Who just traveled on RCI Majesty to Havana?

[kcbookworm]

We are departing on Majesty of the Seas April 8th for 5 nights that includes an overnight in Havana.  We have a private 6 hour tour booked with Havanacars and also a jazz club excursion thru RCI.  Who has done this cruise recently?  Looking for any tips and tricks!  Restaurants, shopping, etc!

[kcbookworm]

@KimberlyC I just saw your post about Fertours!  Any input about Majesty and Havana?

[Houndfish]

We were on the Majesty in November, 2018, 1st Cuba trip. Going back this coming November on Majesty as well in the same stateroom.

Studied a lot beforehand and had many apprehensions about Cuba Customs clearance and money exchange. Couldn't be easier, Customs was a breeze, walk to the other end of the reception hall/mall to money exchange. Must have 10 or so booths to exchange. Ask for some 1$ CUC to facilitate tips and making small purchases.

We took the Hemingway's Havana tour and it was fine.(will take a private tour in Nov.) Got out of town to the countryside and then back for a short walk around town. Much different than other Caribbean ports. While many of the buildings are crumbling the residents are great. No panhandlers or hustlers. Street vendors aren't pushy and there aren't a lot of them.

Locals want to talk to you and take interest in what you have to say about where you are from.

Definitely go back out at night and walk around town, it is entirely different than during the day. The ambience from the street lighting is great, bars and restaurants spill out onto the plazas and there are bands everywhere. A special experience. My wife and I sat in a little pocket park and did some people watching.

Relax and have fun.

[Houndfish]

One other thing, public restrooms charge you by the sheet for toilet paper so take a pocket size package of tissue on shore. Many places charge extra for toilet seats. If you want a seat you pay 1 CUC and they hand you a seat to put on the bowl. Restrooms at the cruise terminal have seats but you still have to pay for the paper.

We didn't use restrooms at local bars and restaurants so I can't speak for them.

[kcbookworm]

On ‎3‎/‎3‎/‎2019 at 12:13 PM, Houndfish said:

We were on the Majesty in November, 2018, 1st Cuba trip. Going back this coming November on Majesty as well in the same stateroom.

Studied a lot beforehand and had many apprehensions about Cuba Customs clearance and money exchange. Couldn't be easier, Customs was a breeze, walk to the other end of the reception hall/mall to money exchange. Must have 10 or so booths to exchange. Ask for some 1$ CUC to facilitate tips and making small purchases.

We took the Hemingway's Havana tour and it was fine.(will take a private tour in Nov.) Got out of town to the countryside and then back for a short walk around town. Much different than other Caribbean ports. While many of the buildings are crumbling the residents are great. No panhandlers or hustlers. Street vendors aren't pushy and there aren't a lot of them.

Locals want to talk to you and take interest in what you have to say about where you are from.

Definitely go back out at night and walk around town, it is entirely different than during the day. The ambience from the street lighting is great, bars and restaurants spill out onto the plazas and there are bands everywhere. A special experience. My wife and I sat in a little pocket park and did some people watching.

Relax and have fun.

Thanks so much for your reply!  We currently have a 3 hour car tour and 3 hour walking tour booked with havanacars.net.  Then we have the jazz club that evening booked thru RC.