cbusbigred

Thanks for the great review! We go in October. :)

While I don't disagree with a word you wrote about the pressure on the government and the embargo itself (I'm an economist by day) ... the reality is that the cruise lines won't risk huge OFAC fines for offering non-compliant tours.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

So - basically, take a legitimate tour (via the cruise line) and you're good.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I'm one of those with my "hair on fire", so to speak. We booked our October cruise specifically for the Cuba stop. Without it, there's no point to this particular cruise.

All articles I have read concur that policy changes will be announced this year.

I'm just hoping that they allow the folks that have already booked to go. We have been scrimping and saving and sacrificing to make this trip happen for our 10th anniversary in October. My husband is of Cuban ancestry and this has been a dream of ours for years. If we're this close and get it yanked away from us because of a political temper tantrum, I'll be having a tantrum of my own. :)

Could you name the places where you have seen this news? I watch the news and read a lot, I have not seen this.

J

ABC News and USA Today both ran pieces about it yesterday.

The Daily Caller broke the news on 5/29.

Hope that helps.

Thank you for the amazing review!

There is no country on a RCI North American closed loop cruise that requires a passport to enter the country at a port. A handful of ports require a state issued ID for re-entry to the ship, even fewer require an ID to get off the ship. RCI always recommends you carry an ID whether it is needed or not.

One exception: CUBA. If you plan to visit Cuba, you must have a passport with 6+ months left after cruising. You must present it when you leave the ship, along with your visa.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cuba/faq

Look under the "Cuba Travel Requirements" section.

Just out of curiosity - was the ceviche legit (as in - the fish was not pre-cooked before soaking in the citrus juices)? I'm kind of a ceviche snob.

I also realize that may not be the best thing to be a snob about ... citrus juice cooked fish. Sigh.

Those outfits are OUTSTANDING.

Mmm. Food porn. :)

Silly question - do they have the Freestyle machines on board Empress?

Super excited to follow along!

Yay! Thanks for all the details! I can't wait to read more.

Yes. We took the walking tour around old Havana. Half way through the tour, we boarded a coach for a scenic tour with a stop at a restaurant to sample rum, cigars and coffee. Very interesting and the guide spoke very good English.

Is this the Old Havana Heritage Walking Tour, or the Old Havana City Sightseeing?

Hubs and I are leaning VERY strongly toward the latter.

I was going to say the same thing - PRINT THAT EMAIL. :)

Did you do an excursion from RCCL, or private?

BTW for those booked a Cuba cruise, book your excursion as soon as possible. We booked the cruise in early December and booked the RCCL excursion in early January. We booked the excursion at $124 pp (I heard it was a bit lower prior to our booking it) and went to up to $199 and is now $229pp. I had not recalled the excursion prices changing like that.

I just checked my cruise planner. It looks like the half-day (Old Havana City Sightseeing) has had the "price updated" to $69 a person. I don't remember what it was before.

EDIT: It was $59 a person before ... so it increased $10 a person. BOOOOOO.

WAIT! She's OK. Not ideal as with a passport, but still okay.

SOURCE: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/travelDocumentation.do

"CRUISES FROM A UNITED STATES PORT

The following requirements are for sailings from a United States port to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada/New England, Hawaii, Alaska, Panama Canal and Mexico.

United States and Canadian Citizens:

You MUST have one of the following:

• A valid United States or Canadian passport. For additional United States passport information visit the United States Department of State travel information website or the Passport Canada website. Visa Central is the passport and visa service that we recommend, should our guests need passport and visa assistance. You may contact Visa Central for all your passport needs. Visa Central can obtain passports in as little as one day. US Residents, please contact VisaCentral online at www.visacentral.com/royalcaribbean, email rci@visacentral.com or call 800-858-8579, and be sure to reference Royal Caribbean account 44988 for reduced service fees. Canada residents, please contact www.visacentral.ca/royalcaribbean, email rci@visacentral.com or call 8888-665-9956, and be sure to reference Royal Caribbean account 10026 for reduced service fees.
  

- OR -

• Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) or Trusted Travel Documents. Click here for a list of all approved documents"
  

Now, that link is broken (the WHTI) link. However ... a quick trip to The Googles gives me the CBP page that specifies that Global Entry is considered a Trusted Traveler program! https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs

*happydance*

If it's a "closed loop" cruise that doesn't involve a stop in Cuba ... you *can* sail with birth certificate and photo ID. It's not ideal, but it's better than not going at all. Plus, as you're seasoned travelers / cruisers, you should be in pretty good shape (i.e. not a pier runner).

Good luck! I'm so sorry for your stress. :(

You have never seen anyone move faster on a ship than the RCCL hazmat crew. They had red bags and EVERYTHING from the table went into those bags. Is that just to get them out of the room? Or do they incinerate stuff? Why is there no behind the scenes tour of the hazmat stuff?

I would totally burn some of my OBC for that tour.

I prefer Chicago pizza to them all! 😛

Greetings from GroveTucky. :)

Now the real question: Lou Malnati's, or Giordano's?

I'll be in Chicago in June ... I can't wait to get my hands on some Garrett's.

Omg I 100% agree with this! NYC is definitely NOT the pizza capital of anything. Lol

I beg to differ! mmmmmm.

(PS ... I"m about 20 minutes south of you. Hi!)

Anywhere you need to use money during the tour will accept American currency at the standard exchange rate. At the end of the tour, you'll be dropped off at the cruise terminal where you can run in and exchange currency before leaving the terminal again to walk around, shop, or whatever you want to do.

This is good to know. Thanks!

can anyone tell me the best tour to take while in cuba,we do not want to do the walking tour

We've been looking at the half-day tour. I keep considering booking a private car tour, but keep coming back to the half day "best of Havana" tour. That way, we can see some of the "touristy" sites, and then enjoy some time in Havana shopping and snacking. :)

Since I have to bother my travel agent, I won't request a price drop unless it's at least $25 total.

Same.

This current "sale" dropped the price $30 and I get to keep my $50 OBC. So, I dropped her an email and asked her to fix it when she had a free minute. The "sale" is on until tomorrow night, so if she doesn't get to it till tomorrow it's still fine. :)