buggins0402 Posted August 7, 2015 #1 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Posted on another board http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=47364458#post47364458 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 7, 2015 #2 Share Posted August 7, 2015 soon it will be just like all the other Caribbean islands ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buggins0402 Posted August 7, 2015 Author #3 Share Posted August 7, 2015 soon it will be just like all the other Caribbean islands ;) Hopefully it will stay innocent for a few years at least. My guess is Sirena. O probably had a premonition when they purchased and named her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted August 7, 2015 #4 Share Posted August 7, 2015 This will be a gold mine for Oceania -- because everyone will have to take their over-priced shore excursions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 7, 2015 #5 Share Posted August 7, 2015 This will be a gold mine for Oceania -- because everyone will have to take their over-priced shore excursions! maybe not EVERYONE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepawa Posted August 7, 2015 #6 Share Posted August 7, 2015 I will let you know what a cruise to Cuba is like after our sailing in February 2016 on the “Celestyal Crystal”. Cheers, Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pet Nit Noy Posted August 8, 2015 #7 Share Posted August 8, 2015 maybe not EVERYONE My husband and I are taking a land trip to Cuba this December and the rules for our trip are very reminiscent of a trip to St. Petersburg. We're required to stay with our group at all times. So "everyone" is a very distinct possibility at least based on the current regulations. We're hoping that the inevitable changes in Cuba aren't happening so fast that the island has lost much of its distinctive character. Right now, there's a deluge of friends who are going to Cuba within the next eight months. And each of us says we were motivated to go before too much change occurs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 8, 2015 #8 Share Posted August 8, 2015 My husband and I are taking a land trip to Cuba this December and the rules for our trip are very reminiscent of a trip to St. Petersburg. We're required to stay with our group at all times. So "everyone" is a very distinct possibility at least based on the current regulations. I am guessing you are U.S. Citizens We have been to Cuba without any restraints Most of the world can visit Cuba without a minder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pet Nit Noy Posted August 8, 2015 #9 Share Posted August 8, 2015 I am guessing you are U.S. Citizens We have been to Cuba without any restraints Most of the world can visit Cuba without a minder All true statements! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wally_bushy Posted August 8, 2015 #10 Share Posted August 8, 2015 What is the big attraction of cruising to Cuba? Genuine question, just never thought of it as a 'go to' destination. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 8, 2015 #11 Share Posted August 8, 2015 What is the big attraction of cruising to Cuba?Genuine question, just never thought of it as a 'go to' destination. Steve I do not know as we are allowed to travel there it is not a big deal to us It is a step back in time for some It is a nice island but the restrictions have made it hard on those living there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jancruz Posted August 8, 2015 #12 Share Posted August 8, 2015 (edited) This will be a gold mine for Oceania -- because everyone will have to take their over-priced shore excursions! Not true..plenty of private guides in Cuba now... Janruz1 Edited August 8, 2015 by Jancruz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypercafe Posted August 8, 2015 #13 Share Posted August 8, 2015 I would love to go there as I spent a year there while in the USN. Aside from that I think the place is popular in America because we can not go their, and I also think once you got there and walked around a bit and saw the real Cuba, not the sound bites, the attraction would ware off quick. It will become just another Caribbean Island. As for the shore trips, I would expect until the embargo is lifted any cruise ship coming from the US will be under the cultural program where the passengers can not just go it alone once ashore. Once it truly opens up to US citizens it will be great for the lines as its only 90 miles away. I would bet there will be those short party trips from Miami as there are now from Florida to the Bahamas. I am sure NCL will trade their Bahamas stop for the ships sailing from NYC, thank God. My only problem is I am old so time is not on my side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pet Nit Noy Posted August 8, 2015 #14 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Not true..plenty of private guides in Cuba now...Janruz1 As part of the lead up to our December trip, we attended a lecture about Cuba. The lecturer made the point that the most desirable profession in Cuba at the moment is that of guide or driver, especially guides/drivers working with American groups. These people earn more money in tips than a Cuban doctor. For the moment, Americans are still visiting in groups organized by cultural, artistic, or religious organizations and we're required to stay with our group and our guides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legion3 Posted August 8, 2015 #15 Share Posted August 8, 2015 What is the big attraction of cruising to Cuba?Genuine question, just never thought of it as a 'go to' destination. Steve Cuban food, Cuban rum in my Mojito, Cuban cigar to puff on, listening to Cuban music... Outstanding :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floridiana Posted August 8, 2015 #16 Share Posted August 8, 2015 When we cruise from Florida to the Eastern Caribbean, we sail along Cuba and I always think that I would like to go there. When a catalog with an expensive and thoroughly organized trip to Cuba is in my mailbox, I say no, too expensive, not my interests. I am waiting like many other Floridians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillyGirl2 Posted August 9, 2015 #17 Share Posted August 9, 2015 We went to Cuba three years ago--People to People tour to designated places--fascinating, sad, eye opening, a little heartbreaking. One can imagine the beauty of the place before Castro. Incredible architecture, crumbling, food rationing, not much to buy and wonderful people who need help, economically. As far as cruising, I can imagine the ships stopping at Havana for a day trip, two at most, but the infrastructure is not there to support thousands of people getting off of ships. I imagine that it could be better in a couple of years, but certainly not now. I guess the resorts on the other side of the island where Canadians and Europeans visit, would be fine, but Havana is not ready. Seeing the 50s cars and drinking Mojitos everywhere you visit, smoking great cigars, drinking good beer, all wonderful, but restaurants serve bland food due to lack of ingredients. We are so glad that we went--the history, the people, all exceptional. By the way, we could have gone other places that were not part of the itinerary--a lot of people did go out at night to clubs, walk along the Malecon, etc. Cuba is worth seeing, especially for those who are intrigued by its history and relationship with the US. However, going on a cruise in the near future to see it would certainly not be the way I would want to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balloon Man Posted August 11, 2015 #18 Share Posted August 11, 2015 I will let you know what a cruise to Cuba is like after our sailing in February 2016 on the “Celestyal Crystal”. Cheers, Don We "did" Cuba two years ago on the Celestial Crystal, a Greek ship though it was then called the Louis Cristal. Chartered by a company in Canada. Not the most luxurious of vessels but ok. As for Cuba - go now before it becomes just another Caribbean island. Fields ploughed with oxen; great "private" restaurants; people keen to please - but avoid the all-inclusive beach resorts - you don't get to see anything. I asked the driver of our 1952 Chevy "Which side of the road do you drive on?" His response: "The one without the potholes". FDR, as you all know, is Cuban. We have a long standing arrangement that when Oceania sails Cuba for the first time we will be in the next cabin to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Frances Posted August 11, 2015 #19 Share Posted August 11, 2015 (edited) Our friends that go to Cuba on a regular basis do stay in the "all inclusive" resorts on the beautiful beaches but they also take 2-3 tours each time as well. Sometimes they are DIY and others they hire a driver. Easy day trip to Havana. The island is beautiful. http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/unseen-cuba-first-aerial-photographs-reveal-islands-spectacular-beauty-1501542 Edited August 11, 2015 by Christine Frances Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Island Venturer Posted August 14, 2015 #20 Share Posted August 14, 2015 I will let you know what a cruise to Cuba is like after our sailing in February 2016 on the “Celestyal Crystal”. Cheers, Don The Celestial Crystal operation in Cuba (formerly Louis Crystal) was a wonderful experience because of it's unique emphasis on Cuban ports and culture, and Cuban onboard entertainment and music. Anyone interested in Cuba... as it is NOW... should book immediately. But please remember that the ship is not Oceania or Silversea, for sure. It's a nice ship in good shape and well kept. Comfortable. The food is ok/adequate. Staff/Crew very pleasant. You go for Cuba... If seeing Cuba now, before the changes... this is the one cruise to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balloon Man Posted August 18, 2015 #21 Share Posted August 18, 2015 The Celestial Crystal operation in Cuba (formerly Louis Crystal) was a wonderful experience because of it's unique emphasis on Cuban ports and culture, and Cuban onboard entertainment and music. Anyone interested in Cuba... as it is NOW... should book immediately. But please remember that the ship is not Oceania or Silversea, for sure. It's a nice ship in good shape and well kept. Comfortable. The food is ok/adequate. Staff/Crew very pleasant. You go for Cuba... If seeing Cuba now, before the changes... this is the one cruise to do. Amen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamthesea Posted August 21, 2015 #22 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Received this by email this morning - sent by CruiseCritic. Special Offer – New Cuba Cruises from Pearl Seas Cruises I cannot post the offer, but it should be on the main CC page someplace. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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