Food Tour of Havana

[KeithJ711]

I just returned from Havana, via Royal Caribbean. I searched many tour options, and as a foodie, I found a tour that hasn’t been discussed here which is highly rated on TripAdvisor and has amazing reviews.

 

Food Tours of Havana - https://www.foodtourshavana.com/

 

 

This was a 3 hour walking tour of Old Havana that included sampling of tradional Cuban cuisine and a tour of the many historic sites. I cannot say enough good things about this tour. The food was amazing, the guide (Ana) was like family. She was a Cuban native who studied English at The U of Havana. She was a wealth of information, sharing personal stories about life in Cuba and how families work together to live on food rationing and a mere $20 a month. Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor for this, and if you love exploring cultures and food, don’t hesitate to schedule this tour.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

[Wateron]

Did you check P2P or SFTCP on the form & did Royal Caribbean hassle you if you used SFTCP

[KeithJ711]

I checked # 2 Full Day third party program which is people to people. I did multiple versions after all the reading, but settled on that. They did give me a hard time because i went third party, but let it slide saying it would have been worse if I have selected support for Cuban people.

 

My advise, check #2 and don’t worry about it, the people reviewing it are port employees and not RCL employees.

 

It is more important to not mess up the Visa (the birthday trips people up)... a $75 dollar mistake.

 

Let me know if you have more questions.

[KeithJ711]

I forgot to mention that this is a small group tour. Our group consisted of the Tour guide, and 6 people.

[megr1125]

Awesome!! I booked this tour for September! Glad you liked it! I filled out 2 sets of forms. Seems the RC check-in people give everyone a hard time when they check SFTCP so I did one set for that and one P2P, though I believe that SFTCP is really the correct choice. Essentially they are telling people to lie on a government document and since they don't work for Royal, NOR the US Government, they shouldn't do that.

 

It is what it is...I'm just glad to be going!

[megr1125]

Was it at a nice pace or moving 1000 miles an hour? I'm doing mine from 3-6ish and then I plan to eat dinner off the ship. I trust that they can give me suggestions for dinner.

 

What other details can you provide? Was there some access to A/C at all? Or at least cooler air? How about restrooms here and there?

 

Thanks again. I found it on TA and EVERYONE (almost, except for a few fuddy-duddys seemed to love it!

[KeithJ711]

Megr1125,

 

You are going to be so happy to have this tour. Easpecially when you see others being hurded in large groups all over town. You cover 1.5 miles over the course of 3 hours, it’s a very relaxed pace with lots of stops along the way. The first resteraunt is easy to find, but you will most likely be disoriented and confused when you get off the ship. It is right off of plaza viejo which is easy to find. I have AT&T with an international plan and my google maps worked perfectly and got me to the meeting point.

 

Each of the sit down restaraunts are air conditioned, or has good ventilation. The guide will have bottles of water to give you, I would suggest bringing your own, the Cuban bottled water tasted chaulky. The guide will suggest clean bathrooms at each of the sit downs establishments which are very clean. Best to unroll 1/2 a roll of TP in the ship and stick it in your bag should you or others in your party needs it. We didn’t need extra because there was plenty where we stopped.

 

I doubt you will need dinner, we did 3 sit down meals, and 3 snacks. 2 of the meals were full portions. We were stuffed till it was over. My guess is you won’t need anything but a lite snack that evening.

 

If you are looking for a place to eat dinner at a later time, the last place most likely be the place to return to. It was really nice with a band playing live Cuban music.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Wateron]

I checked # 2 Full Day third party program which is people to people. I did multiple versions after all the reading, but settled on that. They did give me a hard time because i went third party, but let it slide saying it would have been worse if I have selected support for Cuban people.

 

 

 

My advise, check #2 and don’t worry about it, the people reviewing it are port employees and not RCL employees.

 

 

 

It is more important to not mess up the Visa (the birthday trips people up)... a $75 dollar mistake.

 

 

 

Let me know if you have more questions.

 

 

 

Your tour falls under SFTCP not PTP, hopefully you won’t be audited in the next 5 years. Royal Caribbean continues to force people to lie when filling out the form. How does the birthday trip people up, Day/Month, Month/Day?

[RiverBlues]

[Magnetchief]

$80 p/p does that include the cost of the food?

[KeithJ711]

Magnetchief,

 

Yes it does include the cost for food and tips at each place. The only out of pocket expense is a tip for the tour guide.

[megr1125]

Keith,

 

Perfect info, thanks!! I actually have stashes of packets of tissues to use!! And wet ones. I also have the refreshment package so I'm covered for water.

 

Sounds like I picked.well. I have 90.minutes to get off ship, exchange money and find them.

 

As for SFTCP vs P2P Royal's check in agents need to get their.crap together. No one.will likely be audited BUT their agents should NOT make people fill US Govt forms.out incorrectly.

[KeithJ711]

I agree. My copies show the SFTCP, but I handed in PTP because I didn’t feel like the fight nor did I want to leave line to refill the paperwork, based on many others comments. The port employees who check while you are in que were doing just that, arguing with people and pulling them out of line to fill out new forms. Once you get past them, no issue with the people at the desk. Bottom line, I just wanted to get on the ship.