Cuba

Yes. We really wanted at least 2 stops. Having an 8 hour stop out of 14 days, and calling it a Cuba tour seems to be a stretch! To qualify for the people to people requirement, you’d have to book a non-stop tour from 8-5. Boo on that.

 

 

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"To qualify for the people to people requirement, you’d have to book a non-stop tour from 8-5"

No you do not have to read the posts from people that have been to Cuba this year they have not even had a tour just walked off and walked around and some just got a car in front of terminal for a few hours. A lot of people seem to post that have not been there

Yes. We really wanted at least 2 stops. Having an 8 hour stop out of 14 days, and calling it a Cuba tour seems to be a stretch! To qualify for the people to people requirement, you’d have to book a non-stop tour from 8-5. Boo on that.

 

 

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That is what the visa requirement form that you sign says, but HAL offers 4 hour tours that they say meet the requirement. All tours have a time set apart for interaction with the locals, which is their requirement. We stop at both Cienfuegos and Havana, and are taking 4 hour tours both stops. We are free to be on our own after the tours...both places. I thoroughly checked this with HAL before I booked

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MSC and Costa have nice Cuba sailings that avoid the US altogether and are thus obviously not subject to any restriction.

Americans simply have to ask Cuban immigration not to stamp the passport but a small paper. They are used to it.

Enjoy Cuba freely without restrictions

MSC and Costa have nice Cuba sailings that avoid the US altogether and are thus obviously not subject to any restriction.

Americans simply have to ask Cuban immigration not to stamp the passport but a small paper. They are used to it.

Enjoy Cuba freely without restrictions

If you hold a US passport the rules apply . No matter where you get on or off .

Yes. We really wanted at least 2 stops. Having an 8 hour stop out of 14 days, and calling it a Cuba tour seems to be a stretch! To qualify for the people to people requirement, you’d have to book a non-stop tour from 8-5. Boo on that.

 

 

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Then select "Support of the Cuban People" and do tours with private providers.

The cruise lines make many implications that you should select "People to People" which locks them in as the only tour option, and, quite frankly, supports the Cuban regime. "Support of the Cuban People" avoiding places on the prohibited list will be less expensive, better support the ideals of capitalism and likely be a better and more authentic overall experience.

Azamara also has some more intensive Cuba itineraries. I'm booked on one this fall.

Where is it embarking/ disembarking ?

Where is it embarking/ disembarking ?

Embarks and disembarks in Miami.

Last time we did an AI in Cuba we met several Americans. One couple visited every two years or so.

They all said the same thing. They flew out of Canada, Cuba does not stamp passports, well they do but on a seperate piece of paper. They did not use their credit cards or US cash (poor exchange). Seven day AI's are extremely popular. My guess is that there are more people doing it this way than going the other way. Or going on some other tour that is jazzed up to look like a cultural visit of some sort.

IMHO an eight hour stop in Cuba is pointless. Just a way for the cruise line to increase fares. Lots to see,very friendly people. Beautiful country.

Then select "Support of the Cuban People" and do tours with private providers.

 

 

 

The cruise lines make many implications that you should select "People to People" which locks them in as the only tour option, and, quite frankly, supports the Cuban regime. "Support of the Cuban People" avoiding places on the prohibited list will be less expensive, better support the ideals of capitalism and likely be a better and more authentic overall experience.

It is my understanding that no tours for Americans can support the regime. The money must go to the Cuban people. It is the whole reason for the “people to people “ requirement

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If you hold a US passport the rules apply . No matter where you get on or off .

Just do not get your passport stamped.

Some rules are so moronic that following them is an insult to intelligence by the way...

I would like to go to Cuba and am uncertain of what to expect.

 

This being said I am doing Russia (STB) and also unsure too.

Don’t be concerned about St Petersburg. You’ll see that other than being drop dead gorgeous, it could be any city in Western Europe. Shop windows with designer clothes and lots of luxury cars.

The only thing is that you cannot go around on your own, unless you have an individual visa. Tour groups don’t need them. Tour groups see more in two days than you could see kn your own, anyway.

There are several excellent tour companies that do a great job. There is no feeling of Big Brother or police state.

Enjoy!

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Just do not get your passport stamped.

Some rules are so moronic that following them is an insult to intelligence by the way...

First of all why not get passport stamped. We are legally going . The reason you did not before we could go as we could not go then they changed it so we could then then changed it again slightly but still can go .

Last time we did an AI in Cuba we met several Americans. One couple visited every two years or so.

 

They all said the same thing. They flew out of Canada, Cuba does not stamp passports, well they do but on a seperate piece of paper. They did not use their credit cards or US cash (poor exchange). Seven day AI's are extremely popular. My guess is that there are more people doing it this way than going the other way. Or going on some other tour that is jazzed up to look like a cultural visit of some sort.

 

IMHO an eight hour stop in Cuba is pointless. Just a way for the cruise line to increase fares. Lots to see,very friendly people. Beautiful country.

My friend and I went in April on a HAL cruise. We were not happy that we were told we had to do an all day tour but we were unwilling to lie on the affidavit, so we signed up for the Culinary Traditions 7 to 8 hour tour. Well, it was the best decision!

We spent the day learning how to smoke a cigar (what fun -- having a Cuban cigar in HAVANA!), drinking rum and a strong cup of Cuban espresso. We were serenaded throughout our leisurely lunch (Guantanamera got the whole group singing! Besame Mucho was another crowd favorite) and then we were off to our cocktail lesson -- Mojitos and more. The walking tour included several sights, including the cathedral and a stop to buy cigars and rum. The tour ended with a stop at the HUGE flea market for souvenirs.

We returned to the ship around 6 and then ventured out for dinner around 8. Our tour guide had recommended a restaurant, made a reservation for us and told us how much the ride in a classic car "taxi" should cost.

We had a VERY enjoyable time in Havana ..... even though we weren't able to go to the Tropicana show that night.

To each his own, but I have to say that our cruise was "worth it" even though we only spent one day in Havana. We had fun in Costa Maya and Cozumel to boot!

What an excellent thread!

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Then select "Support of the Cuban People" and do tours with private providers.

 

 

 

The cruise lines make many implications that you should select "People to People" which locks them in as the only tour option, and, quite frankly, supports the Cuban regime. "Support of the Cuban People" avoiding places on the prohibited list will be less expensive, better support the ideals of capitalism and likely be a better and more authentic overall experience.

Thanks. We received a great casino deal for the holiday cruise. We are most likely going to take the plunge and give it a try, even if it’s only 8 hours. We will take the advice of you and the rest of CC and book a shorter 4 hour tour. Still bummed we are only have 8 in the Cuba port.

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While I was searching for a HAL Cruise for January, 2019, I discovered the January 24th cruise goes to Cienfuegos ONLY for 8 hours. However, the January 4th cruise goes to Cienfuegos for 8 hours, AND Havana for 16 hours. I booked for January 4th.

While I was searching for a HAL Cruise for January, 2019, I discovered the January 24th cruise goes to Cienfuegos ONLY for 8 hours. However, the January 4th cruise goes to Cienfuegos for 8 hours, AND Havana for 16 hours. I booked for January 4th.

We booked the January 4th cruise almost a year ago. It originally was going to only Cienfuegos, but a few months ago decided to omit HMC and add Havana...we were thrilled!

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