My husband and I just returned from the November 20-30 sailing of the Pearl Mist to Cuba. We had an excellent time and urge everyone to go to Cuba NOW. The people are friendly and the sightseeing is very interesting. You never know from week to week what the restrictions from either government will bring. I heard that the Cuban government now allows ships to only remain in Havana for 24 hours. We were there about 48 and it wasn't enough. Seeing how it is Cuba you have to be flexible and stay patient as there may be some waiting around. The people in Cuba don't have a lot of money or the opportunity to get much. Average wage is $20 per month. Tour guides make more in one day than a doctor or lawyer makes in one month. Food is rationed. The food that is available first goes to the restaurants. Cubans are very literate as the government provides schooling for everyone through university. Health care is nationalized but well run. If you go to Cuba take a lot of soap, shampoo and toothpaste to give away on the street. These are not available for purchase by the Cubans so they really appreciate these small gifts. We also brought pencils for the children but the other items are the most needed.
As for Pearl Seas and the Pearl Mist, the ship was nice and our stateroom (the least expensive) was the largest of any regular stateroom we have ever been in. We were in cabin 219 and it was an excellent location. About midship and just down the hall from the lounge where most of the lectures and entertainment took place. Down one flight of stairs to the dining room. Very quiet except for the air conditioner but we got used to that. Large window in room and a door to our private balcony. The liquor at happy hour (which extended until about 10:30 every night) was quite good. Breakfast was really good with a continental buffet and also a cooked to order menu. Many choices. At breakfast they asked you to mark what you wanted for lunch and dinner that day but you didn't have to stick with your choice. 4 choices of entree at dinner every night. Portions are small but you probably could have asked for more if you were still hungry. Not a lot of wasted food like on other ships. The amenities in the stateroom were nice and the bed was excellent. Our steward came in twice a day to clean up. As much as I want to be ecological and keep my towel each day, it was quite humid and the towels never dried out the same day.
I think Pearl Seas could have done a little better in communication before the trip. The FAQs on their website are a little lacking. For example, I had to call to see if there was a hairdryer in the stateroom and other passengers said they had to call with lots of questions, particularly about what to wear. Also, on our sailing the return transfer to the airport was included, but this was not mentioned anywhere prior to sailing. We prepurchased a transfer from a bus company, but we could have transferred for free with Pearl Seas. Laundry was included but there was no information about that until a bag appeared on our bed about the third day. I had to ask the cost (no charge!) so that was really nice feature. We also got a nice bag and caps.
The excursions were all included (you had your choice of a half day or a longer day with lunch out included). We always went for the longer day so we could have a variety of food. Highlight was a ride in one of the old beautiful cars. We also went to the Tropicana nightclub in Havana. The passengers were all nice and only 124 passengers on our sailing (Thanksgiving week). Average age in mid 70s. Could have had more activities on at sea days but those naps were really nice!
The price of the Pearl Seas Cuba trip is more per day than any other trip we have been on, but everything but gratuities is included. It is also the only way to see the most of Cuba on a cruise. 3 ports and 2 bus rides to other cities included. I don't think any other cruise line does that now. We are really glad that we went on this trip.
Pearl Seas Cuba 2017 Cruise...How was it?
in Other Cruise Lines
Posted
My husband and I just returned from the November 20-30 sailing of the Pearl Mist to Cuba. We had an excellent time and urge everyone to go to Cuba NOW. The people are friendly and the sightseeing is very interesting. You never know from week to week what the restrictions from either government will bring. I heard that the Cuban government now allows ships to only remain in Havana for 24 hours. We were there about 48 and it wasn't enough. Seeing how it is Cuba you have to be flexible and stay patient as there may be some waiting around. The people in Cuba don't have a lot of money or the opportunity to get much. Average wage is $20 per month. Tour guides make more in one day than a doctor or lawyer makes in one month. Food is rationed. The food that is available first goes to the restaurants. Cubans are very literate as the government provides schooling for everyone through university. Health care is nationalized but well run. If you go to Cuba take a lot of soap, shampoo and toothpaste to give away on the street. These are not available for purchase by the Cubans so they really appreciate these small gifts. We also brought pencils for the children but the other items are the most needed.
As for Pearl Seas and the Pearl Mist, the ship was nice and our stateroom (the least expensive) was the largest of any regular stateroom we have ever been in. We were in cabin 219 and it was an excellent location. About midship and just down the hall from the lounge where most of the lectures and entertainment took place. Down one flight of stairs to the dining room. Very quiet except for the air conditioner but we got used to that. Large window in room and a door to our private balcony. The liquor at happy hour (which extended until about 10:30 every night) was quite good. Breakfast was really good with a continental buffet and also a cooked to order menu. Many choices. At breakfast they asked you to mark what you wanted for lunch and dinner that day but you didn't have to stick with your choice. 4 choices of entree at dinner every night. Portions are small but you probably could have asked for more if you were still hungry. Not a lot of wasted food like on other ships. The amenities in the stateroom were nice and the bed was excellent. Our steward came in twice a day to clean up. As much as I want to be ecological and keep my towel each day, it was quite humid and the towels never dried out the same day.
I think Pearl Seas could have done a little better in communication before the trip. The FAQs on their website are a little lacking. For example, I had to call to see if there was a hairdryer in the stateroom and other passengers said they had to call with lots of questions, particularly about what to wear. Also, on our sailing the return transfer to the airport was included, but this was not mentioned anywhere prior to sailing. We prepurchased a transfer from a bus company, but we could have transferred for free with Pearl Seas. Laundry was included but there was no information about that until a bag appeared on our bed about the third day. I had to ask the cost (no charge!) so that was really nice feature. We also got a nice bag and caps.
The excursions were all included (you had your choice of a half day or a longer day with lunch out included). We always went for the longer day so we could have a variety of food. Highlight was a ride in one of the old beautiful cars. We also went to the Tropicana nightclub in Havana. The passengers were all nice and only 124 passengers on our sailing (Thanksgiving week). Average age in mid 70s. Could have had more activities on at sea days but those naps were really nice!
The price of the Pearl Seas Cuba trip is more per day than any other trip we have been on, but everything but gratuities is included. It is also the only way to see the most of Cuba on a cruise. 3 ports and 2 bus rides to other cities included. I don't think any other cruise line does that now. We are really glad that we went on this trip.