Sunburg1

I'm sorry to ask this again if it has already been posted and answered. But where will be get our US $ exchange at for Cuba. On the ship, some where in the states before hand or when we get off the ship in Cuba. Just trying to wrap my head around all the currency exchange thing. :)

You exchange money on the pier after you clear immigration/customs. As stated there is a penalty of about 10% (I have heard other percentages) on the US$. that is payback for the Bay of Pigs and other ugly things we did to Cuba years ago. the only currency tourists can use is the CUC (Kook) which is worth one dollar (before penalty). Buy enough to last you as the lines can be long. If you have surplus trade it back at the same place before you leave Cuba. It is worthless outside of Cuba. No credit or debit cards, cash only. The CUC comes in paper or coins and they do have smaller coins also.

oh... I have a question: did you see or hear about any AIR CONDITIOND bus or taxis? Hope they have air conditioning.

The tourist buses used by the tour company when we were there in January were new Chinese made deluxe coaches wiht air conditioning. (However it was not summer then)

Correct - or to any other currency. It's a one-way exchange.

 

You can exchange Euros or Canadian dollars to CUC fairly easily but don't take out more than you plan to spend. Basically plan to buy up souvenirs (or cigars, etc.) with what is leftover before you reboard.

 

 

Not that dissimilar from other very economically disadvantaged countries. We encountered the same issues, for example, in Cambodia and Romania. You are better off carrying Euros or Canadian dollars and converting those as you go since you can get those exchanged back to US at home.

WRONG! the currency exchanges at the pier work both ways. When you are ready to leave Cuba you trade back your CUCs. I know I did it.

Very probably "slow" disembarkation the first day is NOT the fault of the ship but Cuban immigration has limited resources there.

If I go the first night as soon as they open and choose a table, will I be able to ask that they give me the same table each night at 6:00 (when they open)? The reason I would do this is because I have quite a bit of hearing loss, and need a table for two that is protected from at least two sides if I want to be able to hear my wife during dinner (which I do:))

A large cash tip will greatly improve your chances.

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Are you looking for San Diego or San Francisco. There is no Mark Hopkins in San Diego

Do you mean while the ship is moving at 20 knots or so? If so it will immediately crash into the cabins aft of you and will be put off at the next port.

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After many cruises over 20 years I have never had any problems with pill dispensers. that is all I take.

What happens if you accept a cruise offer, but don't gamble on the actual cruise?

I get these cruises every year from a local casino. For this gambling or not gambling on the boat makes no difference at all.

How do you get these offers????????????????

Lose a lot of money

Anyone know which airlines ncl uses for the airfare perk you can get through them?

Look carefully into booking your own flights. While both Hawaiian and Alaska have great non-stops from San Diego you may very well have to go to LA or San Francisco wait around and change planes.

We are very experienced senior citizen cruises, with 45 plus cruises on most cruise lines. Our POA cruise was routine in most respects but a couple of very negative items really bother us. The second may or may not be the responsibility of NCL, the first is.

After fairly quick check-in we found that at 2 PM the rooms were not ready and they were not available until 3:45 PM! After that it was a daily occurance to find the room not cleaned until about 2 PM and evening turn down did not occur until 9 PM. It appears obvious to me that the ship is very short staffed.

The other big gripe was the excessive useless and unpleasant “security”. On every occasion the excursion bus was stopped and every passenger was required to show a picture ID and ship card. OK, but then the bus would move 50 feet with the doors closed and then everyone would have to show a picture ID and ship card AGAIN when they got off. What did they expect to happen in that 50 feet. EVERYWHERE you went you encountered a surly unfriendly rent-a cop demanding picture ID and ship card.

Now we are back from an 14 day HAL Alaska cruise and the difference in security was amazing. There was only the security presence that was needed, and yes. the military installations in Alaska are at least as important as those in Hawaii. Security people were friendly and helpful.

I am sure again that is not the cruise line that provides security. But I do know that the HAL staff I dealt with were by far more friendly and professional that the NCL people I had conta with.

You read it right. There are other activities in the theatre prior to the show. I think Deal or No Deal was at 8:00. Our cruise was fully booked yet there were always seats available. Good shows too.

Does this apply to the NCL Sun also?

thanks

What is the current situation for bathrobes on NCL. Do they or do they not provide them, or is it necessary to bribe the Room Steward?

Thanks, we leave on the Jewell Saturday.