woody73

Excellent! Definitely "the decisive moment."

 

. . . The question I have is there any reason to have a 300 or 400 mm lens with me.

We visited Great Britain last May. Although I took various lenses, I found myself using a 24-120mm f/4 probably 90% of the time.

I suggest taking a 300 or 400mm only if there were specific plans to view wildlife.

 

Do you guys take your cameras with you to dinner or leave them in your cabins?

 

I never worried about theft . . .

From a security standpoint, I've had no issues with leaving cameras in the cabin. But I try not to leave them out in the open. I'm not worried about the cabin stewards, but sometimes they leave the cabin door open while they go to the supply room, and I'm more concerned about other guests.

From a photography standpoint, I'll take a DSLR to dinner if I anticipate any photo opportunities during dinner. This is particularly true for cruises with wildlife sightings or significant sights (one time we cruised right past the Rock of Gibraltar during dinner, which happened to be Golden Hour).

Woody

I took an additional accessory on our trip to China -- a compact monopod with a ballhead.

It rained the day we visited the Terracotta Warriors. The sky was filled with dark clouds the entire day. Pit 1 is illuminated only by skylights, so the lighting was low. The monopod was invaluable to shooting in these conditions with a low ISO.

Thank you to all who shared advice.

Woody

 

The driver does stay with the bus or it is locked. We left things on the bus that we didn't need. . .

Thank you for the information. I read that we will have some very long days sightseeing, and this will help with having things we will need during the day.

Woody

 

. . . The 20 1.8 and a any 50/35 would do on the wide/normal end and if the 70-200 is the VR II then you're set.

Yes, the 70-200 is a VR II.

Thanks for your insight.

Woody

We visited Beijing and Shanghai several years ago as overnight stops on a cruise. On that trip, my camera was an Olympus digital point and shoot.

We've decided to return to China, and will include two destinations we missed last time -- the Terracotta Warriors and the Yangtze River. We'll be on a 15-day package tour going to: Beijing - Xi'an - Chongqing - Yangtze River - Jingzhou - Wuhan - Suzhou - Shanghai.

I plan to take:

• Nikon D810
  
• 24-120 f/4.0 (as my primary walk-around lens)
  
• 70-200mm f/2.8 (for the Yangtze river cruise and Terracotta Warriors)
  
• Polarizer
  
• Canon S100 point and shoot
  

I'm also thinking of taking:

• 20mm f/1.8 (for landscapes, cityscapes, Terracotta Warriors Pit 1 overview)
  
• 35mm f/1/8 (night street food stalls)
  
• TC14-E III 1.4x teleconverter
  
• SB910 external flash
  
• Manfrotto PIXI EVO tabletop tripod
  
• Remote shutter release

Any thoughts on this selection of gear for this type of trip? Any suggestions on what to leave at home, or anything else to bring?

Also, while out sightseeing in China, would it be better to carry these in a shoulder bag or a backpack?

Thanks.

Woody

We are booked on the Focus of China tour. I've read about the long days sightseeing.

In the morning, when we leave the hotel, I can see bringing things we may need at some places but not others -- such a jacket, hat, umbrella, backpack, or camera bag. Plus, during the day, we might purchase souvenirs.

Is it safe to leave things on the bus while out sightseeing, eating, or at stops like the silk factory? Will the bus be locked? Does the driver stay with the bus?

Also, I'm planning to bring a DSLR camera, some lenses, and accessories. While out sightseeing in China, would it be better to carry these in a shoulder bag or a backpack?

Thanks.

Woody

Good article with great samples. Thanks, Don.

 

Just rec'd. a travel newsletter where this ship is mentioned and is being sold by large travel agency as a completely escorted style of cruise with one or more lecturers on board, someone who acts as a sort of tour host. . .

 

. . . My dh had a medical issue last fall so his walking is now slightly impaired and one arm is close to being useless.

 

. . . I wonder how he'd do on this type of cruise?

 

. . . I would very be interested to hear if his type of physical limitation would make this a tough trip for us?

We sailed on the Celestyal Crystal to Cuba in January. There were 800 guests onboard, and perhaps half were from the U.S. The U.S. guests were required to be part of a People to People program.

My DW and I booked the cruise (with P2P program) directly with Cuba Cruise. But there were also five groups of U.S. guests who booked through travel agencies that had tour hosts onboard. One tour group had 172 guests; another had 24.

All U.S. guests were welcome to attend the P2P onboard activities provided by the cruiseline (lectures, dance lessons, tastings). But the hosted groups also had some separate functions and tours with their hosts.

The excursions we went on were mostly big motor coach tours, with designated stops. On our bus, I did not see anyone with mobility issues.

There was a walking tour in Old Havana, right where the ship docks. It was on cobblestones, at a slow pace, with lots of standing.

The day at Maria la Gorda was DIY. That was the only tender port, and the pier is right at the white sand beach. I think entering and exiting the tender might be the most challenging part for your DW, depending on the swells. If it's too rough, you could enjoy a relaxing day on the ship.

Overall, I think your DH might be okay on this type of trip. But you may want to check with a travel agency to see if they can better meet your DH's needs. A host, who is onboard for weeks at a time, might be able to do things like arrange priority debarking at ports (instead of standing in long lines on the stairwells).

Woody

 

. . . Popcorn is superior to beans, as the angularity of the kernels interlock to give solidity.

 

Thanks for posting the (excellent) list; having also been to Antarctica, it was fun to read through it as it brought back incredible memories. I had to smile at the popcorn kernel advice, though. Imagine running around Ushuaia looking for unpopped popcorn! :)

Hi Turtles06!

Thank you (and donaldsc) for all the great tips for my Antarctica (and Northern Lights) trips.

Given the strict weight restrictions for our trip to Antarctica, I took sunflower seeds for my bean bag. They are lightweight and worked great.

Woody

 

. . . -15% EBD.

. . . minus 15% Early Bird Discount

Woody

 

. . . I am still a little confused as to how you picked me out in the dining room, we having never met before. It was a nice surprise.

My DW and I boarded in Montego Bay. I read on this My Cuba Cruise thread that you would board a couple of days later in Havana.

When managers and staff warmly greeted you in the dining room -- as if you were old friends -- I told my DW, "I think I know who that is."

It was a pleasure meeting you, and being able to thank you in person for the wealth of information you've shared.

 

. . . Does anyone have advice on what to take for a powerstrip/converter? I see there might be a need for more outlets, but is it necessary to have a specific adaptor/converter?

As I recall, at the desk there were one U.S. 110V outlet and one european 220V outlet.

We took a Belkin "3-Outlet Mini Travel Swivel Charger Surge Protector." It has three U.S. 110V outlets and two USB ports. This unit is compact and reliable. I like that it has surge protection, as we did experience brief power outages during our cruise.

Woody

 

. . . I wonder what the ticket prices would be.

It's a free concert.

From the Rolling Stones website:

 

. . . all the times we have been to Cuba, we had to ask for a passport stamp at the airport.

 

. . . They did not automatically stamp our passport, or anyone else's. We had to specifically ask for it.

For those boarding in Montego Bay (and not going to the Havana airport), where can one ask for a passport stamp?

.

 

. . . I received many suggestions and bought the OPTech rain sleeves based on the compact size.

I've been very pleased with the OPTech rain sleeve.

A tip: Pack a rubber band or two to attach the sleeve to the lens hood. I find this works better than the provided cinch strap.

Woody

 

A noted point of interest for the US passengers joining the cruise; The officials at the Cuban immigration tables, upon seeing a US passport placed before them, held their stamp above it and waited for the passenger to state if he should or should not stamp it. The officers then followed the passenger's request. Be prepared to answer this animated question.

 

I think it's best to just do it. If we've done our P to P registration, it shouldn't be an issue. . .

I know someone, a U.S. citizen, who traveled to Cuba last year under the radar screen. In other words, it was not an authorized visit under the People to People program.

He paid $300 USD to the immigration agent to NOT stamp his and his girlfriend's passport.

What a difference a year makes.

Woody

Hi Woody,

 

Do you have any current info. re: the People to People Registration requirement for US citizens? I know this isn't the place for official info, but it's helpful. . .

Karen,

The information and links are on the Cuba Cruise website.

Try this page http://yourcubacruise.com/your-cuba/travelling-cuba

Woody

 

Hi Nikki,

 

This is the first reference I've seen to our sailing date (jan 22, Montego Bay). I wish there was a roll-call list for these cruises. We are also sailing with friends from a previous cruise. It looks like this sailing will have two large groups (both Globus and RoadScholars have a few days on this ship during that week).

 

Anyway, still reading, but wanted to connect with another Jan 22 passenger.

kahtrav, we are on the Jan 22 sailing from Montego Bay.

Join us on our roll call: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2198192

Woody

 

. . . It seems that our final payment date is definately one month before our cruise and that our payment will be in Canadian Dollars. She said that once final payment is made we will be sent an e-ticket which is all we need for the cruise. It seems excursions will become available online at a later date, but are not yet available.

 

. . . The main thing from our point of view is that our booking is definately on their system and we should be able to finalise everything online as we had hoped.

 

. . . She did have knowledge about the cruise though and there was a Cuba Cruise advert on the wall of the agency.

 

. . . Our Cuban holiday seems much nearer now as it is time to pay the balance for our flight/hotel package and we will pay for the Cuba Cruise towards the end of December which is a couple of months before we sail.

Thank you for the very encouraging report.

Woody

 

To woody73: Can you advise us if you were able to retain your Canadian pricing and whether or not you will be restricted to the conditions laid out for "People To People"? Thanks.

Ron,

We were forced to add an "all-inclusive" package to our booking (consisting of an excursion package, a beverage package, and pre-paid gratuities). They said the excursion package is to satisfy the People to People program.

Our balance is still in CAD and due 30 days before sailing.

Woody

 

We are in Piraeus on 5th Oct at the end of a cruise - does anyone know what their address is in Pireaus? We have been to Athens before and do not see the point in returning, so we can feel a visit to CC offices coming on. If I find them, I will post as much info as I can get on our return.

Barbara, please post what you learn.

Woody

 

. . . Too bad if the Canadians are out of it, especially since they got it up & running which couldn't have been easy!

Apparently Cuba Cruise is now being run out of Piraeus, Greece, instead of Alberta, Canada.

.

 

. . . We love Cuba and for us each port of call is always interesting and different. But with five of these cruises under our belt and a booking for three more, it is obvious that the ship plays a much larger part in our annual Caribbean adventure. So although we feel we have witnessed the first changes in the cruise management, we anticipate more and hopefully this time around a positive more, and we promise to keep everyone informed of our impressions.

Thank you for continuing to keep us informed. You, and others, have shared invaluable information.

We have booked a Cuba Cruise for January 2016 (we booked when prices were quoted in CAD for the cruise only). Coming from the U.S., we are very excited about our trip. With the upcoming changes, it sounds like last season was the time to go. We hope to make the best of our upcoming cruise. As the saying goes, "The best time to plant a tree was yesterday. The second best time, is today."

Are the excursion packages and drink packages quoted in CAD or USD? Is it possible to pre-pay gratuities? If so, what is the price? (When we booked, the auto gratuities were quoted as 10 CAD per person, per night.)

Our booking is priced in CAD, and the final payment isn't due until some 30 days before sailing. Is there any advantage to paying this off now?

Thanks.