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Cuban Cruise Review - May 1st, 2017 - The very FIRST Norwegian sailing!!!

CTCruiser001

By CTCruiser001,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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marcyjane

marcyjane

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Question please on your Visa. Did I read and understand that on the first day in Cuba they kept the entire Visa. If so how do you go for your tour the second day?. Thanks

Also on the car tour did you drive or did the tour guide drive and did you do this excursion through NCL excursions or book on you on with a private tour. Thanks if these question have been ask I sorry for asking again.

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CTCruiser001 "Live from...." Rare

CTCruiser001

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Question please on your Visa. Did I read and understand that on the first day in Cuba they kept the entire Visa. If so how do you go for your tour the second day?. Thanks

Also on the car tour did you drive or did the tour guide drive and did you do this excursion through NCL excursions or book on you on with a private tour. Thanks if these question have been ask I sorry for asking again.

 

They stamped my passport once securing my entire visa from me. From then on you can come and go as you please. All they did was ask me to remove my hat and glasses, compared my image on my passport and looked for the Cuba stamp.

 

Going through customs the first time was the longest, maybe 20 or 25 minutes, mostly due to the waiting. After that it was maybe a few seconds going in or out as I pleased.

 

Really no hassle at all.

 

We booked our car tour through an outfit called, Havana Tours by Blexie. We had a car, driver, and tour guide for a total of 130 CUC$. We tipped an additional 50 CUC $ above that price since they were both so good to us.

 

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CruiseGal999

CruiseGal999

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I like to think rules are made to be broken. :)

 

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Me too! I was once told by my then boss' wife ... "YOU are a MAVERICK!" :D I said "Thank you!". She replied "That was NOT a compliment!" LOL .... :') I asked her ... "how could it NOT be a compliment?" This country was founded by mavericks!

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CTCruiser001 "Live from...." Rare

CTCruiser001

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What time did you have to be back on board the first day in Cuba. Thank you and also for taking time to post of this information for us that are sailing later to Cuba.

No curfew. We were out until 1 am the first night. You are welcome to come and go the entire time the ship is docked.

 

Cuban nightlife is quite lively!

 

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anonmom

anonmom

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Thank you so much for this review! It is exactly what I wanted it to be, lots of pictures and details. Some people might prefer a summary, but they can just check the CC reviews. I think the boards are more for these detailed experiences.

 

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franperry4

franperry4

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Heh! The only suggestion I have would be to carry water and if you carry a backpack, prepare for a soaked shirt!

 

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You refer to the heat several times. Do you know what the temperature was or can you estimate? Was it hotter than Miami? Were you allowed to bring bottled water off the ship?

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CTCruiser001 "Live from...." Rare

CTCruiser001

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You refer to the heat several times. Do you know what the temperature was or can you estimate? Was it hotter than Miami? Were you allowed to bring bottled water off the ship?

It was hotter than Miami. Not certain the actual temps but I think there was a forecast listed on the dailies. We were allowed bring bottled water off the ship. Twice when returning, we had bottled water in our backpack that the Cuban security did not confiscate, and were allowed to bring these back on the ship where normally Norwegian does not allow this due to policy.

 

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CTCruiser001 "Live from...." Rare

CTCruiser001

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Thanks for the reviews. Would you suggest 10.30 or 11 to begin a private tour on the 1st day? How much was the cab from the pier to National Hotel?

I think 10 am is fine with the understanding you might be a bit late. There were lots of private tour guides holding signs when we crossed the street...They know the game, customs/security/money exchange, so they will understand.

 

If you don't want to get off first thing, then a later tour might work better.

 

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CTCruiser001 "Live from...." Rare

CTCruiser001

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For people who have free time are there shops or places of interest within walking distance where you disembark the ship?

There were stores in the cruise terminal selling rum, shirts, and other cheap trinkets. There was one small booth selling over the counter pharmacy items. These stores all happily accepted USD$.

Outside the cruise terminal there wasn't much within close walking distance, but if you were willing to go 250-300 yards, down some side streets and such you will find some stores. Mpre further away. Don't be afraid of walking around, we felt very safe the entire time and went down some shady looking streets!

 

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CTCruiser001 "Live from...." Rare

CTCruiser001

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CTcruiser001,

 

Did you or your wife feel sick after eating food or having any drinks with ice? As a repeat guest of Mexico, I cannot help but ask.

 

 

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We ate/drank in three places within Havana. Never felt sick once.

Of course, nothing is 100%...Just use your common sense and don't drink drinks with ice in places that are pop ups and have nothing to lose. Go to well established places which are frequented by tourist and locals alike, and you should be fine.

 

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CTCruiser001 "Live from...." Rare

CTCruiser001

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Just docked in Miami! I will work on finishing this review at the airport and on the plane. I aim to have everything done and posted by the end of Saturday evening (5/06/17).

 

Sorry for the delays and thanks for hanging in there with me!

 

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biddi45

biddi45

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Thanks again CTCruiser001 for taking the time out of your vacation to help others plan their future cruise going to Cuba. I cannot wait for the rest of your review.

 

I currently have only one question: Was the casino closed the whole time it was dock at CUBA? When did it reopen?

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CTCruiser001 "Live from...." Rare

CTCruiser001

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Thanks again CTCruiser001 for taking the time out of your vacation to help others plan their future cruise going to Cuba. I cannot wait for the rest of your review.

 

I currently have only one question: Was the casino closed the whole time it was dock at CUBA? When did it reopen?

I cannot answer for sure, but I remember hearing folks complaining that the casino was closed. Maybe someone else will post soon who has better knowledge...

 

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jenidallas

jenidallas

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We are on the plane headed to Florida now. We board Sky today for the 3 day Bahamas and then B2B for the 4 day Cuba next week. Did NCL have any of the evening parties (White Hot or Norwegian Night Out) while on board? I threw a white dress in just in case (can never hurt!) but was curious what the onboard schedule looked like.

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CTCruiser001 "Live from...." Rare

CTCruiser001

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We are on the plane headed to Florida now. We board Sky today for the 3 day Bahamas and then B2B for the 4 day Cuba next week. Did NCL have any of the evening parties (White Hot or Norwegian Night Out) while on board? I threw a white dress in just in case (can never hurt!) but was curious what the onboard schedule looked like.

 

White Hot Party was Wednesday night. I do not remember a Norwegian's Night Out party. I have posted the dailies for day 1 and 2 already. I will try to get the other 2 days posted soon!

 

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