nbhwarrior

So heard there has been so legislation in US around to travel to Cuba is the any info what this means to cruising? Or is it to early to say yet?

As have booked cruise already and private tours

Thanks

Now' date=' it turns out the hike is "technically" trespassing. I'm thinking we need something else. I'll keep trying.

 

Renee[/quote']

 

Hi Renee was this with http://www.martiniqueexcursions.com or http://www.martiniqueexcursion.com?

 

how did you find out that the hike was trespassing

 

thanks

Anyone used this company before for excurssion? looking and doing half day sail/snorkel/beach excurssion

thanks all for the update

anybody gor any updates on the island? and any idea when cruise ships might be returning?

Thanks

Any reports on St John? Heard they are still without power and many of the national parks and beaches were heavily damaged. Would love to hear some good news on this beautiful island

I would be interested to hear about St John too and how they are doing, as due to visit in January

thanks Mack on the seranade in january

I think there a 30% off sale that finished yesterday, it may hapeen again (depending on when you are sailing

thanks all that responded

HI CC

is there a formal night on 3 night cruises? if so is it the 2nd night? and what is normally on the menu?

just trying to find out before choosing dinning options

Thanks

Hi All

I know its been over 90 days now since Mr Trump made his announcement, any updates or changes yet to travel to cuba from US????

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/09/13/2017-19522/continuation-of-the-exercise-of-certain-authorities-under-the-trading-with-the-enemy-act

 

Take a look at the above link and tell me what this means. It looks to me like trump just extended the existing regulations on visiting Cuba for another year. However, I'm not a legal person, or highly versed on government regulations, so I really don't know.

Thank you roothy

Im not expert on UK Law never mind US law lol

So does this mean that we will still be able to book tours ourself and not have to go on the ship tours, and be able to mingle and engage as we please, as long as it is recorded?????

if so Fantastic:D

Thank you all for your input

just to update you i eventually got a call back from RCCL (which i can understand with what is currently going on), firstly thay stated that that they had spoken to the shore excursion team (SET) and that they had to change tour providers and the new tour was more expensive and they are entitled to do this under T&C's BLAH BLAH BLAH, and that they fully understood my frustration, the tour by the way was the st john on your own tour

i stated that i didnt think this was acceptable and i would like to raise it higher and that i felt that it was exactly the same tour (although allegedly a new provider) and that i felt RCCL should make the up the difference in price, could you send me the e-mails that had been sent, i was told they would be sent through

the phone rings an hour later, same guy confirming that he had spoken to somone ekse higher up in SET and that they were willing to make up the difference, they are still saying the tour is different but i cannot see any difference at all

Hi CC's

Just got an email from RCCL cancelling a shore excursion that i had pre-booked, they did not give a specific reason but it could be several, they then suggested that i book another shore excursion, which is exactly the same as the one i had originally (bit with a different booking code), which is more expensive.

I have challenged this, however awaiting a reply.......

anyone expirienced this? and what was the outcome

Thanks

My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the Harvey and Irma

Check out the latest Carnival Cruise Line news from Cruise Critic:

 

Just Back From Carnival Paradise: Cruising to Cuba

Hi Laura

Excelent review, i have a couple of questions

i booked this cruise for next August a week ago, not knowing that the landscape will be changing, also i was not aware that that i would need to abide by the same conditions as a us passport holder, i wanted to people to meet people and go on tours of my choice, so will have to wait to see what happens, what are your views?

also can you remember and post what ships tours there where and what they cost? if not how much was the one you went on cost?

thanks

Laws changes possible for US citizens because of the speech by the US President.

 

Unless PM May has some sort of announcement changing the UK's policies for travel in Cuba, you are not affected.

Thanks tommui

I am getting told different things!!!

I arrive to cuba via the US, then i am under the same restrictions as your good self's

Booked cruise to cuba over the weekend, then start to read about changes to travel to Cuba from the US!!!!!

if the intended changes happen what in a nutshell will that mean?

Thanks a confused Brit

My husband and I both thought the food in the MDR was really good. We ate several breakfasts in there (1 page menu-did not change the entire week to my knowledge) with the usual offerings, smoked salmon plate, eggs, oatmeal, eggs Benedict, fruit, etc. There is also a buffet in the MDR that is quick if you are short on time. Yogurts, hot foods like scrambled eggs, meats,etc. and there was a waffle station there the mornings we ate there serving fresh waffles. No wait for a table and you could be in and out quickly. We ate one lunch in the MDR (port intensive cruise so we ate in the MDR on the sea day only). There was the salad bar that everyone raves about. I had a delicious fish dish and crepes for dessert that was delicious. We had two dinners in the MDR-both very good with great servers. Never saw a curry menu in the MDR.

 

Regarding the Windjammer, we only ate one meal there. We really don't eat buffets. I will say I stopped in there one evening and the food looked great. But, I don't know how it tasted. I'm convinced that's how norovirus starts, and I have never had it yet. I would have definitely tried the Windjammer if there was someone serving the food. I had an omelette the day of disembarkation and it was good.

 

We ate at Chops the first night. Our filets were delicious. Service was a little slow, but we were tired from the travel day. We also ate at Giovanni's, we liked the filets better at Chops. The risotto was delicious at Giovanni's! We did not like Izumi at all. We tried them the second formal night and did not feel like dressing up. Everyone else had the same idea. The restaurant was packed, two overwhelmed servers. Rolls were falling apart, forgot our appetizer. Our server suggested the appetizer, we never received it, then he asked, which one was it that you ordered again? We were like, the one that you suggested? We also enjoyed Chefs Table for the first time. The Chef was from Mexico with a great personality who shared the preparation of each course (interesting since I cook) and the dessert was over the top! This meal was over 3 hours long (we knew that going in ), we were expecting better wines, don't think I would do chefs table again, but we are glad we tried it.

 

Bottom line for us- we purchased all these specialty dining options thinking the food in the MDR would not be good. We were wrong. I don't think I would spend as much on specialty dining on my next RCI cruise. Our favorite was Chops, although I think more people on CC prefer Giovanni's.

 

Sorry for the long reply. Hope this helps.

thanks pattycat for taking time to give your in depth expirience and replying to my question:D

any updates if this on any other ships yet?

hi pattycat

glad you had great trip

how was the stadard food on the MDR and windjammer? did they have an Indian curry menu in the MDR?

also did you eat at any of the for a fee restaurants? and if you did how did you rate them?

Thanks

I would try RC or another line and then you can make make your own mind up, cruising is all about perception, you will be cruising whatever your choice

Hi cc's

How much is a taxi for two people to christenstad from the pier? And how long does it take? And also the return journey

Thanks

Other items besides curry, like vindaloo?

vindaloo is a curry bob

We ended up doing the "Ultimate Island and National Parks beaches" tour in March of this year from Celebrity. However, we were on the same shuttle boat to St John as the "On Your Own" excursion. I also don't understand why it didn't leave earlier, that said, we did have a decent amount of time on St John, I'd estimate around 5 hrs. I think we had to be back at the shuttle boat at 4 pm or so, with our ship leaving at 5. I think the ride was between islands was approx 30 mins. The location of where you get on the shuttle boat was EXTREMELY close to the ship, like literally a 2 minute walk tops. It was very convenient. We are planning on going back to St John next March and will likely do the "On Your Own" excursion next time.

Thanks chechya

do you or anybody know where the shuttle boat drops you off once you get to St johns? how much/how far/how long - is it to get to trunk bay or cinnamon beach?

thanks

I'm also looking for more information on the RCL/Celebrity version of this excursion. I have done St. John on my own using the ferry system. Yes, it's doable, but not exactly cheap once you pay for the taxi to and from Red Hook and the cost of the ferry. The RCL/Celebrity excursion is only $29! It eliminates the stress associated with getting back to the ship on time. Frequent visitors to St. Thomas know that traffic can be an issue sometimes. You either take a huge risk, or travel back on a ferry leaving earlier than necessary "just in case". The ship excursion sounded like a good compromise, except I understand it doesn't depart until 10AM. I hate that part. Why not 9AM? People would get another HOUR on St. John. Other than that, it sounds good, but would LOVE to hear from someone who actually experienced it. How long is the boat ride? Does it leave from right near the ship, or is there wasted time GETTING to the boat first? How much time do you actually have on St. John? What time does the ship leave St. John to return to the ship. All info welcome! If people with experience advise against it, I still have time to change plans and use the ferry. Thanks!

is there anyone who can answer this as i am very interested, in finding out before making a booking?