amyaacc

I agree with booking direct--saved us a ton of money.

there is nothing objectionable in the show.  It is very dated--and although we were glad to see the venue and have the experience it got boring pretty fast with the old time choreography.  I suspect the issue on age is that they give you a lot of rum to drink--don't know what the drinking age in Cuba is.  Your daughter may have more fun staying on the ship.

we did about the same amount

Some clarity on what was announced in April

https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cacr_20190604.pdf

texting worked great on the Sky last month in Cuba/Bahamas/Sea Day.  It only cost us $5--but maybe thats cause it was a shorter cruise

it was very quick when we got off April 30.  Security screening like airports.  Stamp passport and go on to money exchange and out.  We got off the ship early--like 8a--and don't think it took 15 minutes and that was mostly the walking from point a to point b.  Don't know about the difference in Visa's --didn't see different lines.  It may depend on if there is more than one ship in port and how many are getting off for early tours--but we had no issue.  We got off a second time at 3pm and same story.

Blexie tours will set you up with the classic convertible car tour and also take you to/from the Tropicana for way cheaper than the ship.  You absolutely can get off and on the ship without proof of having arranged a tour with or without the ship.  You are supposed to keep records of what you did for 5 years, but no one is quizzing you on the itinerary when you get off the ship--because Cuba doesn't care--it is the US who put those rules into play.

just back from Norwegian Sky to Cuba.  Getting through customs took no time at all at about 8:15a.  Money exchange also had no line at that time last Tuesday--may depend on how many ships in port on different days.  If you can take a cab to Vista Mar Paladar---best meal and right on the ocean.  We had lunch at O'Reillys --304 O'Reilly Street--also excellent food, but no outdoor seating or music at least at lunch.  All food was very cheap--less than $20pp with drinks at $3-5.  Took insect repellent but didn't need it --even at Tropicana where I thought it might be buggy.

1 hour ago, wrecklezz316 said:

Exactly.  

 

Let's say the "Free at Sea" rate is $150 per person more than "Sail Away" rate which is the cheapest rate you can get, which also includes open bar on these sailings.

 

Additionally, another $5.80 per day for 5 nights =  $29

 

So for $179 per person for a 5 day sailing, you will be upgraded to Premium Open Bar vs Regular Open Bar.

 

Not worth it at all IMO.  On these open bar sailings, I think the best way to go is "Sail Away Rate".  If insistent on "Free At Sea", then I would go with speciality dining or Free Air.

 

 

Our "free at sea"  also includes free air and specialty dining so if you are thinking it is $150 more--not sure how you got that amount  (we paid $700 for ocean view plus the air, and two other perks) it sounds good to me.  I agree it is all designed for the cruise line to come out ahead.  that is why it is helpful to discuss on here.  If I make a change I would change to a wifi package instead of the premium beverage--but I am not sure I really need that either so just trying to figure what would be the best value and the most fun.  Again if bottled water and coffee drinks are included it would make the premium a good choice for me--but no one who cruised with that package has confirmed that information.

6 minutes ago, yebba said:

make sure you understand you will be charged a pretty heft fee per day/per person for that particular "free at sea" perk.  personally i'd stick with the open bar and use your perk for something else. i think the UBP includes more "premium" alcohol.

$5.80/day to cover tips would be worth it if bottled water or coffee drinks were included---which I think/hope they are

On 1/22/2019 at 12:21 PM, Alegeeter said:

 

I'm not sure we can compare what they did on the Sun and Sky to this. On the all-inclusive ships, the UBP is included in the fare and the premium upgrade was offered as a perk. We took the upgrade as a perk (valued at $29 per day) and only paid the gratuities, which came to $23.20 total ($5.80 x 4). I can guarantee that if they made everyone pay the $29 + $5.80 per day it wouldn't have been so successful on these ships. 

 

What they should on all other shops is offer it as a perk as well. If you get 2 perks, maybe UBP is 1 and premium upgrade is a second perk. Basically, move the perks to a credit system and the premium beverage package costs 2 perk credits whereas SDP, regular UBP, Wifi, etc. cost 1 credit each.

we opted for the free at sea upgrade for our trip to Cuba coming up in April on the Sky.  Does this mean we now get bottled water and coffee drinks?  Are there other significant upgrades?  (I like a nice martini but not fussy about brands)  I have been trying to figure out if using our free at sea perk might be better served for Internet if most of the booze is already included??

we cruise to Cuba in April.  When we chose our free at sea perks we chose the Ultimate Beverage Package--but then we learned the cruise is open bar.  I have heard you get more premium beverages with the UBP--but might want to use my free at sea perk for something else if the open bar is reasonably close.  Does anyone have a list of what is different between the two (open bar for all vs the free at sea ubp)  thanks!

for those who have already cruised on the Sky to Cuba--we are going in April--any information to share about the Wifi in Cuba which I hear is not very plentiful--or if you used the Wifi package on the ship.

Not sure if we should get the WiFi from the ship--would that even work in port?  Don't usually buy into ship WiFi as it so slow, and we like to get off the ship in ports and end up using at local hotels and bars in other ports that may not be an option in Cuba--but would like some means of staying in touch in case of emergency.

Also is the premium beverage package much better than the included open bar?

thanks in advance for any tips.

Trust me we are going for the wildlife adventure not a typical cruise experience (had our fill of those!) but I am curious if anyone has any food photos or menu photos --as a good meal is always important! We always photograph the food or menus for a reminder so hopefully others might as well?

Also allowed to bring a bottle of wine or booze on ship? What does one buy in Guayquill that would be typical equadorian spirits?

Going in January--very excited--any tips?

thanks

amy