My Cuba Cruise

[Liz54]

We were on an Air Canada Vacations package for flight only. We were allowed 2 bags each. But most others who were on the flight had several carry ons in order to avoid baggage fees. The congestion this causes is ridiculous. Takes forever to load and unload the plane while everyone sifts and sorts and stows. It also causes big line ups at security. The man ahead of me needed FIVE plastic bins for his stuff that he did not want going through the scanner!

 

Its time to rethink the whole system!!!:(

[ElandMar]

Anybody else on this forum booked on this date. We are very much looking forward to trying something different after many cruises with Princess and Celebrity. It will be strange not having a balcony but it will drag me out of the room and make me mingle a bit more.

[Liz54]

Anybody else on this forum booked on this date. We are very much looking forward to trying something different after many cruises with Princess and Celebrity. It will be strange not having a balcony but it will drag me out of the room and make me mingle a bit more.

 

We had a look at a few ocean views and found them to be larger than Princess and they have a nice sitting area and BIG window. That will be fine.

 

They had enough passengers for 2 seatings on our cruise = 6.15 and 8.15. However they did not have many private tables. Mostly tables of 8 and seated people by language spoken. There were 26 nationalities on our cruise. We found the people way more interesting than normal (!) and saw all our fellow diners for drinks, subsequent meals etc. Not a dud in the bunch.

 

Urge everyone to try it before running to the buffet!

[burm]

They had enough passengers for 2 seatings on our cruise = 6.15 and 8.15. However they did not have many private tables. Mostly tables of 8 and seated people by language spoken. There were 26 nationalities on our cruise. We found the people way more interesting than normal (!) and saw all our fellow diners for drinks, subsequent meals etc. Not a dud in the bunch.

 

You have certainly brightened my day. I was told by someone at Cuba Cruise that the early seating was 5:30! That is oddly early! I have no problem with 6:15 but would die well before 8:30.

[Liz54]

You have certainly brightened my day. I was told by someone at Cuba Cruise that the early seating was 5:30! That is oddly early! I have no problem with 6:15 but would die well before 8:30.

 

My sister and husband wanted 8.15 so we did that. You would not die you would have a bid slab of cake at teatime....or gelato by the pool. :)

[ElandMar]

We had a look at a few ocean views and found them to be larger than Princess and they have a nice sitting area and BIG window. That will be fine.

 

They had enough passengers for 2 seatings on our cruise = 6.15 and 8.15. However they did not have many private tables. Mostly tables of 8 and seated people by language spoken. There were 26 nationalities on our cruise. We found the people way more interesting than normal (!) and saw all our fellow diners for drinks, subsequent meals etc. Not a dud in the bunch.

 

Urge everyone to try it before running to the buffet!

 

I hate buffets for ANY meal. Is breakfast served in the main dining room as well as lunch and dinner?

[manueljose]

HELLO :

Already soon it will start thinking about bags. Our flight, hotel in Habana and ship OK. : D

 

ZEBRAPRINTSKY, very nice your photo and Thanks for sharing them. :)

 

LIZ54, I am glad to listen to positive opinion, I was worried by Louis Cristal's last negative comments. In the shifts of dinner, was full restaurant?, we are hanging confirmation, the second shift you come to the theatre?; Do you say that the not drinkable water, had package of drinks?, and since do you recommend to take mojito in Ambus mundi hotel, better than in La Bodeguita?. The Greek holiday, was it a musical show - sirtaki?, do you speak about sweets and desserts or it had more food? ;)

 

RETIRING SOON, People of Celestyal Cruises confirm to me the route in 2016, but with possible changes, in the night in La Habana, and Gibara for Antilla. : rolleyes:

 

Regards, today incredibly with snow, from Compostela. : Eek:

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

burm ~ it always amazes me that people leave the Caribbean in shorts & sandals when they know they're coming back to winter here! A guy at the resort didn't have his suitcase the whole week as the flight only went once a week!:eek: I'm glad too to be short on the plane, not so good at the grocery store tho'.;). I have a nice carry on we got from our river cruise which reminds me, with Gerd coming on this trip I'll have to look for another.

 

ElandMar ~ ONT-CA gets on the ship that day & DH & I will already be on

since we get on at Montego Bay on the 20th. There are some really nice spots on deck so you won't miss the balcony too much.

 

Liz54 ~ we had an XE oceanview last time & do again this time & really liked the large window. I was sitting on the sofa once when I noticed flying fish or dolphins going by!

 

manueljose ~ thanks for that info about next year's cruise. When do you board the Cristal?

We had snow today too! Is that unusual for Compostela to have snow? Do people do "the Walk" at this time of the year?

 

Have a nice evening.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[manueljose]

RETIRING SOON, here we are to 260meters on level of the sea, with Atlantic climate with moderate temperatures, in winter many rain and the Sun with wind of the north in summer, but to snow is an exception, one or two times a year, though these days this half white Spain. : Eek:

 

We embark on march 16 in the Habana. That luck it of having views in the cabin, us only to sleep and showers (this way that I wait for the warm water ok), jeje. : Cool:

 

Of that know La Habana, the beaches of the east, which more nice?, and as going to Key Levisa?, without sleeping in Viñales, there are excursions? : Confuso:

[ONT-CA]

Just had a look at the weather forecast for Cuba:

 

http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/cuba/havana/ext

 

Seems to be a bit cooler than normal and what I had expected. But then cooler evenings are welcomed I'm sure. The trend though may indicate warmer days ahead.

[retiring soon]

HI all!

 

Ron ~ nice long weather forecast, thanks.:D Cooler is nicer for walking around I think. The humidity is low too so that's good.

 

manueljose ~ we'll all be back from the cruise before you go so you should have a lot more reviews to read. I have no idea about beaches & Havana so can't help.

 

Gee, I was just looking at the old Roll Call threads & see a lot of you are sailing on the 16th! If I'm correct there's burm, Kerri, Marc C, Old Gables & Rubita!!

I also saw insider 1649 has done the cruise twice, both times in January.

I wonder if Aaron Saunders from "The Avid Cruiser" did it again, he said he wanted to.

 

Paul W ~ bon voyage to you & have a great time! Hope the cruise exceeds your expectations & you come back to tell us about it.

 

Have a nice day. I'm going to try to drive to Town as I'm getting antsy staying home.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[Liz54]

HELLO :

Already soon it will start thinking about bags. Our flight, hotel in Habana and ship OK. : D

 

ZEBRAPRINTSKY, very nice your photo and Thanks for sharing them. :)

 

LIZ54, I am glad to listen to positive opinion, I was worried by Louis Cristal's last negative comments. In the shifts of dinner, was full restaurant?, we are hanging confirmation, the second shift you come to the theatre?; Do you say that the not drinkable water, had package of drinks?, and since do you recommend to take mojito in Ambus mundi hotel, better than in La Bodeguita?. The Greek holiday, was it a musical show - sirtaki?, do you speak about sweets and desserts or it had more food? ;)

 

RETIRING SOON, People of Celestyal Cruises confirm to me the route in 2016, but with possible changes, in the night in La Habana, and Gibara for Antilla. : rolleyes:

 

Regards, today incredibly with snow, from Compostela. : Eek:

 

You could choose early or late diner, and change each day if you liked. We dined at 8.15 and had no trouble getting to the theatre for the 10 PM show.

Water from the taps on the ship was fine. We did not have a drink package. We found drinks reasonable at $5.00 each. We bought a wine package that allowed us 7 bottles of wine for $140.00 for dining room.

 

Loved the roof bar at Ambus Mundi, did not go to Bodeguita.

 

Greek party was Greek music, dancing, led by the professional dancers so almost a performance, but passengers joined in. There was a full buffet - grilled souvlaki ,other things that would be dinner, plus a separate buffet of honey balls, baklava etc. This was on the pool deck.

[retiring soon]

Hi again!

 

Liz54 ~ do you remember which night (port) the Greek party was? Is Ambus Mundi the hotel with the autographed picture of Hemingway & the old fashioned elevator?

 

burm ~ hope your book's arrived. Mine is still at the same status as when I ordered it.

 

Ciao

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[Liz54]

Hi again!

 

Liz54 ~ do you remember which night (port) the Greek party was? Is Ambus Mundi the hotel with the autographed picture of Hemingway & the old fashioned elevator?

 

burm ~ hope your book's arrived. Mine is still at the same status as when I ordered it.

 

Ciao

 

~ Jo ~ :)

 

Hi Jo,

We seem to recall that it was Saturday, the second last night. There was ample notice in the daily bulletin. Because nobody was tied to early or late, you can adjust your dining time easiy.

 

Yes the Ambus Mundi is that one. Although Hemingway seems to have drunk and left signed photos in every bar in Havana!!:eek:

[burm]

RETIRING SOON, here we are to 260meters on level of the sea, with Atlantic climate with moderate temperatures, in winter many rain and the Sun with wind of the north in summer, but to snow is an exception, one or two times a year, though these days this half white Spain. : Eek:

 

We embark on march 16 in the Habana. That luck it of having views in the cabin, us only to sleep and showers (this way that I wait for the warm water ok), jeje. : Cool:

 

Of that know La Habana, the beaches of the east, which more nice?, and as going to Key Levisa?, without sleeping in Viñales, there are excursions? : Confuso:

 

The hostess at our Casa Particular has told us that we can take a 10 hour day trip to Viñales for $65. It can be arranged through the hotels.

 

We also plan to take a day trip to Jibacoa, where there is supposed to be great snorkelling.

[KandCsailing]

Gee, I was just looking at the old Roll Call threads & see a lot of you are sailing on the 16th! If I'm correct there's burm, Kerri, Marc C, Old Gables & Rubita!!

Cam is thinking that we could try and meet up on the sea day Tuesday right after the muster drill.

Can you Jo or anyone else who has been on the ship suggest a meeting area.

How is the lido deck bar?

 

Cam will be loving it if the temps are cooler and low humidity.

I however start rethinking my wardrobe. I believe I may be bringing another pair of long pants or zip offs.

Usually my long pants are only for on the plane.

[ONT-CA]

... We did not have a drink package. We found drinks reasonable at $5.00 each. We bought a wine package that allowed us 7 bottles of wine for $140.00 for dining room.

 

This is good news. I was wondering how they handle the Happy Hour with there being two sittings. With open seating it was ideal because upon conclusion one just went to the dining room. Did they have a so-called Happy Hour?

[burm]

I however start rethinking my wardrobe. I believe I may be bringing another pair of long pants or zip offs.

Usually my long pants are only for on the plane.

 

We were on a ship once that was always so cold that I wished I had brought turtle necks! It was a Caribbean cruise. :rolleyes:

[ONT-CA]

...Can you Jo or anyone else who has been on the ship suggest a meeting area.

 

The bar we used to meet up was the Casino bar primarily because it is seldom used and small in size. Anyone in the bar at a designated time had a 99% chance of being who you wanted to meet. Carlos the bartender is a great mixologist...

[burm]

I emailed our CP hostess yesterday and confirmed that we will be arriving Monday and wished to be met at the airport. In response to my question about the airport exchange being open so late at night, she said that they are open 24 hours, but the lines are so long that she could pay our driver and we could hit a bank the next day to reimburse her. Sounds good to me. I wasn't looking forward to that mad rush to hit the cadeca before the other 500 passengers.

 

Cost from airport is 25 CUC.

 

Almost time to pack. We leave home in 2 days. :)

[Liz54]

This is good news. I was wondering how they handle the Happy Hour with there being two sittings. With open seating it was ideal because upon conclusion one just went to the dining room. Did they have a so-called Happy Hour?

 

They had 2 Happy Hours. One from aprox. 4-5 and one from 10-11 or something. Half price on all drinks. Did not work for us with late (8.15) dining, so cannot recall exact times and locations.

[Liz54]

We were on a ship once that was always so cold that I wished I had brought turtle necks! It was a Caribbean cruise. :rolleyes:

 

We found it coolish after dark and in the AC onboard. I took 2 pashmina shawls and used them every night. Did not need more.

[Liz54]

I emailed our CP hostess yesterday and confirmed that we will be arriving Monday and wished to be met at the airport. In response to my question about the airport exchange being open so late at night, she said that they are open 24 hours, but the lines are so long that she could pay our driver and we could hit a bank the next day to reimburse her. Sounds good to me. I wasn't looking forward to that mad rush to hit the cadeca before the other 500 passengers.

 

Cost from airport is 25 CUC.

 

Almost time to pack. We leave home in 2 days. :)

 

We used the airport one when we arrived. Line up took 20 minutes. In Havana DH wanted to use a bank rather than the hotel for a slightly better rate. However he went to a nearby bank that did not offer the service and directed him to another bank which he never found.

 

We had Canadian Cash to exchange. Very easy at the hotel, airport and cruise port. NO exchange on board - not allowed.

 

We never used our CCs. Did not see any decals or CC machines ANYWHERE. So I would not RELY on plastic. Cash is King.

[Bonjour51]

Hi Ken and Carolyn from Ontario

 

We purchased a 2 week trip through Transat last fall. We are leaving Friday 13staying in Havana for 3 nights, boarding ship in Havana for 7 nights and staying on for 4 days in Varadero.

 

I started reading the threads at Jan 2015 and am exhausted! To sum it up we should book the Cuba life experience and ? Santiago tours ( can't remember).

 

We are avid snorkelers and would welcome any suggestions.

[ONT-CA]

I wasn't looking forward to that mad rush to hit the cadeca before the other 500 passengers.

 

If after the cruise you think you may like to return for another go, do as we did and tuck away enough CUC's, at least cab fare, for that return.