Cuba offered

[Bigtex1622]

I just got an E-mail, leaving Miami to 3 ports in Cuba.

It is a little expensive, starting at $1,800 Per Person.

I think it is just that it's new.

BUT it is Carnival, NOT Royal.

Do you think that Royal will start going there too?

I know that 2016, and 2017 schedules are out, but they can always change.

So would you go? and at those prices?

[Merion_Mom]

I just got an E-mail, leaving Miami to 3 ports in Cuba.

It is a little expensive, starting at $1,800 Per Person.

I think it is just that it's new.

BUT it is Carnival, NOT Royal.

Do you think that Royal will start going there too?

I know that 2016, and 2017 schedules are out, but they can always change.

So would you go? and at those prices?

 

Yes.

 

No announced timeline.

 

Empress of the Seas (and maybe) Majesty of the Seas.

[garnetpalmetto]

Absolutely. DW and I would both love to visit Cuba. That price might be a little too steep for us though, especially if that's the starting price.

Edited November 7, 2015 by garnetpalmetto

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Well the cruise you're speaking of is the "cultural impact" thing right? Fathom?

 

I just can't picture Royal doing a service trip like that with one of their ships..

 

Anyway, if it wasn't so expensive, I'd love to do that Fathom trip...

Edited November 7, 2015 by OfTheSeasCruiser

[OCruisers]

In the minority ... but, but, but ... having a hard time wanting to go to a place where people are still risking their lives to escape.

 

LuLu

[Summerknight]

We would like to visit Cuba someday.

[NYcruzzer]

In the minority ... but, but, but ... having a hard time wanting to go to a place where people are still risking their lives to escape.

 

LuLu

 

You might as well add Mexico and Haiti to your list to name a few.

[Goodtime Cruizin]

In the minority ... but, but, but ... having a hard time wanting to go to a place where people are still risking their lives to escape.

 

LuLu

 

I some what feel the same, but have come to realize that there are many other islands that have very corrupt Governments that we have visited.

[LMaxwell]

Yes I would like to go. $1800 per person too steep for me. But I would like to go.

[willing292]

Go to Canada. Return airfare and a nice all inclusive resort will be around $1000 to $1200 per person.

[JessyCruises]

I have been to Cuba several times and going again for a week in March. They have the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. I would cruise there in a heart beat if pricing were equivalent to cruises today.

[Snobe]

I would love to go.

[Bigtex1622]

Out of Galveston, Royal only does the Jamaica / Grand Cayman / Cozumel or,

Rotan / Belize /Cozumel Routes. Getting Tiered of this.

Carnival did the Key west / Nassau / Freeport Route. But it is not Royal.

So I wish that Royal would either do the Eastern Caribbean, or add other ports options.

Yes they have added every now and then a stop at Puerto Costa Maya.

I just wish they could maybe do a Panama Cruise as well, we are closer than Florida.

So a few stops in Cuba would be a breath of fresh air,

although I know there is a law that we have to stop at Cozumel :D

 

 

.

[Palmetto Pilot]

In a few years Cuba will be like any other Caribbean destination.

[printingchick]

Cuba would be an excellent departure port if there were ever affordable flights there. If it were cost comparable to flying to San Juan, it would be great. For over a decade, I've cruise AROUND Cuba to get to my ports of call. It's so centrally located, it would be great to START from there.

[Aquahound]

I just can't picture Royal doing a service trip like that with one of their ships..

 

I thought that too.....until they did something else I thought they would never do....bring back an old ship.

[LeeRB]

I just got an E-mail, leaving Miami to 3 ports in Cuba.

It is a little expensive, starting at $1,800 Per Person.

I think it is just that it's new.

BUT it is Carnival, NOT Royal.

Do you think that Royal will start going there too?

I know that 2016, and 2017 schedules are out, but they can always change.

So would you go? and at those prices?

 

I received an email from big C about Cuba yesterday also and after reading through it, especially the FAQ's; it didn't take me long to come a couple conclusions. Regardless of what their ‘advertising speak’ says.

1) They know there is certain amount of demand for travel to Cuba in and from the US; and they have figured out a way to cash in on it. I am actually a little curious as to who they are trying to attract to these cruises; with the inside cabin’s low season price set at $1800/pp ($3600 double occupancy) for a week, not including any of the other normal extra fees and charges. That is totally ridiculous for a low season or for that matter any season’s price. The ship they are using, while being relatively small by today’s standards, is not the “small ships” being sailed by the cruisers that can readily afford the prices big C is asking. I am booked on Princess in a balcony (solo) right now for less than that for a week. I am also a little concerned with what they are talking about with that "onboard educational programming" comment in the following FAQ response as well.

FAQ - What exactly will travelers do as part of their travel experience in Cuba?

The overarching objective of the Fathom experience in Cuba is to support cultural exchange and economic growth for the Cuban people. As such, the itinerary will include diverse onboard educational programming and on-the-ground immersion experiences in strict compliance with the travel authorizations contained in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations.

2) Also, just think, you are actually paying them this ridiculous amount for them to transport you to Cuba while they are providing you the “diverse onboard educational programming”; and once in Cuba, you will be required to participate in Cuban work projects.

FAQ - Are travelers required to participate?

Yes, while travelers to Cuba will have the flexibility to customize their trips before they board the ship, they will be required to participate in cultural exchange programs on-the-ground to be in compliance with the travel authorizations contained in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations.

FAQ - Will all 700+ passengers on board be able to do cultural immersion in Cuba simultaneously or are there space restrictions?

Yes. Each day of the trip will include sufficient capacity of organized People-To-People (P2P) and other authorized shore projects and activities to accommodate all 704 passengers. Onshore transportation to each activity will be provided with English-speaking Cuban guides leading all projects and activities.

I don't know if RCL will be rushing to jump on the Cuba band wagon or setting back and watching to see how well it is accepted by cruisers before they decide to get in or not. Most cruise lines appear to be doing the latter these days when one of them comes up with something new. While I might consider a cruise to Cuba at some point in the future; I will not be putting it on my bucket list until both the price goes down drastically and it does not come with strings attached.

[lacruiser]

Well said, LeeRB. DH emigrated from Cuba when he was 6 and still has family there that he hasn't seen since. One day we will go, but as much on our own terms as possible.

[Diplomacy]

I'll spend about $800 to go on a cruise (not counting port fees, grats, and drink packages).

Max.

 

Beyond that, it simply isn't worth it. No cruise is.

Edited November 7, 2015 by Diplomacy

[depplep]

No desire. But I never have had.

[cruiselvr1]

You might as well add Mexico and Haiti to your list to name a few.

As long as the Castrols are in power, I would never stop foot on in that Country. They are in the same category as is Venezuela. I would not want to spend any of my money to assist a Communist, or a Socialist Country.

[tarheelmjfan]

We'd like to see it, but in the same price range as any other Caribbean cruise. I wouldn't pay more to go there than I would pay to go to any of the other islands we haven't visited.

 

ETA: I didn't vote, because none of the choices really fit our opinion.

Edited November 8, 2015 by tarheelmjfan

[Bigtex1622]

We'd like to see it, but in the same price range as any other Caribbean cruise. I wouldn't pay more to go there than I would pay to go to any of the other islands we haven't visited.

 

ETA: I didn't vote, because none of the choices really fit our opinion.

 

So you would go, if it cost less. That is option #2.

 

 

.

[tarheelmjfan]

So you would go, if it cost less. That is option #2.

 

 

.

 

My bad. I read that to mean, if it cost less than other Caribbean options. We would consider Cuba worth no more or no less than most of the ports in the Caribbean.

[mafig]

You have to work.

 

And

 

You are not allowed to leave the group and go off on your own to explore.:mad:

 

Not for us.