My Cuba Cruise

[EmmasNana]

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.

 

Thanks, I actually was considering going the group trip. It is rather pricey and we really just want to go on the cruise, except I have no desire to go to Jamaica (been there way too many times). Fingers crossed!

[wu687]

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

[KandCsailing]

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

 

Thanks for the correction. I was close.

[p598738]

We got on the ship Feb 6 in Mobay arriving from Fort Lauderdale.

Boarded very quickly and were pleased with our cabin (7021).

 

Things we liked:

 

Ship was very clean (as it should be).

The ship was the right size for us at 1000 passengers more or less. Only 650 on our sailing.

The drink prices were reasonable. No added tip which was unusual.

The nightly entertainment was very good.

The orchestra was outstanding.

The service was always outstanding.

We enjoyed all of the ports but the beach day was just that with nothing to do or see. We would have preferred two days in Havana.

 

Things that were just OK:

 

The food selection and taste. It was just that, OK. Not up to the standards we are used to.

"Duty Free". Nothing special. Seemed expensive to us.

 

Not so good:

 

The drink package at $42 PP per day. Both passengers in a cabin must take it. Too many exclusions and upcharges. Not a good value.

No food on the beach on the island stop. Overpriced drinks (not included in the drink package).

Excursions were overpriced.

Had to pay for the room safe. Unusual.

Room service was charged for. Snacks during the day were charged for.

The casino gambling was in Euros !!!

No midnight buffet. It may be that they are going away.

 

The above may sound like sniping about prices but it was beyond our experience on many of the ships we have been on. The ship was no better value than other ships we have used.

 

Getting off the ship was quick and easy. We enjoyed our shipmates who were from many many countries. If you drink liquor you can buy it cheaply in Cuba and easily bring it onto the ship.

 

In summary, we enjoyed the trip. It was far more about visiting Cuba that being on the ship. I guess the ship was representative of those that sail the Aegean Sea. If I take that cruise I'd use an American or European line.

 

I'd be pleased to answer any questions.

[Liz54]

Agree with most of this but with the following caveats:

 

I believe that the US embargo on goods, particularly food is a challenge for the cruise line. Their ability to access food in Havana is limited, and shipping from Canada is likely complicated.

 

The drinks on the beach were provided by locals. This is a Cuban requirement so that locals can profit from the ships. I think its a good idea!

 

There was a lovely BBQ on deck after the beach day. Did you get to that?

 

I cruise Princess and have not seen a midnight buffet in 10 years. There was a wonderful Greek night on Cuba cruise with a fantastic buffet. Did you get to that?

 

We bought the wine package - 7 bottles for $140. Thought it was good value as was wine by the glass.

 

All in we found it significantly cheaper than other cruises we have done.

[KandCsailing]

Most of the cruise lines now both people in a cabin have to get the drinks package. We don't buy it. The drinks on board were very reasonable, in Canadian and we took advantage of the 1/2 price drink hour and/or the drink of the day.

 

The Greek night buffet food was great. Carnival got rid of their midnight buffet at least 6 years ago.

 

We didn't bother with the safe and nothing was taken.

 

Only did the Cuba Life excursion and thought that $100 a person wasn't bad for an all day trip including lunch.

 

Got so used to the no paper in the toilet that for the last two days I pause before tossing it in the bowl.

 

DH would have liked more trivia on board, especially on the sea day.

[Land&Sea_Cruiser]

Hola Amigos,

First I wanted to echo what many other newbies have said and that is thanks for all the collected Q&A on this thread. It has been amazing to review all that has happened over the last 15 months or so (I have not read it all but a goodly amount) and it truely gives me a good idea of what to expect. I have been to Cuba several times and look forward to partying again with these wonderful people.

 

This is the first year that I have felt this cold in my bones and just NEED (no longer a want) to get away for a week of sun. We love cruising but the US$ strength would add 25% to our normal preferred Princess cruise and when this 2for1 deal came up, we jumped at it. It should cost us C$3,000 for an XD cabin, flights, and food and drink. Quite a reasonable deal. We are stuck with flying Air Transat out of TO and can only afford a week off so no extra time in Havana. Maybe next time.

 

So for those sailing from Havana on the 9th (or from Mo Bay on the 6th), we will see you in the sun.:cool:

[Liz54]

Have Fun!

You will be surprised at how much of a look at Havana you can get just near the cruise port. There are 4 squares within easy walk. Each is different and all are BEAUTIFUL!

 

I envy you, we went too early and are now cold to the bones again!

[Land&Sea_Cruiser]

Great review Liz54, you expressed perfectly many of our findings and thoughts. What I had not thought about was Movies. Yes, no Movies Under The Stours... How delightful. And yes, the coffee does receive top marks, so unlike other lines. Unfortunately they did not have an early morning Coffer Station open when we were aboard but we understand that has now been rectified. Thanks for your review. We can't wait to be aboard again.

We are early risers so having that early morning coffee station would be a fantastic addition. I have been trying to figure out alternatives but good to hear they may have it available now.

[burm]

Hi everyone. I found this cruise to be almost exactly as I expected it to be. No real surprises on the LC. The food was acceptable but not outstanding, the crew were delightful. The shows were as good as you will find on any ship, all excellent. I even got used to placing TP in the bin and quickly worked out a system to save embarrassment. Besides, the bins do get emptied twice a day, and I had already discovered that you cannot toss paper in the toilet anywhere in Cuba. Even when there are no signs, everyone learns quickly that Cuban toilets cannot handle paper.

 

In fact, on several occasions off the ship I would have an old woman follow me into the washroom of a restaurant yelling "papel en el cesto" (paper in the basket).

 

Cuban bathrooms are the one thing I will not miss. In many the water had to be brought in in a pail after each flush. We had lunch in one gorgeous old place with 30 foot ceilings where I watched an endless stream of employees hauling buckets of water in from the street and past all the diners to the washroom. Oh, the things we take for granted at home.

 

Washrooms were not difficult to locate. You could easily spot the old women sitting outside them with a saucer in which to place the coins. :)

 

When travelling outside the country you have to laugh at the quirks, rather than getting upset that things are simply not the way they are at home.

 

Let me tell you about one of our many interesting and unusual experiences in Havana. I returned home with a respiratory illness which did not kick in until we were leaving and did not spoil one single day. If I ramble, just blame it on the meds. Please ignore the capitalized words, which bring up adware if you click on them. I can't seem to get rid of them.

 

Keep in mind while reading this story that DH does not speak one word of Spanish, and he saw everything with different eyes from myself. He said that at times he would have been bored or even afraid if he did not have me there to translate for him.

 

I realized one day that I was walking on shoes with a bit of a slant, and discovered that the heels and soles of my lightly used, expensive Mephisto sandals were disintegrating. On the trendy Calle Obispo I spotted a sign that said Shoemaker, and underneath Barberhop. Realizing that no Canadian shoemaker would touch that kind of rebuild, I figured that I would have to toss the shoes and had nothing to lose by asking this shoemaker if he could fix them. No problem, I can do it right now. Have a seat. He then deposited me onto an ancient barber’s chair (where I could have a haircut, if I wanted, while I waited for my shoes). I asked him what it would cost, and he quoted 20 CUC. I said fine, but my husband was waiting outside. He said to stay seated and he would go get DH. He quickly returned with the right husband in tow. They could always spot him with no description. LOL

 

DH was a little creeped out when led into a dark and narrow hallway, but he could see me at the end laughing and just having a great time. Four shoemakers in the tiny shop off the hallway were working as a team to discuss the repair of my shoes and then to undertake the repairs. At least it started off that way. The other 3 then decided to visit with us, rather than work.

 

People kept dropping in and out of the shop and we were introduced and treated like friends. One man said that he was a baseball coach an started to talk about famous Cuban baseball players. He then disappeared briefly to return with newspaper clippings.

 

Another shoemaer asked us if we wanted a beer, to which we agreed. It took him a while to return because the beer at the first place was too warm and he had to go a little further to get ice cold beer. So here I am, sitting in a barber chair that was probably at least 75 years old, and drinking beer when one man goes to get a guitar. We all start to sing. They were amazed that I knew that words to some Cuban songs and laughed hysterically when I changed them. La Canadiense tiene tumbao. Passing tourists kept peeking in to see what all the laughter was about.

 

The shoemaker (we were now down to one, as the other were all laughing and drinking with us) had trouble getting the glue to stick. I doubted that the shoes would ever be fixed, but they assured me that they would end up like new and last for the rest of my life. He then asked if it would be ok if he converted my wedge heels to flat soles, that they would be more comfortable than ever. Again, I figured that I had nothing to lose, so I agreed.

 

DH’s beer was now done, and one guy asked if he would like some rum. It would have been rude to say no, so the guy disappeared and came back with about 6 inches of straight rum in a glass. :p

 

Eventually the shoes were repaired (and he was right –they are now more comfortable than ever. Gone were the original, too rigid soles). One man then says he wants to come upstairs to his house to show us something. Bob was nervous but agreed. We head up the solid marble staircase to a grim, very poor apartment. We sit down on grungy sofa covers and his mother joins us. She is an old Cuban lady who is sitting in a nightgown (according to DH- I think it was an old housedress) with her knees wide apart but with ankles demurely crossed and smoking a cigar.

 

Our new Cuban friend gives me a book about government surveillance in Cuba, which he signs as if we are now BFF’s. A friend drops by the apartment. By now DH is freaking out because he does not speak a word of Spanish and does not know what the heck is going on. DH gets a bit nervous and excited when the friend closes and locks the grilled door behind him. LOL

 

At either end of the tiny living room is a ladder hanging by cords with some of the slatted steps missing. I am told by our hostess that there are a couple of tiny bedrooms upstairs. Thankfully, she did not offer to show them to us. I could not be paid to climb those rickety ladders.

 

We eventually take our leave, after being invited to return for a tradional Cuban meal, but it could not be made that night as the food would have to be purchased and preparations made. I had to decline, as we were running out of time in Havana. Then our hostess asks if I would like to use the facilities before departing. I accepted the invitation and was led to a truly depressing bathroom. The enamel of the tub had entirely worn off, and the bottom looked nasty. As with all Cuban toilets, toilet paper cannot be flushed and I had to ask where to place it. She opened a window and told me to toss it out, there was a receptacle to receive it outside. :rolleyes: I imagined a neighbour below getting a wad of wet TP on his head.

 

As we are leaving, a young neighbour boy is passing by to an apartment upstairs and he is called in and introduced. The boy’s sister is studying in the USA and the man asks if we would be willing to forward a letter to the sister, as mail cannot be sent directly from Cuba to the USA. The boy did not have time to write a letter immediately so he can send it to us and we will forward it.

 

It was a rather bizarre day with amazing insight into Cuban life, and one which we will always remember fondly. DH keeps telling me how lucky he is that I can speak the language or he would never have gotten so much out of this visit to Cuba.

[oneidealvacation]

Is anyone else joining the cruise on March 20 in Montego Bay? (or on the March 16 or March 23 Havana departures?) I just booked today; looking forward to leaving the snow and cold behind :D

[KandCsailing]

Burm, great story. Your Dh is right. Your knowing Spanish saved our taxi ride to Trinidad. Thanks again for being our guide.

I would not have been that brave on my own to drive for 3 hours in a beat up stretched Lada with a driver that didn't speak English.

 

Somehow at Morro Castle in Santiago de Cuba I got a lesson in Spanish from a woman working there about prisoners like Barcardi being held there and I understood the main points.

Edited February 27, 2015 by KandCsailing

[burm]

Burm, great story. Your Dh is right. Your knowing Spanish saved our taxi ride to Trinidad. Thanks again for being our guide.

I would not have been that brave on my own to drive for 3 hours in a beat up stretched Lada with a driver that didn't speak English.

 

 

It was our pleasure spending the day with you, Kerri. Did you or Cam write to Pototo?

 

I will always remember sitting on the back deck of the ship with you, sipping pina coladas and watching the sun set as the Cuban musicians played.

 

I can't wait to hear if Ron got the note I left behind with the stewardess for him. :D

[Ontario Cruiser]

We are on the March 23rd cruise and really looking forward to it. We have been to all the cities before except Santiago. We returned last night from 12 days on the Caribbean Princess and are now freezing in Peterborough. Have read all the posts Does anyone know roughly what the exchange rate is to buy Cuban pesos? Friends of ours are on the ship now so if they tell me anything that isn't already mentioned I will tell you.

Sherrill & David Ontario Cruiser

[KandCsailing]

Dh got a rate of 74 cents Can to one CUC at the cruise terminal on the second floor on Feb. 16.

Another cruiser told us he got 1 to 1 when he changed it back there after the cruise.

Remember to keep 50 CUC for the airport tax. You pay that at a booth right after you get your boarding pass for the flight home.

We didn't have much left after we gave our cabin stewards an extra tip, so we spent it on beer and snacks in the airport. Doesn't seem like you can buy food on the flight home so we also bought a 4.80 CUC hot ham panini for a lady we had been talking to onboard and had no CUC left. There are also a few small shops and a liquor store.

 

Burm, we didn't email Pototo yet since Cam was sick. I am letting him handle it as he is a more diplomatic writer.

I loved that bar in the stern. Had a Mango Mohito there another day that I enjoyed so much I might try them at home this summer.

Edited February 28, 2015 by KandCsailing

[tring]

Can anyone tell me exactly what is in Antilla? We have done a short Cuba land tour previously and hope to have a land holiday near Holguin in the future, so are not particularly interested in any of the excursions from there, but do not want to spend all of the day on the ship - can you walk around a bit on land, or along a beach for instance?

 

If there really is nothing in Antilla, the trip we may consider is Alcala and Biram (Castro's birthplace), so can anyone give feed back on that please?

Edited March 1, 2015 by tring

[Bonjour51]

I have just returned from the cruise & 1 week stay in Cuba. There was very little in Antilla. We chose the catamaran, Safari and snorkelling trip offered by the cruise lines. The safari was very low key not much to see except one ostrich, one lonley giraffe in a pen, water buffaloes, horses and antelope. The snorkelling was good as well as the meal provided.

 

Montego Bay- we went to Negril in large busses, both had no air conditioning on the return trip ( cabin temp was in high 30's if not warmer, no open windows). Considering that not one gauge on his dash actually registered anything and he had hot wired something on the dash I am not surprised. I would ask for a refund and take a white Jutzi taxi if you have paid for this trip. It really isn't safe- our front door also flew open unexpectedly while he was driving fairly fast ( again no idea as to how fast as his speedometer registered 0). Taxis are much more comfortable and safer in Jamaica, probably cheaper too.

 

The Trinidad trip was great.

 

To buy money do it at the airport- the price was just as good as anywhere else. Buy for 1.29 CDN and sell for 1.20. If the booth outside the airport is busy head in to the departures door just beside and you will see a second booth.

 

Keep a few coins for using the bathrooms in the airport.

[Liz54]

We wanted to minimize ship's excursions but this was one place we thought they might be the only way to go. There did not seem to be much at the port so we were glad we booked it.

 

We did the Castro Plantation one and really enjoyed it. There were a couple of glitches requiring more walking than described. but I have a very bad knee and managed it. Our guide was a Cuban woman who had perfect English and was excellent. Tour involves about an hour each way, inland, on the bus. Fascinating just looking out the window. The lunch was nice too.

[burm]

Can anyone tell me exactly what is in Antilla? We have done a short Cuba land tour previously and hope to have a land holiday near Holguin in the future, so are not particularly interested in any of the excursions from there, but do not want to spend all of the day on the ship - can you walk around a bit on land, or along a beach for instance?

 

If there really is nothing in Antilla, the trip we may consider is Alcala and Biram (Castro's birthplace), so can anyone give feed back on that please?

 

There is not too much in Antilla, probably most people would be bored.

 

We took the tour to Birán and loved it. The main family home is a reconstruction, due to the fact that Fidel's father burned the original down when smoking in bed. Daddy was a wealthy landowner who constantly added to his land and ended up owning what is virtually a small village, complete with school, store, tavern, and cockfighting ring.

 

In the master bedroom you will see a safe with a hole blown in it - Daddy Angel did not even share the combination with his wife, so when he died suddenly after a fall in the shower, they could not get into the safe.

 

 

From his "command post" on the top floor, Angel would apparently spend hours every day, keeping tabs on everything and everyone. Quite the tyrant - you can understand why Fidel grew up to be a bit rebellious

 

After the revolution, when properties were confiscated by the government, Fidel also saw that his own father's estate was appropriated- no favouritism shown here :D

 

In 1979, the estate was personally and lovingly restored by Celia Sanchez, who was rumoured to be Fidel's lover and played a prominent role in the revolution. There are a lot of great photos of the Castros and friends that make history come alive.

 

 

Vilma Espin, Fidel and Raul Castro, Celia Sanchez

 

The ride to Biran is long, but the countryside is gorgeous. You stop at a coffee and fruit plantation, also for a delicious BBQ style lunch with live music. After eating you can go for a 20 min horseback ride (cost included).

 

A really lovely and interesting day!

[tring]

Thank you all very much for all those replies, Biran it is then. We really enjoyed the land tour we have done previously in Cuba and look forward to spending longer in Cienfugos from the ship, were we only had 30mins of free time. We also visited Trinidad on that tour and see no reason for a second visit - we found it fairly touristy and much like a spanish inland town, but I can see it would be of more interest to Canadians.

 

We are spending another couple of weeks in Cuba, split between Havana and a beach hotel, so overall it will be worth the 10 hour flights to and from the UK.

 

Cheers and thanks again,

 

Barbara

[burm]

A very popular souvenir of Cuba is the 3 peso bank note with Che Guevara's picture on it. These are easy to come by.

 

 

Even more special to DH is a 50 peso bill from 1961, signed by Che when he was governor of the natonal bank. This was a gift from a new Cuban friend, son of the owner of the Casa Particular where we stayed.

 

Picture on the bank note is of Calixto Garcia.

 

Calixto García Iñiguez (August 4, 1839 – December 11, 1898) was a general in three Cuban uprisings, part of the Cuban War for Independence: Ten Years' War, the Little War and the War of 1895, itself sometimes called the Cuban War for Independence, which bled into the Spanish-American War, ultimately resulting in national independence for Cuba.

 

 

Here is the story from Wikipedia, of how Che came to be governor of the bank:

 

Following the Cuban Revolution of the 1950s, the Cuban banking sector came under the control of the new regime. The new authorities famously appointed Che Guevara as President of the National Bank of Cuba (Spanish: Banco Nacional de Cuba) in 1959. Guevara often retold the apocryphal story of how he gained the job at the bank; Fidel Castro had asked if there were an economista in the room and he had put his hand up - much to Castro's surprise. Guevara had mistakenly thought that Castro had asked for a comunista.

 

Guevara's appointment seemed somewhat ironic, as he often condemned money, favored its abolition, and showed his disdain by signing Cuban banknotes with his nickname, "Che."

[tring]

That is a brilliant story from Wikipedia burm, we also liked your long story above.

 

All this talk of casa's sounds very interesting, but being in our mid sixties, (with virtually no knowledge of spanish), leaves us very loath to try staying in casas, but we did have an excellent meal in a paladar the first time we visited Cuba (18 months ago). I am trying to get my husband to take up spanish as he is good at languages and, as the mere scientist in the family, I struggle with english at times!! Another problem is that we like quiet situations to stay as our house is in a really quiet location, so it is difficult for us to sleep in somewhere that is not fairly quiet. I suppose staying in casas it is all hit and miss.

 

We have done a lot of independent travel in Tunisia, but we both speak french, (my husband particularly well), and we would not want to take all our belongings to a smaller hotel and on public transport and shared taxis. So in Tunisia we tend to book a hotel package, (which is very cheap from the UK) and then go off for a couple of nights. Perhaps that is the best way for us to try using casas in Cuba - we will see.

 

Cheers and happy holidays,

 

Barbara

Edited March 2, 2015 by tring

[burm]

Rather than booking through an agency, I always email the owners directly and tell them precisely what I am looking for. I check out the reviews on Virtual Tourist and read carefully between the lines. There are usually lots of photos available. So far, there have been no major surprises. There is a lot of information out there.

 

The second place we stayed at would not have suited you, but you might have been fine with our first casa in Vedado. If you are interested, write to a few places and get a feel for them.

 

I do know a shoemaker in Havana who speaks French. He showed me the 1939 textbook that he learned from. LOL

 

BTW, if anyone has university age kids, I am told that not only tuition is free in Cuba, but the government even pays for accommodation and food.

[KandCsailing]

Not much in Antilla.

There were some booths with wood carvings and other things for sale past the buses at the pier, but we drove by there on the Cuba Life tour.

 

Good tour with lots of stops, good lunch. Could have done without the 1 hour beach/market stop but that's us.

I did use that hour to take lots more photos of old cars and flowers.

 

073 by kandcsailing, on Flickr -The National Monument Park Bariay is the place where the Admiral Christopher Columbus arrived to Cuba in October 28, 1492.

085 by kandcsailing, on Flickr - At the beach resort stop in Guardalavaca.

087 by kandcsailing, on Flickr

095 by kandcsailing, on Flickr - the farmer at the end of our Cuba Life tour.

[tring]

Again, thanks for the comments.

 

Burm, do you need to share a bathroom in a casa, or do some of them have en suite bathrooms? Also are you expected to be out by day, or could you just stay in your room and relax at times? These could be very silly questions, but I am totally ignorant of how casas work.