just back from dream cuba/mexico

[Julessmiles]

Nice photos Geo - thanks

[geomagot]

the malecon havana

 

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more havana

 

 

the divers monument in cozumel

 

 

a shoe tree in grand caymen??

 

 

.

[Little Nell]

Thanks for the pics, Geo.

 

I love the new colours in the lounges.

Edited January 8, 2015 by Little Nell

[kruzseeka]

Thanks for the pics geo - good to be able to visualise the changes. The Coffee Port is certainly different - has a more contemporary feel. Your photos of Havana bring back some great memories.

[jaztecc]

this is all good geomagot pics and very informative info as for the ziplining lets hope for everybody on board they can keep to the itinerary as I'm sure they'll be lots looking forward to the Tulum ruins, was cuba as good as people say as we are going to do our own thing as in getting off the ship for a wander, and thanks for the massive heads up on the airport in Jamaica as now we can prepare for a wait and stretch the legs after a long flight and grab a nice cold beer

[geomagot]

a quick word on (need to know) currency in cuba

 

the cuban tourist currency is the cuban convertible peso, they also have the local peso but tourists cant use them (local pesos can only buy essential items such as sugar/beans/rice etc)

 

the cuban convertible peso (cuc) is a closed currency so it can only be obtained in cuba, there is an exchange desk in the terminal

 

they will exchange sterling, euros, us dollars, there is a 10% fee on us dollars so we used euros, we exchanged 50 euros and received 58 peso

 

havana is very cheap.....example: we bought 2 cuba libres (rum & cokes) & 2 cokes in a bar total price 7 pesos (btw its local cola, there is no coke/pepsi in cuba)

 

baguette sandwich in a cafe 3 peso (filled with fresh tuna...not tinned)

 

local beer is cristal 1.50 peso

 

there is not much to buy in the shops, there are a few touristy shops in the old town selling the usual fridge magnets and t shirts, however, we happened on a craft market (a proper craft market) where every thing was locally made: jewellery/wood carvings/hand painted items/pottery/hand knitted items/handmade leather shoes, sandals, bags, belts, a pair of handmade leather sandals 15 peso, handmade leather bag about 30 peso.... v good value imo and v good quality

 

admissions to the rum factory/fort etc 1 peso

 

2 hour taxi tour in a classic car 20 peso (for the taxi...you can fit about 5 people in the car)

 

tipping is expected everywhere (driver/doormen/waiters/musicians/anyone who does anything at all for you) all seemed very happy with a couple of pesos

 

on the other hand tho

 

we visited this pharmacy (i wanted to photograph the old fashioned jars) this was not a museum, this is a functioning shop but the only things for sale were a few bath sponges that you can see on the shelves and a few all imported items which were locked in a glass case on the counter such as toothpaste/plasters/sun lotion etc and all very expensive, tube of toothpaste was over 10 peso (all the apothecary jars were empty btw)

 

 

hope this helps

 

.

[geomagot]

this is all good geomagot pics and very informative info as for the ziplining lets hope for everybody on board they can keep to the itinerary as I'm sure they'll be lots looking forward to the Tulum ruins, was cuba as good as people say as we are going to do our own thing as in getting off the ship for a wander, and thanks for the massive heads up on the airport in Jamaica as now we can prepare for a wait and stretch the legs after a long flight and grab a nice cold beer

 

havana was lovely for a wander around jaz, the streets are narrow and cobbled but its easy to navigate as they are set out in a grid (so keep going left and you will end up back where you started) there is no traffic in the old town and v little traffic on the main roads, the malecon (seafront) is a wide avenue that runs for miles, passing cannon, forts, parks and stunning buildings with some lovely views out to sea and views across the modern city of havana, most of the traffic is classic cars and horses and carts, lada's & cyclists

 

on the tulum ruins.... those booked on that tour still went out there from cozumel they were ferried across to playa del carmen where they boarded buses, their time at the ruins was reduced (because of the time taken to transfer) but thoms refunded half of the cost (there was some grumbling about this....but, personally i feel thoms did all they could given the circumstances...... they cant control the weather!)

 

hope this helps

Edited January 9, 2015 by geomagot

[csmjfmbe]

What a fantastic thread and photo,s.

Thanks for all the super information, we join the Dream next Tuesday for two weeks and your information has been very useful.

Thanks again

Mike and Janice

[happy v]

Absolutely fabulous review and photos Geo, you do have a way with words.

 

I think the new sun deck would make me feel like a sardine, it's so squashed.

In the brochure I'm sure it stated luxury sunbeds. Anyone else read this or was it just in my dreams? :confused::rolleyes::D

[mansej]

Great pictures, thank you

[Sheila49]

Absolutely fabulous review and photos Geo, you do have a way with words.

 

I think the new sun deck would make me feel like a sardine, it's so squashed.

In the brochure I'm sure it stated luxury sunbeds. Anyone else read this or was it just in my dreams? :confused::rolleyes::D

 

I don't remember the luxury sunbeds happy v but I'm sure they said the new sun deck would be "chic":confused:

[geomagot]

ports of call part 2 (cuban fusion)

 

montego bay: this was our middle day, we departed the ship with no particular place to go? in the terminal there's a few souvenir shops, a bar and a duty free shop, quite good prices on cigs and bottles here (better than on the ship…better even than on the 15% off offer day on the ship…the sea day)

 

nowhere walkable from the port so we jumped into a taxi, (mini buses) which the driver filled up before leaving, you could elect to be dropped off in downtown montego bay at the hip strip and beaches for $5pp, or continue on in the minibus and take 1.5 hour tour for $10pp then be either, dropped at the hip strip or back at the ship, we elected to be dropped at the hip strip

 

here is where you can find all the touristy shops, restaurants, cafes, margaritaville and the beach clubs dr cave beach and aquasol beach club

 

both beaches are next door to each other, we decided to try aquasol this time, its the same sand and water but aquasol is slightly smaller beach and slightly cheaper then dr cave's next door, aquasol $5pp entry which includes free use of the picnic tables or a further $5 for a sunbed, there is a bar and restrooms, this beach club was more lively with loud music accompanied by a dj and various little shows (stiltwalking/glass walking!/dancing) there were security guards on duty, we spent a pleasant few hours here attempting to not get my hair braided/have a massage/go on a boat ride/buy any beads/flags/cake? or any odd substances?

 

we then took a walk along the hip strip, this road is very busy this part of montego bay is old and not designed for the volume of modern traffic, its hard to get across the road the only way is to shut your eyes and run (somehow they stop or manage to avoid you)

 

easy to get a taxi back to the ship (they are constantly stopping) fare $5 again, this looks to be the set rate whether you take a minibus or private taxi

 

taxi drivers are very friendly and will give you a running commentary on various landmarks on the way, its a 10 minute drive but I would err on caution and give yourselves a little extra time to allow for traffic hold ups depending on the time of day

 

we then enjoyed yet another day at sea...(oh joy!...sorry that just slipped out):o

 

playa del carmen: well...I have already explained above what happened in pdc, we never got to see it, but for those that may be interested here's how the tender operation works (or didnt work in the case of pdc)

 

all the booked thoms shorex pax leave in the first tenders, then tendering is opened to those wising to go ashore independently (that was us) announcements are made throughout the ship

 

when the tenders are open, you go along to the medusa lounge to collect a numbered ticket then you wait until your number is called and make your way to the tender door (our tickets started at 328) they called upto about 260...then it went quiet? no more numbers were called, tendering was suspended, we then found ourselves sailing over to cozumel (again...oh joy) the crossing and docking took about 2 hours then we were finally let ashore to enjoy yet another visit to cozumel

 

we took a 15 minute taxi ride to mr sanchos beach club $20 for the taxi, this was a lovely white sand beach with a bars/restaurants/shops and various pay extra activities atv'v/horseback riding/scuba/kayaks etc and a swimming pool with a swim up bar, if you are consuming beverages use of the palapas/pool etc is free or you can opt for an all inclusive ticket (all you can eat or drink all day)...sorry I dont know how much that was? as it was a little late in the day by this time we opted for the payg beverages and free use of pool etc

 

for some strange reason the taxi fare back to the ship was $25?? (they were all quoting that?)

 

that night we finally bid farewell to cozumel (hurrah) and sailed for havana

 

havana deserves a part 3 all of its own (coming soon....dont go away)

 

.

[gillhalfpint]

Loved the reviews. Looking forward to doing some of your ports Roatan, Costa Maya and Cozumel when we go on Jan 20th. We might be brave enough to do taxi rides this time. Always booked ship tours before but only have 1 pre booked for Panama Canal on our second week this time. Good to know I can spend all my dollars if there is no exit tax for cruise passengers too.

[jaztecc]

havana deserves a part 3 all of its own (coming soon....dont go away) this is great info so not going anywhere

[geomagot]

part 3 havana

 

havana: we arrived at about 2pm, guys if you are sailing towards havana make sure you are near a window or on the ships rail (starboard) for the sail in, it is truly spectacular! not only do you get a great view of the malecon and havana stretching out into the distance but it seems like the whole town has come out to greet you, cars and busses were stopping, people gathered on the malecon all waving and cheering us in:cool:

 

cars were tooting, crowds gathered, people on the ship were waving and cheering from the rail, poor suzy the assistant cruise director was trying to hold some sort of poolside quiz at the time (there’s always some sort of game/quiz at 2pm) to which hardly anyone was paying any attention to (she soldiered on without even a sideways glance...what a trooper...poor girl)

 

meanwhile and after the ship had docked the cubans presented each of us with several forms to fill in (landing cards and customs declarations) thomsons had already given each passenger a letter warning of the perils of havana? we were told that it was a requirement to carry our passports ashore at all times and were warned of pickpockets etc

 

in fact thoms went to great lengths to inform us that in the event of anyone losing their passport ashore? and as it was the weekend their only option would be to leave us in havana and we would have to (somehow) make our own way home (the gist of the letter was if you lose your passport you are stuffed!)

 

so guys, keep you passports safe/close to you while ashore

 

queues to disembark in havana were horrendous!, first the queue for the ebola check, then the queue for the customs check, then the queue for immigration, queue to have your bag scanned and finally the queue at the money exchange desk.....after about an hour (maybe more? i had given up hope by this time) we were finally out onto the streets on havana

 

well wow! it was well worth the wait, havana old town takes your breath away, the streets are narrow and cobbled there is no traffic (apart from cyclists & cycle rickshaws) the roads are closed off by cannons (which serve as bollards), there is vibrant colour everywhere, soft salsa music echoing out of the bars, the clatter of horse and cart, clock chimes ringing out in the distance, the hum of footsteps, maybe the sound of someone sweeping and spanish chatter mingled in with the cigar smoky air, its very atmospheric (we are not used to not hearing the sound of traffic in a street here at home!...its surreal... when you go there...just listen)

 

we enjoyed wandering around for hours, stopping off for mojitos and generally gazing up at the crumbling facades and faded monuments

 

some important buildings have been renovated but if you look inside the door or windows (if there is a door?) the interiors are completely derelict with vines and trees growing out of the once magnificent marble floors

 

bars and restaurants can be found mainly upstairs (look up and you will see them) there is nearly always a balcony (the ground floors seem to be used for storing stuff?) you can sit and enjoy a daiquiri and watch the world pass by below

 

we listened to the musicians, enjoyed a couple of cuba libres and practiced our spanish arriving back at the ship at gone midnight :eek:

 

while walking the streets at night we didn’t feel at all threatened (unlike parts of bristol at night) we wandered about freely, there were families out enjoying the evening, people strolling, it was very relaxing...everyone was relaxed and no traffic to distract you, we didnt venture into any unlit areas (there were a dark alleys) but everywhere we wandered seemed perfectly safe, the people friendly and welcoming (and we didnt even get lost)

 

the next day up bright and early for a walk along the malecon...a lovely walk along the seafront with a cool breeze blowing in from the sea, past the fishermen, gazing at the classic cars on the way, we walked up to the fort, poked about in the dungeons for a time and then climbed into an open top classic car taxi for a 2 hour tour, we disappeared into the tunnel under the estuary and visited the fort on the other side, the lighthouse, and the cigar factory then back through the tunnel and up to revolution square and a stop off at the floridita (the home of the daiquiri) £20 plus we tipped the driver $5

 

back to the ship for a repeat performance of the sailin but in reverse, as the sun slowly set we were sent on our way with more cheering, tooting and waving from the shore

 

fabulous!

 

we have been to havana before and it didnt fail to impress again this time, its vital to get there soon guys? before it fills up with macdonalds and starbucks

 

we then enjoyed yet another sea day (grrrrrr....there it is?...the sea...yet again...still there...waving? or whatever the sea does??)

 

next was grand caymen (a tender port)

 

grand caymen: this is where al the worlds money is hidden... and it shows, every brick appears as if it has been polished and the streets vacuumed, manicured hedges and perfect flower beds abound...its very pretty

 

this time we tendered over to the port with no problems and minimal waiting, the port sent over its own tenders which held more capacity than the usual ships lifeboats so there was minimum waiting, we just collected our tender tickets and boaded the tender straight away for the15 minute trip to shore

 

there are some shops and a bar in the port area but we walked straight through and out to the car park where local taxis (minibuses) were filling up with their drivers calling out the various destinations.....stingray city/island tours/beaches, we chose 7 mile beach $5pp

 

7 mile beach is actually a series of different beach clubs, some are free, some are pay to enter, the minibus will stop at all of them and you can choose which one you like the look of (price of)

 

1st stop royal palms $5pp entry...looked nice (dunno what you got for the $5 entry fee?) 2nd stop sea grape free (we chose this one...yes I am a tightwad) last stop tikki beach $30pp!! :eek:

 

all the beaches on grand caymen are public so we walked through the lobby of sea grape, hung a right and walked along the beach to ($30pp) tikki beach which was right next door and put our towels down on the sand for free ;) they had sunbeds and a pool but there was no-one there (probably because of the entrance price)

 

the sand is powder soft and white and the sea v shallow, clear and warm, we enjoyed a lovely couple of hours relaxing in what turned out to be a virtually deserted part of the beach (remember if you walk through the lobby of tikki beach you be will charged.....if you just wander up the beach from sea grape you wont be charged and as it is a public beach you have every right to sit there/swim there if you want);)

 

at lunchtime we walked back down to sea grape for lunch, sea grape has a bar/resturant with a large wooden deck and plenty of picnic tables on the beach and free wifi (fast) if you buy a drink

 

but grand caymen is v expensive! we ordered 2 burgers & 2 cups of coke for lunch.....$38!! :eek: (thats about £15 per burger!!) ice creams were $10!! made a mental note to take sandwiches off the buffet if there ever is a next time in grand caymen

 

easy to get a taxi back, they sit outside the beach clubs until they are full (again $5pp)

 

we sailed that night back to montego bay and home

 

will add some observations on the disembarkation in montego bay and some notes on the all important question of the food soon... keep watching

[jaztecc]

great heads up on everything... Q's are you allowed to carry a copy of your passport instead of using the genuine article and also do you have to go through all the cuban checks again on the next day of that stop... thanks again

[geomagot]

great heads up on everything... Q's are you allowed to carry a copy of your passport instead of using the genuine article and also do you have to go through all the cuban checks again on the next day of that stop... thanks again

 

no jaz...no copies... you will need your passports everytime you leave/enter the terminal and your bags will be scanned (you may even get a patdown) cuban immigration is very thorough

[geomagot]

 

then climbed into an open top classic car taxi for a 2 hour tour, we disappeared into the tunnel under the estuary and visited the fort on the other side, the lighthouse, and the cigar factory then back through the tunnel and up to revolution square and a stop off at the floridita (the home of the daiquiri) £20 plus we tipped the driver $5

 

 

sorry guys...this should read pesos:o

[geomagot]

some notes on disembarking the ship in mobay

 

a couple of days before you are due to depart, thoms will deliver to your cabin some jamaican immigration forms, luggage tags and a letter detailing your departure from the ship time (no announcements are made on the day) reception will also help with online checkin or reprinting of lost boarding cards (oops)

 

if you do happen to lose your boarding cards/documents (ooops!) :o do not...repeat do not! buy the ships internet package to enable you to print them off again from the thomsons website ....the internet package costs £18 (for 180 minutes) :eek: and it is so slow that it would have been quicker to walk to google and ask them in person! if there is more than one gadget logged on at any time you have no chance of ever getting online (a complete waste of time & cash)

 

however all is not lost, reception will kindly sort out any airline checkin issues for you (phew panic over!)

 

you tag your bags yourself and put them outside your cabin the night before disembarkation, your bags will then be shipped straight to your aircraft

 

jamaican immigration is done in the cruise terminal on dissembarkation before you go to the airport, they dont stamp your passport, they may (randomly) check your hand luggage? (they didnt ask any health questions)

 

the airport is about a 30 minute transfer and you are dropped outside the checkin hall, no need to queue for bag drop, cruise passengers are directed straight to security

 

at security you can jump the queue for immigration, cruise passengers enter the airside departure hall though a separate channel... so far so good

 

however

 

once inside the departure hall montego bay airport officials take over every aspect of your life, official officialdom by officials is very official in mobay, if you dare to ask any questions you will be looked up and down, suffer several withering glances and your questions will not be answered, if you are lucky the officials may point you towards a sign :rolleyes:

 

we arrived to find our scheduled take off time (displayed on the screens) was 1.5 hours later than stated on our documents, on enquiring if there was a delay we were informed that this was not a delay! they had only changed the departure time a little bit?? err?? okay?? not a delay then?? pointing at the scheduled time printed on my boarding card (this didn’t go down too well with the officials i might add!) :p

 

anyway, suffice to say no-one had told us of this delay/change of time before we left the ship (mobay airport probably hadnt told the ship this information either) so we settled into mobay airport for a long wait (thankfully there is a smoking lounge with a bar and a nice view of the runway...up the stairs next to boarding gate 9)

 

spare a thought for poor birmingham, they were scheduled to fly at 5.45 but the time had been brought forward to 4.20 (not sure what to call the opposite of a delay?....this probably only ever happens at mobay?) obviously they didn’t get away at that time because most passengers hadn’t been informed of the time change either and were still on the way to airport at the time the aircraft was due to take off!

 

we eventually left about 2 & half hours after our scheduled departure time ........ poor birminham were still sitting in the departure lounge as we taxied away

 

I believe manchester was also delayed because the crew failed to turn up?! :confused: (maybe mobay forgot to tell them their aircraft was waiting?)

 

so guys... dont expect much help from montego bay airport (I dont think any of this is thoms fault? they usually have their transfers from ship to aircraft down to a fine art)

 

there followed a pretty good flight on the dreamliner with a hot 3 course dinner, a good selection of pause & play movies/tv/music & games, free bar and a hot bacon or cheese roll for breakfast, pillows blankets and snazzy light show :cool:

[jaztecc]

ohh no not good news on the delays as we have to catch a flight back home from Gatwick to cork we have got a good 5hr gap from landing in Gatwick but mobay sounds very lackadaisical so fingers crossed

[gillhalfpint]

Brilliant reviews you do. Love your style. Would make a great travel guide.

 

We were going to book a taxi back from Birmingham, but as they charge £20 and hour waiting time if you are over an hour late, think I will be safer taking the number and ring them when we land!!

[Julessmiles]

Lots of rumblings on FB tonight about the current Dream cruise - 2 ports of calls have been cancelled so only 2 ports of call in a week! Whenever we have had a port of call cancelled, Thomson have always provided an alternative.....

[kruzseeka]

Lots of rumblings on FB tonight about the current Dream cruise - 2 ports of calls have been cancelled so only 2 ports of call in a week! Whenever we have had a port of call cancelled, Thomson have always provided an alternative.....

 

Oh dear...... is that due to adverse weather Jules?

[happy v]

I don't remember the luxury sunbeds happy v but I'm sure they said the new sun deck would be "chic":confused:

 

I know it's late, but it has taken a while to find where I read it.;)

 

In the latest brochure pg.7 under Grand Designs:-

 

"You can look forward to the Sun Lounge too, a new sunbathing area featuring stylish daybeds."

 

I guess the designers hadn't read the brochure!!!!:rolleyes::D

[happy v]

You describe Havana so well. I think it's fantastic, and like you we wandered for hours. In fact I think we went in the same chemists just to look.

I hope the Americans don't ruin it like they have most of the other Islands.

Edited January 11, 2015 by happy v