Will DCL follow suit???

[mevelandry]

Edit:

https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/havana##page=1

 

[Dug720]

It's not the requirement anymore. But they do have to pick an excursion:

https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/havana##page=1

For US citizens there IS a requirement that you have some kind of People to People exchange - and as I understand it the ships that are going there have set up their excursions to meet the requirements. You *can* tour on your own, but you have to keep detailed notes, receipts, etc. to prove that you had People to People contact. You cannot just go and lay on a beach (not that there are any within at least 40 miles of Havana).

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks for the precision. As I am canadian (with no restrictions whatsoever) I may not understand the rules as much as you do.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks for the precision. As I am canadian (with no restrictions whatsoever) I may not understand the rules as much as you do.

Yeah, the rules are quite different (and will likely get moreso) for US Citizens.

 

[mevelandry]

Just a side note (because we kinda hijacked the thread with Cuba talk - we should start a thread) For those who are against going to Cuba for political reasons, I invite you to read more about the changes that happened since 1959. While it is still not good yet when it comes to freedom of speech, it's not as bad as it used to be.

Many people travel to places that are far than perfect when it comes to human rights and poverty. If the explanation "tourism is how locals survive" is the reason you give to visit the country, well let me tell you that it is the same for Cuba.

 

[cadien]

Cuba is amazing!! I'm just sorry that the lines going now are only going to Havana. I fell more in love with Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos - but you have to have tiny ships to go in there (fathom Adonia held 704 MAX to give you an idea).

I was looking into Cuba cruises a few months ago and there were several lines stopping at Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos. Which did sound much more interesting than just Havana. I wasn't really paying attention to the sizes of the ships however. We've decided to wait a couple years though.

Americans in Florida and New Jersey have strong opinions about visiting Cuba, but the rest of the country cares very little. Although they also don't see the appeal in general. The lack of amenities.

We've always been at opposite extremes with Cuba vs China. They're both Communist. They both treat their people terribly. But only one is "personal."

 

[mevelandry]

Americans in Florida and New Jersey have strong opinions about visiting Cuba, but the rest of the country cares very little. Although they also don't see the appeal in general. The lack of amenities.

I'm not sure what the lack of amenities is?

I keep hearing how they don't have good hotels... Huh, take a look at the Pullman or the Royalton? Most of my friends went to Cuba at least once and the only "complaint" (they were stating facts more than complaining about it) is that the choice of food was not perfect and that sometimes they would miss an item or two... like butter...

 

[jrabbit]

RE: Cartegenia - On the PC cruise several years ago we stopped there. We did the walking tour of old town. Yes there were street vendors, no they didn't bother you any more than in any other caribbean port. We loved it!!! But lots of people on our tour did not like it - because of the street vendors, and they wondered why Disney didn't clear them out of town before we arrived

I my opinion, if you didn't like Cartegenia, then you shouldn't like any of the Caribbean ports.


RE: Falmouth. I will have to get some pictures of the port ... inside the fence it really is EPCOT - fake, safe, sterile. Outside - NOT on a tour - yea, you're not finding me there.

RE: Dunn's falls - yes it can be crowded but the reason it looks like "a mass of humanity crawling up the falls" is that each group is supposed to hold hands - it acts a little like the rope that ties groups of mountain climbers together, if someone slips, everyone else will support them. We went in January and the crowds were not too bad. AND it was one of the funnest things that we have ever done!