My wife and I were on the Majesty on a Nov 18 sailing. Got into port at 11 am  and off the ship thru customs & immigration and then Cadeca 35 minutes total.

Took the Hemmingway's Havana tour. Ate up the rest of the day. Went back out at night and walked the town, best part of the trip.

I would do your major tours on the first day and wander in town on the second day. Probably take a walk on Obispo St. up to Floridita and enjoy the shopping, bars and music along the way.

On ‎5‎/‎2‎/‎2019 at 11:45 AM, sup3 said:

Our guide, Jorge, brought us to a nice place for lunch. I don’t recall the name but it was originally by a very nice house that is now used as a bed and breakfast. The owners converted the yard to a restaurant and bar. It was very nice and the staff and food was quite good. Everyone in our party of four enjoyed the food.

Our tour started around 9am with about 40 minutes of walking to various sites. Then we got in the classic car and continued with a number of stops where we got out to see the sites. All of us are Hemingway fans so we thoroughly enjoyed visiting he home. We also went to the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, which was the hotel where the mobsters met back in the 40’s. It was the one depicted in the Godfather II movie but wasn’t actually filmed there. The market Jorge brought us to was also interesting with lots of things to buy. You can also ask your guide for recommendations. You won’t be disappointed. Enjoy your trip. 

What was the duration of your tour?

On ‎4‎/‎23‎/‎2019 at 12:23 AM, OHCruisinDad said:

 

We toured with Blexie in early April and had lunch at a great paladar that was about 20 minutes or outside the central city.  I've posted a couple of photos of the entrance and the bar with a couple of the staff.  The food was excellent and they were busy.  Because the restaurant is outside of the downtown area, you would never find it on your own.

Our tour was about 3 hours walking the old city and then about 3 hours including lunch in the 59 Ford and touring sights around the city that were too far for walking.  I'm sure they will accept USD but the problem with USD is they have to convert them at a bank or other government controlled location and according to our guide, if they have too much $$ they can be questioned as to where and how they got the money.  We used CUC's everywhere except the government run rum and cigar store where they took my USD. 

 

What was the cost of your lunch and what did the menu offer?

Great, thanks

On 3/5/2019 at 4:50 PM, pbenjamin said:

Depending upon your itinerary and plans, you are likely to pass though Cuban customs multiple times.  In our case we went through customs in Santiago, Cienfuegos and each time we re-boarded in Havana.  Technically you are not supposed to leave with CUCs but they really have no way of knowing what you are up to.  Having said that, I inadvertantly left 100 CUCs in the safe on the ship and didn't find it until we had left Cuban waters.  I ended up selling it on Craig's List.  

In what category on cl did you list them?

30 mins total from getting in customs and out of Cadeca

If you get off the ship before the ship tours leave you will breeze thru. We went on a ship tour and to wait to leave the ship based on our tour time. Customs & Immigration were busy but moved right along. Short wait at the Cadeca prob 30 minutes after we got in line.

On 4/26/2019 at 6:17 PM, Houndfish said:

their

I stand corrected. Mau I sit down now?

My texting is not prefect.

3 minutes ago, kcbookworm said:

That was absolutely not our experience!  We walked all over Havana alone in addition to our private company car tour and always felt safe.  When we have visited other Caribbean islands, we were often approached by locals to sell something or ask for money.  So the first time a Havana citizen approached us, we were like "oh boy here we go" ... instead the locals loved to strike up a conversation, answer questions, and ask how we were enjoying their country.  Then they would say have a nice day and walk away!  My husband wore his Kansas City Royals ball cap and many men came up and said "Yay Royals!  Tough luck last season!  Do you live in Kansas City?".   We never saw any beggers or anything of the sort which was very different than other islands we have visited.  I am curious what board you saw that comment on so I can check it out!

Same ecperience, went back out at night when crowds were way down and felt totally safe. Night offers a very festive atmosphere. What other Caribbean port would you consider walking around alone at night? Can't think of many.

In Nov 18 on a ship tour I was approached by one well dressed young man asking for money. I said no gracias and he went on his way. Never felt threatenedvat all. When I went into a store to by some rum a guy came up to me and said I could by it cheaper at a non gov store. I said no and he moved on. Much different than other Caribbean ports

Our passports weren't stamped

My wife and I did a tour and went back to the ship, left later without problem. Came back after our night on shore and she didn't take her passport with her. The passport checker let her go back to the ship to bring her passport back and then cleared her. I think if I pressed more she would have let us thru anyway.

41 minutes ago, kcbookworm said:

These are straight out of our cruise compasses the week of April 8th.   We never pack based on theme nights because we have no interest and my husband didn't even pack a jacket for formal night on this cruise.   For the April 8th cruise, our schedule was as follows:

Day 1 - depart Fort Lauderdale

Day 2 - sea day

Day 3 - Key West

Day 4 - Havana

Day 5 - Havana until noon

Day 6 - disembark in Fort Lauderdale

Our 2nd day was in Havana, day 3 was a sea day prob the reason for formal nite being on the 3rd day. Our schedule was day depart day 2 Havana day 3 sea day day 4 Nassau day 5 disembark Ft. Lauderdale.

Makes sense to have formal nite on a sea day.

1 hour ago, kcbookworm said:

There are themes every night and 1 formal night:

Night 1 Casual

Night 2 Formal / 50s and 60s attire

Night 3 Casual / 70s Disco attire

Night 4 Casual / Caribbean attire

Night 5 Casual / 80s attire

The above is the posted policy. On our cruise day 2 was in Havana and day 3 was formal/white attire. I packed according to the posted policy and did not bring a jacket as I was going to be spending time ashore and not visiting the mdr.

I think it was the night after Havana. 

The resourcefulness of the Cuban people is an inspiration

their

Our first trip to Havana was last November. Booked for this November but that is still questionable.

Havana is a great walking city. Never saw any crime only 1 or 2 hustlers and it was magic after dark.

the Cubans are friendly, want to engage with you to talk about there lives and your life. This trip we will take a 3 hr classic car tour and spend the rest of the time further exploring. Go back out again at dusk.

Getting off the ship is easy, Cadeca in the terminal is easy and out you go. Have fun and take pics because it may be a long time until you can go back.

Ok, I'll read it closer next time. Thanks

Thanks, where do you find the lounge? Ask guest services or cabin steward?