pauon

1 hour ago, wripro said:

I certainly hope you don't find an agent who gives you a big rebate. I'd hate to run into to you on a Seabourn ship.

You can buy me a martini.   

"I am not at all interested in saving money...",  Wripoo; that is a totally different kind of stupid.   Please troll elsewhere.

Now back to the OP and what CC is supposed to be about; sharing information and helping others.  I went to the web site that has TA's give you bids on different trips.  I stayed with only Seabourne trips and kept them all in the $22,000 range.  Each "bid" I got emailed were ALL $2,000 to $2,100 off the listed low fare and included all taxes and port fees.    Two also included OBC of $200 or $400.  So, although you got a good price from your TA, it was very average compared to these "strangers" bids.  

First time cruiser; can anyone tell me laundry prices?  I did a search for it, but came up empty.  Thanks in advance !

2 hours ago, wripro said:

Why is it that people expect TAs to pay for part of their vacation? Not only do they make the booking and traveling process easier should there be a problem some want them to pay them for the privilege of working on their behalf. A $1000 pp rebate seems more than fair. If you want more maybe you should try doing it all yourself and see what you come up with.

Wripoo... it seems like you missed the boat on consumerism.  You seem to get "dressed down" often based on your prior posts on other boards.  If you are that unconcerned about saving money,  why post here?  

Bob, DW and I are wishing you a speedy recovery!!!!

We book a suite or buy it everytime, not worth the risk of loud children or adults, chair hogs, etc....  To each his own.  

It is worth every penny for the serene quiet area, as well as your own reserved chair.  Comes free with the full suites.  If you like to read and relax... this is the place.

Thank you for the kind words, Wyoming2010.  Sadly, it was not missing Cuba that disappointed us, but how Oceania has handled our 29 day B2B from the very beginning.  They have been a nightmare.    Even our TA was so frustrated with them and she is on their fancy list of TA and has been working with them for 15 years.   Safe and happy travels to you as well.

Back to the topic...Based on how Oceania treated us on this, we will never sail with them again.  Horrible customer service.  Back to Windstar, HAL, and Princess.  Bad. Bad. Bad.

Yes, very sad for the Cuban people.

We have been to FP three times; 2 on Windstar and one on the Pacific Princess (same ship Oceania has).  There is no comparison due to size.  Windstar sails with about 100 passengers, Oceania many times bigger.  Nothing is like the sailing and private areas of Windstar in that amazing place.   The only drawback is the size of the cabins.  They are very small (the cabins on Windstars motorized vessels are REALLY large), but you will spend no time in your cabin in FP.  Deck space is very vice and private wherever you go.  We did mostly scuba diving on all three and it was really difficult getting on and of the Oceania size boat with gear.   If you are going with friends, you will like the intimacy and friendliness of Windstar.  The sports platform at the aft section of Windstar is really super fun as well and hardly used.  

What a shame that Oceania couldn't do the same.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/cuba-travel-ban-disappointed-passengers-003348143.html

Just cancelled this garbage booze cruise on July 11!  

We will settle for the first half of the B2B.  The July 18 cruise from Miami was much better. 

Just in from TA, but no word on what the newpriing will be:

14 hours ago, Paulchili said:

Are counting yourself as one of those 6 or 7? ☺️

No, I don't participate on the Oceania CC much.  I find that Windstar, HAL, and Princess are much more inclusive and informative.  It seems like the same 6-7 are on here and have much to say about everything.  Big turnoff.    

Welcome!  Your gonna have your hands full with 6 or 7 here.  We have enjoyed the Windstar forum for years,  much more friendly there.  

12 hours ago, nancy2vues said:

He loved the Huston Astros, and we happened to bring him a hat.  That's about all that I can think of!!

 

Thank you !

9 hours ago, nancy2vues said:

Yes, Raul was our guide in August and we had an awesome tour!

Thanks !  Did he mention anything from the States he likes that I could bring?

Glad we are back to the topic of Cuba.  I think those sailing to Iran are on another thread.

15 hours ago, Paulchili said:

Wouldn’t it be nice if “some of the people here” were a little nicer to everyone and a little more tolerant of others’ opinions and posts?

“High jack” and “stay on topic” are key.   Follow the rules as set by CC.  Nothing said that the “6 or 7” of you practice on others  daily.  

Just got my visa for July Oceania 32 day back to back.  Fingers crossed that nothing changes.

Anyone have Raul as a guide?

1 hour ago, Paulchili said:

Agree totally.

Can’t say anything positive about the current Iranian regime but if I could I would love to visit Iran for its history and cultural treasures.

I only have one lifetime to see and do as much as I can.

Wouldn't it be nice if some of the people here could stay on topic and not highjack every thread ?  Back to Cuba ?  After all, that is what the OP posted about.  

19 minutes ago, LaCal said:

Those directions are great....And no we only had a map with no directions from Blexie like you have.....I’d bet he started adding the pertinent Info with Street names etc After people like myself couldn’t find their guides 

 

Have Fun.....We absolutely Loved Cuba 

Thanks for the reply, we feel better !

10 minutes ago, LaCal said:

For anyone using Blexie on their upcoming cruise 

 

Blexies tour guides No longer meet right across the square near the church....police crackdown on tour guides has made them try and meet in more discreet locations 

 

With that said we had a little map he gave us that looked pretty simple....walk out of the port and cross the street to the square.....then walk down the side street for approx 3-4 blocks and look for Apartment Antia

 

Problem was on our map there were No street names or cross street names......We walked all over looking for this damn apartment and our guide.....my wife speaks fluent Spanish and we asked numerous shop keepers and showed them the map as well and even they had no idea 😓

 

We kept looking for over 35 minutes and it was Hottt 

 

So while Blexie is a great company Make sure with these new meet up places to get and ask him for Street Names of your exact meet up place 

 

We finally gave up and Walked back towards the ship and used another guy who was by the church holding a excursion sign 😓😓......had a excellent 2 days in Cuba but sad we missed out on using Blexie 

 

Also no WiFi so I couldn’t check my Facebook until back on the ship.....Blexie had reached out to me a few hours after our meet up time stating our guide was waiting for me 🙈......Sure would of been nice I’d we knew where he was exactly 

 

the old meeting place of right in the square across from the port and the guide holding a sign with your name on it was the perfect way to meet 

Here is what we received from Blexie, was yours different?    

You can consider your tour booked.My colleague Raul will serve as your guide.He will meet you in the corner of Cuba street (Calle Cuba) on July XX at 9am.You will only need to walk out of the terminal and go across the square,then walk straight up for 3 blocks.You will see a church with a small park in front of it.Your guide will be there!!!

Your confirmation number is XXXX.Only you and your guide will know that number so you don’t get tricked by another person.