Fantasy just off Cuba coast!

[crafty91]

Ok I didn't see this posted yet so I thought I'd throw it out there. We just got off the Fantasy last week and due to a medical emergency the Fantasy was less than one mile off the Cuban coast and sailed just outside the Havana harbor! The captain came over the PA and said we need to make a stop so that the Fantasy medical staff could take a medical emergency ashore. We then waited for the medical staff to return so we cruised up and back just off Havana. Crazy! You could see the buildings clearly, cars moving on the roads, etc.

In a conversation a few days later with the captain he said that they were preparing to head to Key West for the emergency but US Coast Guard told them to go to Cuba and if they wouldn't take the person to let them know and they would come get them. Captain said Cuba was very gracious and accommodating and took the person no problem. As of the end of last week the person was still in a Cuban medical facility.

Obviously Captain didn't say what the emergency was but rumors involved surgery. Things like this are why I use a passport!

 

[Shanti]

Ok I didn't see this posted yet so I thought I'd throw it out there. We just got off the Fantasy last week and due to a medical emergency the Fantasy was less than one mile off the Cuban coast and sailed just outside the Havana harbor! The captain came over the PA and said we need to make a stop so that the Fantasy medical staff could take a medical emergency ashore. We then waited for the medical staff to return so we cruised up and back just off Havana. Crazy! You could see the buildings clearly, cars moving on the roads, etc.

In a conversation a few days later with the captain he said that they were preparing to head to Key West for the emergency but US Coast Guard told them to go to Cuba and if they wouldn't take the person to let them know and they would come get them. Captain said Cuba was very gracious and accommodating and took the person no problem. As of the end of last week the person was still in a Cuban medical facility.

Obviously Captain didn't say what the emergency was but rumors involved surgery. Things like this are why I use a passport!

How sad for that passenger, but glad that Cuba was hospitable to them. And how interesting for you and the other passengers. I look forward to the day when Cuba is fully open to U.S. travelers. I've heard it's very beautiful.

 

[barbarossa_hoosier]

No pictures?

 

[FigmentSpark]

There are probably worse places to need surgery or any medical care. I believe Cuba is quite progressive and, because of their national medical care, the medical staff is very well trained and equipped.

 

[jlemieu1]

Since the ship is flagged out of Bahamas that allows for a bit more flexibility. I'm also just giving a wild guess that the passenger was not a US citizen might make it easier. The closest I got to Hanava. https://photos.app.goo.gl/SNCqNxw1eJVz1uRy2

 

[jedijill]

I'm headed to Havana in October and couldn't be more excited! I've heard its a beautiful country.

Jill in CO

 

[Dug720]

I'm headed to Havana in October and couldn't be more excited! I've heard its a beautiful country.

Jill in CO

It is absolutely gorgeous and the people are lovely. I would recommend getting out of just La Habana if possible - Las Terrazas is a beautiful small UNESCO biosphere colony of about 1000 mostly artists and is about an hour outside of La Habana. Santiago de Cuba is wonderful and El Cobre (about 30 minutes outside of Santiago) is stunning. And Cienfuegos is not called the Pearl of the South for nothing.

 

[jedijill]

It is absolutely gorgeous and the people are lovely. I would recommend getting out of just La Habana if possible - Las Terrazas is a beautiful small UNESCO biosphere colony of about 1000 mostly artists and is about an hour outside of La Habana. Santiago de Cuba is wonderful and El Cobre (about 30 minutes outside of Santiago) is stunning. And Cienfuegos is not called the Pearl of the South for nothing.

Thanks! I'm on a cruise so limited with time but taking notes!

Jill in CO

 

[SunDevilFanAZ]

We were a few miles of the Havana coast on our Western cruise in June. You could make out the buildings and see the reflections on car windshields. Probably the closest I will ever be.

 

[suziespice]

I love Cuba, its a beautiful country and the people are so nice!! I got married there (I'm Canadian, so I'm allowed to go)

 

[stephmarty]

I don't think people crowd aboard rafts and anything that floats to escape a wonderful place with terrific healthcare. My prayers for this person's health and safety.

 

[JW9DVC]

I love Cuba, its a beautiful country and the people are so nice!! I got married there (I'm Canadian, so I'm allowed to go)

Allowed. Of course. They also have cruise ships from Florida that go to Havana.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I don't think people crowd aboard rafts and anything that floats to escape a wonderful place with terrific healthcare. My prayers for this person's health and safety.

No, they crowd on rafts and anything that floats to escape political oppression. The people that stay still need healthcare.

 

[bobbiwoz]

On a Princess Baltic cruise, a passenger was taken back to St Petersburg.

It would have been special to be that close to Cuba.

On one of our DCL cruises, we were not far from Cuba, and we waited for Coast Guard ship, because there was a small boatbin distress nearby. We could see the people, and always wondered about their stories.

 

[stephmarty]

No, they crowd on rafts and anything that floats to escape political oppression. The people that stay still need healthcare.

And few people seem to be clamoring to go there and take advantage of whatever healthcare exists. I've never seen people taking rafts from Miami to get into Cuba, but when they do then we should adopt their system.

 

[FigmentSpark]

And few people seem to be clamoring to go there and take advantage of whatever healthcare exists. I've never seen people taking rafts from Miami to get into Cuba, but when they do then we should adopt their system.

Whatever... we're now getting off topic.

 

[stephmarty]

There are probably worse places to need surgery or any medical care. I believe Cuba is quite progressive and, because of their national medical care, the medical staff is very well trained and equipped.

This would be where we started to get off-topic.