On board Marina now March 31 - May 1

[Jan.and.John]

Appreciate your helpful Havana descriptions - can't wait to go next May!

 

 

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[ChucktownSteve]

Can you use US$ there or do you have to convert?

[lais]

Can you tell me who the Activity Director is right now? Or maybe they call her the Social Director? Thanks.

Lisa

[Kingofcool1947]

Can you use US$ there or do you have to convert?

 

I have the same question. Can I use US dollars to tip in Cuba?

 

I will be on board Sierena, May 2018.

 

Bringing my conga drums. ;)

[Jan.and.John]

My understanding is no, you can't use USD (even for tipping since Cubans would theoretically have to exchange them and would then lose value, if indeed he were able to exchange). Last I've heard no US credit cards or ATM cards can be used either. Many threads on this - does your cruise have a roll call yet?

 

I plan on taking euros on our May 2018 Cuba cruise to avoid the bite in exchanging USD.

 

 

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[Jan.and.John]

Oh, and King I'm so happy you're bringing congas!!! Are u on the May 4th Sirena cruise with us?

 

 

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[Kingofcool1947]

My understanding is no, you can't use USD (even for tipping since Cubans would theoretically have to exchange them and would then lose value, if indeed he were able to exchange). Last I've heard no US credit cards or ATM cards can be used either. Many threads on this - does your cruise have a roll call yet?

 

I plan on taking euros on our May 2018 Cuba cruise to avoid the bite in exchanging USD.

 

 

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Thanks for the info regarding tipping in Cuba. Guess I'll load up on CUC's. :)

 

No Roll Call yet AFIK for the 2018 Cuba cruise.

 

Do you Mambo or Salsa? Play the congas? ;)

[Queen of DaNile]

FWIW we exchange 300 Euros and walked away with 313.95 CUC. We used CUCs to pay for our car tour, tips, entrance fees and puchases.

[Jancruz]

Thanks for the info regarding tipping in Cuba. Guess I'll load up on CUC's. :)

 

No Roll Call yet AFIK for the 2018 Cuba cruise.

 

Do you Mambo or Salsa? Play the congas? ;)

 

Better to load up on Eros..you can use them in more places and are readily accepted in Cuba

Jancruz1

[tgg]

Better to load up on Eros..you can use them in more places and are readily accepted in Cuba

Jancruz1

 

Eros may be onboard to enjoy the sexy Cuba music, but he'll probably be sailing with Aphrodite.;)

[Kingofcool1947]

Eros may be onboard to enjoy the sexy Cuba music, but he'll probably be sailing with Aphrodite.;)

 

Does the ship,have a hot tub/jacuzzi?:p

[lais]

About money.

They do not accept USD in any

shops, restaurants or any where that I know of. They do not accept US credit cards. We had some euros and exchanged them. $200 euros = $206 CUC. We exchanged $200 USD and got $173 CUC.

Just change your money and go have a good time. You can exchange the cuc's back but not at a good rate so don't get more than you think you'll spend.

 

Yes, there are hot tubs in the ship.

 

We had a driver (through a friend) who took us to Vinales on our 2nd day here. Long drive. 2 1/2 hrs 1 way. Once out of the city it is just open space and farm land some beautiful Vistas and we did the usual tour route. If you see what tour Oceania offers to Vinales then it is the same. Visit a tabacco farm etc. it was a good day and I'm glad we got to go there. When we returned we headed right back out to Plaza Viajas for more music and people watching. Another ship came in and it was Friday night so it was crowded and hard to find a place to sit at all of the restaurants.

It is very inexpensive here.

We had 2 beers and 2 rum and cokes with great entertainment for $10 cuc.

We came back to the ship and there was music and late happy hour by the pool. Fun.

Also on both nights there was Cuban food at the terrace restaurant and it was packed!

 

For those of you going to Cuba In the future enjoy! And have an open mind. Don't focus on the crumbling buildings, focus on the history and the very nice people here.

By the way, there is lots of reconstruction going on. Remodels and new hotels etc.

[ORV]

About money.

They do not accept USD in any

shops, restaurants or any where that I know of. They do not accept US credit cards. We had some euros and exchanged them. $200 euros = $206 CUC. We exchanged $200 USD and got $173 CUC.

Just change your money and go have a good time. You can exchange the cuc's back but not at a good rate so don't get more than you think you'll spend.

 

Yes, there are hot tubs in the ship.

 

We had a driver (through a friend) who took us to Vinales on our 2nd day here. Long drive. 2 1/2 hrs 1 way. Once out of the city it is just open space and farm land some beautiful Vistas and we did the usual tour route. If you see what tour Oceania offers to Vinales then it is the same. Visit a tabacco farm etc. it was a good day and I'm glad we got to go there. When we returned we headed right back out to Plaza Viajas for more music and people watching. Another ship came in and it was Friday night so it was crowded and hard to find a place to sit at all of the restaurants.

It is very inexpensive here.

We had 2 beers and 2 rum and cokes with great entertainment for $10 cuc.

We came back to the ship and there was music and late happy hour by the pool. Fun.

Also on both nights there was Cuban food at the terrace restaurant and it was packed!

 

For those of you going to Cuba In the future enjoy! And have an open mind. Don't focus on the crumbling buildings, focus on the history and the very nice people here.

By the way, there is lots of reconstruction going on. Remodels and new hotels etc.

 

Happy Hour by the Pool? Interesting. Closing Waves bar around 6-7pm is one of the things that I've never understood about Oceania. No matter the weather they always seem to close early.

[lais]

Happy Hour by the Pool? Interesting. Closing Waves bar around 6-7pm is one of the things that I've never understood about Oceania. No matter the weather they always seem to close early.

It was a special sail away party from Cuba

[Kingofcool1947]

Oh, and King I'm so happy you're bringing congas!!! Are u on the May 4th Sirena cruise with us?

 

 

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Hola Jan.and.Jon,

I'm on the 5/20/18 sailing.

Still undecided whether to book Oceania shore excursions or book independent tours. My understanding is 2 free shore excursions since I opted for that offer in the O Life package.

Looking forward to you review! :). Hope you have a great time. Gracias!

[Jan.and.John]

We're thinking of using our 2 'free' shorex in Cienfuegos and Santiago and collecting & using the many hints on this board to do Havana on our own (hablamos espanol)c

 

 

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[Jan.and.John]

Oops, iPad thought I was finished. At any rate we may very well change our minds long before the actual shorex are listed for the May 2018 cruises (past experience has shown them to be exactly like previous cruises, but who knows with Cuba!)

 

Happy travels!

 

 

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[Paulchili]

We're thinking of using our 2 'free' shorex in Cienfuegos and Santiago and collecting & using the many hints on this board to do Havana on our own (hablamos espanol)c

 

 

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Sounds like a good idea. Many choices for doing Havana on your own.

[Kingofcool1947]

We're thinking of using our 2 'free' shorex in Cienfuegos and Santiago and collecting & using the many hints on this board to do Havana on our own (hablamos espanol)c

 

 

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Thanks.

That's my plan as well. Use the 2 'free' shorex in Cienfuegos and Santiago. Then do independent shore excursions in Havana.

I will be on board the Sirena after you. Sailing 5/20/18. B1 cabin mid ship. :)

[lais]

The first 10 days of the cruise passed by so quickly. It was Miami to Miami via Cozumel, harvest Caye Belize, Roatan,

Cuba (2) days and Nassau and There was a lively group on board.

We are now on our way to Lisbon and the demographics changed quite a bit with the new passenger load. There are 900 Oceania club returnees on board.

The weather hasn't been very good. It's windy and it's supposed to rain in San Juan, our first stop. It's been so windy that a lot of people have been unable to sit by or use the pool or their verandas which is helping the inside venues like the casino and shops.

There are people braving the winds and sticking to their walking routines but not me lol.

There are 60 new crew members on board so we have a fresh start. Meet and greet this afternoon.

All is good.