VidaNaPraia

I have to admit that on European / Baltic / Scandinavian

cruises, we often stopped at McDonsld's for a quick bite.

And we were impressed by the fresh pastries at Barcelona's Starbucks, superior to stateside ones.

 

Harry

Cuban coffee is hard to beat, even by Starbucks.

Wait until you have your first dry, hard Cuban pork "hamburger". You'll have a new appreciation for McD's cheapest, greasiest offerings. Then try eating those pork burgers for a week or so.

Do you all think Russia been ruined or its character changed by the presence of McD's there for quite a few years?

All the tourist sights get very crowded. Long lines.

Beaches are crowded with locals and tourists.

Carnival is not just the competitions in the Sambodromo. There are street parties (blocos) in various neighborhoods that can attract thousands. Effects traffic.

The visitor center at Park Street has walking tours, and also maps.

In the future, perhaps Post-Trump, Cuba will have its own Hard Rock Cafe, Diamonds Internatiinal, and Margaritaville,

 

This is the reason I wanted to go now, before it becomes another Cayman or St Thomas with a Starbucks and KFC on every corner.

So you would deny development and 'progress' to Cubans so US tourists can indulge their fantasies?

Fortunately Cubans and their culture are quite strong and proud, and are not likely to radically change easily or quickly.

Yes, US passport.

From all reports, Aduana started routinely stamping all US passports when the flights opened up last year, even when requested not to.

Read some of the other Cuba forums for more reports.

I was surprised that didn't happen in Varadero, but it was one of the first flights into the country. But I didn't even notice until I looked at the stamp from Havana 6 months later.

Will see what happens this next time.

That was our experience as well, we entered Cuba 5 times and they did not stamp until we asked.

IN September 2016 in Varadero airport, passport was not stamped. No special request.

In March 2017 in Havana airport, passport was stamped routinely, no special request.

We're also not taking into consideration that it's never been hard to go to Cuba as an American even before the loosening up of regulations. Quick flight to the Bahamas, Mexico, or Canada and fly directs. No one asked any questions or even cared.

 

It's nice that you don't have to go through the extra steps these days but even if it went back to the rules before- it's going to stop no one who wants to go to get to Cuba.

 

 

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Doubles the price.

Cuba stamps your passport now, which didn't happen before. So it's clear where you've been.

And just as enforcement has been stepped up on other areas of law, so could it be by OFAC.

Maybe,,,, Cuba will have its own Hard Rock Cafe, Diamonds Internatiinal, and Margaritaville,

It's already got the equivalent, or worse by far--those two tacky LasVegas-y cabaret shows that people on here seem to be so enthusiastic about. LOL

My point was only that their is apprehension among locals who are hoping that the loosening of restrictions would be an economic boon to the Cuban economy. My intuition

tells me that the President will listen to his pro business angels and not want to hurt the cruise industry, And hey, he may envision a Trump hotel there someday.

Harry

MY point is that most Cubans will roll with the punches, as they have done for decades. They are resilient. Nobody has invested large sums (without those sums coming from the relatives in the US anyway), simply because there is not much to invest IN to make the casas particulares more comfortable. The "stuff" just isn't there to buy, even with money in your pocket. That's why lifting the embargo would help.

Most US tourists aren't interested in a repeat trip anyway right now because of poor and/or expensive conditions for land tours. It's a novelty, one off trip, one that not all US tourists would enjoy.

There are still LOTS of (non-US) tourists in Cuba, for restaurants and tour guides to make a reasonable living.

MY intuition says the President is more concerned with not getting prosecuted for what went on with Russia during the campaign and since.

Marco Rubio, whose career is supported by the grudge-holding Cuban community in Miami and their considerable fortunes, is on the committee that would indict. The President will try to appease Rubio and his backers. That is precisely why the speech is being given in Miami.

How would that effect cruises ?s

Don't people on cruises sometimes spend time in a city before or after a cruise?

Or decide, like one poster here, to do a return trip to stay longer and see more?

People can still go to CUBA via other routes

Yeah? And what are those? That may not also be restricted again?

Please provide details on how to go about that, whatever it may be.

Those who have decided to travel since things got easy with direct flights and cruises, and no questions asked visas, are not likely to embrace the option of going through other countries again, even if guaranteed of no consequences.

A news report from Havana this afternoon indicated apprehension from locals who made renovations, counting on a thriving " bed and breakfast" industry.

And Cubans in Cuba are also very pragmatic. I've been reassured by email that this administration is only for 4 years, and then things will "go back to normal" and start to improve from where we leave off now.

There is apparently a 30 day commentary period, after which any changes made would go into effect.

Read a guidebook.

Here's one recent thread that dealt with cigars:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2491544

Here's a price list, although in April at the "official" Partagas store behind the Capitolio, the prices for the ones I bought were a bit cheaper actually:

http://yulcigars.blogspot.ca

You'll be asked on the street everywhere in Havana Vieja if you want to buy cigars--"good deal"". You don't have any way to know what you're getting.

:)

 

I have heard of the Hotel National... is it a good show. I am trying to steer clear of the over saturated ship excursions i.e. Tropicana... can you tell me any more about this show. Have you attended one? Thanks!

Both the parisien and Tropicana shows can be seen in videos on YouTube, lots of them.

The location for the show at the Hotel Nscional is not exactly in the hotel. It's off to the left of the main entrance.

IMO they are both very Vegas touristy. There are lots of other places to hear real Cuban music.

There's a current TA thread mentioning not being able to get off a certain ship at all (?)

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147271-i387-k10554168-o30-Havana_giving_gifts-Havana_Ciudad_de_la_Habana_Province_Cuba.html

Parintins is mainly known for its Boi Bumba festival. When cruise ships arrive out of festival season, thére is a show put on specifically for passengers. However, Christmas Day in Brazil is a home and family based holiday. So yes, not much will be open anywhere in Brazil.

This site may be helpful, but again, not much is likely to be open.

http://www.southamericaportreviews.com/ParintisBrazil.htm

I still hope to go but do not want to overpay for something I can get elsewhere for much less.

So do a land based visit. 20-30 CUC per night for a casa particular (BnB).

It seems some posters are getting confused about whether the OP is asking for suggestions for what to do close to the pier on the morning of the July 5 12:30 pm (noon-ish) departure, which may be too early to include lunch beforehand, or for the July 4 day (full day?) which could take them further afield.

OP, if you "have seen the historic sites", did that include walking through the North End to the Paul Revere House (so posters can think of alternatives nearby)?

You've gotten some good suggestions so far.

are passengers allowed to leave the ship and take tours on their own or are they forced to take tours which are organised through the cuban government tourist agencies ? in practice - can i hire a taxi for the duration of the stopover or do i have to take a bus tour organised by cubatour ?

It seems that one cruise line is only allowing passengers to go on excursions the cruise line organizes. The others seem to make passengers choose within the "people to people" OFAC category between the group tours and DIY individual activities.

You will see lots of US tourists (cruise passengers or those who flew in from the US) doing whatever they want. Up until now, there have been no questions or consequences whatsoever. (What might change in the near future with the new guy is uncertain.)

There are several reasons that I would like to go to Cuba:

 

1) I should be allowed to travel anywhere I want without restrictions placed on me by my government. I do not care if I am supporting a dictatorship. Our government has supported and continues to support monarchies, dictatorships, and oligarchies throughout the world. Freedom of movement is a human right.

 

2) Any interaction between different cultures and societies is a positive experience. I want to find out first-hand what life is like there now. Of course, I am getting only a slice of life there but talking to other people has to dispel stereotypes and myths.

 

3) The world is slowly but surely becoming more homogeneous. The same restaurants will be found in all counties. Languages are disappearing everyday. We are all watching the same movies and using the same phones. A unique way of life will disappear in Cuba in a few decades. We must go now!

1) agree

2) Cubans are on the whole very welcoming. Unfortunately a cruise with a very brief stopover, and big bus cruise excursions, keeps you as isolated from the Cuban people as possible (except for the guide who will tell you what you want to hear, for tips).

3) That is pretty selfish on the part of folks from countries that have been allowed to develop.

If you had to live there, you'd be anxious for the shortages of food and construction supplies and other items to end permanently. Most Cubans would welcome access to more variety of food (including MickeyD's if it were priced so they could afford it). Beef hardly exists on tables in Cuba. Most Cubans would love access to a car that didn't break down regularly on the side of the road. Yes, it could be said to be "a unique way of life" to watch Lowe's and Home Depot ads on TV, have the money in your pocket to buy, and be denied the opportunity.

Do Canadian credit cards work in Cuba????

Yes, if the cc company has no ties to a US company/bank.

But there are not so many places in Cuba that take them. So it is best to have cash on hand.

The reason most US based credit cards don't work in Cuba is because of the embargo on US companies trading with Cuba.

People are said to be very nice, but to see a bunch of broken down buildings and 50 yer old cars?

No, you were right the first guess. The people are the real treasure of Cuba.

After all, you can go to Brazil or many other tropical places to see "a bunch of broken down buildings" from the Colonial era ravaged by the climate.

If cruise vs. Havana hotel it's more like

A Rolex or a Cassio for the price of a Patek-Philippe

Nothing personal. But so many people online seem to confuse the US government's OFAC requirements for travel to Cuba with the Cuban government's requirement for a tourist card to enter that country. Best to be very clear about which government oversees which requirement when addressing the issue.

Your friend may have checked with the Cuban Embassy/Consulate in Washington, DC, but they are notoriously difficult to get in touch with by email or phone. Perhaps a visit in person might have been effective.

You might also want to check Azamara cruises. My friend checked out getting a visa on her/our own and found she/we could only save about $1. We are going with the RCCL visas for $75. She lives near Washington so may have checked with State Dept. She didn't share where she checked it out.

 

If I had known about Azamara's offerings, I think I would have booked with them instead of RCCL. I seem to recall 3 Cuban port offerings.

 

If you sail with RCCL you do NOT have to go on their shore excursions. We did book the 3 hour tour for the first day but we are going out on our own that evening and then will most likely do the Hop On Hop Off the bus the 2nd day.

The US State Department has nothing to do with visas for Cuba or any other country that requires one, nor would it have responsibility to keep up on latest changes, if any, to inform the US public. A visa/tourist card is a requirement of the country you are entering, in this case Cuba. That government controls distribution/sale of tourist cards/visas.

The cruise lines and airlines/agencies are buying visas/tourist cards in bulk from the Cuban government (perhaps from the Cuban Consulate in Washington, DC, the sole Embassy/Consulate in the US) and reselling them as a convenience, which may account for the variation in price across airlines/cruise lines.