My Cuba Cruise

[jxsAUS]

Thanks for the TA postings. The dining room times have me a little confused. If you are permitted to alter dining times from one day to the next, how do they control seating and volume of passengers? I fall into the category of Buffet Baulking and I still do not know if the dining room is open for lunch. Certainly hope so. Breakfast is one thing....

 

Chimo

 

When we were there in early January, the cruise was half full so dining was anytime in one dining room for the whole duration of dinner service. As we disembarked they had just introduced the 2 set sittings as the next cruise was much busier. The idea is they want to be able to serve the whole room in one sitting rather than in dribs and drabs like anytime dining to ensure they get 2 rounds of sittings out of the dining room. It is not like traditional dining with allocated tables, it is still like anytime dining where you will be allocated a table when you arrive at the door, but the window of arrival times is to permit 2 full sittings. The ship is quite small so you tend to see many of the same people and waitstaff in any event. Lunch on port days was buffet. Lunch on sea days was a la carte, but of course there is a separate buffet if you prefer

Edited February 12, 2015 by jxsAUS

[retiring soon]

Hi again!

 

Sandy ~ thanks for that hint, I think we all have those items at home but do they not expire?:confused: Toothbrushes are also easy to hand out if one wishes.

 

jxsAUS ~ thanks for the very thorough & informative review.:D Could you perhaps post the link to some of your flickr pictures please?

Something you said reminded me that VIP status is able to be purchased for $20 or so in Mo Bay & Santiago de Cuba airports upon arrival or departure so you don't have to be in the long line. Did you see any evidence of that in Havana?

 

Kerri ~ I'm so glad my guide to Cuba arrived today so I'll be able to take it with me. If I'm not mistaken I believe MarcC is boarding Monday (can it really be just 4 days away?) with you, burm, Old Gables & Rubita.

 

A week from tonight we'll be at the airport hotel, probably in bed since we'll have to be at the airport around 5:00 am!!:eek:

 

Chimo!

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[jxsAUS]

Here is a link to a few of our Cuba cruise photos on google

https://plus.google.com/photos/103726025204552216334/albums/6115134847600959809?authkey=CLvZg42d8cHRwwE

 

Did not see any VIP status options at Havana. In fact we are Sapphire One World and when leaving on LAN there was no separate check in for priority members at Havana airport either - just one long queue. They did start opening extra counters (initially only 2 and a queue quickly out the door of the terminal) as the departure time got closer though.

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

jxsAUS ~ thanks so much for posting the pictures, very nice.:D I see you had some children on your cruise. Were there many?

 

Surprised they don't have the VIP service at departure in Havana. In Santiago de Cuba you paid $20 p/p & were taken to an air conditioned lounge where food & drinks were supplied as well as a w/c for those pax only. Your paperwork was handled without you & I believe we were escorted to the plane.

 

This time next week Gerd & I will be winging our way to Montego Bay (if all goes well) while a lot of you are off exploring the area.

 

Here's a new review from the Cruise Critic review page for Louis Cristal.

The approval rating is now 65% whereas last year around this time it was almost 100!!

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=271164

 

Have a nice weekend, the last one in the cold for some of us & cold it is, the coldest temperature we've ever had here at -27!:eek:

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[ONT-CA]

...Here's a new review from the Cruise Critic review page for Louis Cristal.

The approval rating is now 65% whereas last year around this time it was almost 100!!

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=271164

Have a nice weekend, the last one in the cold for some of us & cold it is, the coldest temperature we've ever had here at -27!:eek: ~ Jo ~ :)

 

A most interesting critique covering a considerable number of concerns, especially those of security. But I think the biggest mistake newcomers make when coming to the Cristal is directly comparing it to the major cruise lines as was done in this case. They are not comparable for which I am personally very grateful. The example of the Regal's upcoming sailing with thousands of passengers destined for jewelry store outlets hardly constitutes a comparative cruise. Plus his pricing example fails to take into consideration the exchange rate of the US dollar which is substantial and with which payment must be made to these other lines. Other than the commendation to the sommelier, no mention is made of the abundant services rendered aboard the ship both in accommodation as well and the dining room. Without these wonderful dedicated people there is no cruise. And so judging this cruise on it's comparative monitory value totally misses the point of why we chose and are choosing again to be aboard.

[csnow]

Hi again!

 

Sandy ~ thanks for that hint, I think we all have those items at home but do they not expire?:confused: Toothbrushes are also easy to hand out if one wishes.

 

 

I honestly hadn't thought of checking for an expiry date on shampoo, lotion or soap. I know I use them for travel myself, and haven't noticed anything bad happen. I sure hope I didn't give out anything wrong!! You are right Jo, toothbrushes were also something they were happy to receive. We use electric toothbrushes, but still take the ones the dentist gives out after a visit for when we travel. We had some of those also.

[manueljose]

HI

 

How good ones sailing and other soon, you have a great time, some of us still wait one month, you care the boat¡¡¡ ;)

 

LIZ-54 and ONT-CA, thank you for your answers. You were at the ceremony of the shot canyon? you recommend it?. I hope I never have problems with Carlos Maitre.

Ah¡¡¡ And thank you very much for the lesson Inuktitut culture. Chimo.:)

 

REITIRING SOON, 65% scary, but if you delete any comments contradictory is not so low, besides those of us around here think we know what the ship. : Confuso:

 

JxsAUS, Thanks for your review and your lovely photos. Now i abusare you, and a doubts;you recommend the package beverages, cocktail you see in photo terrace enters or have to pay extra?, You found mosquito? insecticide usually carry. Photo of Habana port is from the Hotel Ambos Mundos ?. And the last, for now, the temperatrura inside boat is cold? AA works ok ?.

Your compared with Cunard, can be problematic, because this season had problems of quality and service for mediterraneo, a nice boat underserved. : Cool:

 

Greetings in the rain

[ONT-CA]

...LIZ-54 and ONT-CA, thank you for your answers. You were at the ceremony of the shot canyon? you recommend it?.

I hope I never have problems with Carlos Maitre.

 

No, we have not seen the Havana cannon fire because we have a fort here in Canada very close to where we live that has a similar cannon firing cerimony

 

http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/Yarkerhill/24pdrfiring.jpg

 

So to us this would be déjà vu. I think if you are travelling with younger ones they may enjoy it. I understand it costs 3 CUC per person, plus the cost transportation to and from the fort, also as it is late in the evening you would not want to miss the sail away from the port of Havana. Something to think about.

 

I am sure Carlos will look after you when you arrive at the dining room. He is the perfect gentleman.

[retiring soon]

Hi again!

 

Sandy ~ Not to worry, I looked at some of the samples I have in a container in the bathroom cupboard but can't see an expiry date on the bottles, then of course the print is so small I can hardly read them.:o I did find a soap dish in there I didn't know I had so was glad I checked.

 

manueljose ~ no need to be scared. Some of us are going or have gone for the second or in Ron's case 3rd time so that says a lot. I'm taking insect repellant for on the beach. Last time I had some funny little black things on my body. Hope your weather improves, first snow, now rain.:(

 

Kerri ~ that reminds me I was able to get the insect repellant sheets from Amazon so will have them with me if you want to try them. I bought them for my Blue Hole excursion in Jamaica in Nov. but didn't end up going on the excursion as I wasn't feeling up to it.

 

Ron ~ we came over to Kingston on our sailboat years ago & got a cab from Confederation Basin to take us to the Fort. I inadvertently called it Fort York so the driver thought he was getting a really big fare!:eek:

 

Have a great weekend.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[ONT-CA]

Hi again!

Sandy ~ thanks for that hint, I think we all have those items at home but do they not expire?:confused: Toothbrushes are also easy to hand out if one wishes.

I honestly hadn't thought of checking for an expiry date on shampoo, lotion or soap. I know I use them for travel myself, and haven't noticed anything bad happen. I sure hope I didn't give out anything wrong!! You are right Jo, toothbrushes were also something they were happy to receive. We use electric toothbrushes, but still take the ones the dentist gives out after a visit for when we travel. We had some of those also.

 

With the suspicion that for things like shampoo, etc., a best before date if shown is intended for us to throw them away and buy a new one... :p I can't see these products causing any harm and they are in such need. The toothbrush idea is great and light weight. We'll stash a bunch in our case.

[ONT-CA]

...manueljose ~ no need to be scared. Some of us are going or have gone for the second or in Ron's case 3rd time so that says a lot. I'm taking insect repellant for on the beach. Last time I had some funny little black things on my body. ~ Jo ~ :)

 

manueljose, Jo is correct, you have nothing to fear. Last season, our first cruise on the Cristal, we stayed aboard and did a second time around Cuba (14 days) in case we missed anything. We were again aboard the Cristal when she left Greece in December and we enjoyed the 25 day cruise over the Atlantic to Cuba. And now we are signed up for two more cruises (another 14 days) so I hope that will tell you how much we enjoy the ship.

[ONT-CA]

Jo, I heard that there was a major mosquito problem on Punta Francis around late December. We were aboard back then but did not go ashore. However the previous cruise when we were aboard in February, we did go ashore and there was not a bug of any type around. So it's obviously seasonal and luckily we will be there at this same and best of time.

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

Nice snowy day here in the County! Sure hope none of us have to contend with that kind of weather as we make our way to the airports.

 

Ron ~ I didn't see any insects when on the island yet when I was back in the cabin noticed some black things, a little bigger than poppy seeds on my body with little bruise type things under them. It was strange & there were no ill effects but I have no idea what they were. I take pictures of pretty much everything but didn't take any of those. :confused:

 

Bon voyage to all you setting sail on Monday! Looking forward to possibly meeting after we board on Friday.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[Geritol Gypsies]

Hi all!

 

jxsAUS ~ thanks so much for posting the pictures, very nice.:D I see you had some children on your cruise. Were there many?

 

Surprised they don't have the VIP service at departure in Havana. In Santiago de Cuba you paid $20 p/p & were taken to an air conditioned lounge where food & drinks were supplied as well as a w/c for those pax only. Your paperwork was handled without you & I believe we were escorted to the plane.

 

This time next week Gerd & I will be winging our way to Montego Bay (if all goes well) while a lot of you are off exploring the area.

 

Here's a new review from the Cruise Critic review page for Louis Cristal.

The approval rating is now 65% whereas last year around this time it was almost 100!!

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=271164

 

Have a nice weekend, the last one in the cold for some of us & cold it is, the coldest temperature we've ever had here at -27!:eek:

 

~ Jo ~ :)

We leave for Montego Bay 1:00 am Tuesday morning. Arrive at 1:00 pm Tuesday. We are staying at the El Greco. Have read both good reviews and bad ones too. Having never been to Montego Bay before we hope it is not bad. We will have a car for the three days before the cruise. If we are close to where you are let us know, we can meet.

 

Bob and Macey:)

[KandCsailing]

Trying to pack this morning. First time I've waited this long to fill a suitcase.

Unfortunately I also keep looking at the weather in Cuba and start rethinking my wardrobe. :confused:

It is 41°F (5°C) in Havana at 8:30 am this morning. Quite a bit warmer in Santiago De Cuba and Montego Bay, but I fear I'm going to be cold first thing in the morning and at night. Cam of course is loving my weather reports.

 

Sent from my SM-T310 using Forums mobile app

[ONT-CA]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/WsOMeru8pxQ

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

Ron ~ cute video!:D I have to agree about snow being a four letter word. I hope we don't get any to jeopardize our travel or have to dig out our car when we come back. I booked burm's hotel so no covered parking. We're really taking risks this time flying in same day & all.:o Fingers crossed for a good outcome.

 

Kerri ~ I have actually started packing too. Figured I might as well roll up the summer clothes after washing & put them in the suitcase right away. Yes the weather is a bit cooler than you're used to sailing in summer. It'll be nice for walking around the towns tho'. It's warmer on the south or Caribbean side of the island.

Are you taking yourselves to the airport tomorrow or staying over at a hotel tonight

 

 

Geritol Gypsies ~ wow that's going to be a long day for you! What are you planning on doing in Jamaica for 3 days, chillin'?

We won't arrive until afternoon on Friday so will have to call you at some point on the ship. We'll be looking for lunch first thing I imagine.;)

 

Have a great week, safe travels & fun times to you cruising tomorrow.

I wonder how burm & Bob's week was, dying to hear what they did. Hope they were able to go to Tropicana for Valentine's Day like she wanted to.

 

Chimo!

 

~ Jo ~ :)

Edited February 15, 2015 by retiring soon
had to change something

[Liz54]

Hi all!

 

Ron ~ cute video!:D I have to agree about snow being a four letter word. I hope we don't get any to jeopardize our travel or have to dig out our car when we come back. I booked burm's hotel so no covered parking. We're really taking risks this time flying in same day & all.:o Fingers crossed for a good outcome.

 

Kerri ~ I have actually started packing too. Figured I might as well roll up the summer clothes after washing & put them in the suitcase right away. Yes the weather is a bit cooler than you're used to sailing in summer. It'll be nice for walking around the towns tho'. It's warmer on the south or Caribbean side of the island.

Are you taking yourselves to the airport tomorrow or staying over at a hotel tonight

 

 

Geritol Gypsies ~ wow that's going to be a long day for you! What are you planning on doing in Jamaica for 3 days, chillin'?

We won't arrive until afternoon on Friday so will have to call you at some point on the ship. We'll be looking for lunch first thing I imagine.;)

 

Have a great week, safe travels & fun times to you cruising tomorrow.

I wonder how burm & Bob's week was, dying to hear what they did. Hope they were able to go to Tropicana for Valentine's Day like she wanted to.

 

Chimo!

 

~ Jo ~ :)

 

We found the weather coolish for Cuba, but perfect for touring. I wore several long sleeved cotton T shirts and did not need another layer. As Jo said, great weather for tramping around. When we came bacl aboard we were always ready for a swim. The pool has a retractable roof and is sheltered from wind so it was great. We absolutely needed pashminas or sweaters around the ship at night. The Air Con was blasting!

[ONT-CA]

Hi all!

 

Ron ~ cute video!:D I have to agree about snow being a four letter word. I hope we don't get any to jeopardize our travel or have to dig out our car when we come back. I booked burm's hotel so no covered parking. We're really taking risks this time flying in same day & all.:o Fingers crossed for a good outcome. Chimo! ~ Jo ~ :)

 

Jo, I hadn't realized that we were travelling on the same day, you to MoBay, we to Havana. But the forecast is great with only a 10% chance of snow for this coming Friday. Glad we are going a few days early as the next day is a 70% chance while Monday shows 90% but only as scattered flurries. As to our returns, with a great cruise like that under our belts what's a little snow removal?

 

Chim;)

[retiring soon]

Hi again!

 

Ron ~ are you going to be at Pearson early Friday morning?:confused: DH won't be very happy if he has to dig the car out of snow & ice like he did one other time even if he had a great cruise.

Kerri et al must be getting so excited! I can't believe the time has come.

 

Had a water problem today when I went to do a load of washing, the line was frozen, the dryer vent stayed open from yesterday & froze it up. This is the coldest weather we've ever had here.

 

Chimo!

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[ONT-CA]

Hi again!

 

Ron ~ are you going to be at Pearson early Friday morning?:confused: DH won't be very happy if he has to dig the car out of snow & ice like he did one other time even if he had a great cruise.

Kerri et al must be getting so excited! I can't believe the time has come.

 

Had a water problem today when I went to do a load of washing, the line was frozen, the dryer vent stayed open from yesterday & froze it up. This is the coldest weather we've ever had here. Chimo! ~ Jo ~ :)

 

Jo, we are flying out of Kingston but not until the afternoon as our flight out of Pearson isn't until 6:40 pm. Lots of time to kill. We know your pain when it come to winter water supply. When we go away we close down the whole water system and drain it. Our heating bill to keep the place open doubles while away. Should be a zinger this year. Just finished watching a Canadian action movie "Three Days In Havana". We knew just where they were shooting scenes all through the movie.

 

So, like all cruises and vacations in general, the hard part is getting there and I'll be glad to get aboard. Looking forward to meeting you both

 

Chim:cool:

[KandCsailing]

Hi.

We are all packed.

Cam's parents are driving us to the airport in the morning. We are all only about 20 minutes away going down the 427.

Time to paint my fingernails.

See you on Friday Jo. Maybe I'll post from YYZ in the morning. I'm trying to hold off CC and FB withdrawl from no internet for a week.

[chacas88]

We booked our Cuba cruise back in Sept. 2014 (sailing in early March) but still were not early enough to get a cabin with a balcony, so settled for next best thing - a window. Have cruised in the past on various large ships, so have lowered our expectations and are focusing on time visiting Cuba.

Picked up a book at Coles - (Insight Guides) and am reading in detail. It has good maps and explains the attractions so am thinking we may bypass the ones offered as shore excursions from the ship, though it sounds as though many of you have taken the HOHO Bus in Havana.

I have many pages of this forum and enjoyed your comments and am confident that we are going to have a great time aboard the Louis Crystal.

[ONT-CA]

We booked our Cuba cruise back in Sept. 2014 (sailing in early March) but still were not early enough to get a cabin with a balcony, so settled for next best thing - a window. Have cruised in the past on various large ships, so have lowered our expectations and are focusing on time visiting Cuba.

Picked up a book at Coles - (Insight Guides) and am reading in detail. It has good maps and explains the attractions so am thinking we may bypass the ones offered as shore excursions from the ship, though it sounds as though many of you have taken the HOHO Bus in Havana.

I have many pages of this forum and enjoyed your comments and am confident that we are going to have a great time aboard the Louis Crystal.

 

Welcome chacas88. It'a all about attitude and your final line says it all. We too will be aboard the first week of March (our second go around) so hope our paths cross.

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

chacas88 ~ welcome to the thread!:D Sounds like you have the right attitude for the cruise. I think it's a lovely ship, sort of art deco, easy to get around, solidly built, friendly crew & then going around the star of the show Cuba!!

 

Ron ~ it's so neat when you watch a movie & have been to the place!

Well another water problem today! It was -30C when DH got up, our coldest temp ever since living here at the "cottage" (which might be part of the problem)!;) I was fully lathered with a head full of shampoo when I noticed the shower stall wasn't draining! TG I noticed before it overflowed!

Looks like the other problem is solved so I can do a load or 2 of washing tonight after 7 when the Hydro rates are lowest!!:rolleyes:

 

I see from my flight tracking app that Kerri is more than 1/2 way to Havana. Looks like the plane was delayed 30 minutes or so.

Ours last year was delayed as they needed water from a truck since the line was frozen. Oh the joys of winter, get me out of here!!

 

Chimo!

 

~ Jo ~ :)