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soccersharon

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    Recent cruisers to havana re: Ships in port

    in Cuba

    Posted

    I have noticed that March 19 & 20, 2019 NCL & Azmara are both coming & leaving port at the exact same hour. I'm thinking that is impossible. Does someone know for sure?

     

     

     

    There are 2 berths in the port of Havana. While on the Paradise last month, we were docked with the Empress of the Seas.

     

     

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    A Day and Night in Havana

    in Cuba

    Posted

    Yes. It was 20 CUC per person. which was a soup/ropa vieja with black beans/rice, flan and coffee. Included 1 beer. We ordered 3 small bottles of water and was at 84.50 I didn't know if service was included and our guide was out by the car/driver so just left the balance of 5 20CUC notes.

     

     

     

    A bit "high" for what I guessed we'd spend and likely high for the local economy...however we had asked for a decent lunch to be part of the day--it wasn't far from the cigar factor/cigar buying and revolution plaza. So it worked out fine

     

     

     

    BTW--when you get out of the terminal---cross the street into the little square/park at the St Francis church. Blexie and all of the guides (more than one company) are there with names. Very easy to find them.

     

     

     

    We'd totally hire Blexie/one of his associates again. Saw far more/did more and covered more ground/learned A LOT and had some great conversations that we could not have done on our own.

     

     

     

    Thank you so much!

     

     

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    A Day and Night in Havana

    in Cuba

    Posted

    Thank you for all the great info! Your $100 CUC lunch was for 4, if understand correctly? We are touring with Blexie (Isbel) on our first day in Havana. We are very much looking forward to it!

     

     

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    Cuc

    in Cuba

    Posted

    Here is Blexie’s standard itinerary and a copy of the email we received.Tour begins at 10:00 am and you’ll be dropped off at the port at 4:00 pm.

     

    The cost of the tour is 130 CUC total (not per person).It includes transportation in a classic car (with AC) and tour guide service .It is recommended to take extra money for lunch and also in case you want to buy rum, coffee, cigars, handcrafts etc.

    The tour would last for 6 hours , normally starting at 10am and finishing at 4pm.

    Since you are traveling under certain restrictions, you will have to use "supporting the Cuban people " as you will be hiring an independent company to support Cuban private entrepreneurs.You can also get a copy of the itinerary from Facebook:"Blexie-Havana Tours" if you want to show it when you go through customs).

    I'm booked already on that day so I would have to arrange everything for you to go with my colleague Isbel (Bill).He speaks perfect English and is very knowledgeable.He would meet you just outside of the terminal where the crosswalk is.You would only need to walk outside and cross the street to meet him.He would be holding a sign with your name on.

    If there is something else you need to know about the tour just ask. It will be my pleasure giving you all the information you need.

     

    bc9aad629a232a33143adff9b4d5d69d.jpg

     

     

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    How to Book With Blexie

    in Cuba

    Posted

    Thanks for posting that :) I needed it for my records

     

     

     

    In reality, he will take you where ever you want :) Do not forget to carry some tissues or TP, not all places have TP.

     

     

     

    alana

     

     

     

    You’re welcome! TP and tissues are definitely on our packing list :)

     

     

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    NCL didn't post my review so I'm posting it here (Evening Stroll)

    in Cuba

    Posted

    It was a 'different' evening.

    We met at La Floridita bar prior to the appointed time, had acouple of drinks, took the obligatory photos with Hemmingway statue then proceeded to the meeting point out side of the bar.

     

    We met our guides plus the other guests. There was 4 of us,American/English and about 20 Spanish people on vacation from Spain.

     

     

    One guide stuck with them, the other with us.

    The guides were university students.

     

    The evening consisted of a walking tour around a few Havana bars.

    First bar had a tropical theme, expensive tropical style drinks,12 - 15 CUC a go,

    2nd bar was an English themed bar, so, so

    3rd bar was by far the best. They had a dance demonstration followed by lessons. It was a riot. We spent about an hour here dancing and drinking rum.

    4th bar was a live music event, the musicians were amazing, we even purchased a CD from them as a memento.

    From here it was off to a nightclub, 'the nightclub with no name' Sounded like a private house with music and drinks.

    We passed we were too tired by then. Too many previous latenights.

     

    We lost the Spanish group after the first bar. They were very slow ordering drinks and we decided that they would just slow us down.

    We never saw them again.

     

    We tipped the guide 10 CUC each.

     

    It was fun, would I do it again? Probably not. There are plenty ofbars to choose from. Find one you like and settle in.

    Everyone is very friendly.

     

     

     

    Thank you so much! There’s quite a few of us from our roll call will be along for the ride, so it should be a good time :)

     

     

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    NCL didn't post my review so I'm posting it here (Evening Stroll)

    in Cuba

    Posted

    That Sounds pretty bad,

    We went on an evening Bar crawl with the Strawberry tours, cost was a tip. We visited 4 bars, some we ate at, all we drank at. We even danced at one :)

    The guides were students, we bought them a few drinks and tipped them CUC 20 each.

    Last stop was to be a nightclub, but at 11:30 we were too tired :(

     

     

     

    We are booked for a Strawberry Havana Nightlife tour next month.

     

    Would love to hear your details about the tour (bars visited, etc.). We’re looking forward to it!

     

     

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    Feedback....Overcrowding Horizon Havana Area?

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    That is not true. The gate that prevents them from going further is at the beginning of the cabins....i.e. Nobody can walk past the cabins. I am not sure of the gate is open after 7 as we never tried it.

     

     

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    After 7:00 pm, even the walkway along the patios on deck 5 is open to the public. I have not read that this has changed. On the Vista, we rarely saw anyone walk past after 7:00 pm.

     

     

     

     

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    Visa

    in Cuba

    Posted

    Thanks, I called NCL and they told me to re-submit! So should be good :)

     

     

     

    Enjoy your cruise!

     

     

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    Visa

    in Cuba

    Posted

    Since you are disembarking the ship, and booked your excursion through NCL, you should have selected:

     

    515.565(b)Educational exchanges – group people-to-people through Norwegian or other organization

     

     

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