Notes from Armonia Miami-Havana Jan 2019

[Beamafar]

7 hours ago, LaCal said:

Damn I though both of those menus were from the Surf n Turf 🙈

 

Sorry about that ... I never thought it would appear that way.  🙄  I just wanted to share the MDR menu for that night.

[Beamafar]

Now ... on to our next POC, Havana.

 

With your cruise tickets, you will also receive the following form for each person:

 

Form for Entry to Cuba.pdf

 

If you have an MSC excursion booked, you tick box #1; if not, you need to tick 'Support for the Cuban People' in the box on the list under #3.  This form should be filled in before embarkation and handed in with your cruise tickets when checking in.

 

Despite a lot of misinformation on this forum - you DO NOT need to have an excursion booked to get off in Havana.  (I believe that US citizens are supposed to be able to prove that they did an excursion, but, really, are the authorities going to come looking within the 5 year period to see if you did one??)  Many people did their own thing here.  What you do need is a valid passport and a Cuban visa.

 

Because we were entering Cuba from the US we couldn't get a visa beforehand from the Cuban consulate in Dublin:

 

"If you travel to Cuba from the United States of America, by plane or by boat, you must obtain your tourist visa only in that country".

 

However, the ship organises them for you.  It cost us $50 pp as Irish citizens (I believe it's the same price for the UK and it's $75 for US citizens).  This was added to our onboard account.

 

 

 

We received the following in our cabin the day we were in Georgetown.  The letter outlines what to do (and NOT to do should you not intend to go ashore.  Just right-click on the image and choose 'Open image in a new tab' if you want to see the contents of the letter more clearly):

 

 

 

 

These "tourist cards" are numbered, so, effectively, you've actually bought them once they've been issued to you.  You must return them BLANK to Guest Services for a 'refund'.  Also, if you make a mistake when filling them in, you need to 'purchase' another one, so take extra care with them.

Edited February 12, 2019 by Beamafar

[SeaTheW0rld]

5 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

Now ... on to our next POC, Havana.

 

With your cruise tickets, you will also receive the following form for each person:

 

Form for Entry to Cuba.pdf

 

If you have an MSC excursion booked, you tick box #1; if not, you need to tick 'Support for the Cuban People' in the box on the list under #3.  This form should be filled in before embarkation and handed in with your cruise tickets when checking in.

 

Despite a lot of misinformation on this forum - you DO NOT need to have an excursion booked to get off in Havana.  (I believe that US citizens are supposed to be able to prove that they did an excursion, but, really, are the authorities going to come looking within the 5 year period to see if you did one??)  Many people did their own thing here.  What you do need is a valid passport and a Cuban visa.

 

Because we were entering Cuba from the US we couldn't get a visa beforehand from the Cuban consulate in Dublin:

 

"If you travel to Cuba from the United States of America, by plane or by boat, you must obtain your tourist visa only in that country".

 

However, the ship organises them for you.  It cost us $50 pp as Irish citizens (I believe it's the same price for the UK and it's $75 for US citizens).  This was added to our onboard account.

 

 

 

We received the following in our cabin the day we were in Georgetown.  The letter outlines what to do (and NOT to do should you not intend to go ashore):

 

 

 

Do the visas get permanently attached to your passport (like China's, for example) or just handed over? Do they stamp your book?

[Beamafar]

When you disembark, the Cuban official in the terminal will check the info on the visa against your passport, which will then get stamped.  Each time you leave the ship thereafter, the official will check that your passport was, indeed, stamped.

[SeaTheW0rld]

9 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

When you disembark, the Cuban official in the terminal will check the info on the visa against your passport, which will then get stamped.  Each time you leave the ship thereafter, the official will check that your passport was, indeed, stamped.

 

Thanks.  I was wondering about a "permanent record" (not that I would advocate doing anything against the law).

 

An experience in Jordan/Israel made me ask the question.  We were told to ask, with a wink, for the special re-entry into Jordan without the stamp upon leaving Israel. I didn't risk it. I knew some that did, though.  

[Beamafar]

We arrived in Cuba an hour or so earlier than anticipated so the Captain advised that the gangway would be open for the first half-hour for anyone who didn't have an MSC excursion booked and who wished to go ashore;  it would then only be accessed for those with MSC excursions.

 

As we had an excursion booked, we just went at the allocated time to the rendezvous where, almost immediately, we were escorted off the ship.  It was the quickest, easiest experience we've ever had!  I'd read of long queues for immigration in this port;  we breezed through!  The organisation for the buses was the best we've ever seen;  they had a queuing system in place, such that no-one could skipahead and we were onto our bus and off in jig time.

 

We arrived in Cuba an hour or so earlier than anticipated so the Captain advised that the gangway would be open for the first half-hour for anyone who didn't have an MSC excursion booked and who wished to go ashore;  it would then only be accessed for those with MSC excursions.

 

As we had an excursion booked, we just went at the allocated time to the rendezvous where, almost immediately, we were escorted off the ship.  It was the quickest, easiest experience we've ever had!  I'd read of long queues for immigration in this port;  we breezed through!  The organisation for the buses was the best we've ever seen;  they had a queuing system in place, such that no-one could skip ahead and we were onto our bus and off in jig time.

 

Our excursion was one that had been included in our cruise fare;  we had considered

 

 

 

We even had a violinist play at the table:

 

 

 

[Beamafar]

Apologies for the loss of text in the previous post;  I'd typed it up, then went to my phone to edit it and insert the photos and the text somehow got deleted (though it was still showing in the post on my phone.  Fortunately I copied and pasted it to 'My Notes' so I can type it up again, here).  I've tried to edit it since, but ran out of the time allotted to edit a post.  I'll continue the text here, which will put the photos in context:

 

... we had considered the option we'd been given of choosing another Havana excursion and receiving a $50 credit towards it (the included one didn't seem all that great, but we decided to go with it, anyway, with the intention of doing our own thing the following day, based on what we would see on this tour).

 

As well as being given a drive-by tour of Havana, we visited the San José handicraft market as well as Muraleando, which is a project founded by Cuban artists in 2001 and was very interesting.

 

We had purchased tickets online for the Tropicana dinner and show for 8pm that night.  We got back in plenty of time to freshen up and change and headed out around 7.20pm to catch a taxi.  One pulled up almost as soon as we left the terminal;  DH asked what the fare would be and thought the driver said CUC$14 so we jumped in.  He then spent the journey talking about the car - it was a classic, which meant that the fare was going to be more than a regular taxi (in the dark - and with us being a bit anxious to get to the club - with its roof sign and yellow colouring we thought it was an ordinary taxi).  The fare turned out to be CUC$40 (must make an appointment for DH with Hidden Hearing LOL).

 

Anyway, we entered the club and were immediately escorted into the restaurant by a man in a tux;  it was a beautiful setting (which is where the photos in the above post come in!)

 

(More to follow, but, as I've typed the above 3 times already ... I need a break LOL)

Edited February 12, 2019 by Beamafar

[Norwegian Cruiser 73]

Good afternoon from Norway,

 

What a great review and lovely photos. Very to nice to read and I'm looking forward to see more of your experience on the cozy MSC Armonia. Very good that your Black Card benefit meal was offered in the new speciality restaurant onboard. The Fantastica Suite looks great and far bigger than the Fantastica Balcony that we had back in 2015. We have just returned home from a fantastic cruise in YC onboard the MSC Preziosa 😍

[Beamafar]

Hi NC ... only yesterday I was wondering when you were due home.  Delighted to hear you had a great cruise.  😘  Talk soon!

 

I won't get a chance to continue here today as we're heading off to a hotel for the night for a pre-Valentine's Day stay.

 

Happy Valentine's everybody!  ❤️

[Beamafar]

I went off to pack for our overnight and when I came back downstairs I found this waiting for me in the living room:



Looking forward to enjoying the prosecco that will be awaiting us on our arrival to our hotel room. [emoji16]

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[Mattnvick]

3 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

I went off to pack for our overnight and when I came back downstairs I found this waiting for me in the living room:



Looking forward to enjoying the prosecco that will be awaiting us on our arrival to our hotel room.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
 

Aww how lovely. Have a great time and enjoy the prosecco.

Edited February 13, 2019 by Mattnvick

[CruisingFox27]

Have a lovely time 💖

P.S. Do not tell my DH I liked that post, he constantly bemoans how grumpy I am about Valentine's Day!

Edited February 13, 2019 by CruisingFox27

[Beamafar]

Why is that, CF?

[CruisingFox27]

Mainly because the price of anything nice doubles on Feb 14th ☹️

I'm not unromantic, I just don't like being over charged for it....

[Beamafar]

Same here!  My first reaction, when I saw the bear (actually I didn't see it;  DH had to point it out.  I was too engrossed in checking out CC to notice it) was had he grabbed it up in the garage when he'd gone for fuel, thinking he would have paid silly money for it.  I was happy enough to hear where he did buy it as the shop deserves the business!

For the hotel... I bought a voucher from pigsback a few months ago and decided to use it tonight.  Obviously it couldn't be used tomorrow night.

[CruisingFox27]

Thrifty and thoughtful, full points Mr Bea. DH has regularly ignored my opinion on the subject anyway....

The kettle has just broken, I'll be off to purchase a replacement tomorrow, I'll pop a heart on the top and advise it's his Valentine's gift

[Beamafar]

Too funny, CF.

 

Mr Bea appreciated your comment.

 

I really shouldn't be on here ... I'm currently sitting at a very cosy open fire sipping a glass of prosecco in a beautiful hotel with wonderful music playing in the background.  Here's what greeted us at the entrance - it feels like Valentine's Day already:

 

 

(Just as well this is my own thread LOL)

[SeaTheW0rld]

2 hours ago, Beamafar said:

Too funny, CF.

 

Mr Bea appreciated your comment.

 

I really shouldn't be on here ... I'm currently sitting at a very cosy open fire sipping a glass of prosecco in a beautiful hotel with wonderful music playing in the background.  Here's what greeted us at the entrance - it feels like Valentine's Day already:

 

 

(Just as well this is my own thread LOL)

 

He/she (don't want to assume) is a keeper.

[abbeytravelstheworld]

Thanks for the feedback so far!

My husband and I and our then 10 month old are doing the two week back to back out of Miami on Armonia starting 17 June. Your itinerary makes up the second week of ours. It’s great to see your feedback here. 

[CruisingFox27]

My work here is done! Happy Valentine's 😍

Hope you had a lovely evening Bea.

 

[Dear_Maria]

23 minutes ago, CruisingFox27 said:

My work here is done! Happy Valentine's 😍

Hope you had a lovely evening Bea.

 

The Kettle even has a little steam heart too!!

[sanbixby]

How exciting to find this thread and read it during my sick day at home! 

 

I have been on the Divina (my favorite) with Capt. Massa and Seaside with Capt. Scala.  I was sad to hear he would not be my captain on our upcoming June 17th cruise.

 

This is a 50th birthday trip that I am sharing with my best friend of 45 years and her first time cruising EVER.  We are doing Aurea class (I have only done YC on my previous 2 cruises with MSC) and I was anxious because the reviews I am reading have been mixed.  

 

Thanks for your positive, detailed review!  I look forward to reading the rest of it.

[LaCal]

We want more 😜

[Beamafar]

I haven't forgotten ... just been busy the last couple of days.

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[Beamafar]

So ... picking up where I left off ... (reluctantly - I was enjoying the Valentine's derailment part  )

 

OK ... Tropicana restaurant ... beautiful setting ... violinist ...

 

We were asked if we'd like anything to drink and that there would be a charge as drinks weren't included.  I pointed out that it stated online when I booked that wine was, indeed, included.  The server checked her 'notepad' and said, "Oh, yes, I see it here" (just as well I knew this), so we got .. well - I got 2 glasses as DH doesn't drink wine;  he ordered a beer which was CUC$5, so not pricey.

 

They don't offer a menu here;  the main course dishes were listed off by a waitress.  I heard chicken, beef, lamb, pork and possibly one other item, but the lamb sounded appealing so we both ordered it.  Now, the serving is VERY abrupt;  a couple of plates were dropped in front of us.  I had to call the server back to ask what it was.  Apparently it was the only starter that's served.  It was very similar to Parma ham (or prosciutto) on a bed of asparagus.

 

Our main course turned out to be very similar to lamb stew;  not a bit spicy (we'd been warned that Cuban food was).  It was very nice, but nothing to write home about.  Dessert was cheesecake, which was also very nice.  Overall, we thought it was good value for the extra cost of dinner & show as opposed to just the show ticket price.