frangran

...

We were there 2 weeks ago. We did 3 optional tours, all through Royal. 1.Old Havana City Sightseeing (bus tour) gave general overview of the city & the history. 2. Tropicana Nightclub was AMAZING -- like being inside a 1930's musical movie (like Fred & Ginger movies) because the 200+ performers were all over, including multiple levels on the stage & on walkways into the audience. Truly spectacular! (Warning: Some skimpy costumes, but not nudity.) 3. Havana by Classic American Car was also GREAT! All the cars are convertibles & painted in bright colors -- it was back to the 50's! Loved it! I probably wouldn't go back to Cuba again, but it was worth it to do those optionals! Yes, they were expensive, but I've got my memories!

Not that I know of, but it is an easy place to get to the French Quarter on your own by either walking (not a short walk), renting an Uber/Lyft, or if you are feeling adventurous, figuring out the streetcars. Once you are in the Quarter, you can do quite a bit on foot. If you are staying the night in NOLA before or after your cruise, I would recommend dropping off your luggage at the hotel, and then taking a Lyft or Uber to the Quarter (Jackson Square or Cafe du Monde are good drop-off places). Once there, you can do pretty much anything you want on foot as restaurants, bars, and other attractions are within walking distance, and both of those places are worth a visit. :cool:

 

Here is a copy of a post that I made to my roll call. It depends on what you have in mind for activities/time/price/etc, but there are many interesting things to do in New Orleans, and it is a shame to have some down time in that amazing city. The food and drinks are amazing, and my wife and I consider NOLA to be a destination itself for our cruise.

 

 

 

I hope this is helpful, and have a great cruise!

We're going at Christmas time. Thank you for your very helpful list!

Sorry I mentioned it. I'd gladly delete my post if this MB permitted it.

I agree. Carnival has taken away just about everything they can get away with taking away, without giving back anything in return. It's not like it used to be at all. If someone were to take their first cruise now, they would not know that anything is missing, unless and until they cruise on another line. We still continue to cruise on Carnival because of good port proximity to our home, but will cruise a different line when taking our Alaska and Mediterranean cruises in the future. Carnival is what it is now, and I'm still ok with it, for now.

Agree!

I dress for dinner. Gowns/cocktail dresses for elegant nights. Cocktail dresses/nice dresses for casual nights. I will be a little more casual the first and last night but still wearing nice sundresses. I enjoy dressing up and cruising is the perfect opportunity.

 

I'm sure some will be dressed more casually and that's fine. To each their own.

My grown daughter & I do the same. It's more fun & special to dress up!

Just back from Cuba 2 weeks ago on Royal.

THE LAW CHANGED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. DON'T RELY ON OUTDATED SOURCES!

You need an APPROVED GUIDED TOUR each day you want to go ashore in Cuba. It can be through your cruise company OR an approved other company.

Our ship spent 2 full days & overnight in Havana. I took three tours through Royal: 1. a full day bus tour of Havana, 2. Tropicana Night Club (AMAZING -- like BEING in the middle of a 1930's Fred Astaire - Ginger Rogers movie! Costumes were skimpy but not nudity.), and 3. the 1950's cars tour of Havana (FABULOUS -- all the cars were convertibles & it was like being a teen again! I'm 71.)

Good luck to everyone!

Please check out the size & weight restrictions of your airline. Lufthansa allows only 17.5 pounds for a carry-on. They DO go around with a scale & weigh the carry-ons as the passengers wait to board the plane!

Also, remember that suitcases are measured from FLOOR TO HANDLE by the airlines, but from BOTTOM OF THE CASE TO TOP OF THE CASE by the manufacturers who do NOT include wheels & handles in their measurements. Especially with 360 wheels which protrude from the bottom of the case for a couple of inches, this can make a difference at the airport!

I travel with my grown daughter. We bring one carry-on & a large Pacsafe purse each. Here is our packing list:

Our Generic Packing List

Travel Outfit:- Wrinkle-proof: can be lighter weight. Black knit pants, jacket. Black or color tee shirt. Black cashmere sweater (airports are always cold). Waterproof hooded jacket (summer) or coat with zip liner. Black shoes & socks. Black pashmina.

Pants: #1 Jeans or other pants.

Capris and/or Skirts: #3 We wear Macabi Skirts which can be made into "pants" by hitching them up. We usually skip the purses on cruises because they have big pockets including a zip pocket. They dry so fast! Vendors don't bother us on shore days because we aren't toting purses! Black for evening & day. Blue or beige or grey (pick 2) for day.

Long Sleeve shirts: #3-5 Cool weather only. Black, beige, grey. 1 or 2 other colors/prints. Tees and/or travel shirts

ShortSleeve Tops: #3-5 Black, beige, grey. 1 or 2 colors/ prints. Tees.

Tank Tops: #3-5 Same as above. Tees or sleeveless travel shirts. Summer only. Cold weather, 1 black tank with lace to wear as layer or as dressy top with black skirt.

Evening Gowns: #2 LOVE to dress up! One long evening gown & one cocktail dress each. They roll up small! Cruises only!

Shoes: #2 In addition to the comfy loafers worn on the plane, 1 pair walking sandals; 1 pair dressy shoes/sandals. Black.

PJ: 1 set -- style & weight depending on weather.

Undies: Of course! Longies in the winter!

Also:1 one-piece swimsuit. 1 tankini set to be worn with skirt on shore days when there's a tour with beach at the end.

Accessories: 1 cheap but cute necklace or earrings for dress up nights. 1 or 2 scarves. Folding sun hat. Folding fan.

Grooming: Toothbrush & paste, hair brush, etc etc

Other:

Glasses

Watch

Sunglasses, etc.

Also charcoal pills for food poisoning, essential oils, OTC meds

Make-up

I also write up what to wear on a daily basis for tours (not as necessary for a cruise), but if you're interested, here's what I took for a tour of Russia a couple of years ago.

DAY 1, Thursday - Flight

Travel clothes

DAY 2, Friday - Moscow. Go to hotel. On your own. PM briefing by Tour Manager then Welcome Dinner w/champagne toast. Meals: D

Travel clothes -- Change after LONG flights. Hotel looks rather grand. Great pool=swimsuit. Something nice for dinner..

DAY 3, Saturday - Kremlin, Armory Museum, Arbat Center

Go in cathedral. Go in Armory Museum. Walk Alexander Gardens -Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Go to Red Square. GUM.Shop & eat on your own. Arbat Street, artisans. PM on your own. Meals: B

Layers.

DAY 4, Sunday - In AM, Tretyakovsky State Gallery. Lunch included.

Optional: Metro & Moscow by Night (PM) Departs at 8:30 pm. 3 hours. Meals: B,L

Layers bright top

DAY 5, Monday - High Speed Day Train to St. Petersburg. Dormition of Theotokos.

Welcome Dinner.Borscht, fresh-baked cakes,Chicken Kiev & vodka. Meals: B,D

Travel clothes. Red top for Borscht en route to hotel from train station!

DAY 6, Tuesday - Tour of St. Petersburg, Drive. Visit Peter Paul Fortress.

PM: Optional: Russian Folklore. Departs at 8:15 pm. 2 hours. Meals: B

Layers

DAY 7, Wednesday - Tour Hermitage Museum, Winter Palace. On your own.

Optional: Catherine's Palace at Pushkin (PM)*Departs at 1:00 pm. 5 hours.

Optional: Cruise on the Rivers and Canals (PM)* Departs at 8:30 pm. 2.5 hours.

Meals: B

LONG day! Little time between opts. Layers. Waterproof layers for cruise.

DAY 8, Thursday - AM Optional. Peterhof Tour Departs at 8:30 am. 4 hours.

PM. Yusupov Palace, Farewell Dinner Meals: B, D

Layers. Two really grand palaces. Dress a bit nicer?

DAY 9, Friday - Fly to NYC. Meals: B

Travel clothes

Day 10, Sat. - Fly home

Travel clothes

General rules: Weather changes & rain possible always.

Scarf & covered for churches.

MOST IMPORTANT: BRING ONE THING HEAVIER & ONE THING LIGHTER THAN YOU THINK YOU'LL NEED! It may be the only thing you wear the whole trip!

If you're really concerned about something directly above or beneath you, see if you can change rooms. We haven't noticed much noise unless it's right above or below our room.

Although we check out the deck plans, we once ended up directly above a piano bar that decided to extend its hours til the wee hours of the morning. We always bring earplugs, but even they couldn't drown out ALL the racket.

... that is if the good Lord is willing an the creeks don't rise!!!!:(

I was just going to add those very words!

66 days to Cuba cruise, Lord willin' & the creek don't rise!

(I hope the good Lord wills it & the creeks stay in place for your cruise, too, Gottagoacruzn!)

It's admirable that you are defending all these things, but they are still real issues for a lot of people.

 

They can't add streets, but perhaps they can change traffic patterns on the existing ones.

 

There may be lots of hotels available, but many require 2 night stays.

 

Rental cars are indeed private businesses, but that doesn't change the fact that many are not open on Sundays.

 

We understand that the island can't be moved closer to an airport, but that doesn't change the fact that it is fairly far from the airport(s).

 

The itineraries are indeed up to the cruise lines, but many still feel that they could be better.

 

And of course none of this addresses the ridiculous Texas liquor laws, and the fog.

 

The fact is that a lot of people feel Galveston has some serious drawbacks as a cruise port, whether you think so or not.

I agree entirely! I live in DFW & fly to N.O. or one of the Florida ports to avoid Galveston with its fog & and all the other problems.

Yep. YF vaccine is not given to over 60's. I didn't really start travelling until I was in my 60's & now I'm in my 70's -- so there are a lot of places I just can never go! Darn & double darn! ;p

Unless you sail on the Oasis or Quantum class ships,you don’t really have to reserve anything.

Exactly. We've cruised Royal a couple of times & never needed reservations for the shows.

Thank you, Sea Days! I'd love to know. We're sailing in late June.

No makeup on overnight flights -- but I always wear a SMILE! :D

Thank you, Biker19. I just wondered if they served something traditional or tropical. :D

If you're flying, the TSA takes a dim view of transporting PB jars. They confiscated mine & said it shows up like explosives!

But the TSA also took out my deck of question & answer family game cards, & read them over -- they said it was to be sure I wasn't flying with something I shouldn't have! I still haven't figured that one out! ;p

Will someone please post the menus for the cruise to Cuba?

Thank you so much!! :)

I agree about summer clothes -- but do bring one outfit that's a bit warmer. Pants & short sleeve top & windbreaker. We've hit an unexpected cold/rainy spell once or twice at that time of year.

I've never been late for departure.

But on every one of my cruises, there's always been at least one person left behind at one port or other. :ship:

I did get my 70th birthday wish of a gorgeous lanyard from Lanyard Goddess as I mentioned above!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/90007474/beaded-lanyard-breakaway-lanyard-id?ref=shop_home_feat_4

Wow...I wish I did live in the Deep South. That store sounds amazing!!!!:)

It's a great store! <3

I see they're starting to spread to new areas recently (Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, & Oklahoma), so maybe one will open near you! I hope so!!!!! :D

The Dirt Cheap store in Fort Lauderdale closed sometime last year. I loved that place! :loudcry:

How sad for you! :(

My daughter & I were heart-broken <|3 to leave the Gulf Coast with all its DC stores 4 years ago -- but just this year, they started opening here in Texas! :hearteyes:

Maybe they'll open another store near you, too.... I hope so! Fingers crossed!!!

If you live in Texas or the Deep South, check out Dirt Cheap Stores. This past Saturday, I bought a beautiful pink jacket still wearing its original Bloomingdale price tag of $518 (tax would have added about another $40). I paid ONE DOLLAR!

Look items over carefully because there are no returns . It's all NEW merchandise, but there are some returns or insurance items. There are various tiers of discounts on the already discounted prices marked. Big signs & PA announcements explain how it works, or you can ask an employee -- or other shoppers!

My grown daughter & I regularly find great bargains there. $5 for white leather jacket with $300 price tag. $1 for top quality cashmere hooded sweater reduced from over $200. We paid 25 cents each for Talbots scarves which were originally $78. Evening jackets, skirts, suits for $1 -- the tags said $98-$197. The list goes on & on!

We've also found great bedding deals. Once they had grand pianos for sale! You never know what'll be there!

We've done Carnival the past three Christmases on different ships. The first year was literally the best Christmas we've ever had! It was magical & beautiful! But each year has been less Christmassy than the previous. Fewer decorations, fewer holiday events & special shows, even little things like fewer Christmas greetings from the staff. This last year hardly seemed like Christmas at all. It may depend on the cruise director or the ship, or it may be cut-backs. Of course, if you don't have anything to compare it with, you may love it. We've cancelled our Carnival booking for this Christmas & are trying another cruise line this year.