VidaNaPraia

Here's a video that really illustrates how wet you get, and how close:

This is the smaller Zodiac boat that leaves from the Brazilian side:

This one was shot from San Martin island, another trip from the Argentine side:

Do we have to book a ships tour or can we just book a private tour such as Old car tours in Havana?

When is your cruise and when did you book it?

The restaurant is probably El Cocinero, nearby the gallery. It's decent.

http://www.lahabana.com/guide/el-cocinero/

Here is info about the gallery, with video:

http://www.lahabana.com/content/fabrica-de-arte-cubano-f-a-c/

http://www.fac.cu/

Entry fee is 2 CUC.

(At night there is music and dancing --mostly tourists though-- and drinks, which a lot of people combine with dinner at El Cocinero.)

Do you usually go around museums and galleries with a docent or on your own? Do you usually go to museums with modern art? Do you appreciate modern art? Do you know who Wilfredo Lam is, for example?

For your tour price, you get a "FAC specialized guide" whatever that is (probably someone who speaks English and can talk intelligently about the art, if that is important to you, and maybe about Cuban art as a movement) and "have an opportunity to meet and chat with one of their currently showcased artists", which could be interesting if you are heavily into art and have intelligent questions to ask about his/hers that you see there.

The tour description mentions "2 Havana galleries" but does not say what the other one might be.

If it were me, I'd just take a taxi over to FAC and "enjoy a panoramic tour of the new & old Havana" on my way in that manner for 5 CUC, spend 2 CUC on entry, and appreciate the art on my own (which is exactly what I did).

I can't imagine spending more than a few hours at FAC without visual overload (and I'm very into art and learning about Cuban art in particular), at most an hour and a half eating lunch, so the rest of the 8 hours must be driving around town in a bus (and visiting the mysterious 'other' gallery).

so interesting and confusing. is there a book we can purchase that we can carry with us?

If you are just getting off the ship for a brief time, you will exchange for CUC at the pier.

Don't bother with the other stuff; no real need.

And if you get correct change (not scammed), you'll probably never see the CUP notes.

So you may see the 1,3,5,10 and 20 CUC notes in the photos.

Save your change/coins and either use it for souvenirs or spend what you have accumulated just before boarding.

See previous thread on this forum:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2509839

people posted in recent weeks there is still 10% on USD plus the 3 % exchange fee

Do the math to see if worthwhile converting to other currencies before you go

The 10% is linked to the embargo (for the problems Cuba has dealing in USD because of it).

When the US lifts the embargo, Cuba may lift the 10% penalty.

Does anyone who has gone to Cuba recently know if they are still charging a 10% tax to exchange USD?

 

The Cuban government mentioned that they were going to lift the tax in March 2016, but I see on cc boards as recent this December that they were still charging it. The Cuban bank's website now lists it as 1USD =1 CUC, so I'm curious if it is still better to being EUR or MXN to exchange in Cuba.

 

Thanks!

Yes, at the official exchange, (at banks, cadecas, and hotels) you get 870 CUC for U$1000

(10% "tax" because of the ongoing embargo and 3% transaction fee for any currency).

(The "listing" has always read 1 USD =1 CUC despite this.)

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As to taking Euros, it depends on the rate you can get them for and how much money you intend to spend.

(the following calculations based on exchange rate in April 2017, although rate has not changed radically since)

BofA at home gave 888 Euros for U$1000 (including their 5% transaction fee)

888 Euros = 917 CUC in Cuba (including the 3% transaction fee)

So the difference was 47 CUC on U$1000

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If exchange rates are similar for you, and the time/effort is not too much, and you will spend that much in port, maybe the exchange makes sense.

(Or you may have Euros left over from another trip, another situation altogether..)

If no to any of the conditions above, you may wish to simply exchange USD to CUC in port;

i.e. if you are only planning to spend U$100 while in port, you would only save U$4.70

Don't remember if they exchange MXN in Cuba. They do exchange CDN.

It must depend on the person one speaks to at RCCL because I spoke with a young man from C&A on a different matter and then asked about my scheduled Cuba trip. He read from the information provided by the corporate officials and it did not say we could not do independent touring. We have a tour booked thru the ship for the day of arrival and our plans were to do the remaining time in Havana on our own. His information said that was ok and he even told me what to check on the paperwork.

 

A few days earlier I spoke with a representative from NCL and he read the memo he received from their corporate headquarters to me and basically told me the same as the RCCL rep.

 

I think we will need to wait and see and not listen to or circulate rumors.

It might be helpful to post dates, both of booking and of departure.

Seems like conditions may be slightly different for 1) those who booked before the June 16 announcement, 2) those who book and depart before the new regulations are issued (3 months?) and 3) afterwards.

Does anyone know legal tour companies the Americans can still use to meet all the regulations.

To the best of my understanding, you will be allowed to deal with private individuals using private transportation, not any tour company under Cuban government control or using government controlled vehicles.

(Since no one yet knows "all the regulations", it's impossible to say how to meet them.)

Therefore, the list of private tour guides on the Private Tours thread (posts #6, 19, and 21) would be a starting point.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2513164&page=2

Posts #6, 19, 21

There are also the HOHO buses and the classic car tours.

Cuba is almost totally cash only.

The internet connections are not good, to process payment data.

A few classic car tours that work through an agency may take credit cards.

I can't imagine spending $600 dollars in Cuba for 2 days.

Well probably not on a cruise ship all-included bus tour, but for example if DIY, Day 1:

30+ CUC music show entry for 1; 20 CUC taxi to and from show; 15+ CUC dinner (no drinks) for 1; 20 CUC taxi to and from restaurant (if one of the decent ones); 10 CUC lunch for 1; 12 CUC two drinks at tourist bar; 60 CUC 2 hour classic car ride = 167 CUC = U$189

(even given the taxis and classic car would be shared between 2 people)

Doesn't cover water (Don't scoff at how extreme heat and humidity can dehydrate and exhaust; You'll want quantities of cold bottled water.), other taxi fares to and from sights, entry fees and fees to take photos at sights, souvenirs, rum, cigars, guide fees if using one, breakfast and room (up to U$700/night at the Nacional) if not on a ship, etc.

Adds up fast.

A news report a while back suggested that immigration officials would ask about your activities in Cuba upon arrival back in the States and hustle you off to another room for further questioning if it sounded like you had violated the guidelines. Not sure how accurate that was but it sounded ominous. (I thought I posted this yesterday but can't find any evidence of it. Apologies if this is a duplicate.)

It is not CBP's mandate to do this. It is OFAC's.

There's a lot of misinformation being put out there as people speculate.

In Miami, I was asked where I had been and what I was bringing home, and wished a Welcome Home. I was subsequently asked on return in Charlotte where I had been, and in addition, what I had done there. I gave the OFAC reason I'd chosen. As long as I didn't say "beach vacation", it felt like the CPB agent really wasn't even listening to the answer. Not so ominous.

Note:

PEM currently has a very well done exhibit on cruise ships. Includes striking posters from the guided age of these ships, huge ship models, interior decoration and furniture (including a very sculptural deck chair from the Titanic) , detailed 360 computer images of areas of a ship (stateroom, engine room, public rooms, kitchens), ephemera, clothing, and much more--even a musician playing a piano from one old classic ships.

I'm not going until winter, so I'm just getting started with research. I'm curious about museums. They never seem to appear on any of the ship tours and from what I've read so far, none of the private tours, either. Is that because they are run by the government and off-limits to US citizens? I know there are lots of other things to see in Havana, but DH loves museums and it was one of the first things he asked me about. He isn't good with a long walking tour, but I'd like to walk around on my own and take pictures. Or maybe do a walking tour with a guide. One of my favorite things to do is wander and discover, and on a cruise, he can hang out on the ship for a few hours while I go on my ramble.

 

Are churches generally open for people to go inside? I love church architecture, and I always light a candle if it's possible. I can't send my parents postcards any more, so lighting a candle for them is my substitute for that.

 

And I do want a tour in a classic car, of course. Here's where I really want to go independently. Azamara offers a tour in a classic car, but if you read it closely, you get a drive around, then you stop somewhere, I forget where. But here's the thing--you get a bus ride back to the ship. So they don't make it clear how long you actually get in the car. If I book on my own, I'll know what I'm getting.

 

If the final rules turn out to be restrictive, then I hope my ship will offer a good walking tour. From the poking around I've done on a few websites, ship tours aren't very varied--for example, most of Azamara's sound like the same itinerary with different titles. Azamara hasn't got anything for Cienfuegos or Santiago de Cuba yet. HAL has a few good tours for Havana, but nothing for Cienfuegos. I figure the cruise lines all are still scrambling for tours, especially if the rules force them to be sole providers of tours. So I'll keep reading my guidebooks and poking around the internet, and develop a plan (and contingency plans) gradually.

IMO you really need to get a guidebook and do research during the coming months, instead of depending on tour itineraries for ideas. But you seem a traveler who knows that already. Go over to Thorn Tree and keep reading there for info. too; lots of experienced Cuba travelers there, many who also post on TA. Look at the Real Havana (2017) guidebook, as well as Lonely Planet, and read the monthly art/music/dance schedule in http://www.lahabana.com

Most things you can do on your own, or in a taxi, if you prepare and do your research, but who knows what the new regs will turn out to be. It is a very safe place.

There are museums: art, revolutionary, dance (I like that one a lot, in Vedado, dedicated to the venerated Alicia Alonso, with costume sketches, portraits, and cases full of toe shoes.), and more.

One of the most ornate (interior covered in gold) churches is right in one of the most touristed plazas, but there are many more. Interesting too were the little storefront churches in Vieja that I found by following the sound of singing.

Wandering in Havana Vieja is a delight for a photographer. The Malecon in the evening with the locals is fun. There's a cannon firing at 9 every night, with a good bit of costumed pagentry, at the castle across the harbor (by taxi). Artsy places like Callejon de Hamel (for Sunday noon rumba or just to see the murals), Fusterlandia, and Muraleao. Lots of music everywhere. Visit Cuba Livro cafe and bookstore (Google Connor Gorry) in Vedado for a break in their little terrace.

Just keep in mind that Havana (and the rest of Cuba) isn't really about Must-See Sights (like, say, NYC or Paris), but about experiences and encounters with Cubans. If you miss a monument you won't remember the name of 6 months after the trip, you may have used the time to meet some Cubans who you develop lasting friendships with.

It will all be done through an audit system, 6-12 months after your return.

Can you please cite your source for that statement.

The only mention of "time limits" I have read is about keeping documentation for 5 years after your trip, which is a current requirement that apparently will not change.

It'll be interesting to see how the cruise industry handles this. ....

 

Posters on TA think "Support for the Cuban People" instead of "People to People" could be the answer.

Posters on TA and those same who post on TT have always suggested "Support" because currently it is not defined in any detail. (Read the OFAC definitions of the current 12 categories.) Could mean anything. However, if the new "guidelines" define that category more closely, it could redefine what might meet the criteria.

"How the cruise line handles this" could mean they move to a real (i.e. like Insight or Road Scholar) group P2P tour, with a full time schedule of activities (however that may get more closely defined) , based on application for a license which lists full time qualifying activities to be presented, in which case the other categories would be out of play. However, there might be "free time" over and above "full time" in which to take that classic car ride.

(Or I could be totally off; it's hard to tell until the new guidelines are issued how each cruise line will choose to adapt to them.)

Can anyone who has been to Cuba recently tell me first hand if you had a lot(or little) of bugs to deal with? I'm interested if the Zika threat is as bad as the media and CDC say or if they're just being dramatic.

If you are going to be getting off the ship for a brief time in Havana, you may be relieved to know that the government sprays regularly for mosquitos. I don't bother wearing repellent and I have never gotten bitten in Havana or felt a mosquito even try for it.

If you are going to be in certain beach areas (Veradero, for example) at a particularly rainy time of year, staying in a casa particular with no door or window screens (screening material seems impossible to locate for purchase, as are nets, but I wasn't really shopping), you may encounter one (they also spray but the terrain is more difficult to treat). Taking B vitamins, starting before your trip, is supposed to help make you less attractive to them.

Personally I had more problems with the fast and tenacious no-see-ums (who can swarm your legs before you can reach the repellent after stepping out of the shower), which are not carriers of any disease, just bloody annoying. They seem to congregate at floor level in the corners of less used rooms. After-Bite was a blessing. There's extensive commentary on TA, so I'm not the only one they've feasted on.

I was stating that Haitians (like Cubans) do not benefit from freebies and handouts. Encouraging them to beg or solicit handouts keeps them locked into poverty.

I get that and I never told anyone to do so.

I believe that in your fervor to advocate for Haitians, you jumped to an erroneous conclusion.

Any mention of Haiti was a factual comparison with so-called poverty in Cuba.

Although Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, many Haitians work. Their pay is usually low, but they try to provide for their families. Many are farmers, make charcoal for cooking, or do construction. They have a proud culture, just like all nations. Many still practice voo-doo but there are a huge amount of Christians. There are no public schools so Christian missions run inexpensive schools for the children.

And Cubans have a proud culture as well.

They are comparatively well off in comparison to many of their neighbors, in contrast to the preconceptions of some.

I've supported 4 children and put them through school. Each one is working and one moved to the USA (legally).

I admire your dedication. Very lucky children to have you in their lives.

To really help the very poor in Haiti, contribute to a mission and they will educate or give vocational training or make no interest home loans or business loans to families. :D

And the same idea for Cuba (where education and housing is taken care of already). Bring a big duffel bag full of over the counter and prescription medications, that are occasionally lacking during the common fluctuations/shortages of items, and donate them to a religious organization or hospital.

VidaNaPrida,

Several folks I know who have recently returned from a very expensive land tour and others from a cruise have become ill from either the water or food.

Well, you may have noticed from previous posts that I have a strong stomach for annoying little bugs.

I've never gotten sick from food or water, in Cuba or wherever. I am accustomed, however, to eating local food In whatever country I find myself, on or off the tourist path. (I don't think food contamination is a problem exclusive to developing countries, though.)

YMMV

Some suggest bringing water from the ship, cause bottled water is not easily found.

I haven't had a problem finding bottled water in Cuba, in bottles of sizes including personal to 2 liter to larger for refills. There are lots of tiendas (little stores) dotted across the landscape. They aren't likely to have a big neon 7/11 sign out front, so perhaps those who require more hand holding, or are hustled directly onto a bus, would consider that "not easily found". It may also help to be able to ask locals where to find such a store as you stroll; maybe even write down a few key phrases to show people. You can also buy an extra bottle or two from wherever you choose to eat. As in many other places, check that bottle caps have the original seal.

Just FYI:

PEM is free on Friday, June 23, 2017

....a shore excursion booked through someone else other than RCL. She advised me that I would have to check with that tour company and see if they fall under the guidelines that would allow me to tour with them

This is a US government requirement. Even if a Cuban tour agency or tour guide is aware of the brand new requirement, how would they know? (Probably though, most private individuals, because they work for themselves and not the government, would be OK.) Eventually the US government should publish a list of who can't be used.

......does anyone have any suggestions as to which company to book with?

 

....my cruise debarks in 98 days.

I'll try to post a list of private tour guides as soon as I can.

June 16, 2017

Department of the Treasury

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

Frequently Asked Questions on President Trump’s Cuba Announcement

1. How will OFAC implement the changes to the Cuba sanctions program announced by the President on June 16, 2017? Are the changes effective immediately?

OFAC will implement the Treasury-specific changes via amendments to its Cuban Assets Control Regulations. The Department of Commerce will implement any necessary changes via amendments to its Export Administration Regulations. OFAC expects to issue its regulatory amendments in the coming months. The announced changes do not take effect until the new regulations are issued.

2. What is individual people-to-people travel, and how does the President’s announcement impact this travel authorization?

Individual people-to-people travel is educational travel that: (i) does not involve academic study pursuant to a degree program; and (ii) does not take place under the auspices of an organization that is subject to U.S. jurisdiction that sponsors such exchanges to promote people-to-people contact. The President instructed Treasury to issue regulations that will end individual people-to-people travel. The announced changes do not take effect until the new regulations are issued.

3. Will group people-to-people travel still be authorized?

Yes. Group people-to-people travel is educational travel not involving academic study pursuant to a degree program that takes place under the auspices of an organization that is subject to U.S. jurisdiction that sponsors such exchanges to promote people-to-people contact. Travelers utilizing this travel authorization must maintain a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities that are intended to enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities, and that will result in meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba. An employee, consultant, or agent of the group must accompany each group to ensure that each traveler maintains a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities.

4. How do the changes announced by the President on June 16, 2017 affect individual people-to-people travelers who have already begun making their travel arrangements (such as purchasing flights, hotels, or rental cars)?

The announced changes do not take effect until OFAC issues new regulations. Provided that the traveler has already completed at least one travel-related transaction (such as purchasing a flight or reserving accommodation) prior to the President’s announcement on June 16, 2017, all additional travel-related transactions for that trip, whether the trip occurs before or after OFAC’s new regulations are issued, would also be authorized, provided the travel-related transactions are consistent with OFAC’s regulations as of June 16, 2017.

5. How do the changes announced by the President on June 16, 2017 affect other authorized travelers to Cuba whose travel arrangements may include direct transactions with entities related to the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services that may be implicated by the new Cuba policy?

The announced changes do not take effect until OFAC issues new regulations. Consistent with the Administration’s interest in not negatively impacting Americans for arranging lawful travel to Cuba, any travel-related arrangements that include direct transactions with entities related to the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services that may be implicated by the new Cuba policy will be permitted provided that those travel arrangements were initiated prior to the issuance of the forthcoming regulations.

6. How do the changes announced by the President on June 16, 2017 affect companies subject to U.S. jurisdiction that are already engaged in the Cuban market and that may undertake direct transactions with entities related to the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services that may be implicated by the new Cuba policy?

The announced changes do not take effect until OFAC issues new regulations. Consistent with the Administration’s interest in not negatively impacting American businesses for engaging in lawful commercial opportunities, any Cuba-related commercial engagement that includes direct transactions with entities related to the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services that may be implicated by the new Cuba policy will be permitted provided that those commercial engagements were in place prior to the issuance of the forthcoming regulations.

7. Does the new policy affect how persons subject to U.S jurisdiction may purchase airline tickets for authorized travel to Cuba?

No. The new policy will not change how persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction traveling to Cuba pursuant to the 12 categories of authorized travel may purchase their airline tickets.

8. Can I continue to send authorized remittances to Cuba?

Yes. The announced policy changes will not change the authorizations for sending remittances to Cuba. Additionally, the announced changes include an exception that will allow for transactions incidental to the sending, processing, and receipt of authorized remittances to the extent they would otherwise be restricted by the new policy limiting transactions with certain identified Cuban military, intelligence, or security services. As a result, the restrictions on certain transactions in the new Cuba policy will not limit the ability to send or receive authorized remittances.

9. How does the new policy impact other authorized travel to Cuba by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction?

The new policy will not result in changes to the other (non-individual people-to-people) authorizations for travel.

Following the issuance of OFAC’s regulatory changes, travel-related transactions with prohibited entities identified by the State Department generally will not be permitted. Guidance will accompany the issuance of the new regulations.

10. How will the new policy impact existing OFAC specific licenses?

The forthcoming regulations will be prospective and thus will not affect existing contracts and licenses.

11. How will U.S. companies know if their Cuban counterpart is affiliated with a prohibited entity or sub-entity in Cuba?

The State Department will be publishing a list of entities with which direct transactions generally will not be permitted. Guidance will accompany the issuance of the new regulations. The announced changes do not take effect until the new regulations are issued.

12. Is authorized travel by cruise ship or passenger vessel to Cuba impacted by the new Cuba policy?

Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction will still be able to engage in authorized travel to Cuba by cruise ship or passenger vessel.

Following the issuance of OFAC’s regulatory changes, travel-related transactions with prohibited entities identified by the State Department generally will not be permitted. Guidance will accompany the issuance of the new regulations.

I will be interested to learn, even if we are obligated to do a cruise-sponsored excursion (which I was *not* planning to do), if we will be allowed to have any time on our own. My children are accustomed to being right in the thick of new people and places and I think it does them a great service. Being in a larger, more curated, group will be a drastic change.

It may depend on a more detailed definition of the current "full time schedule" of activities for most OFAC categories.

Has anyone done either excursion through cruise line and have feedback.

 

Last time we did this itinerary I did one in Halifax and struck out :-( on sightings.

 

The other thing to consider is that it will be late in season, mid October, anyone have luck on either later in season.

 

At that time of year, even further south in New England, there are few whales left about.

Most of the northern east coast whale watches stop in mid-October.

.... a lot of people, including me, already have bookings. My cruise is scheduled for after the changes are finalized, so I'm concerned about how the cruise I get will differ from the cruise I expected to get.

There was some mention of plans booked before the June 16 date, or the date the "guidance" is published, being grandfathered under the old rules. Maybe you'll luck out.

And there's that word bolded by you in your post: "generally".