champbord

I was talking about the 'tours' since I have an understanding from visiting N. Korea, Iran and Tibet. I believe this is what this thread is about. I was answering a Canadian. I am not talking about Cruise Ship visits because it is something that is weird to me. Traveling to Cuba on 'tours' and 'special visas' and 'all the rules' just makes me question what kind of Cuba are the newly US tourists going to experience. They are selling expensive educational tours but how is this possible?

Why is the US imposing these rules and why is Cuba allowing it when they already give US passport holders visas? Cuba is obviously in agreement with the new rules because now ALL Americans can go if they obtain these types of visas. Before this a bunch of Americans entering the country probably wasn't an issue.

When I heard about 'suspicious activities' with the US Embassy staff I wasn't shocked.

If you spend a lot of time in Cuba, the sentiment is that they don't trust Americans. You have to understand this from the Cubans point of view and how much they suffer with the bloqueo.

You know this is my culture and I see it as my birthright trip. I want to learn in Cuba from Cubans. I never got in any trouble but if it happened and I wanted to continue my travels to Cuba then I would just move to another country.

For the person asking about the Cuba stamp on the passport. Well, that 'stamp' costs money when you purchase your on-arrival entry visa. Now, the US has a reason to investigate if you bought it with US currency.

I suppose if you travel on legal Cuba tours, then you can have your stamp! ;')

Curious. Is RC giving y'all Cuba stamps????

I know this is possible on European cruises.

I thought these were all rules put in place by the us government. Not Cuba. Cuba has no problems with Americans travelling there through Canada.

 

 

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Yes. This is why Americans travel to Cuba.

If your a US Citizen, why would you openly violate the restrictions placed upon you?

 

 

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It is my understanding that it is not 'illegal' to visit Cuba. It is illegal to spend US currency. I exchanged Euros. I worked in China, so the money originated from there not US. US gov't can't stop people from traveling! Who told you this? It is up to the country to allow you enter. This is why Americans go to Cuba. Cuba gives visas to US passport holders.

Things also change with POTUS. When Clinton was POTUS, it wasn't strict. Clinton encouraged students to travel and even gave out grants. It is important to travel freely so that we can better understand the world.

Just walk up to the attendant and tell them you have special needs and your TA/RC gave you priority check-in. Show them the document and they will escort you to the front. This is if the line is slow.

Usually the line moves about in Galveston.

Have fun!!!!

I say save the money and watch it on You Tube! Travel channel have shown these ship's tours as well.

Tour the laundry room.......Yipeeeeeeee! I give you a tour of mine for $5! lol!!!

I don't think kids will like it.

Go do something fun like climbing the wall or give them extra money to play games, etc.

Ok one thing I wonder about all of this. Canadians and others from countries outside the us don't have these restrictions. So I'm assuming people who aren't us citizens can just get off the ship and wander around?

 

This all seems so strange to me. Cuba is the place everyone I know goes to for a cheap beach vacation.

 

 

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It is because Cuba doesn't trust Americans.

Everyone gets to travel to Cuba freely except Americans. There is tourism! Always. It is NOT this isolated place at all!

I have been going to Cuba for the last 10 years with USA passport. I fly from Guatemala or Costa Rica. You get your visa and entry stamp on a piece of paper. You exchange money at the airport. Then you are good to go!! Go back to Central America and fly to USA. I have never been questioned upon USA arrival.

I would never go to Cuba on cruise line or one of those guided American 'baby-sitter' tours. They have the same laws in places like Tibet, North Korea, Iran. All it does is jack up the price by 1,000's of dollars! Cuba Visa on arrival is $20. Travel companies already charging at least 3 times this price.

I think Land Based tours for Americans start at $2,500 for a week. Whaaaaat??? I can do Cuba comfortably for about $500 a week staying in a Casa. Then the people from the Casa people take you out to all the local places.

It is purely political.

It means they want all Americans escorted to minimize 'spy' activity. They don't trust us wandering about unescorted in their countries....hence, why we need to legally be on 'organized' tours. hahahah!

You are safe!!!! If you speak Spanish, you will have the time of your life! If you look Cuban, you can get away paying in Cuban pesos, too! ;')

gatita!!!!!

For the record, we had our lights on our balcony at first, but were asked to bring them inside.

 

In all fairness, we were in one of the center deck 10 aft junior suites (Navigator of the Seas), which is like a cave, with almost no wind, and numerous decks of balconies that progessively stick out further below. Would be nearly impossible for something to fall into the water from this balcony.

 

Dan.

 

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Safety concern. At night the cruise ships turn off all the lights to hide from the pirates!

I respectfully request equality for Gold Members! (hahah)

On my next cruise (3 weeks!!!) I am going to the Department Heads and politely request something special. Like DIAMOND special. I will report back!

Taking suggestions on what to request as this will be my second RC cruise and don't remember much from my first.

P.s. I am solo. Probably be bored on this cruise and this will give me something to do. As a hospitality professional (so, not doing this for the amenities/perks), I am curious, too. I often find cruise lines to be tightwads/strict when compared to the generosity of hotel/resorts vacations.

People spend FAR too much time worrying about what other people think.

 

The only one that matters is who you are with.

 

If you want to dress up, dress up. If not, then don't. Why is that so hard?

 

It's just as annoying to see militant anti-formal as it is to see militant formal. Go find something that is worth worrying about. What you are wearing means nothing to me- trust me, I know that for sure.

 

We have been on both sides of the formal coin even dining with the captain. Big deal. They certainly have not cared. They are far more interested in knowing about you.

 

It's so very simple- if you want to dress formally, do it. If you don't want to, don't.

hahaha! For those that pop a vein about what others wear should only go on Nudist cruises.

Problem solved!

Or, demand that when cruise officials inspect our luggage during pre-embarkation they confiscated all shorts and ratty t-shirts! hahahah!

I was reading another thread and someone posted this comment, " On my last RCI cruise there were over 1000 Diamond and above membersout of just over 3000 passengers. They had to convert a large lounge to the Diamond Lounge."

 

 

It made me think about how family-friendly cruising has become. I would think that some kids could very well be Diamond by their 18th birthday. It seems that there could be way more people hitting this status at earlier ages. I wonder if RC would raise the # of pts needed to hit the next status or just continue to make room for the larger number? Just wondering what some of you professional cruisers think :) I'll probably never make Emerald but it seems like so many young people will do that easily!

Sounds like RC needs a Diamond Kids/Teens Lounge! lol!!

Instead of drinks and services they can get some free internet and games. (unless, they already have something like).

Do they? I think it would be fun for a kid to 'own' their Diamond status. Start 'em young!

I am not surprised. A lot of young people travel and a lot. All over the world. I qualified for Traveler's Century Club when I was 28. Everyone else was 55+. There is only a handful of us, too.

I just hope that with so many people making Diamond, that it doesn't cheapen the program but gets better for y'all!

I am also hoping to like RC when I cruise in December since it is a local port.

My Daughter is a Diamond going on Diamond+ by her own right and she is only 12 yrs old.

Can't wait to be at SEA!!!

DD

So, who gets her Diamond drink coupons????? hahaha!

Just to confirm what others have said ...

 

Non Diamond companion does not have access to any of the Diamond benefits. It means that they are not allowed in the DL or get invites to special events.

This the equivalent of when an older gentleman takes their 18 year sugar baby to Vegas.

Literally, stuck in purgatory. hahahahah!

Our friend won't make that mistake ever again!

 

Arriving at the MDR entrance on formal night.

hahahah! Why can't we 'like' posts on this board?

After traveling with over a thousand Diamond and above cruisers for twenty-two days, you have no idea how this thread has made me smile!

 

I am now Emerald and so was invited to the Welcome Cocktail Party where we spent a good deal of time giving bravos to the new Pinnacle folks with their little awards, photos, etc.. Wait, I'm supposed to clap because people are wealthy and have lots of vacation time?

Yes! Don't forget to smile and curtsy at us! We like that, too! lol

Loyalty has it's benefits! ;-)

 

Glad everyone is taking this in the spirit is was meant. It's nice to have a little fun once in a while.

 

Now onto tipping the people who deliver my mail and packages!

When I lived at home the Postal workers wore a nice USPS uniform and delivered mail at the front yard. We spoke almost daily. During the holidays, my parents used to leave a jar of fancy nuts in our mailbox as a festive gesture.

Now, mail is delivered in bulk 1/2 a block from my house. I have never spoken to them except to tell them to stop putting my neighbors' mail in my assigned slot! When I drive by they are not even wearing a uniform. Looks like civilian workout clothes. They also wear head phones and listen to music.

This is my rant! (lol!!!!) I want to be neighborly and leave gifts, but society has changed!!!

Nothing was promised. But I would think it would make sense to them as a business to give some consideration to people that are in higher level cabins, have multiple cruises and live more than 20 minutes away. If it was only the once I wouldn't/didn't get that upset about it. Sticking me in the last group twice in a row makes me think the only logic they are using the first letter of my last name. Not saying I deserve group 1 or even 10, but seriously 37 two cruises in a row?

 

As a point of reference, I think Full Suites were in 4 and Diamonds were in 5.

 

Either way, they should follow their guidelines for self-carry. I went at my assigned time as I was told to do. If I would've known it was a line up, mob free for all, I would've been down there at 6:45, not 7:45. As I've done on other ships (we've been the first people to clear customs on Oasis).

I hope it all works out for you next time. You should call RC to let them know and figure why you get stuck in the last group.

Sorry, to hear about your troubles. I don't think it goes by cabin. Just curious. Is First Group disembarkation promised to y'all?

I know how to get off the ship first, but if I post I might get in trouble. I will give a hint. You have to put 'something' in your folio. (When your card gets scan, the Staff can see what it is and give you preference).

No. Cabin, status level or toddler is not it. Actually, I think small children may work against you in this case.

Wear it!

I also took an Ancestry DNA test.

I am everything but Asian! (0%) ahahahah!

If you can wear it to Walmart, you can wear it to formal night at the MDR.

hahahahahahahaha! Y'all are on it about those shorts!

That is a great idea!

I meant for me! I am on the Liberty! hahahahaha!

I am also going to decorate my door. I think it is cute when people do it and makes it more fun to walk the hallways.

hahahahah! If you still feel like spending.

Please order me the Bombay Sapphire and Tonic package! ;')

If you are a local sign up for the Travel Agent Tour. Not only is it free and very informative, but it also includes an exquisite (with wine) free lunch in the MDR.

Nobody should travel with more than 2 pieces of luggage that you can easily carry-on. Traveling is an art!

It is a vacation. Not an international move.