Live from Empress - May 20, 2017 (Key West, Havana, and Cozumel)

[Alter Ego]

To convert or not convert, that is the question.

 

Some people recommend converting to CAD or EUR prior to going to Cuba. Others say it's not necessary as, by the time you do all the conversions, you don't save that much. After all, how much money are you really converting- you are only there a day.

 

So, I'm giving you the ability to do the math.

 

Using Oanda (no fees), I see

$1 USD = 1.35 CAD

1CAD = .74 CUC

 

Some of the rates are shown a different way, so you'll need to divide rather than multiply. I personally usually go to a bank, so I'm not very familiar with going to a currency exchange that's why I'm leaving it to you.

 

From Midway airport,Friday (far different from what Oanda says!!)

Also from Friday, in Tampa's International Mall (better than the airport rate, but you'll note it's shown differently.)

Tuesday in Havana's terminal

My receipt

 

I also spoke to someone who said many of the vendors took USD. Some vendors even gave better rates - even 1 to 1! I did not experience this personally; I'm only repeating what I heard.

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

There is one thing the cruise ship does NOT tell you. Something that starts your independent Havana day with a little trepidation.

 

When you walk out the terminal, you see a square. You look right. You look left and you see a pedestrian crosswalk. And several lanes of traffic.

 

But no light.

 

You can say a prayer to whatever god you believe and take a leap of faith or you can do what I did - look around in panic until a Cuban comes along and follow them. Traffic does stop for you. Here, at least.

 

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

I took an independent 6 hour tour with Havana Journeys that began at 9 (Alina was my guide). It costs 100 CUC for up to two people (I also generously tipped); I no longer see the price on their website so I'm uncertain if there was a change given the cruisers in town (I planned it back in early March, if not sooner. This was for a hard top car, not a convertible. I got back to the terminal at 3:40, so the tour was closer to 7 hours.

 

We started with a walking tour of Old Havana before the car picked us up,

 

Old Havana is when I had iPhone issues. I still have a nice selection of photos, but hope to post more when I get home.

 

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

Revolution Square

 

Jose Marti Memorial

 

Camilo Cienfuegos

 

Che Guevara

 

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

Forest of Havana

 

If you read ukbbalfan's review, he commented that this is where a particular religion does animal sacrifices. You can see evidence of bird feathers scattered in the area. Nevertheless, it is a nice bit of green near the city.

 

 

 

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[starrcards]

Let's see if I can do the math.

 

$100 UD = $135 CAD

$1 CAD = .74 CUC

$135 CAD = 99 CUC

 

So

 

$100 USD = 87 CUC

$100 USD (via CAD) = 96 CUC (less whatever USD/CAD you pay)

 

You get 9 more CUC for CAD (essentially the 10% penalty you pay for converting USD)

 

Seems to me if you can get CAD at little or no fee, it would be worth it.

[expattraveler]

Why would they schedule this event for the Havana port day? If I were invited on my August cruise (and I shouldn't be since I am Gold, one day short of Emerald), I'm not sure I would give up my last 2 hours in Havana to attend.

 

Maybe less people attending which = less €

[starrcards]

I thought e OP had a Havana visit till 8 pm like our 4 day Key West/Havana cruise in August. But he said all aboard was 4:30 pm (I guess they needed sailing time to Cozumel.

[Ocean Dancer]

I thought e OP had a Havana visit till 8 pm like our 4 day Key West/Havana cruise in August. But he said all aboard was 4:30 pm (I guess they needed sailing time to Cozumel.

I think all aboard at 4:30 was in Key West.

 

Op, really enjoying your very generous review. We are booked to go over Thanksgiving.

 

I am enjoying the dinner menus and food pics also. Do the menus include an everyday selection? Thank you for your answer.

[Alter Ego]

Let's see if I can do the math.

 

 

 

$100 UD = $135 CAD

 

$1 CAD = .74 CUC

 

$135 CAD = 99 CUC

 

 

 

So

 

 

 

$100 USD = 87 CUC

 

$100 USD (via CAD) = 96 CUC (less whatever USD/CAD you pay)

 

 

 

You get 9 more CUC for CAD (essentially the 10% penalty you pay for converting USD)

 

 

 

Seems to me if you can get CAD at little or no fee, it would be worth it.

 

 

 

I used Oanda to show how the calculation works.

 

If I bought CAD at Midway airport, I would have 116 CAD for $100 USD.

 

Then 116 CAD/1.40102 = 83 CUC. I think going to the mall in Tampa would have gotten me 91 CUC. One can't just blindly assume converting to another currency is best. And, like I said, how much are you planning to convert for one day? I usually get my currency from the bank - that would be an extra stop for me and my time is worth something. How much do you really care about the small spread?

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

I thought e OP had a Havana visit till 8 pm like our 4 day Key West/Havana cruise in August. But he said all aboard was 4:30 pm (I guess they needed sailing time to Cozumel.

 

 

 

My itinerary

 

They extended all aboard in Havana to 4pm. We left around 5pm (so the person who commented a few days ago was correct - it was a bad time for the Crown & Anchor party!)

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

 

 

 

I am enjoying the dinner menus and food pics also. Do the menus include an everyday selection? Thank you for your answer.

 

 

Thank you - I personally had a difficult time finding menus, so I wanted to do my best to post them even if I'm not eating in the MDR each night.

 

The items with stars are usually there each night - steak, chicken, salmon (although as I say that, when I looked back, salmon was missing from one menu.). Nevertheless, I think you can be assured that those items are usually there!

 

 

 

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[Ocean Dancer]

Thanks, Alter Ego!!

[Alter Ego]

Continuing Havana...

 

After the forest, I went to lunch. This was a private home and had different rooms set up for the restaurant. The bathroom was just like in a house - bathtub and all. No issue with toilet paper or flushing.

 

Cream of Potato Soup

Red Snapper

 

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

 

You will see the 15% already added on the receipt. I didn't mind - I had intended on giving 25CUC anyways.

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

Our final stop (other than stopping for rum!) was to see Cuban artist Jose Fuster's house. A protege of Gaudi, he is creating an entire neighborhood in his unique design. In turn, tourists are coming and businesses are opening in the area.

 

 

 

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[Snit13]

Excellent review. I just finished reading original post to most recent and have learned so much. Thanks for sharing. We cruise October 16 with ovenight.

[Alter Ego]

Our last stop was to find Havana Club 7 Rum.

 

I want to take a step back. During my tour, my guide brought me to a place where families go to pick up their food ration. Each family is alloted a certain amount of basic items each month - it is not enough to live on, but several families rely on it. In fact, Raoul Castro wanted to end it, but was met with much opposition. I have no photo as I thought it was inappropriate.

 

We later went to a market and I was struck by how the items were sold behind a counter!

However, our first unsuccessful stop for HC7 brought me to a larger store in which we couldn't bring large bags inside and items were sold like I'm more used to on shelves. The store was very busy, with several people in lines (again, I did not take a photo as I didn't want to be rude.)

 

It was just interesting to hear and see how different something I take for granted is. In an aside, I really like to go into grocery stores in other countries- gives you a better insight in how people normally live. Anyone else do this?

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

All aboard was extended 30 minutes to 4pm and I needed it! I was in the terminal by 3:40ish (an expert at crossing the street by then.) Also needed to go through a scanner and immigration, but everything was quick. Since we embarked on deck 5, we did not go through another Royal scanner and nothing was held until later. If you brought on rum, you kept it with you!

 

I should note that you could come and go all you want. When you first disembark, they take your visa, but stamp your passport. That stamp allows you to come and go.

 

We finally pushed off at 5pm. I'm repeating something someone told me, but it really was interesting to once again see the places you just were. It was a very enjoyable day; I have not heard one negative comment about it. Everyone who took the 6 hour excursions expressed very positive experiences.

 

As you can see from the first picture, only two of the six terminals are in use. It is currently used for both commercial and pleasure cruises. They are building a port to move commercial ships further away and hope to open all six terminals for pleasure. What's missing is the money to fix the other terminals.

 

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

Goodbye Havana - until we meet again.

 

And...hello Cozumel!

Big sister!

Balcony envy

Let the new day's adventure begin!!

 

 

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[sailsalot]

Loving your review! We're on the same cruise on May 29 and can't wait! A few questions:

1. From your pictures, it appears that food in Windjammer is self-serve. Is that so?

2. Were there many children on board? We'll have our 5 year old with us. Just curious what the family make-up is of this itinerary.

 

Thanks again, and I really enjoyed all the pictures especially of the daily planner and menus! Now I know to pack something "Latin" and something white for dinners. :)

[Alter Ego]

Loving your review! We're on the same cruise on May 29 and can't wait! A few questions:

 

1. From your pictures, it appears that food in Windjammer is self-serve. Is that so?

 

2. Were there many children on board? We'll have our 5 year old with us. Just curious what the family make-up is of this itinerary.

 

 

 

Thanks again, and I really enjoyed all the pictures especially of the daily planner and menus! Now I know to pack something "Latin" and something white for dinners. :)

 

 

Yes - Windjammer is self serve. They always have a carving station, so I guess that isn't! LOL

 

It's probably a bad time for kids, school-wise. I see them a little in the MDR (they look young!) and I know there was a 4 year old on my Cozumel excursion. I don't really have this life, so I don't look out for it. Sorry I'm not more help.

 

 

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

MDR menu - day 4

 

There was nothing on the starter menu that appealed to me and had the Nicoise Salad based on waiter recommendation. I ended up enjoying it.

Chicken Cordon Bleu - was it Sizzler that I think back so fondly from my youth who served this? A little too much breaking.

I couldn't decide on desert so they brought me both. I did not ask for both! LOL. But, how could I not try creamy olive oil pudding? Was good, but white chocolate in top made it sweet.

Cherries Jubilee, because I love fruit desserts.

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

Day 5 Cruise Compass. A lot going on today!

 

 

Good night!

 

 

 

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[JamesEM]

Enjoyed your photos of Cuba, hopefully you can post some addition photos when you return home.