CruisinHeels

$149 for 4-nights solo cabin on NCL Sky MIA to Havana (w/overnight) and Stirrup. Open bar too!

Tri-Rail is not worth the headache - fairly long walk from FLL to the station and you'll have to transfer to Metro-Rail in Miami and then an Uber or bus to the port terminal all while handling your baggage.  Suggest you use a port shuttle directly from the airport, or take an Uber.  If there's more than 1 in your group, Uber is almost a no-brainer in my opinion.

If you were flying into Boca, then maybe take the Tri-Rail into MIA to lower the Uber fare.

I've purchased the UDP for the first time.  I'll be a solo cruiser on a 4nt on Freedom in October, so for $104, I thought I'd give the UDP a shot.  I got an amazing fare on the cabin, so I bit on the Labor Day sale for the DBP/Voom combo and the UDP.

I'm not sure if WJ will even be open for dinner on my sailing and the thought of sitting in the MDR as a solo is unappealing.  Worst case, I'll eat my weight in wings from Playmakers. 

Compman9,

Same thing happened to me.  I got all the way to the payment screen for the online booking, put in my FCC#, it showed as valid, but the only option was to pay the full balance to confirm the booking.  I later learned that this was because I was inside the final payment due timeline and Royal's booking website isn't programmed for this circumstance.

You're unfortunately going to have to call Royal and explain the situation to them.  In my case the agent confirmed it was a known issue but she still had to escalate the matter to a supervisor.  There was about a 15 minute hold time before the agent came back on the phone and confirmed that the supervisor had approved an extension of the final payment due date and had submitted for a refund to my credit card in the same amount as the FCC.  I waited 4 days for the refund to appear on my credit card transaction history, then I had to call back AGAIN to have the FCC applied to the outstanding balance due.  Call them the second time, don't try to apply the certificate online.  Finally I am showing paid in full for the booking.  

One more piece of advice - the FCC can only be applied to the cost of the cruise, not to taxes and/or fees.  If you have more on your FCC than the cruise fare they will try to sell you an upgrade, or agree to issue a new FCC with the remainder.  Hope this is helpful.  Good luck.

I think you can make it fine if the ship debarks on time.  Plenty of ubers at the miami terminal and it's about a 30-40 minute trip.  You'll have to be one of the first to disembark and carry all your luggage off the ship with you.  TSA precheck would also be a help.  But one of the advertised perks of VV is that you can make a leisurely exit after breakfast unlike the others that kick everyone off by 830-9.  Anyway, I've done it as a solo traveler a few times and knock on wood have made it with time to spare.

Hey shdixon, great review! I was on the same cruise and I was also on the same food tour on Wednesday. I would recommend the food tour to anyone, it was very good and educational at the same time. Our guide, Ana, was great and no questions were off limits. Havana was fascinating! To the person who asked about hurricane damage, it is worth noting that the famous Malecon was closed (entirely closed to car and pedestrian traffic). The sea wall was compromised in several places and it will take them some time to repair. I also recommmend visiting the museums, the Revolution Museum was very interesting. Have fun!!!

For your half day, I recommend just walking old Havana and eating at a locally owned Paladar. Nao and Mojiti, Mojito were excellent. La Vitrolo on Plaza Vieja was also a good spot. All of these are privately owned. The brewery (La Factoria) in Plaza Vieja is state-owned. You'll hit most of the sightseeing spots on your 10-best tour, so my recommendation would be to try to interact with the wonderful Cuban people on your second day. Your short day would also give you time to do a classic car ride (available right there at the dock) for around 40 CUC. Have a great time!!!

My wife and I are going on the Carnival cruise out of Tampa this Thursday 10/5. I just cancelled the excursion through Carnival as I receive some pretty bad revues on it. Is there anyone taking this cruise that has one of those old car city tours booked for Friday and can handle 2 more riders? Or if just hiring one of those cars on the spot is a good idea.

 

Thanks

I highly recommend this tour: https://www.foodtourshavana.com

It was a wonderful experience, my guide (Ana) was local and very knowledgeable and no questions were off limits. The food was really good and plenty of it! I booked through their website with no issues.

I was on this cruise as well. Found it interesting that we were "ok" to travel 300nm to Freeport (passing GSC on the way) for a cleaning which we were "quarantined" offshore (yellow flag was flying). They said it would take 8 hours once cleaning started around 1pm, but magically we raised anchor and turned for Miami around 5:30pm. $37 credit for the port fee refund, but that was it. I didn't see any effort being made to contain the spill in Havana, shamefully. It was pretty bad.

Single CUC or $1.00 US?

 

Thanks,

Tom

Change money when you dock and ask the cashier for lots of small bills. Cubans don't really want dollars like in other Caribbean countries as they have to pay the same 10% penalty as you do to exchange. Everything is priced in CUC. Locals use CUP for busses, etc. but you wont be anywhere that will need CUP. Note that a CUC is roughly equal to $1, where as a CUP is approx $.04.

You can certainly book a private tour. I recommend the Havana food tour, which you can find listed on trip advisor. I just returned from Havana and this tour was wonderful and the food was yummy. The guide, Ana, was a local and no questions were off limits. The other day I did a walking tour on my own, as old Havana is very walkable and beautiful. The Revolution Museum was very interesting. The Malecon was closed while we were there due to hurricane damage. This caused the hop on hop off bus to be cancelled (that was my plan A). Just keep a travel diary and try to spend money in privately owned businesses (there are some wonderful Paladares). The state owned restaurants are very inconsistent, I hear. I dined at Mojito, Mojito (awesome) and Nao (amazing ropa vieja dish). Mango and al Pirata were two great spots for Gelatto. You are going to have a blast!

I just returned from a trip to Havana on NCL Sky. It was a fascinating place. The people were warm and friendly and curious about Americans. It was obvious that they are concerned about the changing policies under the Trump Administration, because Obama's visit really opened up some opportunities for the Cuban people for the first time in 50 years. They will discuss politics with you if they trust you, and it was interesting to note that they easily separate politics from people, i.e. I was not stereotyped. Raul is preparing to step down and this makes for good conversation. Parque Central is a neat place to engage with the locals to talk sports or politics. You can see sprouts of capitalism everywhere in Havana - spend money in private establishments whenever possible. The Paladares (family owned restaurants) were wonderful ("Nao" and "Mojito Mojito" in old Havana were standouts for me). I never felt unsafe, and there are indeed police everywhere. I took 500+ photos and had no issues. I encourage you to read up on the country's history and then visit the museums to see the same history presented from a very different perspective. The Revolution Museum was particularly interesting. I agree withthe suggestion of downloading the spanish language dictionary on Google Translate for offline use. Many Cubans speak little to no English and their Spanish accent/dialect is closer to that of mainland Spain than Mexico. I took a backpack filled with packs of gum and cartoon character toothbrush kids, both were really appreciated as gifts, without being offensive.

I'm booked on the 9/25 Sky to Havana, as a solo. Have sailed on the Sky previously and it is a blast. Smaller, older ship without the fancy amenities, but the staff are a lot of fun and it is a party crowd. The food is ok, in my opinion and offered until the wee hours of the am. Drinks are flowing and a $1 tip per round will ensure stellar service. Don't miss ordering hot wings in the Longboard Bar at 2am before crashing in your tiny, but dark and cozy inside cabin.

Looking forward to seeing Cuba for the first time, and before DJT's travel policy changes kick in. Very excited! Bringing a backpack full of gum and cartoon character toothbrush kits, for any kids I meet.

Book a trip on Sky. Prices are very very good right now and you will have a great time!

Cheers!

I just put the 9/25 4-day to Cuba on hold. Price is super affordable for a solo and I have some air miles too! Just need to clear my work calendar next week, then I'm all set. Haven't looked at excursion options yet.

You will occasionally find a RCI promo sailing with a reduced or zero single supplement. They are few and far between, but they are out there. NCL seems to offer this promo more than other lines, but Celebrity does them too. RCI offers it rarely, but I have seen it. There is a vacations.... website where singles discounts can be easily searched. Don't think I'm allowed to say which one in this forum.

I appreciate your position. I sometimes travel with a buddy and we prefer separate cabins. He usually gets a casino rate or comp, I don't play as much. As a solo, I prefer the inside cabins, dark and cool like a cave! Haha!

We like Embassy Suites as well - good breakfast buffet, decent bar/happy hour. Walk to Publix and Total Wine and a couple of restaurants. Hyatt Place is also right there as an alternate choice.

I'm on the 8/21 sailing. Looking forward to a great weekend! :D

I was just on Oasis in June and had this same scenario. There is no "locker room" in the fitness center. However there ARE showers available for use down on the spa level. As you come into the fitness center, go to the right and down a really pretty spiral staircase. There will be RCI staff at the reception desk and just ask them to use the showers. The men's were just to the right as you passed the desk. Inside there were 3 stall showers, bench, large sink/vanity and I think a couple of half lockers. The showers are neither big, nor overly luxurious and have the same quality of dispensed body wash as the staterooms. Towels ARE provided. With 3 girls and me in our stateroom, I thought I would do this routine daily, but only used it once. But there was NO CHARGE for using this part of the spa.

Hope this is helpful! Enjoy Oasis, it's amazing!!!

We were in Labadee in June. We walked down Adrenaline beach and found a nice spot. A gentleman in a RCI shirt approached and asked us if we wanted to have a cabanette and chairs set out (small blue shade tent for 2 loungers) and we asked the cost. He said "up to you". We said "what is customary" and he responded again "no price, up to you". So we gave him $10 and had a very comfortable shady spot for the grandparents to watch us and the kids play in the water. The thin gentleman looked like a local Haitian and was very polite and not in the least bit pushy. While I haven't seen it firsthand, I am aware that the conditions on the other side of the fence are assuredly much different than what my family and I were enjoying at the private beach. Well worth it for us!

Read some threads on this topic, but nothing too recent, so I thought i would pose the question again. As wifi packages are becoming more affordable onboard, what is your favorite app for device-to-device texting, VoIP phone calls, etc. I am somewhat familiar with Viber, WhatsApp and Kik, but haven't used any of these on a cruise. Looking for advice, tips, and any other conversation on the subject.

My next cruise is on Majesty, so anyone with experience using one of these apps on Majesty's (slower speed) wifi would be especially relevant to me.

Thanks all!

Shani, I'm doing the same for a Majesty 3-nighter next month. I have a friend in FLL, so am flying in at midnight on Thursday, for a Friday departure. Didn't want to risk it, even though it's non-stop for me. This also allows us to get there and board early on Friday and start taking advantage of the bar package! :)

There are some very reasonable hotels close to FLL airport and if you are feeling up for an adventure, in the morning you can take the tri-rail to the metrorail transfer station and then get off at Historic Overtown or Government Center. (Full disclosure: I've never taken the train. We are getting a car service to the port.) Metrorail to the port looks like about a half to 3/4-mile walk, or a very short cab ride.

Hope this is helpful!

MLife members will get frequent emails from MGM regarding discounted stays and exclusive events at their casino properties. A friend who has a gold MLife status also gets emails about free and discounted RCI cruises from time to time, but his status is based upon hours of time spent at the tables gambling, instead of cruise nights.

If they decide to enroll, encourage them to show their card every time they spend money at any MGM property. It is also helpful to make any and all arrangements and reservations through a casino host, and don't be shy to ask about perks, room upgrades, meal comps, etc. But if they do not spend time at the tables (it's more about time and average bet than how much won or lost), the casino host will be able to see that and it may mean less free stuff in the future.

One more thing, I believe the 5% cash advance fee will be waived for them at the casino onboard, but if they aren't gamblers, this may not be a valued perk.

Good luck!

I agree with Clarea, try the Sundeck on port side of deck 14, all the way forward (only 1 way to get there). It's a bit of a secret spot that most guests won't find on day 1. Incredible 180 degree views from there.

Ahh, that would be a reason... in the event that someone would want to change the amounts for any valid reason. We usually tip extra on top of the daily. Appreciate the prompt follow up!

What would be the advantage of having gratuities paid onboard vs ahead of time? I recently booked a last minute weekender on Majesty, chose MTD, selected "pay gratuities later" and it still left a balance due after I paid the cruise fare and taxes. I let it sit there for a few days and then I got an email stating it was "past due" and to settle the balance. So I did... figured it would have to be paid anyway, so what's the difference?

Unless someone has OBC to apply as an offset, is there something else I am not thinking about??

Thanks for any advice!