Cruises to Cuba?

[cowetamom]

On our first cruise, we never realized we could sleep so well. We went out on the deck to layout for just maybe on hour before dinner. Fell asleep,, without any sunscreen on. Few hours later, well you can only imagine. All of our formal pics were quite red. And I don't mean red eye.

 

Learned a lesson that day. Sunscreen no matter how long you are outside.

 

Sarah

[oklahomagirl]

I will watch out for the "cruise burn." :)

 

Loved the slide show.

 

Are you from Oklahoma too? We live north of Enid.

[Aquahound]

I was wondering if there are certain things you only see on cruise ships that you don't see anywhere else.

 

Large men doing belly-flops for a keychain.

 

Half-naked men wearing bras in a game called Quest - for a keychain.

 

You can sit at a bar and chat with a bartender from India, go to dinner and talk to a waiter from Turk and Caicos and a busser from Jamaica, go get a massage from a woman from Sweden, go to another bar and talk to a bartender from Trinidad.................

[gg3]

Things that you only find on a cruise ship: The amount of food 24/7. Imagine crepes, chocolate buffet, or pizza at midnight. Water in the pool and the bathtub "slosh" with the rhythm of the waves. Tiny, but adequate, showers. It is easy to get off the elevator on your cabin deck and turn the wrong direction....real easy. Tip: red carpet on port side, blue carpet runners on starboard side. Easy way to remember port and starboard side of ship. Port is left side (both have 4 letters). Starboard is right. Throw up bags posted beside the elevator doors when in rough water. Many folks decorate their metal cabin doors - I just put a "theme" magnet on mine to make it easier to locate. Big sunshine when cruising the Carib. and when cruising Alaska, I have a magnet with wolves, whales, bears, etc. Watching fish fly through the water beside your ship, or even more awesome, a humpback whale off the bow of your ship - and if you are lucky he will show that magnificent tail as he throws himself through the air. And so much more..................:) gg

[cruzmax]

Almost everyone is smiling - you don't see that on a normal - at home - day. Don't see very many people on a cruise with stressed out faces!

[montana200024]

friendly staff. always smiling, always helpful

friendly passengers, always smiling, always helpful..

what more can you ask for..it is the most amazing vacation you could ever take..have fun..enjoy:D

[tinmanswife]

People talking to each other that look like they've known each other for a long time and actually just struck up a conversation 10 minutes ago.

[Grandpaul]

Up until recently you weren't bothered by cell phones but that is changing. You get to know some of the entertainers. We are still good friends with a musician we met on a cruise 5 years ago. Where else but on a cruise could you see Acapulco and beautiful Costa Rica, go thru the Panama Canal, swim with the Sting Rays in Grand Cayman and end up at Disney World and Kennedy Space Center all in one trip?

[Tropicalgal]

I wouldn't go so far as to suggest, though, that Havana is going to become a large competitor to Florida as a homeport. It doesn't really offer anything logistically (in the way San Juan does) to sail from there, and I think they would severly cut their marketshare back by making people fly there to board a ship. And I don't think the local drive-up market will be ready to support large ships for a few years LOL.

 

But as a port of call? If the embargo ends on a Tuesday, ships will be stopping there Wednesday.

 

Actually, I would think that Havana could be a major competitor as a homeport.

Havana is already receiving ships... and are building more ports in anticipation of the influx:

http://www.cruisehavana.com/news01.html

Think of how many Americans would do a "Stay & Cruise" vacation... stay one week at a Cuban Resort and then go for a weeklong cruise.

As well, the Key West Chamber of Commerce has a twenty year tourism plan, including in the future of combining their tourism with Cuban Ferry daytrips & charter flights for Americans who may want to combine their vacations in the USA & Cuba:

http://www.keywestchamber.org/PDF/Vision_2020_rev_i.PDF

http://www.cubanet.org/CNews/y00/jan00/12e3.htm

It should be a very interesting future to behold, eh?

:rolleyes:

[SheriNtexas]

U.S. government policy notwithstanding, do you think the major cruise lines will ever make Cuba a destination? It has some fantastic natural areas, historic cities, is not run over with commercialism, and it is so close to Florida.

 

Any views?

 

 

Being so close to Florida might make it an attractive port of call, but I would never go there while Fidel Castro is in power. If you buy anything there, wouldn't that be supporting Castro since he is a dictator? Maybe when Castro dies Cuba can become a democracy and then cruise ships can go there!

[trevette1981]

I agree--give it a few years. That Fidel probably only has a few more left in him anyhow. I would go ASAP once it opens up though. The charm of the old 50's cars, etc. will be taken over by Walmarts, Holiday Inns, and McDonalds. As a twentysomething,I really don't understand the whole situation. I mean the Soviet Union went away when I was in 5th grade. Why are we so concerned with this little island with, well, not much on it in the way of industry, military, etc. Seriously.

 

I know. What's the big deal? Maybe I am just just young.LMAO.

[newmexicoNita]

When Castro is gone, many things in Cuba may change, and yes, I see it as being one of the primium ports. NMnita

[alwzrgt]

NMnita - your a TA right

Keep my name and book me on the first available cruise into Cuba

 

I'd love to go, and have seriously considered entering from Mexico

 

Apparently, they will not stamp your passport if you ask - it is a small "house" stamp in the corner of your page.

[newmexicoNita]

NMnita - your a TA right

Keep my name and book me on the first available cruise into Cuba

 

I'd love to go, and have seriously considered entering from Mexico

 

Apparently, they will not stamp your passport if you ask - it is a small "house" stamp in the corner of your page.

and I might just join you. LOL

[earl_m]

I am sure the minute Castro dies, there will be invasion of ship heading toward Cuba and they won't be arm navel ships

[pms4104]

I can only see the embargo lifted if the Cuban government, regardless of who is/will be the Cuban leader, is agreeable to establishing a government which is to the liking of those in Washington. 'Tis a shame, as I believe there is much interesting history and culture and many natural areas to be enjoyed in Cuba.

[Sally Forth]

"U.S. Government policy notwithstanding..."

 

There you have it. As soon as that changes, the cruise ships will call at Cuba. Canadians have been enjoying it by the planeload for years.

And lots of Americans, too. I can't believe how many just go to Mexico or Canada for flights and don't think anything of it.

 

Viv

[Vampire Parrot]

Both my sister (Janet) and a good friend (Sara) have taken a fortnight's holiday in Cuba, flying directly from the UK and they really loved it. Unspoilt, not crowded, polite, friendly people, wonderful beaches.....

 

So I certainly hope that Cuba soon becomes a cruise destination! From what other posters have said (i.e. cruise lines have already started preparing), it's obvious that it is only US government policy that is stopping ships from already including Cuba in their itinerary.

[tinykygal]

My DH and I met a US couple in Grand Caymans last year and they were planning to fly to Cuba for the day. They told us that an American could fly there from Grand Caymans , maybe other places, just not from the US.

Does anyone know about this?

[JolieMadam]

It's hard to imagine that Castro hasn't groomed Raul or someone else to keep the Cuban government a dictatorship. He's spent over forty-five years at this and I don't see it coming apart after he "departs."

[sandy toes]

I was lucky enough to be there with my Dad when I was only 4-6. I remember the beaches, the cars (low riders even then), the friendly people, the wonderful friends (children of the locals that I played with, 2 that I still have contact with), the food! My Dad still raves about the coffee and cigars (but he does like the DR ones alot now). I would love to see it open before I loose my Dad. I would book a cruise for the both of us in a minute! In fact, I will book us a plane/hotel trip even before all the cruise line details get worked out. Dad says the Key West /Cuban packages will be a major new income for the KW people. But Raul may keep any of this for happening for a long, long time. I hope not more for the people of Cuba than for my desire to return. Some have family they have not seen for 40 plus years. That is just too sad for me to even imagine.

[seadancer]

I too will be on the second boat because all the Cubans here in florida will return on the first one:D . The Bahamaians will be in trouble when this happens. I already know lots of people who book cruises that dont stop in Nassau because of the mess down there. A little competiton may do them some good.

[chilldowns]

The mix od attire on Formal night- any theingg from blue jeans, shorts, old prom , bridesmaid, first communion dresses to tuxedos, elegant attire. We sit by the casino Formal night and watch people go by and vote for the worst/most biazzare/hideous attire.

[houcruzer]

Last 3 cruises......walked on the ship the first day, got some lunch, head to the room to drop off carry ons. Leave the room, walking to the elevator and hear our room steward (whom we've not met yet) holler down the hallway at us..."Good Afternoon Mr John and Ms Lisa."

 

How do they know your name before you've even seen them? Talk about feeling welcome and special.......

[ancldaca]

If and when Cuba opens to American commerce again in a general sense (it already is with some restritions), it will probably become a cruise destination rather quickly.

 

At first, becuse of lack of proper infrastructure, smaller ships will like make calls (think 750-1000 pax. size). After a while, once port facilities are expanded, etc. the megas will likely pour in. Also, let's remember that it isnt just port facilities that need to be on par, but excursions, local transportation, restaurants, etc.

 

Think about it. Right now, most Western Caribbean cruises hit the same 4 ports (Bahamas, Jamaica, Caymans, Mexico). It's escentially a "round Cuba cruise" in the first place.

 

You bet they are gonna add Cuba and knock off a "day at sea".

 

FWIW, here in PR, tourism industry people are scared for the day Cuba can become an American destination again because it'll pull the rug out under our industry...