My Cuba Cruise

[Liz54]

Hi Ken and Carolyn from Ontario

 

We purchased a 2 week trip through Transat last fall. We are leaving Friday 13staying in Havana for 3 nights, boarding ship in Havana for 7 nights and staying on for 4 days in Varadero.

 

I started reading the threads at Jan 2015 and am exhausted! To sum it up we should book the Cuba life experience and ? Santiago tours ( can't remember).

 

We are avid snorkelers and would welcome any suggestions.

 

That is exactly what we wanted to do, but not available when we booked last spring. Would you be willing to disclose what kind of cabin, where you stayed in Havana and what it cost? If you want to keep it private my email is marthaescott @ rogers. com with no spaces.

 

As for snorkeling, there was an excursion on the Punta Frances day, but when I asked an avid snorkeler how it was he said. "we saw fish. They were alive" It certainly sounded on the dull side!

[KandCsailing]

HELP!!!:eek:

 

One subject not addressed on this tour/cruise is the drinking water situation. Is the water safe to drink in Cuba and Jamaica? Should we buy bottled water all the time or take it from our room on the ship.

 

Macey and Bob :)

 

Also....any plans to meet on the 2/16 cruise?

Yes. If everyone agrees. Right after the muster drill on the sea day Tuesday, 2/17 at the casino bar.

I'll be wearing beads. :D

Hi Ken and Carolyn from Ontario

 

We purchased a 2 week trip through Transat last fall. We are leaving Friday 13staying in Havana for 3 nights, boarding ship in Havana for 7 nights and staying on for 4 days in Varadero.

 

I started reading the threads at Jan 2015 and am exhausted! To sum it up we should book the Cuba life experience and ? Santiago tours ( can't remember).

 

We are avid snorkelers and would welcome any suggestions.

You must be on our cruise also then.

So far that week we have burm & dh, kandcsailing (Kerri & Cam), Marcc (Marc on the Feb 13 sailing), Old Gables (Janet), Rubita, Geritol Gypsies (Macey and Bob) and Bonjour51 (Ken & Carolyn). Hope I didn't miss anyone.

 

I think we are going to book the Cuba life excursion and take a private tour to Trinadad.

I was considering the Panoramic Santiago tour which is shorter and cheaper than the Santiago Special and you don't get lunch. Cam thinks we just may cab it around.

I'm not going to bring my snorkel gear this trip. I'm kinda lousy at it and Dh doesn't swim. I'm just going to bring my new swim googles and maybe a nose clip so I can put my head under at Punta Frances.

[ONT-CA]

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

[wu687]

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/

[burm]

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/

 

 

 

This map still shows the Cruise Terminal on it. Look at the bottom left corner. The TI map says Terminal Crucero at #15.

 

Do you think that this change is permanent or was it altered for some special, short term reason?

 

I guess the new stop isn't too far away and is probably a very nice walk. How many mojitos away from the ship is it?

[ONT-CA]

The numbered map is ό λα τα ελληνικά μου...One of the line show arrows facing one another (??????) Crash?

 

We are familiar with the stop at the Park across from the Hotel Inglaterra

 

The problem is when one gets off at any stop to look around, can one remember and find just where one got off the bus in order to board the next one? Havana is like a maze. Hence the photo of the bus.

 

Anyone know if wheelchairs can be taken aboard the bus?

[manueljose]

HELLO:

 

REITIRING SOON, Thanks, then look at the roll call ;)

 

LIZ54, you'll do and we will try to prove mojito Ambus Mundi. I'm glad the boat water potable. There is only Greek party ?. At lunch organized thematic menus or international? The wines are quality? The daily bulletin is in English and French? : P

 

BURM, to Viñales there are tours or taxis for 60 CUC more tickets orchid, Indian Cave, terraces, Soroa. To Cayo Levisa still not found. : Confuso:

 

Good chilly nights from Compostela

[burm]

BURM, to Viñales there are tours or taxis for 60 CUC more tickets orchid, Indian Cave, terraces, Soroa.

Good chilly nights from Compostela

 

 

For those who have extra time in Havana, it is much cheaper to take a taxi or bus and see all the same spots for half the price of the ship's tour. Viñales is a must. We are considering staying the night in Viñales in another Casa Particular for $20.

 

From there we could take a taxi to Jibacoa for a day of snorkelling before heading back to Havana.

 

So many interesting possibilities. I wish we had booked at least one more week.

[burm]

How can I get from Havana Vieja to Cayo Levisa ferry station?

September 11, 2009 | Print Print | 0 4 0

 

 

837

 

Question: I will be traveling to Cuba in January and would like to know how I can find someone to drive us (2 persons) from Havana Vieja to the ferry station for Cayo Levisa?

And… an estimate $ on the ride?

 

Answer: Located on the north shore of Pinar del Rio Province, Cayo Levisa is a secluded islet with three kilometers of beach, a small resort consisting of individual oceanfront bungalows, and 23 diving sites on a beautiful coral reef just 100 meters away from shore.

 

To reach Cayo Levisa from Havana, there are two options: renting a car, or taking a state-operated taxi. There used to be a tourist bus but this has been discontinued. Cubataxi, the country’s largest taxi company, charges CUC 69 for the one-way trip, which takes approximately three hours from the capital. In Havana, Cubataxi’s telephone number is 855-5555.

 

The taxi takes you to the small Palma Rubia sea port, where there is a return boat transfer from the mainland to Cayo Levisa. The boat leaves daily at 10am and 6pm (out of Cayo Levisa at 9am and 5pm). The transfer, which takes about thirty minutes, is provided as a courtesy for guests of the hotel. There is a modest charge for others. If you take a taxi, you would be well-advised to make arrangements for the taxi to pick you up on your return, as there is no taxi stand at the sea port for transport back to Havana or elsewhere.

[burm]

A second opinon on getting to Cayo Levisa:

 

 

That sounds like another good place to spend the night if there are any good Casas Particulares there.

[manueljose]

THANK BURM. :)

 

We are 5days in Habana and offer us sleep in Viñales but prefer to go and return to Habana. Cayo Levisa schedules are fair. :confused:

 

I just saw the roll call and we will in March that pity¡ but the boat today is at 75% occupancy so we are not alone ;)

[burm]

There are quite a few options available. Considering the distance and the switches in transportation mode, I might consider doing a proper excursion to make sure it all goes smoothly. All options seem to be reasonable enough.

 

http://www.sprachcaffe-cuba.com/havana-excursions-trips-cuba/levisa-trip-excursion-havana.htm#nav-destination

 

http://www.cubatechtravel.com/destination/excursion_lang/es/50/cayo-levisa

 

http://cayolevisa.com/

The hotel where you are staying could probably tell you the best way.

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

I was searching for something from last year's posting & came across this pictorial review which I don't recall seeing before.

 

http://photographybypauldishman.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/highlights-of-cuba.html?spref=fb

 

burm ~ we went to Vinales on a tour from our hotel the 1st time we went to Cuba & loved it. Had an included lunch of delicious pork, green beans & potatoes in a field where a guy with oxen was ploughing nearby.

 

Bonjour51 ~ welcome to the thread!:D You're lucky to be cruising with a lot of the posters here. Have you been to Cuba before?

 

Have a nice weekend!

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[retiring soon]

Hi again!

 

Here's something else I found from last year about snorkeling at Punta Frances:

 

Beach day at Punta Frances – Beautiful beach, get in early to get one of the rare shady spots on the beach. Turn left after you get off the pier and head toward the remnants of the old commercial pier. If the spots by the shade trees near the pier are taken, keep walking. You don’t want to be sitting in the sun the whole time there. And besides, if you are a snorkeler, the best spot is the ruins of the old pier, so it is better if you get a spot close to it. Snorkel along the broken access to the old pier, and if you make it all the way out, there are hundreds of large colourful fish, along with interesting shells to make it worthwhile. Most people don’t get out there, as it is a bit of a hike from the entry point from the tender.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[burm]

And besides, if you are a snorkeler, the best spot is the ruins of the old pier, so it is better if you get a spot close to it. Snorkel along the broken access to the old pier, and if you make it all the way out, there are hundreds of large colourful fish, along with interesting shells to make it worthwhile. Most people don’t get out there, as it is a bit of a hike from the entry point from the tender.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

 

 

What do you call "a bit of a hike" ? I got my cortisone shots today. They have not kicked in yet, so I sure hope they do over the next couple of days.

[barnsdall]

I have read the 80-odd pages on this thread and only wish I had come across it *before* I made our arrangements as this is our first trip to Cuba. I hope that some of the experienced travellers on this site will be willing to answer some questions.

 

We leave on the red-eye from Vancouver on Air Canada, connecting in Toronto, arriving in Veradero around noon. We are staying a couple of days in a casa. Will book the bus to Havana online, arriving about 3pm. Is 4 pm a good time for embarkation? I hope our outside cabin isn't the one with the foggy window:)

 

Unfortunately, I'm not good at walking long distances right now as awaiting knee surgery in May. How are the transfers from the ship to the tender? I have visions of leaping from one to the other and my bad leg crumbling under me....Yikes!! Are there any of the shore excursions to be avoided because of limited mobility?

 

We will stay in a casa in Vedado Havana for 5 nights after the cruise and plan to take taxis.

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Liz54]

I have read the 80-odd pages on this thread and only wish I had come across it *before* I made our arrangements as this is our first trip to Cuba. I hope that some of the experienced travellers on this site will be willing to answer some questions.

 

We leave on the red-eye from Vancouver on Air Canada, connecting in Toronto, arriving in Veradero around noon. We are staying a couple of days in a casa. Will book the bus to Havana online, arriving about 3pm. Is 4 pm a good time for embarkation? I hope our outside cabin isn't the one with the foggy window:)

 

Unfortunately, I'm not good at walking long distances right now as awaiting knee surgery in May. How are the transfers from the ship to the tender? I have visions of leaping from one to the other and my bad leg crumbling under me....Yikes!! Are there any of the shore excursions to be avoided because of limited mobility?

 

 

We will stay in a casa in Vedado Havana for 5 nights after the cruise and plan to take taxis.

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

4 PM will be fine. As All Aboard is midnight you would still have time to go back out for a Havana tour. I would think it would be very easy to get a taxi tour right from the Cruise Port or the Plaza San Francisco across the street.

 

I have a hard time walking too. Same issue, waiting for knee. I was able to walk a little around the 4 main squares. There are lots of places to rest.

 

As for the Excursions. We did two. The one that goes to Castro's family plantation and The Great House Tour in Jamaica. Both were shown as a 3 or moderate amount of walking. But on BOTH there were snafus. On one the bus got lost and on another it was too big for the road. In each case we had to get off the bus and walk. This was more walking than I wanted.

 

If/WHEN we do it again I would get taxi's at the dock.

 

TENDERS- The crew are wonderful and I don't think you would have any difficulty. If you can do stairs you can do tenders. There is no gap between the tender and the ship.

[ONT-CA]

...Unfortunately, I'm not good at walking long distances right now as awaiting knee surgery in May. How are the transfers from the ship to the tender? I have visions of leaping from one to the other and my bad leg crumbling under me....Yikes!! Are there any of the shore excursions to be avoided because of limited mobility?

 

I have had no problems boarding the tenders and I tag a wheel chair along. (No chair of course for Punta Francis) There is so much to see just by going ashore even with limitations in walking. Pedicabs at various ports charge about 5 CUC's per person and give you an overview of the area. If you have been following the postings about the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus, again 5 CUC's per person, I can't think of a better way to see Havana when walking difficulties are involved. And as suggested, you could do this after you register and board the Cristal.

[ONT-CA]

Have also found this regarding the HOHO bus. I have taken a Google of Old Havana and added the first three stops of the T1 line, the first being the Pier at which our ship is docked. No mention of line T2 thereby indicating the amalgamation of T1 and T2. Heed should be taken as to the final schedule of the day.

 

Transtur runs the red HabanaBusTour coaches (tel. 7/261-9015; http://www.transtur.cu) on two routes with a hop-on/hop-off service. Route T1 starts at Castillo de la Fuerza in La Habana Vieja and terminates at Restaurant La Cecilia (5th Avenida between Calles 110 and 112). T3 runs from Parque Central to Playas del Este. One ticket is valid for the whole day. Bus T1 costs CUC $5 and Bus T3 costs CUC$3. Children 5 and under travel free (one child per adult). Buses run daily from 9am to 7:30pm. All schedules are marked at the bright red bus stops.

 

http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/Yarkerhill/Havana-1.jpg

[retiring soon]

HI all!

 

Ron ~ thanks for the additional info on the HOHO bus. I had read it went from 9 to 9 but see that isn't so.

 

barnsdall ~ welcome to the thread!:D Better you found the thread late than never.

 

burm ~ I quoted that from another posting but here are a couple of pictures from the island. The tender dock is quite long then the broken access to the old pier is all the way to the left when facing the beach, if I remember correctly.

 

 

Have a nice day.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[burm]

THANK BURM. :)

 

We are 5days in Habana and offer us sleep in Viñales but prefer to go and return to Habana. Cayo Levisa schedules are fair. :confused:

 

I just saw the roll call and we will in March that pity¡ but the boat today is at 75% occupancy so we are not alone ;)

 

Manuel Jose: This information might be of use to you, as you have several days.

 

http://www.transtur.cu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=59&lang=es

[ONT-CA]

To all those lucky enough to soon be rid of this weather and safely aboard our Cristal, bon voyage and enjoy Consomme Mucho

[burm]

To all those lucky enough to soon be rid of this weather and safely aboard our Cristal, bon voyage and enjoy Consomme Mucho

 

I am so busy saying all my good-byes today that I may not make the flight.

 

Freezing rain tonight and probably more tomorrow. :(

 

Please remind me again, who is the waiter that I must entertain with a rousing rendition of Consomme Mucho on the final night?

 

Time to go pack.

[ONT-CA]

I am so busy saying all my good-byes today that I may not make the flight.

Freezing rain tonight and probably more tomorrow. :(

Please remind me again, who is the waiter that I must entertain with a rousing rendition of Consomme Mucho on the final night? Time to go pack.

 

Many waiters know the song but Erich (pronounced Eric) knows it history. I just received an e-mail from him saying they are looking forward to our return. We'll miss that spare time they had to spend with us during dinner but with the larger crowds they will no doubt now be run off their feet.

[Liz54]

Have just submitted this review. Enjoy!

 

This cruise was many months in the planning. As our sail date drew near there was lots of discussion on this site and a few really scathing reviews. We had done our homework and knew that Cuba travel is unique. Because of the long running embargo the people and their visitors have limited access to food and other supplies. We also understood that the ship, the Louis Crystal is not a mass market new 5 star ship, but an older, smaller ship with a capacity of about 1200. As a result, despite many wonderful Princess Cruises we left our expectations at the pier. We were excited to see Cuba and meet the people and get a sense of the culture. We were not disappointed. There were 24 nationalities among passengers and 26 among staff. Passengers included a huge number of Europeans and South Americans, a good number of Canadians and a handful of Americans.

 

Pre Cruise

We spent 4 nights in Havana and were absolutely astonished at the architecture. Buildings range from the 1550s to the 1950s . After the revolution time stood still. The cars, the buildings and the way of life remain unchanged. Streets are clean, their is little crime and everyone feels safe on the dark streets at night. The absence of ear buds and I-phones means the people are engaged with each other. Very refreshing. As we had understood, our hotel was faded but charming and the food was pretty much terrible everywhere.

 

Embarkation

We arrived at the port in Havana at about noon (Jan 23) and had no wait to be checked in. It was much more personal and our bags were tagged by the entertainment staff. In our case, a lovely acrobat from Italy who trained with Cirque de Soleil.

 

Cabin

Because the cruise was very modestly priced, we booked one of two available suites on deck 6. It was lovely and so large it was almost silly! The deck featured a hot tub,teak table and four chairs and 4 teak loungers. There was still space for a party on that balcony!! The suite also had a nice bathroom with tub and shower (great water pressure) and a large living room with a pull out sofa and 3 armchairs and a coffee table. Our room steward Sarah was a delight. She is from Mauritius and her helper was a young Cuban man. The Canadian company running Cuba Cruise is making the hiring of local Cubans a priority.

 

Meals

Because the ship was not yet sailing full (but the numbers have tripled over the 2014 season), dining was limited to the buffet, one dining room and the pay extra steak house. (Which we did not try). There were two dinner seatings and you could decide daily which to choose. Tables were mainly 8 people and the staff directed people according to language spoken. Without reservation we enjoyed all our dining companions. Of the seven nights we made plans on two nights to dine with the same people. In addition we saw all our other dining companions by choice for drinks, coffee or shows. Because there were only 700 passengers there were lots of opportunities to get to know other guests and staff.

 

Meals were good! Not superb, but just fine. Very good beef tenderloin one night, good pork and lamb, a fish selection at each meal and one or two vegetarian selections each night, interesting pastas and really good soups. Deserts were varied and interesting.

 

Breakfast daily offered an omelette station (despite the reviewer here who sail there was none. DH had an omelette every morning) scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, grilled tomatoes, bacon, ham, sausage, cold cuts, cheese, hot cereal, cold boxed cereals, muesli, great platters of fruit, and every kind of bread and muffin you can think of. We found the croissants and Danish pastries disappointingly heavy but did not leave hungry!

 

Lunch was always buffet with lots of choice of hot and cold entrees, salads, soup, etc. Then deserts including a warm pudding with custard daily.

 

Was the food as good as we have found on Princess? Probably not, but the company was excellent the service was delightful and we had no difficulty finding choices that suited us.

 

Drinks

We purchased a 7 bottle wine package for $140 which was great. Glasses of the house wine (a French red) were $4.95 for a decent pour. More elaborate drinks were $6.00-$7.00 each. Remember these prices are in Canadian, not US dollars. The coffee served black or with hot milk was superior to the mass lines so no need for a coffee card. Fancy coffees were available at the bars.

 

Entertainment

Here is where we felt Cuba Cruise really excelled. The nightly show in the Muses theatre featured great classically trained singers, a few exceptional acrobats and great dancing. The troop's enthusiasm was contagious. Everyone should go to the first show, if you do not agree you need not go back. Several people did not go till mid way through the cruise and regretted what they had missed. Two shows nightly at 8 and 10. As well at 8 each night one of the bars featured tributes to: The Beatles, The Bee Gees, Abba, Celine Dion, Kenny Rogers etc. We only heard snippets as we were going in to dinner, but people loved them. There was also classical violin and piano not only in the lounge in the evenings but also poolside in the afternoon.

The best part? Other than some gentle classics, the pool was quiet. No steel drums, no reggae and no pool games, drink mixing etc. Not even any movies! The pool was a relaxing oasis.

On one evening they had a Greet Themed Deck Party. We usually find these forced and artificial but this was great. Real Greek food, grilled on site. The entertainment staff led the Greek Dancing and there was no pressure to join in. Staff and guests mingled happily and the atmosphere was simply terrific.

Cruise Director Danny was everywhere facilitating but not marketing or blaring over the loud speaker.

 

Shore Excursions. We signed up for two- one in Holguin the other in Montego Bay Jamaica. Both had bus issues which added extra waling to the tours. Anyone with mobility issues might have found this difficult. Taxi, Pedi cab and horse and cart tours were available at most ports.

 

Summary

It was a great cruise. We are certainly looking at doing it again next year. Those reviewers who expected Diamonds International and Baked Alaska Parades were disappointed but everyone we met is planning their next Cuba Cruise and packing their cultural curiosity and educated expectations.

 

Other

While there was bingo, a casino, and a spa, they were simply options and there was ZERO marketing of them. There was a satellite problem so no internet for the first 4 days. After that it worked well. We were charged $4 Cdn for about 30 minutes.

Edited February 7, 2015 by Liz54