marcyjane Posted May 5, 2017 #226 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Question please on your Visa. Did I read and understand that on the first day in Cuba they kept the entire Visa. If so how do you go for your tour the second day?. Thanks Also on the car tour did you drive or did the tour guide drive and did you do this excursion through NCL excursions or book on you on with a private tour. Thanks if these question have been ask I sorry for asking again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CTCruiser001 Posted May 5, 2017 Author #227 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Question please on your Visa. Did I read and understand that on the first day in Cuba they kept the entire Visa. If so how do you go for your tour the second day?. Thanks Also on the car tour did you drive or did the tour guide drive and did you do this excursion through NCL excursions or book on you on with a private tour. Thanks if these question have been ask I sorry for asking again. They stamped my passport once securing my entire visa from me. From then on you can come and go as you please. All they did was ask me to remove my hat and glasses, compared my image on my passport and looked for the Cuba stamp. Going through customs the first time was the longest, maybe 20 or 25 minutes, mostly due to the waiting. After that it was maybe a few seconds going in or out as I pleased. Really no hassle at all. We booked our car tour through an outfit called, Havana Tours by Blexie. We had a car, driver, and tour guide for a total of 130 CUC$. We tipped an additional 50 CUC $ above that price since they were both so good to us. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Always Cruising Posted May 5, 2017 #228 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Andy Stuart is so young! Really enjoying your review and all of your interesting tips. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseGal999 Posted May 5, 2017 #229 Share Posted May 5, 2017 I like to think rules are made to be broken. :) Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Me too! I was once told by my then boss' wife ... "YOU are a MAVERICK!" :D I said "Thank you!". She replied "That was NOT a compliment!" LOL .... :') I asked her ... "how could it NOT be a compliment?" This country was founded by mavericks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2paradise Posted May 5, 2017 #230 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Following. What a fantastic review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillagesCelebrator Posted May 5, 2017 #231 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Following with great interest! I'm sailing on June 5th! Thanx for keeping us infomed. Enjoy your photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcyjane Posted May 5, 2017 #232 Share Posted May 5, 2017 What time did you have to be back on board the first day in Cuba. Thank you and also for taking time to post of this information for us that are sailing later to Cuba. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CTCruiser001 Posted May 5, 2017 Author #233 Share Posted May 5, 2017 What time did you have to be back on board the first day in Cuba. Thank you and also for taking time to post of this information for us that are sailing later to Cuba. No curfew. We were out until 1 am the first night. You are welcome to come and go the entire time the ship is docked. Cuban nightlife is quite lively! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonmom Posted May 5, 2017 #234 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Thank you so much for this review! It is exactly what I wanted it to be, lots of pictures and details. Some people might prefer a summary, but they can just check the CC reviews. I think the boards are more for these detailed experiences. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franperry4 Posted May 5, 2017 #235 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Heh! The only suggestion I have would be to carry water and if you carry a backpack, prepare for a soaked shirt! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk You refer to the heat several times. Do you know what the temperature was or can you estimate? Was it hotter than Miami? Were you allowed to bring bottled water off the ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havasammy Posted May 5, 2017 #236 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Thanks for the reviews. Would you suggest 10.30 or 11 to begin a private tour on the 1st day? How much was the cab from the pier to National Hotel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franperry4 Posted May 5, 2017 #237 Share Posted May 5, 2017 For people who have free time are there shops or places of interest within walking distance where you disembark the ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea_Legs38 Posted May 5, 2017 #238 Share Posted May 5, 2017 CTcruiser001, Did you or your wife feel sick after eating food or having any drinks with ice? As a repeat guest of Mexico, I cannot help but ask. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CTCruiser001 Posted May 5, 2017 Author #239 Share Posted May 5, 2017 You refer to the heat several times. Do you know what the temperature was or can you estimate? Was it hotter than Miami? Were you allowed to bring bottled water off the ship? It was hotter than Miami. Not certain the actual temps but I think there was a forecast listed on the dailies. We were allowed bring bottled water off the ship. Twice when returning, we had bottled water in our backpack that the Cuban security did not confiscate, and were allowed to bring these back on the ship where normally Norwegian does not allow this due to policy. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CTCruiser001 Posted May 5, 2017 Author #240 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Thanks for the reviews. Would you suggest 10.30 or 11 to begin a private tour on the 1st day? How much was the cab from the pier to National Hotel? I think 10 am is fine with the understanding you might be a bit late. There were lots of private tour guides holding signs when we crossed the street...They know the game, customs/security/money exchange, so they will understand. If you don't want to get off first thing, then a later tour might work better. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CTCruiser001 Posted May 5, 2017 Author #241 Share Posted May 5, 2017 For people who have free time are there shops or places of interest within walking distance where you disembark the ship? There were stores in the cruise terminal selling rum, shirts, and other cheap trinkets. There was one small booth selling over the counter pharmacy items. These stores all happily accepted USD$. Outside the cruise terminal there wasn't much within close walking distance, but if you were willing to go 250-300 yards, down some side streets and such you will find some stores. Mpre further away. Don't be afraid of walking around, we felt very safe the entire time and went down some shady looking streets! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CTCruiser001 Posted May 5, 2017 Author #242 Share Posted May 5, 2017 CTcruiser001, Did you or your wife feel sick after eating food or having any drinks with ice? As a repeat guest of Mexico, I cannot help but ask. Sent from my iPhone using Forums We ate/drank in three places within Havana. Never felt sick once. Of course, nothing is 100%...Just use your common sense and don't drink drinks with ice in places that are pop ups and have nothing to lose. Go to well established places which are frequented by tourist and locals alike, and you should be fine. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CTCruiser001 Posted May 5, 2017 Author #243 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Just docked in Miami! I will work on finishing this review at the airport and on the plane. I aim to have everything done and posted by the end of Saturday evening (5/06/17). Sorry for the delays and thanks for hanging in there with me! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biddi45 Posted May 5, 2017 #244 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Thanks again CTCruiser001 for taking the time out of your vacation to help others plan their future cruise going to Cuba. I cannot wait for the rest of your review. I currently have only one question: Was the casino closed the whole time it was dock at CUBA? When did it reopen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CTCruiser001 Posted May 5, 2017 Author #245 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Thanks again CTCruiser001 for taking the time out of your vacation to help others plan their future cruise going to Cuba. I cannot wait for the rest of your review. I currently have only one question: Was the casino closed the whole time it was dock at CUBA? When did it reopen? I cannot answer for sure, but I remember hearing folks complaining that the casino was closed. Maybe someone else will post soon who has better knowledge... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenidallas Posted May 5, 2017 #246 Share Posted May 5, 2017 We are on the plane headed to Florida now. We board Sky today for the 3 day Bahamas and then B2B for the 4 day Cuba next week. Did NCL have any of the evening parties (White Hot or Norwegian Night Out) while on board? I threw a white dress in just in case (can never hurt!) but was curious what the onboard schedule looked like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CTCruiser001 Posted May 5, 2017 Author #247 Share Posted May 5, 2017 We are on the plane headed to Florida now. We board Sky today for the 3 day Bahamas and then B2B for the 4 day Cuba next week. Did NCL have any of the evening parties (White Hot or Norwegian Night Out) while on board? I threw a white dress in just in case (can never hurt!) but was curious what the onboard schedule looked like. White Hot Party was Wednesday night. I do not remember a Norwegian's Night Out party. I have posted the dailies for day 1 and 2 already. I will try to get the other 2 days posted soon! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BostonGal35 Posted May 5, 2017 #248 Share Posted May 5, 2017 wonderful review! makes me want to go even more!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markf Posted May 5, 2017 #249 Share Posted May 5, 2017 casinos were closed, per the daily schedule while in port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea_Legs38 Posted May 5, 2017 #250 Share Posted May 5, 2017 How much were the Montecristo's #2's? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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