Funny65 Posted December 11, 2016 #1 Share Posted December 11, 2016 Me and my girlfriend taking this for first time in January any tips or suggestions Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isla Girl Posted December 11, 2016 #2 Share Posted December 11, 2016 We are going Dec 24 to 31st. I will write a review and post here as well when we get back. I asked some questions but haven't gotten many replies. I wanted to know about white night and 70's night and Cuban convertible pesos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funny65 Posted December 11, 2016 Author #3 Share Posted December 11, 2016 Thank you Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AEckhardt Posted December 14, 2016 #4 Share Posted December 14, 2016 This itinerary intrigues me, so I poked around on the MSC website, yet I couldn't find it. What ship are you sailing on? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funny65 Posted December 14, 2016 Author #5 Share Posted December 14, 2016 The opera sailing Saturday Saturday Jan 21, 2016 7 Days Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AEckhardt Posted December 14, 2016 #6 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Ty. I'll look that up! I will be cruising on the Divina in February to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, as well as the Bahamas. Have you looked into different excursion options? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funny65 Posted December 14, 2016 Author #7 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Always look for options this one is second cruise first one was with Celebrity 2 years ago eastern Caribbean was fantastic love cruising but look for deals Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funny65 Posted December 14, 2016 Author #8 Share Posted December 14, 2016 In terms of excursion options we usually do a cab on port and they take us around Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funny65 Posted December 14, 2016 Author #9 Share Posted December 14, 2016 How about you ? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AEckhardt Posted December 14, 2016 #10 Share Posted December 14, 2016 We want to do the Dunn River Falls, bobsled, and zip line in Jamaica. I think we'll do the stingray tour that stops at the yacht club afterward while in Grand Cayman, and we are absolutely going to see one of the Mayan ruins while in Mexico. Now I have to see if I can find better rates for these tours online rather than through MSC, because I also like to find great deals! I've heard about a website that specializes in shore excursion deals, but I can't remember what it is. I'm hoping Google will help me find it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funny65 Posted December 14, 2016 Author #11 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Let us know if you find the site please Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovelights Posted December 15, 2016 #12 Share Posted December 15, 2016 The opera sailing Saturday Saturday Jan 21, 2016 7 Days Sent from my iPhone using Forums MSC has a ship named, Opera? I'm not showing any itinerary on MSC's website that has Cuba as a destination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AEckhardt Posted December 15, 2016 #13 Share Posted December 15, 2016 MSC has a ship named, Opera? I'm not showing any itinerary on MSC's website that has Cuba as a destination. I was also having a difficult time [emoji20] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwwfla Posted December 15, 2016 #14 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Not being sold to Americans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare All-ready2cruise Posted December 16, 2016 #15 Share Posted December 16, 2016 That's right WF, US citizens can't book it but we Canadians can along with Europeans, Brits etc. Op seems to be Canadian. There's a review in the stickies that Laura posted today regarding Cuba cruise done by a CC exec. http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7415 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AEckhardt Posted December 16, 2016 #16 Share Posted December 16, 2016 Ah. Mystery solved. Thanks for the info. I'll check out that link. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzdout Posted January 14, 2017 #17 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Leaving for this in 2 weeks. If anyone has been recentlybeen on this I'd like to hear more to have a better idea of what to expect... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusky123 Posted January 14, 2017 #18 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Just come back from this cruise. There were quite a few US citizens on board and a few flights to Fort Laurderdale. We are Brits and have always had Cuba as a vacation destination so did not expect anything other than a usual Caribbean destination. We cruise a lot but noticed a few different things in Cuba. We NEVER buy the ships transfers, we would rather do our own thing, I got really stressed getting a taxi to the port, no 'proper' queues, a free for all, there are 2 money exchanges at the airport with HUGE queues, but the port building had 2 very calm small queued booths. The taxis did take Euros, 35 to the port from the airport. They probably will take US dollars as well. Get an MSC transfer if you do not like argy-bargy in the taxi queue. I got cheeky and stood in front of a taxi which had to brake, that was after an hour or so, Phweeew. Taxis picking up 1 or 2 fares waited for a 3rd or fourth to join them. Check in was fine, soon got to get on the ship but the Cuban Border security booths were really slow. Some booths looked empty but there were officers in them, they just did not want to tell you they were open. The ship was great, it was our 4th time on Opera,she is a beautiful ship although the cabins are smaller than any other ship we have sailed on apart from P and O. The NYE party was wonderful as were all the staff, especially the Animation team. We had a little issue with some fellow guests lighting up their 'Cuban' cigars on the non smoking side of the ship. A quick word in their ears sorted it. It is a shame the staff onboard are not allowed to tell them off. We thought the Opera had a livlier ambience than the other sailings on her. Duty Free, shops and slots were open the whole time in Havana, a real 1st for us in port. Cuba must have different rules. Cuba also requests you to have a visa for re-entry, the visa you had to enter at first has gone. Another 30 dollars. Food was OK ish, had better, but our waiters and service were fab. When you disembark they will ask various 'colours' to stand away from the doors. That is a red flag to a bull. The colours they asked to stand away will be banked up along the exit doors and on the landings, not a pretty sight. They are blocking every exit because they want to be off first. You cannot even get to a toilet without hitting someone out of the way. I do not mind any of that but what pees me off is that MSC will not tell a customer off. We were told no food to go ashore in Cuba, the 2 US citizens in front of us decided to take a few messenger bags of pizza off with them. WHATS UP X.Are you stupid as well as fat. You silly folk held us up for an hourrrr. We nearly mised our flight because you are studidly greedy. Sorry just so angry at the inanity of some folk. The airport. Very Basic. Please take tissues in your purses ladies. I was offered toilet paper by a lady before and after border control. She wanted a few US dollars for a wrap of toilet paper. She had taken all the toilet rolls out and switched off the hand driers. I do not mind giving but I have paid for my flight and expect certain basic facilities as a norm. Loved Cuba and the people, hope Havana does not turn into another Globalised Macdonald and Starbucks city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzdout Posted January 17, 2017 #19 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Thanks Rusty...Helpful info! I'm surprised about the slots being open...although I don't gamble...Are there any quiet spots on the ship to get away from the crowds..? Comments on the drinks package? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chlocam Posted January 29, 2017 #20 Share Posted January 29, 2017 Hi. Can you let me know what time you were allowed to board from, just trying to work out flight times. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iLucas88 Posted July 25, 2018 #21 Share Posted July 25, 2018 Just come back from this cruise. There were quite a few US citizens on board and a few flights to Fort Laurderdale. We are Brits and have always had Cuba as a vacation destination so did not expect anything other than a usual Caribbean destination. We cruise a lot but noticed a few different things in Cuba. We NEVER buy the ships transfers, we would rather do our own thing, I got really stressed getting a taxi to the port, no 'proper' queues, a free for all, there are 2 money exchanges at the airport with HUGE queues, but the port building had 2 very calm small queued booths. The taxis did take Euros, 35 to the port from the airport. They probably will take US dollars as well. Get an MSC transfer if you do not like argy-bargy in the taxi queue. I got cheeky and stood in front of a taxi which had to brake, that was after an hour or so, Phweeew. Taxis picking up 1 or 2 fares waited for a 3rd or fourth to join them. Check in was fine, soon got to get on the ship but the Cuban Border security booths were really slow. Some booths looked empty but there were officers in them, they just did not want to tell you they were open. The ship was great, it was our 4th time on Opera,she is a beautiful ship although the cabins are smaller than any other ship we have sailed on apart from P and O. The NYE party was wonderful as were all the staff, especially the Animation team. We had a little issue with some fellow guests lighting up their 'Cuban' cigars on the non smoking side of the ship. A quick word in their ears sorted it. It is a shame the staff onboard are not allowed to tell them off. We thought the Opera had a livlier ambience than the other sailings on her. Duty Free, shops and slots were open the whole time in Havana, a real 1st for us in port. Cuba must have different rules. Cuba also requests you to have a visa for re-entry, the visa you had to enter at first has gone. Another 30 dollars. Food was OK ish, had better, but our waiters and service were fab. When you disembark they will ask various 'colours' to stand away from the doors. That is a red flag to a bull. The colours they asked to stand away will be banked up along the exit doors and on the landings, not a pretty sight. They are blocking every exit because they want to be off first. You cannot even get to a toilet without hitting someone out of the way. I do not mind any of that but what pees me off is that MSC will not tell a customer off. We were told no food to go ashore in Cuba, the 2 US citizens in front of us decided to take a few messenger bags of pizza off with them. WHATS UP X.Are you stupid as well as fat. You silly folk held us up for an hourrrr. We nearly mised our flight because you are studidly greedy. Sorry just so angry at the inanity of some folk. The airport. Very Basic. Please take tissues in your purses ladies. I was offered toilet paper by a lady before and after border control. She wanted a few US dollars for a wrap of toilet paper. She had taken all the toilet rolls out and switched off the hand driers. I do not mind giving but I have paid for my flight and expect certain basic facilities as a norm. Loved Cuba and the people, hope Havana does not turn into another Globalised Macdonald and Starbucks city. The burning question is if you had to book an excursion through MSC to get off the boat in Cuba or not? MSC says you do and others say you don't, what is the answer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Beamafar Posted July 26, 2018 #22 Share Posted July 26, 2018 Check out the Ports of Call forum where that subject is discussed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sg1812 Posted July 27, 2018 #23 Share Posted July 27, 2018 The burning question is if you had to book an excursion through MSC to get off the boat in Cuba or not? MSC says you do and others say you don't, what is the answer? I imagine it will depend on your nationality. It is only US citizens that have any travel restrictions pertaining to Cuba. Others can fully enjoy the country, the All Inclusive resorts, etc. The OP said that they were Brits. Brits have no travel restrictions in Cuba. Looking at other boards for other cruises to Havana, it seems like for the first few cruises, people ARE required to have excursions booked, but then as time passes, things get more relaxed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perakcruiser Posted July 28, 2018 #24 Share Posted July 28, 2018 The burning question is if you had to book an excursion through MSC to get off the boat in Cuba or not? MSC says you do and others say you don't, what is the answer? Everybody needs a Tarjeta Turistica, just some nationalities get it for free. On our cruise a couple of weeks before MSC delivered the tarjetas to the cabin two days before arriving Havana and deducted the costs from our accounts. If you don´t want to go off the boat you have to return the tarjetas to the reception desk, then you will get the costs also off your account. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iLucas88 Posted July 28, 2018 #25 Share Posted July 28, 2018 Everybody needs a Tarjeta Turistica, just some nationalities get it for free. On our cruise a couple of weeks before MSC delivered the tarjetas to the cabin two days before arriving Havana and deducted the costs from our accounts. If you don´t want to go off the boat you have to return the tarjetas to the reception desk, then you will get the costs also off your account. Thank you! you are the first one to answer this who has recently been on the cruise! Were the Tarjetas Visas? And what did they cost? Did MSC bug you about booking an excursion because I would rather do one through a third party. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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