My Cuba Cruise

[tring]

Thank you for all the interesting information.

 

Has anyone actually used the laundry service on the ship and, if so, what was the service like? Is it suitable for all items, or would it be best to just put, T shirts, loose fitting casual items and a bit of underwear in the laundry.

 

We have used a laundry service on a ship previously and a couple of good quality shirts came back shrunk - collars too tight to fasten after the wash. I think everything must have been put through a very hot wash.

 

Also, are there any drying lines in the cabin showers for swimwear, pants etc.

 

Any help appreciated.

Edited February 17, 2016 by tring

[ONT-CA]

Thank you for all the interesting information.

 

Has anyone actually used the laundry service on the ship and, if so, what was the service like? Is it suitable for all items, or would it be best to just put, T shirts, loose fitting casual items and a bit of underwear in the laundry...

 

We used the "Wash and fold" service once per week with total satisfaction. On one occasion it was returned the same day, others, one or two days later. The system is very effective so we did not include shirts for your reasonings. We hand washed and drip dry on wooden hangers those that do not require ironing such as golf shirts. But a shirt worn for but a couple of hours can be worn again in our estimation. Our bathroom did not have the retractable line but we were told that others did.

[tring]

Thank you very much for that answer ONT-CA, it is very useful information.

 

You mention using wooden hangers. Do you mean coat hangers or a fold down clothes rack? If you meant a clothes rack, can they be bought on Cuba?

 

We are packing some pegs and a line which we can, hopefully, tie to chairs or something in one of our hotels or the ship.

 

Hope you still enjoyed the holiday, despite some differences form other years,

 

Cheers,

 

Barbara

[ONT-CA]

Thank you very much for that answer ONT-CA, it is very useful information.

You mention using wooden hangers. Do you mean coat hangers or a fold down clothes rack? If you meant a clothes rack, can they be bought on Cuba?

We are packing some pegs and a line which we can, hopefully, tie to chairs or something in one of our hotels or the ship.

Hope you still enjoyed the holiday, despite some differences form other years,

Cheers,

Barbara

 

My reference was to wooden coat hangers that are found in the closet, unfortunately with the detached hook. Additional hangers are available but are the metal wire type. But by attaching the two types together at the hook area (we used Scotch tape) you can then hang them from whatever is available, e.g., the shower rod.

[ONT-CA]

You will be offered a photo op when entering at the terminal at Montego Bay, behind a ship's wheel with a large photo of the ship in the background.:rolleyes:

 

But in addition you may be approached by a photographer who is making a video. If so, it is your opportunity to be in the video of your cruise. So a smile a wave or whatever :D may find you in the final video. It encompasses the arrival through to the departure at MoBay with sights of all of the ports of call as well as shots of activities and shows aboard. It sold for $19.95 US and is delivered at the end of the cruise on a computer thumb. FYI

[tring]

My reference was to wooden coat hangers that are found in the closet, unfortunately with the detached hook. Additional hangers are available but are the metal wire type. But by attaching the two types together at the hook area (we used Scotch tape) you can then hang them from whatever is available, e.g., the shower rod.

 

Thanks for the clarification - we usually pack a lot of spare plastic hangers which my husband used to get his dry cleaning returned on when he was still working (OK employed)! They have a bar across and hooks for my clothes with thin straps, so are very multi purpose.

 

Thanks again.

[ONT-CA]

During our visit to Santiago de Cuba last year we notice that the city was demolishing a group of old concrete buildings along the water front. They were being brought down with sledge hammers and manual labour. The object we were told was to turn the area into a park to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the city.

 

Here are before (2015) and after (2016) photos of their endeavours. The tree area behind the building was preserved and is now a lovely shaded area with multiple sitting benches. The park has state of the art lighting systems that light up the areas at night with alternate and various colours. (unfortunately we sailed before we could see this happen)

 

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag158/ONT-CA/Santiago%20de%20Cuba.8_zpsekzjztnd.jpg

 

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag158/ONT-CA/Santiago%20de%20Cuba.01_zpsddvznsif.jpg

 

The park is right after the docking pier and worth a visit

Edited February 17, 2016 by ONT-CA

[ONT-CA]

President Barack Obama will pay an historic brief visit in Mid-March to Cuba, senior Obama officials said Wednesday, becoming the first president to step foot on the island in nearly nine decades.

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

Ron ~ thanks for answering all my questions.:DThe day I arrived home from my Christmas cruise Dec 28th, the snow started as the plane landed. I take the Megabus to Napanee & on the snow covered 401 with whiteout conditions we made it back an hour later than scheduled. BTW that trip from the airport only cost me $1.00!! We also hit snow at Hwy 49 on the way back from our Panama cruise.

That must have been a scary drive you had!:eek:

 

Gerd remembers those buildings at S de C, what an improvement eh?

 

I read that the 1st US company is going to start building tractors in Cuba & that regular flights will take place to various spots in Cuba, so there may be hope for flying into Havana soon.

 

I bought the video of our 1st Cuba cruise & enjoyed it. The price is really reasonable compared to other cruise lines'. Are the Cirque type performers still on the ship or has the entertainment changed?

 

Glad your birdies survived & were waiting for you. Our feeder was empty but the birds are back now. Haven't seen a Cardinal yet & they look so pretty on the white snow!!;)

 

Have a nice day & bon voyage to anyone leaving for their adventure soon!

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[ONT-CA]

This certainly puts things in perspective.

 

IF THE TITANIC WAS TO SAIL TOWARDS YOU WITH THE QUEEN MARY 2 BEHIND HER, THIS IS WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE

 

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag158/ONT-CA/image1_zpsnnnkvstr.jpg

[KandCsailing]

My mom's friend came over today after coming home Monday from the cruise. I feel so bad, because she was sea sick a lot and the ship couldn't dock at the beach stop because the water was too rough there too. Said a lot of passengers were sick last week.

She said the casino was taking euros still and that all the Cuban beggars and taxi drivers they used were asking for American dollars. Bit of a switch from a year ago when we were told they had a hard time switching it over.

Sounded like there is a different cruise director and the shows have changed a bit from what I told her last year. Said the staff was good.

She did enjoy herself everytime she set foot on solid land.

Edited February 18, 2016 by KandCsailing

[ONT-CA]

I’ve been asked how I enjoyed the entertainment. Frankly we pass on scheduled shows and the like because one must set dinner plans around them and given a choice, leisure dinning prevails. I heard that the shows were good but nothing spectacular. Entertainment in the social areas was mixed. We were so sorry to find that the duo entertainers Duo Mezzo had not been retained and returned to the Eros Lounge, for their evening instrumental and vocal presentations were those found at a good supper club. Instead, when we came aboard there was a violinist who undoubtedly had been a graduate of Julliain’t, “playing” semi classical music, successfully driving patrons to drink. Fortunately she departed soon after and another violinist took the spotlight much to the delight of everyone. Clever and talented she focused on a wide range of music appropriate to her audience. She disembarked with us so I am not sure who or what took her place.

 

People entering the Eros Lounge must pass between the stage and the audience, a difficult position to be in when there is live entertainment in progress. But no more so than when there was a Cuban Amateur Magician who’s bombastic presentation, fortunately not amplified, did rudimentary slight of hand with an overtly and prolonged dialogue killing any anticipation or suspense. Even so, the interruption of his “voir la” when entering the lounge was most embarrassing...

[ONT-CA]

My mom's friend came over today after coming home Monday from the cruise. I feel so bad, because she was sea sick a lot and the ship couldn't dock at the beach stop because the water was too rough there too. Said a lot of passengers were sick last week.

She said the casino was taking euros still and that all the Cuban beggars and taxi drivers they used were asking for American dollars. Bit of a switch from a year ago when we were told they had a hard time switching it over.

Sounded like there is a different cruise director and the shows have changed a bit from what I told her last year. Said the staff was good.

She did enjoy herself everytime she set foot on solid land.

 

I understand the ship bypasses the "beach" stop often due to weather. But the culprit is not the excessive size of the waves as it pertains to the tenders to take you ashore, but the amount of difficulty and cost to maintain the ship position off shore for half a day without anchoring.

 

Your comment on US dollars was interesting. Obviously there is now a black market whereby foreign currency is traded at a much better rate than what is given to we tourists. I was a little embarrassed in tipping people like our waiter and room steward in Canadian dollars considering the depreciation currently underway. But they took it gleefully and there was a suggestion that the US dollar could bring a three for one in that black market. However, when offering a "hand-some" cab driver his choice of CUC's or Canadian dollars he did insist on the CUC's. Perhaps he doubted our intentions.

 

And as to the entertainment, same Cruise Director, different budget...

[Two Boys Cruising]

Thank you Barbara for directing me to this thread...lots of great information!

[ONT-CA]

While on a side street on our way to the centre of town at Cienfuegos we came upon this building. The ornate frontispiece immediately told us what it was but we were surprised to see it in Cuba. We have since learned the following about this subject:

 

Grand Lodge of Cuba (Gran Logia de Cuba) is regular, and recognized by the majority of mainstream grand lodges around the world. It occupies a curious position, as it is one of the few nations with a Marxist dictatorship where Freemasonry still flourishes. It is said that, during Cuba's revolution, Fidel Castro took refuge in a Masonic lodge, and so has never shut down the fraternity there as other regimes have done. According to the 2010 List of Lodges-Masonic, the tiny island nation today has 316 lodges, with more than 29,000 members. Quite a large membership

 

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag158/ONT-CA/Cienfuegos%2014_zpsmw6kr6ev.jpg

 

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag158/ONT-CA/Cienfuegos.16_zps8zzzzsz3.jpg

 

The members named this Lodge:

 

ASILO DE LA LAVIRTUD “ASYLUM OF VIRTUE"

[ONT-CA]

Sorry to be so prolific but there is usually so many things about a cruise that you wish to share, that you want to do so before it is forgotten.

 

Norwalk did not hit the ship until the latter part of our third week which up to then we thought was a good sign of hygiene control. But as they say, it only takes one. While we were initially spared, it did come home with us in a strange way.

 

What I am about to suggest is that if and when the ship is taking some knocks with bad weather and they place those convenient little bags at the elevators; take one. You may not need it then, but...

 

On our way home and during our flight there was a gentleman who's symptoms came upon him without warning. Not so long ago he could have reached for a little white bag in the pouch before him. But alas that seems to be a thing of the past. And so although he tried to make it to the washroom, didn't. Contamination was ripe. The gestation period before symptoms indicated that contamination occured on that plane.

 

Hopefully, that such will not ever happen to me, the next time I see one of those bags I will pick one up, fold it and sport it with me for that and all subsequent trips home.

Edited February 20, 2016 by ONT-CA

[retiring soon]

HI all!

 

Ron ~ a good lesson there! Last year on the rough night between Montego Bay & Cienfuegos I wasn't feeling that well so did grab one of the bags

& put it under my pillow in case I needed it. Luckily I didn't but now carry it in my carry on. Be prepared as the Girl Guides' motto suggests!;)

What a way to end a cruise eh?!

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[B17]

Thanks for the report - glad to see you had a good time.

 

We go on 29th March from Havana and hope to arrange a transfer from Havana to our Varadero hotel when we disembark and it seems the best value/reliability is if you book ahead, which we hope to do with a company we have identified. I have seen reports of chaos at the port on disembarkation, so can I ask advice?

 

Our details say disembarkation will likely be from about 11am to 1pm, so we are thinking of arranging our transfer for about 12.30pm and hope to wait in the port terminal if we can get off the ship earlier than that. Do you think having a transfer driver pick us up about 12.30pm is about right and are the facilities in the terminal OK to wait? Is there a priority order for disembarkation from the ship - eg deck order? We will in no rush to get to Varadero.

 

Any help with that will be gratefully appreciated,

 

Barbara

We returned from this cruise last week. This is how disembarkation works:

Big cases have to be offloaded from the ship so they can be scanned (twice) by security. They get them off the ship pretty quickly as early as 7am but then they it on the dockside waiting for cuban security to scan them. They then had a set of sniffer dogs who will do two runs of the luggage. Only when this has been completed will they allow passengers to disembark. Now cuba being cuba, it is anyones guess what time the van comes with the dogs hence they state a late disembarkation time. Infact in our case it was all clear by 9.15 and we were off at 9.30am.

Should you choose to self debark your main luggage we were told that it would be searched, hence recommended that you only take your own hand luggage off and get the main bags offloaded with the rest.

Now the good part: If you are on a late flight you can stay on board, however, you must go off when given the all clear to put claim to your luggage and hand it over to the port authorities for storage throughout the day. You can then come and go on the ship as often as you want until midnight your card will remain active AND best of all if you have the all inclusive drinks package, that remains active until midnight too on disembarkation day. Dont quote me on this but from memory I think they said If you did not have the all incl. then any drinks purchased that day will have to be paid for in cash straight to the bar staff.

 

Any other questions I will be pleased to answer.

[ONT-CA]

I would like to add comment on this if I may. Although one is expected to vacate their cabin early, disembarkation occurs much much later. We arranged for a car to be available for 10:00 am to take us to the airport. We had a leisure breakfast and because there was a wheel chair involved, we waited at the point of disembarkation, deck 5, starboard, near the Purser's desk. Understandable, tours were to precede us. But when general disembarkation was called, it was easy and orderly. Hand luggage was scanned and documents verified by authorities on the lower level all within minutes. Our luggage was laid out in accordance to colour code and alphabet. We picked up our luggage and sat nearby at the waiting area used for the rent-a-car. It is a dimly lit area with understandably a lot of noise but the seating is comfortable. However, within minutes our driver with sign arrived and we were off.

 

From your comments and as there is no urgency to your departure you have the opportunity too use the ships facilities, have coffee and even lunch should you so desire. But your ship card must be deactivated in exiting the ship to deal with your luggage. Do so and retrieve your luggage and place it in the hands of the storage facilities in the same area. You may now return to the ship using your card. If you have an all inclusive plan, all items consumed within it are covered up until midnight. If you do not have the all inclusive, your purchases will be charged to the credit card that you registered with the desk upon your arrival. Should you not have so registered a card wishing instead to pay in cash, all purchases must be made in cash with the waiters involved.

 

Your exit timetable seems to say that you should allow the disembarkation activities to subside before heading for the luggage area and then return to the ship for a more comfortable wait facility. Your transportation schedule of 12:30 is more than reasonable and may be made later if desired.

[ONT-CA]

I should make mention of the sugar gummy candy left on our pillow each evening. On other lines it is customarily a chocolate but on the Crystal it is some sort of candy, wrapped in clear plastic that, when bitten into exhibited a dark red colour and the taste somewhat adjacent to cinnamon or allspice or something in that range. Truthfully, at the time I did not care for it and just threw them in a drawer.

 

We showed one to our waiter who said that it was a traditional Cuban candy that he remembered well as a child. So we brought them home and since our return we have been nibbling. It is an acquired taste and quite unique. So if at first you may not care for them, be sure and bring them home as being one traditional taste of Cuba.

[burm]

I am sure that the candies were chosen based on price, rather than to add to the Cuban experience, but I bet a lot more people would appreciate them if they knew.

 

Thanks for sharing this interesting tidbit. ☺

 

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Forums mobile app

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

Wow, Cuba sure is changing! I read the Rolling Stones are performing there around the time of President Obama's visit! I wonder what the ticket prices would be.

 

Have a nice day.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[woody73]

 

. . . I wonder what the ticket prices would be.

It's a free concert.

 

From the Rolling Stones website:

 

"The Rolling Stones will perform a groundbreaking concert in Havana, Cuba on Friday March 25, 2016. The free concert will take place at the Ciudad Deportiva de la Habana and will be the first open air concert in the country by a British Rock Band. Always exploring new horizons and true pioneers of rock, the Stones, who have toured every corner of the globe, will bring their high octane performance and incredible music catalogue to the Caribbean for the first time ever."

[burm]

It is hard enough to get tickets to Stones concerts even when they are not free. Can you imagine the chaos?

 

Building capacity is 15,000. I wonder how many people they will squeeze in?

[ONT-CA]

Hi all!

Wow, Cuba sure is changing! I read the Rolling Stones are performing there around the time of President Obama's visit! I wonder what the ticket prices would be.

Have a nice day. ~ Jo ~ :)

 

No moss gathered there...