dorinel

I agree. Keep your dishes inside your cabin!!! I hate it when I see dirty dishes in the hallway, disgusting! :evilsmile:

Leaving in 3 days on the Majesty for an overnight in Cuba. I can't wait! :cool: I booked a 2 day private tour and looking forward to visiting a country that was not allowed just a few short years ago for US citizens.

Thanks for the information, very helpful.

I booked a 2 day private tour, so I will just let them know I can't guarantee the time and I am sure they will be flexible. The tour I booked, after much research (I am retired), was saving more than $50.00 p/p, that's for sure! I was able to pick everything I wanted to see and do. (walking tour, Classic Convertible Car tour, Jazz Club, Hemingway's former residence and farm to table experience). I have booked private tours all over the world, with much success. :cool:

Looking so forward to seeing Cuba and because the ship wasn't filling up enough I got a great price. I only booked this cruise a little more than a month ago. :D So all information is appreciated.

Hi again: Can you give more insight on the disembarkation process in Cuba. I booked through an outside agency and I have a hour to meet up just outside the terminal. Of course, I am very nervous.

How long do you non-Royal tour passengers have to wait? Is it a feeding frenzy to get off the ship? Thanks. :cool:

Thanks for the review. We leave in 15 days!! I was happy to hear that the terminal and ship were Cuban festive. :D

I too have a Category 3 outside cabin aboard the Majesty (I always book balconies) and was forewarned by my TA that the window was a porthole. Based on price, 5 nights and port I didn't care this time. I am in Cabin 3098 and hope the location is nowhere near your noisy cabin. Again, thanks for the insightful review.

I got one a few years ago, since I have been loyal to Royal. I use it for Royal purchases only: deposit, final payment, on-line dinner/excursion reservations, and on-board credit card. Love applying the on-board credit to my future cruise when I receive enough points. Never had a problem and the credit helps pay for our tips. :D

See this Tripadvisor thread

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147270-i91-k11260185-Cruise_to_Cuba_shore_excursions_required-Cuba.html

Interesting! You learn something new everyday, that's for sure. Cuba has been a very confusing port. I am picking # 2 because I booked an outside tour operator. My take on #4 was completely wrong, according to this link

Done it 4 times at full price. Loved it and felt it was worth every penny.

I agree! I did it once on our European cruise full price and can't wait to go again on our Baltic cruise. Met wonderful people, food and wine excellent. I thought it was worth every penny.

When you filled out the “Guest Certification For Authorized US Travel To Cuba” did you select Category 4 & select box “Support for the Cuban people”

 

Thanks for your help!

Thanks for posting this! I did not realize that we were required to complete the Guest Certification before arrival (https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/content/faq/cuba-guest-travel-certification.pdf) because it is so well hidden within Royal's FAQ's! And it is 2 copies per guest (children also).

I don't think the # 4 category applies to fellow cruisers, but to assorted in-coming licensed vendors. I am picking # 2 for my cruise.

What’s the tipping situation in Cuba, same as elsewhere?

I leave in 17 days for my Cuba cruise and promise to post what I learn.

According to the FYI Booklet (Extremely helpful) from my booked tour (http://havanatourcompany.com) the tipping is entirely up to you. Suggestions: Cuban Tour Guide: 5 to 8 CUC per traveler per day, Bartenders: 1 CUC per drink, Waiters/Taxi Drivers: 15%, Musicians: 1 CUC, and Bathroom Attendants: small coins.

Thanks for the information, very informative. Do you remember the name of the square where Castro made his speeches or where it was (how close to the ship). :cool::D

Hi

 

Question for the OP. So you planned a two day itinerary on your own and not through RC?

 

I have been hesitant to book a cruise to Cuba because the excursions are so expensive through RC and all that I want to do is not offered through RC.

 

But I am worried about the legal requirements of booking on my own.

 

Any insight would be appreciated

 

Thank you!

I did day's of research to make sure that I could book outside of the cruise ship, as there was conflicting information. The answer was yes. Your visa is ready for you when you get on board and after going through customs there is a meeting point with clear directions.

What I spent on a 2 day tour would have been the same for one excursion purchased through the ship. I booked: 1st Day: Old Havana Walking Tour, Classic Convertible Car tour (includes stops that I requested: Colon Cemetery and Lenin Park), return to ship for dinner, pick-up and accompany guide to Vixen and Crow Jazz Club. 2nd Day: Hemingway's former residence and Farm to Table Experience with a return ride to cruise ship for $260 USD p/p not including tip. We will also have the same tour guide for the 2 days and it is a private tour!

This is what I was interested in. There is a excursion guide and website that you are able to pick out your own interests like: cigar factory, Tropicana, etc. Here's the website again: http://havanatourcompany.com/

I also found out that converting USD to Cuban $'s there will be a 13% conversation rate. Only 3% for Euro's. I reached out to one of my friends who I knew had Euro's and purchased what they had (I am going to Europe in the summer too).

Yes! I’m elated you’re doing this and Thank You. Will you please post the cruise compass for your trip? We leave in less than a month and are trying to make plans onboard and off the ship. Also, if you’re doing an excursion and you’re by chance near the old vintage cars, can you check the pricing on their tours and whether they take USD or CUC? I hear they offer good deals. Thanks!

Check out: http://havanatourcompany.com/

I planned my own private 2 day tour based on their offerings, which includes the Classic Convertible Car tour. I worked with Erin, who was very responsive and answered all of my questions. They take USD. Check them out.

PS From my research, the Classic Cars are impossible to book the day of - sold out!

We booked this cruise a couple of months ago not knowing it was the Majesty's first Cuba trip.

 

Left Orlando at 9.00am and on the ship in the bar at 10.55, parked at the Port of Tampas parking all pretty seamless.

 

Ship sailed empty form Port Canaveral yesterday so crew seem genuinely relaxed, happy and excited to see Cuba.

 

Any questions let me know

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Can’t wait to hear about what you thought about the ship and Cuba. How was the embarkation process in Cuba? I hope you’re having a great time.

Less than a month for me ..... 😎

St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Cococay or St. Marteen, San Juan, Labadee?

Favorite: St. Thomas and the private beach Cococay.

Never been to St. Kitts (our cruise port last October but cancelled because of hurricanes :') ) . I enjoy St. Marteen. San Juan is ok. Labadee is only ok because the water is so dirty. :)

Loved: Jewel, Freedom and Allure.

Hated: Anthem and Serenade.

Hello: I booked next year, same cruise but on the Brilliance of the Seas. I also booked an aft balcony. What balcony did you book? Did you do a private excursion in Saint Petersburg? Any advise on port areas is greatly appreciated. Along with ship excursion recommendations. Thanks for posting. :D

Yes, I noticed that and did some research after this post. I called and moved my cabin to #1540. Keeping my fingers crossed that this will be a more quiet area. Looking forward to experiencing a Royal Jr. Suite. :D

That's wonderful about your JR suite. Please make sure it's isn't under the Windjammer. We got upgraded to a JR on Serenade one time and it was the noisiest cabin we have ever had! We heard them wheeling all the carts very early in the morning as well as other clanging noises. From then on, we always make sure we have cabins directly above us:)

 

Happy Cruising!

What cabin where you in? I checked the deck plans and I think I will be all right. I booked cabin # 1092 towards the back. Thanks for the heads up.

Do a new booking in the same category to check current pricing.

My July 2018 was $200.00 cheaper too in the same category, but I would have lost all of the perks through my travel agent and Royal.

I guess because I upgraded, no perks lost on the Serenade. :)

For curiosity, I checked my 12/15/17 sailing on the Serenade of the Seas and was able to upgrade to a Jr. Suite from a D1 category and also save $243.00! :D Whoooooooohoooooooooo!!!

I usually book a aft balcony and this will be my first Jr. Suite on Royal. I hope I won't be disappointed! :')

Never played bingo.

Never done the flow rider.

Never ate with the Captain.

Never purchased a SPA time or internet pass.

Almost missed the ship once (last 3 onboard because of a traffic jam downtown St. Thomas) - never again!

Always book a balcony, AFT if possible.

Always prepared - everything is researched and booked beforehand.

Always book my own excursions.

Always have a good time.

Always meet great people cruising.

I booked a hotel through Trinity Reservation (park, sleep and fly) that included one night hotel at the Newark, Ramada Plaza Hotel, up to 14 days parking, and shuttle to and from the port for $146.00 total!!!

Leaving in a couple of weeks and I will let you know what I think. :eek:

You definitely need to shop around for the best perks too. I use a website that competes for my business, I put in what ship, date and cabin type then watch the quotes(perks) come back from many different t/a's.

 

You just have to be aware of what each specific t/a cancellation/change policies are.

I plan on booking a cruise while onboard the Anthem and move it to my cruise agent that I have used for years. I have always received great perks (wine, specialty dinner, gratuities and OBC), plus a loyalty OBC.

What site are you using? I found what you stated, very interesting. Thanks,

on the Anthem in December and each time it was listed as complimentary.