jimdalva

No one anywhere took US credit cards. But after paying some bills in Cuban Money we tipped wait staff, drivers etc, in US money and they were happy to take it. We were stingy with our Cuban money, afraid we would run out. US money, we had plenty, and tipped generously with it.

We found Many spoke English. Many met us with a smile and tried to sell something, like a Car tour, a Buggy Ride, or cigars. When we ventured Back, away from the tourist area and the beaten path, the smiles disappeared. We even felt unwelcome in one store where we bought a bottle of water.

We just returned from Cuba on Sky May 8 to 12. A wonderful trip.

A few observations:

Customs & Immigration was EZ. The first day the ship used a # system , just like the tendering system. One member of our party went up to the lounge at 7am and picked up tickets for the entire group. We had #1 and were called to get off at 8:30, much earlier than was reported on the May 1 cruise, they had reported 10am.

Once off the ship we waited no more than 20 min at Customs & Imm. They see you 1 at a time NOT couples together. Next, 100 yards across the building and we lined up to change our Euros, and in another 20 min we had our 'kook' in hand. EZ! Contrary to what so one here wrote, We found No shops in the port that took US money!

After that First Customs and Imm. check, there was never a line to go back and forth to the ship.

On our last day the happily took back our leftover Cuban money and gave us US money, also No lines like the first day.

I have the same problem, I'm told invalid user name and/or password. But cant be, my laptop remembers them!

We have a mix of US citizens and Green card holders in our family also. We always all get into the regular US citizen line together as a group and have never had a problem.

This has been our experience as well.

Budget at PC has worked well for us many times.

So let me get this straight. I don't mean to sound prudish (OK I don't care if I do) but they really have a cruise with clothing optional? Like all over the ship? Eeeuw. Or is it just at the pool? Still...... I don't want to sit on loungers or chairs previously occupied by all that!

Here we go again, Yes Nude Charters are very popular, and yes nudist always sit on a towel. But think of your cabin and all the nekid people who have sat all over the place without restriction.

The problem is the people who will be nude are probably ones you would ask to put their clothes back on:eek:

Nudist don't judge, its all about body acceptance.

If SW cancels your flight, you will be put on the next available flt. BUT remember 130 other people were also on that flt and it will take days to get all 130 on new flts. You have become a statistic and they wont inconvenience any other passengers to help you because that just makes their on time performance even worst. So you will wait maybe days, and if its weather related, you wont be put up in a hotel.

QUOTE: Seriously, who runs at 11pm on vacation?! You should be at the bar.

(although in all honesty I am not sure why anyone runs without something chasing them)

I agree with this!:rolleyes:

Rent a one way car!

Why wouldn't you. "Always leave them wanting more!"

when i read the first post i thought this was a joke thread. But you all are actually serious...... :eek:

like!

Pay me now, or pay me later. Nothing's Free!

My first cruise was in 1986 aboard Home Lines 'Atlantic'.

I remember having to reserve your deck chair on the pool deck as soon as you boarded to get a good spot. The assigned lounge chair was yours during the day and your Pool Deck Steward would have a towel and a glass of Ice Tea waiting for you in the morning when you arrived.

She was small by todays standards, but to us then she was Huge!

I see it on almost every cruise. Do it , you will be very well received.

WOW, You guy are still here. 161 pages of comments, and the NO Smoking rules still stand. Good luck and enjoy, no matter what you all decide to do.:confused:

To each his own, but I only buy 'off brand', Large two wheelers. I pay about $60. each at a discount store. I Pay most attention to the wheels.

We don't do carry on, so no need for any small or med Bags. Four wheel spinners I don't like because they don't work on carpet, and the EX Large I bought once became packed so much that it was over weight.

I highlight 3 of the same bags with Red Duct tape. They are so obviously together, that baggage handlers seem to grab all 3 in a row and keep them all together, and the most times get to the cabin together

When one gets beat up beyond repair(and yes I do make repairs if possible) I just get another cheap bag to match!:cool:

.

We like to be Surprised!;)

We bring an I Pad and it just fits in the safe. If you do bring a full size laptop you should hide it under some clothes in a draw , and keep the wires hidden so there is nothing to give it away. I believe that 99.9 % of Cruise ship employees are honest, but you never know. People are people, some are better then others.

We have also gone NUDE on Coco Cay on a BNTT Cruise! Great Fun.:rolleyes:

If you don't mind: a Fireball story.

 

On a cruise last year (on a ship that does have Fireball), my Lovely Lady got a Fireball on ice. (We keep it at home, especially in winter.) Then we were on a crowded elevator, and the young lady in front turns and says "I smell Fireball!" Rachel said "Here it is, got it at the bar upstairs." So the stranger turns to me and says "Where's yours?" I smile, point to Rachel and say: "That's my fireball!" We all had a good laugh!!

Good for you, your wife is still a Fireball, I've got one too!

Nassau was unfortunately rainy and a little chilly at first but we made it a great day. Explored the shops, went to atlantis, stepped foot jn the water at cabbage beach to say we did, hit up margaritaville and senor frogs and had plenty of laughs and great pictures.

We were there at Senor Frogs mid Dec, we had a blast! ;)

I agree get rid of all line dances I loathe them

NO Keep the line dances, those who don't like them , don't do them. I don't dance much, but always jump in on the line dances. :D

We actually bring a few rolls of our favorite TP with us each cruise

 

Nothing worse than harsh, rough TP lol

Your favorite TP could clog the ships delicate vacuum system, not in your bathroom , but down the line where you wouldn't know it. That's why ships have their own brand of quick dissolve TP. :eek:

How was Nassau today, (I watched the Nassau web cam this morning and saw you arrive) I'm freezing my butt off here in NY, it was 12 degrees this morning, so I would trade places with you in a heart beat.

But kidding aside don't let it ruin your mood, stay happy, enjoy your family as best you can. Next year you will remember this and laugh (I hope):)