Llansa Man

With the popularity of Cruises to Cuba growing by the day, here are a couple of tips to avoid those horrific shore excursion costs charged by the Cruise Lines!

In Havana, I highly recommend the private Tour Guide Company CUBANEAMOS - The Guides are all "Professional" people - ours was a Lawyer, others are an Oncologist, an Accountant, a School Teacher etc. etc. The cost is CUCS25.00 per person - Best Value - go to nosotroscubaneamos@gmail.com and Geikis (she) will answer you promptly.

In Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba, I highly recommend Shagotours; once again "Professional" guides - School Teachers, Lawyers, Accountants...you can pay them in US Dollars and/or CUCS - Average all in cost $65.00 for a 4/5 hour tour in a private 'old' car! www.shagotours.com

If you want to help with gifts, take Ibuprofen, Advil, and other 'over the counter' medicines- they have a hard time getting them and they are expensive for the average Cuban.

Unfortunately it is time to get a Lawyer involved - might even warrant a 'Class Action' ! Uniworld is vulnerable on this sort of stuff, in spite of the disclosures in your Cruise Purchase - I would push for a pro-rata refund first then if they blow you off, go for the jugular!

Lansa Man

10 minutes ago, RiverCruiseKim said:

We looked into Tauck because of their stellar reputation but unfortunately they were all booked up for our dates over a year out. Probably because they sound pretty great. Uniworld has been a complete disappointment in this situation. I didn’t think we were asking for anything unreasonable and now hearing what Tauck has offered it definitely wasn’t unreasonable. Uniworld has offered $1,000 off per passenger for a future cruise in 2018 or 2019 but nothing above that for cancelling the remainder of the cruise. The credit towards a future cruise does nothing for us as we don’t have the time off or money to do this again that soon. This was a special trip for our anniversary making it all the more frustrating. 

Water levels in both the Rhine and Danube should be fine by March - winter rains and snow melt run-off will solve any issues of low water levels.

Would like to hear from anyone scheduled on Avalon Waterways Balkan Discovery - M/V Passion Departing Budapest on September 14th and arriving Bucharest/Oltenita September 20th.....so far water levels look OK!

You guys and gals are very knowledgeable on this stuff - THANK YOU. Anyone have any updates on the Danube from Budapest to Bucharest?

Can anyone update us the status of water levels on the Danube from Budapest to Bucharest - have been told by Viking Passengers that a lot of 'busing' is going on!

THANK YOU.

Llansa Man