We chose the dark side - Carnival VS Disney

[Dug720]

French Canadians travel to Cuba a lot (because it's warm and affordable). Many of my friends went there. They all say the same thing: Food is just okay but the beaches are AMAZING. Apparently, it's very safe and that cubans are very charming and welcoming.

It's new that Americans can go. And there are specific regulations as to who can go and for what purpose. fathom falls under "people to people" so we will have organized excursions each day allowing us to learn about Cuba and the Cuban people. The night we are docked in Havana (overnight) there are a couple of extra-fee things you can choose from or you can go on your own to dinner or explore. Technically you can create your own person to person thing, but you have to document every single detail and keep that record for five years in case the government asks for it...if we do fathom's activities they have already cleared the activities. (And on your own can also endanger the person you do it with - someone who went in May found a guy who was doing independent tours for people to supplement his income, and apparently he's been thrown in jail for "questionable contact with tourists" or something like that!) So no beach time or anything like that. But still an amazing adventure and chance to experience a totally different culture.

 

[AquaDame]

Any news from the admins?

I already started a Word file and typed my text (for a thread) just in case.

Not yet... if I don't hear anything soon I will ask again just in case it was overlooked.

Yep! Going to Cuba on Christmas! I will definitely do a full report!! I am soooooo excited!! I know from reading some reports on Cruise Critic that it really is not your ordinary cruise, but that makes it even more exciting for me!

And thanks! The Magic will get me 3/4 of the way to a Grand Slam - so far I've only done the Dream and Fantasy on DCL.

I hope you have a great time..! I had a coworker who went earlier this year who shared lots of pics - it looks gorgeous!

 

[Dug720]

I hope you have a great time..! I had a coworker who went earlier this year who shared lots of pics - it looks gorgeous!

Thank you!

 

[mevelandry]

Not yet... if I don't hear anything soon I will ask again just in case it was overlooked.

Thank you very much!

 

[phinz]

French Canadians travel to Cuba a lot (because it's warm and affordable). Many of my friends went there. They all say the same thing: Food is just okay but the beaches are AMAZING. Apparently, it's very safe and that cubans are very charming and welcoming.

When you go on an American Cuba trip you usually don't really get to see the resorts that the rest of the world calls "amazing". You have to do cultural exchange stuff so that our government approves, so you don't get to go to the places the Cuban government has created so that the rest of the world will go to their country as tourists.

 

[mevelandry]

When you go on an American Cuba trip you usually don't really get to see the resorts that the rest of the world calls "amazing". You have to do cultural exchange stuff so that our government approves, so you don't get to go to the places the Cuban government has created so that the rest of the world will go to their country as tourists.

Many of my friends got out of their resorts, though. They ventured out by themselves to experiment "the real Cuba".

 

[phinz]

Many of my friends got out of their resorts, though. They ventured out by themselves to experiment "the real Cuba".

I was talking about the "amazing beaches" because those are typically at the resorts. Most American tourists will never see them. Most American tourists won't see any Cuban beaches because to be able to travel there they have to be under some humanitarian or cultural exchange pretense, and beach excursions don't tend to fit under that narrow governmental view.

My mother-in-law has been several times with a friend who does business (shipping) in Cuba. She was able to spend time in Havana - as well as other cities - exploring and loved it, but that's not typical for any American who travels there on a tour.

 

[mevelandry]

I was talking about the "amazing beaches" because those are typically at the resorts. Most American tourists will never see them. Most American tourists won't see any Cuban beaches because to be able to travel there they have to be under some humanitarian or cultural exchange pretense, and beach excursions don't tend to fit under that narrow governmental view.

My mother-in-law has been several times with a friend who does business (shipping) in Cuba. She was able to spend time in Havana - as well as other cities - exploring and loved it, but that's not typical for any American who travels there on a tour.

I thought the "rules" regarding US citizen vs Cuba it had changed recently and that is why they now authorize cruises there?

 

[phinz]

I thought the "rules" regarding US citizen vs Cuba it had changed recently and that is why they now authorize cruises there?

No. You still have to do cultural exchange (or other things they deem worthy). They're just allowing cruises out of here now and are going to be allowing more commercial flights. The rules are still pretty darned draconian.

"The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba are: family visits; official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; journalistic activity; professional research and professional meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials; and certain authorized export transactions."

http://expertvagabond.com/travel-to-cuba-for-americans/

http://havana.usembassy.gov/travelling_cuba.html

 

[mevelandry]

Not yet... if I don't hear anything soon I will ask again just in case it was overlooked.

Still no news from them?

 

[mevelandry]

Still no news from them?

Slightly off topic but we received a notice from Carnival about the Zika situation in the Bahamas. I wonder if DCL cruisers received the same? Our next DCL cruise is only in April so it would have been a tad early for a notice...

 

[Pens Fan]

Slightly off topic but we received a notice from Carnival about the Zika situation in the Bahamas. I wonder if DCL cruisers received the same? Our next DCL cruise is only in April so it would have been a tad early for a notice...

Oddly enough we did receive an email from DCL warning us about the Zika virus for our upcoming cruise. I say "oddly enough" because our upcoming cruise is the October Canadian Coastline cruise leaving from NYC .

 

[mevelandry]

Oddly enough we did receive an email from DCL warning us about the Zika virus for our upcoming cruise. I say "oddly enough" because our upcoming cruise is the October Canadian Coastline cruise leaving from NYC .

That's funny. I know in Canada we've had some cases of West Nile Virus but no Zika mosquitos so far.

 

[Bapster]

I have cruised with Carnival twice and have had great experiences (with the exception of one shore excursion and that was no fault of Carnival). They're all different and of course any cruise can be good or bad depending on circumstances.

This will be our first Disney Cruise and we're looking forward to seeing what kind of fun we can have on this trip.

 

[mevelandry]

I don't know if we'll have the "jumping ship" category after all but I've started working on a detailed review comparing my experience with Carnival VS my experience with DCL. Unlike this thread, I want to regroup informations instead of posting details here and there.

Our trip is in a little more than 5 weeks from now (39 days).

I still hear mixed reviews about the cruiseship and the cruise line itself but I really can't wait to compare.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I don't know if we'll have the "jumping ship" category after all but I've started working on a detailed review comparing my experience with Carnival VS my experience with DCL. Unlike this thread, I want to regroup informations instead of posting details here and there.

Our trip is in a little more than 5 weeks from now (39 days).

I still hear mixed reviews about the cruiseship and the cruise line itself but I really can't wait to compare.

Will you remind me what ship you're going to be on?

ETA: Nevermind, I forgot you opened this thread and just looked at the first post. I'm anxious to hear your report when you return! Enjoy your cruise.

 

[Ofinn]

I don't know if we'll have the "jumping ship" category after all but I've started working on a detailed review comparing my experience with Carnival VS my experience with DCL. Unlike this thread, I want to regroup informations instead of posting details here and there.

Our trip is in a little more than 5 weeks from now (39 days).

I still hear mixed reviews about the cruiseship and the cruise line itself but I really can't wait to compare.

Looking forward to your review. My cruise is in 6 weeks. I hope I like the ship since I have another cruise booked on the Vista out of Miami in May.

I still haven't decided what our next big international trip will be. Asia, Australia or back to Europe? I can't find exactly what I want at the price I want.
Carnival does sale in Australia. You have to book on the Carnival Au site. The website is a little dated and funky, but the prices are great. Our dollar is great against the Australian dollar. Royal was having a great sale, but their website makes me want to break my computer. I thought DCL was bad, but nothing tops this. Some cruises showed 30% off some didn't like they were supossed to.

I'm hoping for some good labor day cruise sales this weekend. Reduced deposits would be nice too.

Has anybody cruised on the Carnival Legend?

 

[mevelandry]

Will you remind me what ship you're going to be on?

ETA: Nevermind, I forgot you opened this thread and just looked at the first post. I'm anxious to hear your report when you return! Enjoy your cruise.

And I am excited yet anxious to try the Victory! When you love DCL and are very satisfied with what you get, it's not that easy to try another cruise line. My expectations are high. But for 40% less, I am willing to try to let go of the mouse and a few things. We'll see how it goes.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

And I am excited yet anxious to try the Victory! When you love DCL and are very satisfied with what you get, it's not that easy to try another cruise line. My expectations are high. But for 40% less, I am willing to try to let go of the mouse and a few things. We'll see how it goes.

I went in to my Vista cruise with very low expectations and was pleasantly surprised!

 

[mikayla73]

Looking forward to your review. My cruise is in 6 weeks. I hope I like the ship since I have another cruise booked on the Vista out of Miami in May.

I still haven't decided what our next big international trip will be. Asia, Australia or back to Europe? I can't find exactly what I want at the price I want.
Carnival does sale in Australia. You have to book on the Carnival Au site. The website is a little dated and funky, but the prices are great. Our dollar is great against the Australian dollar. Royal was having a great sale, but their website makes me want to break my computer. I thought DCL was bad, but nothing tops this. Some cruises showed 30% off some didn't like they were supossed to.

I'm hoping for some good labor day cruise sales this weekend. Reduced deposits would be nice too.

Has anybody cruised on the Carnival Legend?

I have been on the Legend. It's been a few years, but I enjoyed it. We did the western out of Tampa. I've also been on the Spirit to AK and will be on the Miracle next year, both sister ships to the Legend. I liked the layout of the ships and I really like that the serenity area is aft and has a pool.