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[quote name='newcruiser1956;55596641

I would also like to see the real Cuba' date=' where people live, kids go to school, visit a grocery store, and a 15 minute stop at the beach so I can say I put my feet in the sand in Havana. I really really want to see the real Cuba, not the tourist Cuba. [/font']

This is always my favorite part of traveling anywhere new. Were they totally fine taking you to those places? Are there any safety concerns?

You check "people to people " if you are just going to take NCL excursions only when you are off the ship. If you are going to take other legal excursions or go off the ship on your own following USA guidelines then you check "Support of the Cuban People".

What if I'm not sure? Can I fill out two affidavits, checking off each one, to make sure I'm covered?

I'm cruising 4 night on the Sky to Cuba on April 2nd. It looks like most spring breaks are over by then, do you guys agree?

I was told to ONY check "in support of the Cuban people" box.

There's some kind of confusion around this, and I'm not sure if I have the answer.

I was also told "in support of cuban people" which I think is related to maybe just taking excursions.

When I called and spoke with someone at NCL, they told me to check this off on the affidavit

515.565(b)Educational exchanges – group people-to-people through Norwegian or other organization"

The visa and the affidavit are totally unrelated (one is for you to be OK with the Cuban authorities, the other is for you and NCL to be OK with the US authorities). You have to make sure you complete both procedures. For the visa, your TA is correct: All you have to do is give NCL $75. For the affidavit, it sounds like you're all set, too. Since it's a document that NCL needs to have on file a few weeks before you sail, I think they would eventually have contacted you (or your TA) about it. Maybe they did, and your TA dropped the ball, who knows.

 

As the previous posters pointed out, all of this information (and more) can be found on NCL's FAQ pages about Cuba cruises.

Thank you!

No griping, just trying to figure out what to do.

Anybody else?

I just happened to call NCL because I was curious about how I would physically obtained my visa. The lady ended up telling me I need to fill out an affidavit through ncl.com first. It's not a big deal because it's a very short form, but I'm wondering when someone was going to tell me about this. Is it something I missed somewhere?

Also, she is telling me I need to click on "Educational exchanges – group people-to-people through Norwegian or other organization" as the reason I'm traveling to Cuba. How would I have known about that?

Edit - I booked this cruise with a travel agent. He told me that after I paid the $75.00 bucks, there was nothing else required to get the visa.

I'm cruising on April 2nd, I don't think it'll be packed with spring breakers.

On his website he clearly says, he will take you where ever you want for your tour..

 

Make a list, google things to do in cuba.. I have lots of places I want to see that are not tourist spots :)

Gotcha, thanks. I guess my main question is would we keep busy on a 6 hour tour, or do you think 3 hours is appropriate?

Are you from the U.S.? If so, he would not have asked for credit card information because credit cards are not accepted.

True, I forgot he did actually mention it's cash.

I've got a multiple part question. First of all and maybe most simply is related to the Blexie tour. I think I have booked the 6 hour Blexie tour. First, is 6 hours too long for a tour of Havana, will we keep busy that whole time? Also I'm curious about the booking process with Blexie. I told him that my gf and I want to book a tour with him, and he replied "okay great, booked. We will meet you at this place with a sign with your name." He didn't ask for any personal info, credit card, etc. Is this how it went with other people?

My second question is about if we should switch from Blexie to oldcartours.com. I see I have many more options here, related to time of the tour, where it goes, the car we choose (less important). My gf and I don't really have any knowledge of Havana or Cuba, so we don't really know what we want. I think we're looking for a tour that gives us a good overview of everything Havana/Cuba has to offer. Neither of us are artsy fartsy so it would be nice maybe to see some art, and the Hemingway house, but we don't need to spend hours learning about either. We'd like it to be more "fun" I guess. Should we pick one of the specific tours like the Hemingway, Varadero, etc, or should we just do the 2 or 3 hour city tour. Regardless of what we choose, can we kind of tell our driver what we're looking for, and if we find a beach or shopping place we like can we stay there longer?

I'm wondering if there is decent snorkeling from the beaches in either island. Trying to decide if we should do a guided boat tour out to good snorkeling spots, or if we can see really great stuff by just swimming out from any certain beaches.

I am using Blexie tours too, I marked support the cuban people and people to people on the form...

The Blexie tour seems significantly cheaper than anything through NCL. Private car and driver for up to 3 people for 130CUC (that is total right, not per person?)

NCL tours are like 100 bucks per person and not on a private tour. Am I seeing this right?

Edit - It looks like they only pick you up at Varadero Resort, which is far from the cruise terminal??

Seriously, and I'm not being snarky, but a simple two second Google search will let you know what and how much you can bring back.

I am so so sorry Cole Thornton :(

So sorry

Would like to bring back cigars and rum for gifts. Can I? Is there a limit?

Assuming if I can bring back rum, the boat will take it from me when we board, and I get it back at the end of the cruise?

Here's the whole email, seems like maybe it's only if booking directly through NCL.

Dear Valued Guest,

We’re excited you’re sailing with us during our first season in Cuba. Please take time to read the following information so you can make the most of your time in legendary Havana.

 

As a reminder, you can travel to Cuba under the people-to-people authorized travel category under the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). To do so, you must maintain a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities intended to enhance contact with the Cubanpeople.

 

You are required to self certify that your activities meet these requirements and also to retain records of your activities for a period of 5 years. If you have not yet submitted your certification form, you must complete and send it to Norwegian within 48 hours before your departure date.

 

Norwegian gives you the option of fulfilling your OFAC requirements through our diverse selection of Havana shore excursions. Tours must be booked no later than 3 days prior to sailing. Tour availability is not guaranteed on board.

 

Benefits to pre-booking Havana excursions through Norwegian:

 

• All tours are OFAC compliant
  
• Priority disembarkation in Havana
  
• Space confirmed prior to sailing
  

Learn more about our available Havana shore excursions.. And for more information about your upcoming visit to Cuba, check out our FAQs. We look forward to welcoming you on board!

 

Again, thank you for choosing Norwegian Cruise Line.

I'm cruising on the Sky in April, and I got an email stating that any Excursion in Havana need to be booked at least 3 days prior to cruise sailing date. Is this true? I hadn't heard anybody mention it. I was told I'd be able to get off the boat and hop on a tour bus if I wanted to.

On that note, can I get liquor straight included?

I sail in a month. Do you have any tips? I've seen conflicting reports on a sushi restaurant, can you confirm if there is one? Is it included in the price of the cruise?

Thanks!

My cruise docks back in Miami at 7:00am, flight out of Miami isn't till 2:00. I'm wondering how long I can stay onboard. Thanks!

In April I'll be returning from a cruise early in the morning. Considering spending the whole day checking out Miami, going to the beach, going out to dinner before heading to the airport. My question is, does anyone have suggestions of what to do with my luggage during this time? I'm wondering if maybe a hotel would hold my luggage for a fee, even if I'm not staying there. Any other ideas?

I have a cruise booked and learned I'll be in room 7312. I'm mostly concerned about the noise level from the decks above and below us. Does anyone have any advice on if this is a decent room, and will it be quiet at night?