Rum & Revolution-live from the Spirit, February 22, San Juan to Ft. Lauderdale

[spinnaker2]

More street vendors who will pose for a photograph for some dinero.

All of the street vendors must have a license to ply their wares. You can see the license card in this photo.

This mandate includes the seemingly "stray dogs" who roam the plazas, they wear a large license card and are fed by the city. It all adds to the ambiance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[spinnaker2]

Street dancers in front of the museum draw a large crowd who are taking photos, but few of them drop in some coins as a hat is passed after the performance. 

[spinnaker2]

At the far end of the plaza, after walking through the park, is this building, El Templete, built in 1827.

The pineapples adorning the large columed fence are quite welcoming, as is the requisite sleeping dog.

 

 

[Tothesunset]

Great photos. Whets our appetite for our visit next year. 

[spinnaker2]

And now back to the Yutong for our trip to the other side of the harbor and El Morro.

The trip is very fast, we go UNDER the harbor in a tunnel. I was a little nervous.

The fort is officially know as Castillo de los tres Reyes Magos del Morro. Construction began in 1539 by an Italian engineer, Juan Antonelli, and was completed in 1630. When it was completed, a huge chain was run from one side of the harbor to the other and when hostile forces approached the chain was raised which effectively closed the harbor.

 

It is a huge comples of buildings. The above view shows some of the walls and the moat.

 

Once inside there are many doors. we werent told what is behind them.

We reach the upper battlements and we are graced with incredible views and lots of firepower.

 

 

each cannon is dated and numbered

 

 

[spinnaker2]

Back in the bus and back to the ship. 

This time i think i caught the green flash!

 

[spinnaker2]

And as the sun set, so too, did our trip end.

 

I hope I gave you some of the flavor of Cuba. We only saw a very small fraction of this island.

 

I meant to share that many of the pax on the tours tried to engage with our guides by speaking to them in Spanish. Clearly some were better than others with their dialect and knowledge of the language, however, the tour guides would not speak Spanish with any of the passengers. Just an observation. 

 

Thanks all for following along  and for enduring my frustrations with the internet.

Edited March 15, 2019 by spinnaker2

[boblerm]

3 hours ago, spinnaker2 said:

I hope I gave you some of the flavor of Cuba.

You certainly did, and it is very much appreciated!

Bob

[Stumblefoot]

10 hours ago, spinnaker2 said:

 

Why do I think of bananas when I see this photo?

[TLCOhio]

On 3/15/2019 at 12:55 PM, spinnaker2 said:

And as the sun set, so too, did our trip end.  I hope I gave you some of the flavor of Cuba. We only saw a very small fraction of this island.  I meant to share that many of the pax on the tours tried to engage with our guides by speaking to them in Spanish. Clearly some were better than others with their dialect and knowledge of the language, however, the tour guides would not speak Spanish with any of the passengers. Just an observation.  Thanks all for following along  and for enduring my frustrations with the internet.

 

YES!  YES!!  Love these additional visuals and details from Spins/Candy.  As cited above by Stumblefoot, this colorful picture of these ladies is especially wonderful.  Lovely!!  Great sharing.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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[TLCOhio]

Did you see who has been following Spins/Candy and others on that Silversea sailing by visiting Cuba?  From the London/UK Daily Mail this morning, they had this headline: “Charles drives Camilla in 1953 open-top MG to British classic car event in Cuban capital Havana”  with these highlights: “Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were easy royal riders today as they arrived at a British classic car event in Havana.  With their heir to the throne behind the wheel in borrowed black MG TD, and his wife at his side, they made a stylish entrance as they pulled up outside the Cuban capital's famous John Lennon Park.”

 

Looks like fun and interesting time to be visiting in Cuba.

 

Full story at:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6850833/Charles-drives-Camilla-1953-open-MG-British-classic-car.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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Here are a couple of visuals featured in this Daily Mail story about these Royals visiting Cuba.  The second picture includes Charles and Camilla sitting on a bench at John Lennon Park in Havana today as their tour of Cuba continues.  Yes, in 2001, I saw on this same bench and enjoyed this setting.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

 

[Stumblefoot]

1 hour ago, TLCOhio said:

“Charles drives Camilla in 1953 open-top MG to British classic car event in Cuban capital Havana”

Watched an hour long special last night on PBS called "Charles @ 70".  It was well done and in general, very, very current.  His schedule sounded exceptionally busy that we wondered when he becomes the monarch one day if he'll have a bit more time to catch his breath?

[Tothesunset]

Prince Charles certainly puts in the work and seems to be really passionate about the causes he supports. I think his Prince's Trust is not only an excellent project but was established ahead of its time in the sense that it is an inclusive affair aimed at those who need a leg up regardless of ethnicity, background or anything other than merit. 

 

But for a true worker whose commitment and dedication are oft overlooked I put forward the Princess Royal. The woman must never sleep! 

[spinnaker2]

I hope Charles and Camilla enjoyed Cuba.

They were much more nattily attired than DH and I.

Love the parasol, its a look I can't pull off. I do better with a plastic rain poncho.

And that MG, just a gorgeous car.

 

[TLCOhio]

2 hours ago, spinnaker2 said:

I hope Charles and Camilla enjoyed Cuba.  They were much more nattily attired than DH and I.  Love the parasol, its a look I can't pull off. I do better with a plastic rain poncho.And that MG, just a gorgeous car.

 

Great added follow-ups from Spins, Tothesunset and Stumblefoot.  Yes, that parasol is charming and special.  Below are a few more visuals from their visiting in Cuba. Fun!!  They are dressed well, but their clothing budget is much, MUCH larger than we "normal people" can afford.  Plus, a private military jet for transportation helps, too.  And, lots of staff to handle your details and  take care of doing the luggage. They are "Royals!"

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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From the Bing.com website, here are more visual samples from the UK Royals exploring in Cuba.  The first picture includes them being in a main Havana square that we had visited in 2001.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

 

 

 

[Stumblefoot]

11 hours ago, Tothesunset said:

Prince Charles certainly puts in the work and seems to be really passionate about the causes he supports. I think his Prince's Trust is not only an excellent project but was established ahead of its time in the sense that it is an inclusive affair aimed at those who need a leg up regardless of ethnicity, background or anything other than merit. 

 

But for a true worker whose commitment and dedication are oft overlooked I put forward the Princess Royal. The woman must never sleep! 

You are right, we were quite impressed by the Prince's Trust upon learning its details.  And, thanks for recognizing the work done by Princess Anne as the vast majority of Americans have no idea of any of her works.

[Master Echo]

Dear Spinnaker,

 

Thank you so much for your enlightening report on Cuba.   I feel it is worth remarking on the general high level of the quality of posts on SS threads.   Not only are these informative, but the writing style is of a high quality blended with humour, and yours definitely falls into this category. 

 

Regarding Cuba, I am surprised at the protocols which seems to enshroud Silversea ships wishing to sail in this area.

 

I was aware that passengers were expected to do a Silversea shorex, but I was given to understand that it was only necessary to book one, but in the event, it was possible to go ashore under your own steam.  Seemingly this is not permitted?

 

I wonder if this is as a result of SS’s tie-up with an American cruise line, and if this had not been the case, there would have been no restrictions?

 

Cuba has been an extremely popular holiday destination in the UK for over ten years and I have several British friends who have holidayed there in successive years and have had unfettered access to travel.  So why not Silversea?

 

One expects to find difficulties in Russia, although the Intourist regime is now a thing of the past and visitors are free to wander on their own.

 

As an aside, we visited Bander Abbas, the Iranian port in the South of the country.  Despite being docked the crew were not allowed to go ashore and speaking to the Guest Relations Manager, even he could not leave the ship,  in company with all other officers,  but had no idea as to the reason.  

 

There was only one shore excursion on offer to passengers, on which I passed, but later in the day I took the shuttle into town with another couple.  On arriving at the drop off point in the centre,  another couple were waiting to return to the ship and remarked on the “minders”.  We were then followed everywhere we went by our gentleman friend.  I tried to engage him in conversation, he didnt speak any English and it transpired that he had been shipped in from Tehran as had his fellow “minders”, supposedly Tehran’s Republican Guards,  being all dressed identically.  The reason the poor ship’s officers and crew were not allowed to go ashore - there were not enough of these minders to go around!!  This was SS’s second call at Bander Abbas, and was to be its last!

 

I certainly didn’t expect to have problems visiting a Caribbean island!!

 

Was the Spirit the first SS ship to go to Cuba?  I wonder if this is the reason that Carnival’s venture on Adonia on weekly cruises from Miami to Cuba, ended prematurely? 

 

However I am so grateful for your insight, and am looking forward very much to my trip in November on the Whisper.

 

Thank you again

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

[Observer]

Given the unpredictability of US Government (USG) policy, I should think that SS and other cruise lines are taking a chance in scheduling cruises to Cuba.  It would not be surprising if a new USG regulation (e.g., forbidding nearly all US citizen travel to Cuba) suddenly made such cruises impractical.

 

Some questions for veterans of SS tours in Cuba:

 

**  Master Echo wrote: "I was aware that passengers were expected to do a Silversea shorex, but I was given to understand that it was only necessary to book one, but in the event, it was possible to go ashore under your own steam.  Seemingly this is not permitted?"  Could someone please clarify?

 

** If it is possible to go independently, are there "guides" at the pier offering their services?

 

**  If one takes, say, a morning tour and returns to the ship for lunch, can one wander freely in the afternoon?

 

**  Because of USG regulations, I understand that all US tourists must engage in People-to-People/cultural visits as part of each tour.  How long/intrusive are these episodes?  I am interested in seeing the architecture and the people, etc., not a school or an artist's studio, or a local home (fitted out for tourists 🙂 )?

 

** Are the tour busses air-conditioned?

 

Many thanks.

 

 

[drron29]

We sailed on the first SS cruise to Cuba in 2015,It was on the Explorer which sailed from Nassau and basically repositioning to Ushuaia. Naturally a report.

We were able to go around unescorted or to leave a ship's tour.Often given free time on a tour.So spoke to a few locals which was very interesting.Especially the guy we asked that if he were President for a day what would he change.Answer-Everything.

 

I was brought up on the British Royals.Got to have a 5 minute chat with Prince Charles at a State Reception for him and Diana.Basically everyone lined up to meet Princess Diana including Rojaan.So Prince Charles needed to wait until she caught up.He decided I was probably as eccentric as he.The main topic was how we could talk to birds.

 

[TLCOhio]

8 hours ago, drron29 said:

I was brought up on the British Royals.Got to have a 5 minute chat with Prince Charles at a State Reception for him and Diana. Basically everyone lined up to meet Princess Diana including Rojaan. So Prince Charles needed to wait until she caught up.  He decided I was probably as eccentric as he.The main topic was how we could talk to birds.

 

Appreciate this great sharing, details and follow-up. Very fun and interesting as to "talking to the birds" and being probably "ECCENTRIC"!!??   Did the birds talk back?  From my perspective, I have always viewed Prince Charles as a little "different".  Glad to get confirmation and this fascinating, added background.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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[Master Echo]

Dear Jolly Jones

 

Firstly it was lovely to see Miss Bermuda standing with such aplomb on the quayside, and so pleased that you are shortly to tread the SS decks!

 

Of course, - that was also a question I was going to pose - is the necessity to jump through hoops because we are sailing from an American port?  

 

Your comment on the "orange toddler" had me wreathed in huge smiles - but I suspect that should one wish to see Cuba, strike now, before the chance is lost.

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

 

 

[drron29]

Terry the birds do indeed talk back.There is a pied butcherbird who will come and sit about 2 feet from me if I am out in the garden and we can have a "talk" for up to 20 minutes.The butcherbirds are Australia's best songbird .This one imitates the call of several other birds.they are well known for that.

The best time is when about 12 come and sit in our frangipani and sing in rounds complete with various movements of the body.Glorious.

[spinnaker2]

Bus is air conditioned.

From China.

 

I will refrain from speaking about anything orange.

 

As USA citizens we had to do a cultural exchange. One was a dance troupe, just great. The other a terrific group of young musicians who played some awesome music! Not to be missed.

 

I am not sure what others were compelled to do. We had to sign up before hand. Lots of paperwork and sworn to stuff.

 

Yes one could hire a private tour guide.

 

I think other pax went off the ship without arrangements. Certainly the crew did!

 

I have been told that the Spirit wont be going back any time soon. Too much at last minute for the shore concierge to make good plans.

 

As for me, I would go back with less restrictions on my travel. 

 

[Master Echo]

Dear Spinnaker

 

Thank you so much for your final comments on Cuba - I hope I will be able to add information on the island and any further significant developments by the end of the year.  It really does bug me that arriving from an American port, and nominally on an "American" ship, my movements may be restricted - unlike any of my English friends.

 

However I intend to make the most of my precious days on an island I have long wanted to visit.

Thank you again

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

[Observer]

On 4/11/2019 at 4:55 PM, Observer said:

Given the unpredictability of US Government (USG) policy, I should think that SS and other cruise lines are taking a chance in scheduling cruises to Cuba.  It would not be surprising if a new USG regulation (e.g., forbidding nearly all US citizen travel to Cuba) suddenly made such cruises impractical.

 

 

 

Has this speculation -- not even a week old -- been replaced by reality?

 

The following from THE MIAMI HERALD:

 

The Trump administration is tightening restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba, reversing the engagement policies of the Obama era while increasing pressure on the island’s government in response to its support of the Nicolás Maduro regime in Venezuela.

 

The changes were announced during a speech by National Security Advisor John Bolton at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables Wednesday afternoon. 

 

“In no uncertain terms, the Obama administration’s policies toward Cuba have enabled the Cuban colonization of Venezuela today,” National Security Advisor John Bolton said Wednesday during a speech at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. The changes were designed to reverse “the disastrous Obama-era policies, and finally end the glamorization of socialism and communism,” he added.

 

Travel to Cuba will now be limited to family visits, restricting those deemed as “veiled tourism,” said a high-ranking official who spoke on condition of anonymity. That could signal the end of cruises, which started to operate during the Obama years because of an expansion of the categories of travel allowed.

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