wu687

Nobdy ever checked what tou brought back on board, however the rules are that you are not allowed too. However you could see shore bought beer being drank, local beer, which is made by Labatts cost 1.00 -1.25CUC ashore or $100 J dollars.

 

Never felt any vibration on the ship.

 

I enjoyed SI cabin, however as others said,with high solid rail you had to standup to see the view, however no wind because of it"s slope. Some of the cabins near the front of deck 6 were seemed large as were the balcony cabins on deck 7.

Small balcony on Deck 7, has glass.

Thank you for all your replies about cabins, especially the photos. I was thinking of the XD cabins on deck 4 that look similar, but I can see deck 6 would have it's advantages, so XE sounds good. A fridge would be useful - do they let you bring non alcoholic drinks onboard to drink in your cabin? The British cruise lines have tea and coffee making facilities in the cabins, which we will miss.

 

We have 3 cruises booked for over the next few months, so I will make a list of well placed cabins which will make it easier to book online from wherever we are when the cruises go on sale. I assume the sea will be reasonably calm in early March, so we can look at nearer to the front than we normally would. We usually find that older ships have a lot of vibration at the rear - is that the case with the Louis Crystal?

 

Barbara

Nobdy ever checked what tou brought back on board, however the rules are that you are not allowed too. However you could see shore bought beer being drank, local beer, which is made by Labatts cost 1.00 -1.25CUC ashore or $100 J dollars.

Never felt any vibration on the ship.

I enjoyed SI cabin, however as others said,with high solid rail you had to standup to see the view, however no wind because of it"s slope. Some of the cabins near the front of deck 6 were seemed large as were the balcony cabins on deck 7.

We did have a few Americans get on in Montego Bay on our cruise.

 

There was also an American group of 20 Rhodes Scholars, almost all seniors, had flown into Havana, taken a bus with a couple overnight stops to Cienfuegoes, boarded our ship and were getting off at the Santiago De Cuba port.

We were speaking to one man from Indiana with the group. He was retired, but his wife stayed home and still worked to pay for his trips.

The group were with Rodes Scholars Travel, see http://www.roadscholar.org/n/program/dailySchedule.aspx?dID=1-7CZQAL

wu687: It sounds like it is about time for you to get out there and start the flower count. (LOL)

wu687: It sounds like it is about time for you to get out there and start the flower count. (LOL)

Flower count is not until next month, Spring certainly is early, not good for the local skiers.

Ah..the weather! One of the reasons we booked for early March. Getting out of here to Toronto could be a challenge...and ensuring (hopefully) that we have great temps where we are going. Usually book overnight on the strip prior to flight day just in case a storm comes in. Boarding ship at MB on 6th.

After hearing about the weather in the rest of Canada, Victoria had some frost. this morning in some areas, the first this month. It only got up to 10C yesterday, down from 14C the other day. Had no rain for a while. Now 12C today, have to get the lawn mower out soon.

Thanks for the reply and cab info. Hope we can meet up sometime on the cruise. Our cabin is 6110 so you can give us a call. We will be in MB for 3 days with a car before boarding. We have already booked our excursions, thanks to the reviews on this board.

 

See you soon!! Macey and Bob :)

Be aware that you will have to pay a departure tax when you depart by ship from Montego Bay if you stay longer than 24 hours, $20US each.

Most residents of Havana should know and be able to tell you just where one can catch the HOHO bus. Problem is we don't speak Spanish. So we are going to print out a photo of the HOHO bus and laminate it to a piece of cardboard and keep it with us when out and about. By showing it to someone you will at least have asked the question .

 

http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/Yarkerhill/HOHOBus.jpg

 

Granted we may not understand the verbal answer but with hand signals or a street name we would at least be able to head in the right direction. It's a thought

See map https://www.google.com/maps/@23.1363552,-82.3535613,16z

The ship terminal is the top terminal in the harbour that you see on the map. You will see 3 terminals on the map.

To get to the starting point for Havana Bus Tour.

Cross the street from ship terminal, you will be in a small square with a number of bear statues from various countries.

Exit square at top right corner, follow street that runs parallel to main street along water.

Go about two blocks to Oprapia Ave, turn left onto Oprapia Ave, which will take you Parque Central.

You will see the large dome on your left. Bus stop is about half way down Parque Central on the right on busy street.Take the double deck bus. Bus routes have changed, T1 and T2 have been combined and bus did not go near ship terminal. Bus runs every 30 minuites/

There is (or was) a HOHO stop quite close to the cruise terminal. Even got a free rum at a nearby bar with my bus ticket. Sorry but can't remember the name of the location.

 

Seems a long time since I started this thread. Hope to be back next year.

The nearest stop is at Central Square on the right of the big dome, just up from the ship.

No.

The square for bus is Central Square, across the street from Hotel Inglateara, and up street from large domed capital building. Follow Obrapia Street from ship to square.

 

See https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zaw31SPqxq5E.kIBcRPuWq7Xs&msa=0

 

Routes 1 and 2 bus trips have been combined, I left all my maps and notes on the ship.

For more bus info see: http://www.cuba-junky.com/havana/havana_bus_tour.html

Is this the "Main Square' that you refer to?

 

http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/Yarkerhill/OldHavana.jpg

No.

The square for bus is Central Square, across the street from Hotel Inglateara, and up street from large domed capital building. Follow Obrapia Street from ship to square.

See https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zaw31SPqxq5E.kIBcRPuWq7Xs&msa=0

Routes 1 and 2 bus trips have been combined, I left all my maps and notes on the ship.

No problems entering Cuba with computers and support equipment.

 

Rooms have both 220 Volt and 110 Volt (Canadian) receptacles.

I always take a 4 plug power bar to plug into the 110V receptacles. The 220 plugs are deep set 2 pin plugs.

Our cabin (6000) had 2 hair dryers.

Temperature readings were taken everytime that you departed the ship in Cuba.

Hopon- hopoff double deck bus tour is available from the main square in Havana is for 5CUC.

Todays official rate of exchange:

 

1.00 CUC = 1.25276 CAD

 

You would lose a penny on each CUC which is better than losing ten

I exchanged and received 76.35 CUC for 100CND.

In you stay in Montego Bay more than 24 hours before the cruise you need to pay departure tax of $20US.

Cuban medical people will do a temperature scan of everyone before leaving ship at all ports.

No fee for Cuban Visa for those boarding in Montego Bay or for others.

We could not land at Porta Frances because of ocean swells.

Only rain was in Montego Bay this morning.

Heading out today for Havana. Boarding the ship Monday! So excited. Grabbed the SI and looking forward to a busy time in Havana and a big relax on a big deck!

 

This thread has been invaluable! Been following it for about a year and could not have planned our trip without it. Do not anticipate being on line while gone, but will post when I get back Feb.3rd. But you never know...bringing the ipad....

 

Thanks everyone!

Hello Liz

We arrived in Montego Bay yeserday at noon yesterday, it was not cold, about 30C, hot and sunny. Did not do too much, just recovered from the long overnight flight. It will be nice to get onboard and get settled in the SI cabin.

See you on Monday when you move in mext door

Marg and Gary

Hi all!

 

Ron ~ you made me LOL with your fancy words! TG Google is my friend!:D

 

I searched for info about the departure tax but can't see one that applies to

your situation wu687. I remember when we disembarked the ship in Jamaica there being some question about it but we never had to pay. Maybe it was included in the airfare plus we had only been in Jamaica less than 24 hours before getting on the ship.

 

We shared a taxi to the airport last time & I know there was set rates for the fare but I can't find that info online either!:o We didn't buy the transfers this time as DH would rather not wait for others on a bus for the same price as a cab potentially.

 

Warmer weather is looking good at this point but at least the sun is shining here & the daylight lasting longer.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

I did find some information on the FAQ for yourcubacruise.com with regards to Departure Tax for those departing by cruise in Montego Bay.

This must be paid by all Jamaican residents.

I also read that it only applies after 48 hours. For air departures it is usually included in ticket cost.

Hello zebraprintsky, welcome back to the cold North. Another 11C sunny day in Victoria today after a wild stormy day yesterday. I have a couple of questions with regards to the arrival and departure tax in Jamaica.

Did everyone that boarded the ship in Montego Bay have to pay the departure tax or is it only for those that have spent some time in Jamacia? I arrive in Jamiaica on Wedesday and leave on Friday and I was just wondering. Also did you have to pay when you arrived and departed by air or was it included in your airfare.

Hi Marg & Gary,

Cannot tell you how much we are looking forward to it. Minus 20something here today! See you soon!

Martha & Brian

Not minus 20 in Victoria, almosr record temperature yesterday, 12.4C. We payed for it last night with our first real winter storm. coming to us from Hawaii. Winds were 90-100 km/hr, with temperatures around 11C and 30mm of rain. Over 24,000 people lost power this morning, we were out for almost 2 hrs. The storm did't stop the joggers as I saw many out this morning. The wind has now died down and the rain has stopped. Our spring flowers are starting to bloom, with some buds on the trees.

Ontario should expect this storm in about 3 or 4 days, if the weather pattern stays the way it usually does. I am sure that it will be much colder by then.

Great photos!

 

I think they should serve Cristal beer on the ship. :)

Labatts makes Cristal beer in Cuba.

You can visit Cuba by cruise ship now, the Louis Cristal makes a seven day cruise around Cuba, with boarding at Montego Bay or Havana. For information see: yourcubacruise.com

The US State department said the restrictions will be relaxed on Friday Jan 15. So according to the news release that means US credit cards can be used in Cuba starting friday.Furthermore they can now bring up to 100$ worth of Cuban cigars and rum into the US.

Hi Marg & Gary,

Cannot tell you how much we are looking forward to it. Minus 20something here today! See you soon!

Martha & Brian

We had a little frost this morning in Victoria, sunny and 7C now, rain showers and 8C on Thursday, then sunny and 10C on Friday. Right now we have a mid-winter high presure area of the coast and the storms are heading north, picking up the cold weather then head towards Ontario.

We are in an S1 on Jan 26. Assume this means we are neighbours!! We leave in a week for a few days in Havana. Counting down now!

We leave Victoria on Jan 20, via Seattle and Atlanta then a couple of days in Montego Bay, incase of winter weather delays. We board on the 23rd in Montego Bay and are in SI 6000, neighbours to you.

Marg & Gary

HI all!

 

Ron ~ oh that would be eerie, so sad too. I was wondering if you enjoyed the TA enough to do it again.

 

crzy ~ the only thing I can recommend, & it might not even apply to you since you're from AB, is don't eat in the Steak House the 1st night. We did & I have on another cruise & find for me it makes the other meals seem less. If you start with the best you can only go downhill.

 

I was looking at my pictures from last year & saw some meals I really liked so hope they still offer them, like spring rolls as an appetizer, key lime pie, cabbage rolls at the beach party. I liked the choices at the steakhouse so might do that again if DH wants to.

 

I was checking out the Cuba cruise site & here's some useless bits of info

(which I excel at).:o

If my math is correct, the Jan 30 cruise has the least cabins available at 27.

The sailing with the most cabins (121) available is Feb 9th & the only cruise with the SI available is March 2nd. The January sailings have sold the best but maybe because of the special offers.

 

burm ~ had you ever sailed on the Oceania Insignia?

 

Have a great day, cool & sunny here, 24C & cloudy in Havana.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

It looks like the SI for March 2nd is gone, but they still show 1 S and 2 SJs for that date. Just over a week to go before we start to enjoy our SI.

I guess I'm going to have to start at the beginning to understand what Cam is going on about. He's up to page 20 and going on about bowling shirts?

Is there a formal/elegant/dress up for dinner night on this cruise?

 

Sent from my SM-T310 using Forums mobile app

From the Cuba Cruise pre-departure information, Dress code for dinner. "Everyone's style is different, we ask for dinner that no shorts are worn. We recommend Smart Casual dinning attire."

Did you feel the earthquake? Yesterday?[/quote

 

Tofino, up on the west coast of Vancouver Island had one yesterday, I think it was about 4.6, nothing felt in Victoria. Small earhquakes are happening all the time on the coast. What people in Victoria heard last night, which sounded like an earthquake was US Airforce jets, a type of EW F18, taking off from airbase in Washington State, over 90km away. We hear them if conditions are right.