Live from Empress - May 20, 2017 (Key West, Havana, and Cozumel)

[Mahini]

 

I hope everyone found my review useful. It may not have been the most interesting or fun, but wanted to share some information that I had been looking for in other reviews. Will look over photos to fill in.

 

Thanks everyone for responding so positively!

 

 

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Thank you for you review. I found it most informative. To me, half the fun of traveling is the research before hand. I will be on the Empress October 11 sailing, and will actually be spending my birthday in Havana. Looking forward to having a Cuba Libre in Cuba.

[Ronni G]

Hi - Will be sailing in July. Can you give me the information on your private tour....name and contact information of tour provider. Thanks!!

 

 

 

[ [rovatequote=Alter Ego;53111714]On Tuesday, I received the following informational email:

 

 

All great info to have - perhaps a little sooner would have been nice? Not much one can do about anything at this point. Although, really, if one is going to Cuba, one should already know these things.

 

Several people on my roll call got a different email. One that is causing a bit of drama...

 

When excursions were first available, the 8 hour tour was $116. It climbed to over $200. However, roll call members just received an email that they need to cancel the 8 hour tour - it simply can't be done within the time constraints. They are offering a shorter tour for $145ish. A savings for those who purchased late, but a hit for those who paid the $116. Hopefully, we'll hear from someone with a positive solution. I personally will be taking a private tour. And, since my 2nd passenger cancelled, that means just me solo. Should be interesting! LOL

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

Hi - Will be sailing in July. Can you give me the information on your private tour....name and contact information of tour provider. Thanks!!

 

 

 

 

 

I used Havana Journeys, currently ranked #2 on TripAdvisor and I recommend also looking at reviews there. I don't see my guides name mentioned in the recent reviews, but this is her 2nd job so maybe she doesn't do many tours. I admit I may have had an...uglier car LOL. Don't know if you could request a convertible- they usually cost more I think.

 

Havanajourneys . com / en (without the spaces - don't recall if cruise critic allows links?)

 

I didn't get a response right away; it took a few days. Also, I no longer see any prices online so have no idea what the charge would be. I may have gotten very lucky planning so far in advance, before cruise traffic.

 

 

 

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[ADS94]

Funny, just found this thread now. I was just on this cruise as well, surprised I wasn't in one of the shots of the sailaway going under the bridge in Tampa, I was up there as well. Who was your tour guide for the Mayan ruins? Almost looks like we were on the same tour bus.

[Alter Ego]

Who was your tour guide for the Mayan ruins? Almost looks like we were on the same tour bus.

 

 

 

Patrick, who was great.

 

But, you are unintentionally bringing up a sore subject. I WAS there in time for bus #1, but I was traveling solo and they took a couple ahead of me.

 

So, that would mean that I was first in line for bus #2. But, as we were lining up, the guide pulled me out and brought me to the final bus #4 because they miscounted.

 

So, after I was waiting for almost an hour, I finally left on Patrick's bus and he was very good. It was not a good start to an otherwise wonderful tour.

 

 

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[ADS94]

Patrick, who was great.

 

But, you are unintentionally bringing up a sore subject. I WAS there in time for bus #1, but I was traveling solo and they took a couple ahead of me.

 

So, that would mean that I was first in line for bus #2. But, as we were lining up, the guide pulled me out and brought me to the final bus #4 because they miscounted.

 

So, after I was waiting for almost an hour, I finally left on Patrick's bus and he was very good. It was not a good start to an otherwise wonderful tour.

 

 

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I remember that. I am not sure which bus I was on (#1 or #2 - I believe #1, Silvia's group), I felt like that whole ordeal was a mess. They kept us waiting for a long period of time under that large tiki hut, and several members of our group didn't have tags with the tour guide's name on them.

 

From what I heard a few people missed out on the drinks at Margaritaville because of it.

[johninwv]

I have read conflicting comments on the tours in Cuba. Do you have to be booked on an excursion in order to get off of the ship?

[Alter Ego]

I have read conflicting comments on the tours in Cuba. Do you have to be booked on an excursion in order to get off of the ship?

 

 

 

No, you do not need to be on a cruise sponsored excursion. About 1,000 of the appropriate 1,600 on board had cruise excursions; the remainder were on their own (a small percent stayed in the boat.)

 

When you get to the terminal in Tampa (or Miami, whatever), you will need to affirm that you either are taking a cruise tour, are taking your own person-to-person tour (you would likely choose this) or fall under another category for Cuba travel (I think education or visiting family, etc.)

 

But, you absolutely do not need to take a cruise sponsored excursion.

 

(I say this with the caveat that there are no changes to US/Cuba relations.)

 

 

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[cruisetmc]

Thanks for an awesome trip report.

 

Lots of useful information, we are thinking of taking this cruise in 2018.

[UKWLDCruise]

When excursions were first available, the 8 hour tour was $116. It climbed to over $200. However, roll call members just received an email that they need to cancel the 8 hour tour - it simply can't be done within the time constraints. They are offering a shorter tour for $145ish. A savings for those who purchased late, but a hit for those who paid the $116. Hopefully, we'll hear from someone with a positive solution.

 

My solution for the May 20th cruise was not to cancel until I got on the ship. They canceled my $124 eight hour tour and replaced it with a $93 six hour one. Result $31 refund on my ship account.

[fishswim]

How long were the main shows - 1 hour? Longer? Additionally, which cruise ship shows/game shows do you recommend (e.g., majority rules? quest? etc.)? Thanks so much for an amazing review.

Edited June 4, 2017 by fishswim

[Alter Ego]

How long were the main shows - 1 hour? Longer? Additionally, which cruise ship shows/game shows do you recommend (e.g., majority rules? quest? etc.)? Thanks so much for an amazing review.

 

 

 

I can't recall exactly, but an hour sounds right, if not less. If they went over, it was probably because of Elvis making an announcement. These aren't the Broadway shows that are on the larger ships. I believe some of the Cuba Q&A sessions probably went over.

 

I would recommend the Welcome Show just so you can get an idea of what will be on the ship during the week; can gauge whether you will want to spend the time. Honestly, I think there was a problem with the sound on the last production show as the singers didn't sound great. But, as I had seen them twice before, at least I knew that versus had I gone that one night.

 

I personally like the game shows. I don't go to the casino or go to the various trivia sessions. It's all subjective. If you've never seen Quest before, it's usually fun to go at least once. The cruise director and his staff are usually in top form. If you don't want to participate, sit upstairs like I did. Maybe you'll think it's stupid. Just hard to tell what someone I don't know would like.

 

Edited to add: I LOVE Love&Marriage and, to me, is the one must see game show. Is really my favorite, although I guess it depends on the contestants (who are usually good.)

 

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Edited June 4, 2017 by Alter Ego

[waverley7]

You did a wonderful job on your review! I really enjoyed it and Pictures were great to see. I love seeing other peoples photo's.

 

Looks like you had a wonderful time. Thanks for the review! :cool:

[Dawg67]

Can you tell me the walking distance from ship too key attractions in Havana? In particular Hemingway's favorite bars. (Florida)

 

 

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[Alter Ego]

Can you tell me the walking distance from ship too key attractions in Havana? In particular Hemingway's favorite bars. (Florida)

 

 

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We walked in such a roundabout way that I can't tell you exactly how far away El Floridita is. Old Havana is not particularly large and it's absolutely walkable. But El Floridita is not just outside the terminal - maybe 15 or 20 minutes?

 

 

 

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[Dawg67]

Thank You! Great info.

[dividedsky]

Thank you so much for sharing your cruise with us. You definitely helped me kill the last hour at work :p I hope to get to Cuba in the next year or so this was very informative.

[RickinStl]

This was AWESOME, I already had Alaska booked for this summer, when this itinerary came out. I live in Missouri, so basically have to fly to [emoji568], but am looking at Cuba for 2018!

 

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My wife and I live in the STL area and are going in March of 2018

[MLR68]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post so much useful information! We have booked the four day cruise to Havana in late 2018. Chose the Jr. Suite - since it will be our 50th Anniversary and we decided to splurge a bit :0) Have already booked a private 'old car' cruise and will also book a private walking tour.

 

Loved your pix of the sites and the menus, etc. Very useful and I have saved them to my computer to look at and read closer at my leisure during the coming year - ha ha.

 

Again, my thanks for so much good info. Very kind of you.

[FLACRUISER99]

Great review, it made me lonesome for Empress and I can't wait for fall when she returns to Miami!

[Alter Ego]

I'm so happy to continue to see people enjoying my review.

 

I hadn't intended to post anymore and let my review fall to lower pages...but, I just had to post this...

 

I'm currently on Anthem (truly my favorite ship, but I haven't cruised as extensively as others on this forum). I'm literally sitting in Chops as I write this. Had a wonderful dinner - but, of the head to head items I had on both ships - Empress wins. Like I said, both were good. Just Empress was better. So, if you are considering going to Chops on Empress, just do it. Don't think you will be disappointed even though this is a small ship.

 

 

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[2nsmom]

So happy to read this!! I just booked a cruise next June on Empress...kind of excited to cruise her again...we were on her in 2000 and 2005. :o) Katie

[Snit13]

Wonderful review and I read it all twice.

 

Please answer a question. I read somewhere during my research that Cuban men NEVER wear shorts in Havana. If this is true, does this mean that male tourists must wear long trousers while touring in the heat of the day? Does not make any sense to me. Do not want to offend our host country's traditions.

 

I know I must pack long trousers for DH to go to dinner and show at Hotel Nacionale but am hoping he can wear shorts as we tour the city during the day.

 

By the way, enjoy your safari. We did safari to Kenya in the 1980's and it is our all time favorite trip.

[Biker19]

[mspink98]

It took 17 minutes and cost $10.50 to Uber from my hotel. Uber driver gave me his number to call him on Thursday when we get back to take me to airport.

 

I'm emerald and had very little line. No status cruisers weren't so lucky.

 

 

 

 

 

Currently eating at Windjammer and they just announced rooms are ready.

 

 

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About when did you arrive at the terminal? We're driving to the port in September, and starting to think about when we should leave home. We've arrived at Canaveral and Ft. Lauderdale around 10:30-11 and been on board by 11:30 typically. Sound about right for Tampa?