Cuba soon?

[mevelandry]

Hi!

They have been talking about Cuba a lot lately (with Obama being there).

For us Canadians, Cuba is known as an affordable place to go on vacation with beautiful beaches, so-so hotels and terrible food (never went since hotels and food is super important for me).

A big hotel chain just picked up two hotels and other chains are "in talk" to do the same.

Do you think DCL will add Cuba to their cruises itinerary at some point?

I think I would definitely like to spend a day at one of their beautiful beaches...

 

[dclpluto]

If they are allowed than yes I will say that they will go for it. But it probably be a couple of years after other cruise lines go there. DCL likes to take their time.

 

[JP350Z]

Several cruises scheduled to visit Cuba in the next few months have been cancelled. Evidently the paperwork and approval from Cuba is taking longer than expected. Also their biggest port can handle ONE cruise ship at a time. So my guess it will be a loooong time before DCL goes there. I would love to check it our though, especially before it gets too modernized. Imagine a "taxi" ride in an old 1950's Chevrolet convertible through old Havana. That would be bucket list material.

 

[minnie56]

Celestyal cruises are offering cruises to Cuba now ..various ports including Jamaica ..I know quite a few people trying them before Cuba becomes like any other place with fast food restaurants and hotel chains. Sad.
Small ship..I can't see many others following suit.

 

[dreadpiraterose]

I think it will take time, from an infrastructure stand point. I was reading an article about a recent session at some conference in Florida, where several Caribbean islands were apparently worried that Cuba stops could result in cruise ships cutting out stops on other ports (namely Jamaica). Seems that speculation says Cuba could eventually support upwards of 10 ports, because of how wide it is. I think it's only a matter of time before all the ships offer Cuba on their Caribbean itineraries. But it will take time to get there.

 

[phinz]

Imagine a "taxi" ride in an old 1950's Chevrolet convertible through old Havana. That would be bucket list material.

You'll always be able to do this. The car just might have a new Chevy engine instead of a Lada engine with 300,000 km on it. There's no way the Cubans will ever stop using the classic cars, at least for tourists. They're too iconic, and anybody with even a slight capitalist bent will recognize this.

I've dreamed of cruising the Malecon in a vintage car for years. I've had opportunities but not been able to make it. It's still on the list. I've been a Cubaphile for a long, long time. I get excited when I can smell the smoke from the burning cane fields when the wind is right in Key West, and I am thrilled that there's even a slight chance we will see Cuba from our balcony on our Western in November. Heck, I chose a Port side, Concierge verandah just for that possibility.

 

[DnA2010]

We had a really nice vacation in Cuba a few years ago- the culture we experienced was fantastic and outside of the all-inclusive hotels, the food isn't that bad. I would like to visit ports on a cruise ship for sure. (Although we may go back sometime)

 

[Bree]

You'll always be able to do this. The car just might have a new Chevy engine instead of a Lada engine with 300,000 km on it. There's no way the Cubans will ever stop using the classic cars, at least for tourists. They're too iconic, and anybody with even a slight capitalist bent will recognize this.

I've dreamed of cruising the Malecon in a vintage car for years. I've had opportunities but not been able to make it. It's still on the list. I've been a Cubaphile for a long, long time. I get excited when I can smell the smoke from the burning cane fields when the wind is right in Key West, and I am thrilled that there's even a slight chance we will see Cuba from our balcony on our Western in November. Heck, I chose a Port side, Concierge verandah just for that possibility.

We were able to see Cuba on the Magic 5 night Western Caribbean in November. First time was on our way to Grand Cayman then again on our way to Castaway Cay.

 

[JP350Z]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/ne...paign=News&UTM_Content=Fathom&UTM_Term=Fathom

Looks like Carnivals "Fathom" cruise ship will be the first directly from the US to Cuba this May.

 

[SleepyDeb]

As a Baby Boomer, I have an incredible curiosity about Cuba. I have a friend who went there a couple of months ago and she said that the oppressiveness of the government (restricting where she and her family could go and what they could do) and the severe poverty made the trip less than enjoyable.

I still want to see it, but I'm going to wait until the infrastructure is built up some. I'm hoping to hit that sweet spot when it has started to return to a major tourist destination, but before it gets crazy busy.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

You'll always be able to do this. The car just might have a new Chevy engine instead of a Lada engine with 300,000 km on it. There's no way the Cubans will ever stop using the classic cars, at least for tourists. They're too iconic, and anybody with even a slight capitalist bent will recognize this.

I've dreamed of cruising the Malecon in a vintage car for years. I've had opportunities but not been able to make it. It's still on the list. I've been a Cubaphile for a long, long time. I get excited when I can smell the smoke from the burning cane fields when the wind is right in Key West, and I am thrilled that there's even a slight chance we will see Cuba from our balcony on our Western in November. Heck, I chose a Port side, Concierge verandah just for that possibility.

We were sailing past Cuba during dinner on our way to Cozumel last year on the Fantasy and I could not take my eyes off the island. I was absolutely mesmerized by it, it was so cool to be so close.

Count me in as another who can hardly wait to set foot on Cuba!

 

[Bree]

Royal Caribbean is supposed to start sailing January 2017 according to info on Cruise Critic. I'm keeping my eye on this. My 77yo MIL wants to go and if I get a chance to make it happen I will!

 

[MUN]

Perhaps, the new DCL island in the Carribean will be at Guantanamo Bay?

 

[truck1]

I'm not sure how it will play out, but I stumbled across an article that basically says that the US Congress has to ok lifting the trade embargo with Cuba and so far, they haven't and apparently have no plans to do so. Now, next year might be something new, and I honestly don't know how it would work out with ships leaving US ports going to Cuba.

 

[AquaDame]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/ne...paign=News&UTM_Content=Fathom&UTM_Term=Fathom

Looks like Carnivals "Fathom" cruise ship will be the first directly from the US to Cuba this May.

If they had a sailing over the holiday week this year I'd book it in a heartbeat (thats the only free vacation time we have left this year).

 

[phinz]

I'm not sure how it will play out, but I stumbled across an article that basically says that the US Congress has to ok lifting the trade embargo with Cuba and so far, they haven't and apparently have no plans to do so. Now, next year might be something new, and I honestly don't know how it would work out with ships leaving US ports going to Cuba.

There's a good chance of a complete change in the direction of the Senate after this year's elections, so I'm pretty confident we will see the lifting of the embargo in the next couple of years.

 

[truck1]

There's a good chance of a complete change in the direction of the Senate after this year's elections, so I'm pretty confident we will see the lifting of the embargo in the next couple of years.

Anything is possible. Theres a lot of dynamics that are and will come into play. I wish I could see 5 years ahead. I could retire 15 years ago.

 

[RedSox68]

Perhaps, the new DCL island in the Carribean will be at Guantanamo Bay?

Not to get off subject -- but is Disney thinking of buying another island? Hadn't heard that one yet.

 

[RedSox68]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/ne...paign=News&UTM_Content=Fathom&UTM_Term=Fathom

Looks like Carnivals "Fathom" cruise ship will be the first directly from the US to Cuba this May.

Very confusing article. Apparently Fathom is the cruise line and Adonia is the flag ship going to Cuba. And it sounds like this is not a normal vacation cruise, but one that involves volunteering and learning about the area and doing group tours and classes.

 

[MUN]

Not to get off subject -- but is Disney thinking of buying another island? Hadn't heard that one yet.

I think there is a rumor they are looking for an island in the Caribbean. I am suggesting GITMO may be available. Does anyone know if Bob Iger accompanied President Obama to Cuba?