The Best Way to Visit CUBA

Item: Empress of the Seas
Rating: 4.6
Author: vinag

Empress of the Seas Cruise Review to Cuba

vinag

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 42

Overall rating:

4.6 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Key West & Havana Overnight (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 02, 2018

Ship: Empress of the Seas

Cabin number: 9124

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

We enjoyed the camaraderie of the smaller ship, and viewed Key West as a stepping stone to our reason for booking this cruise : CUBA! We were not disappointed. If you decide to visit Havana, read all the warnings and information about visiting before you go so there are no surprises when you get there. We took Euros to exchange for CUCs and saved 10% over the USDollar exchange rate. The locals will not take American dollars except in a few locations. All rum, cigars, and other items you might want to bring home are controlled by the gov't, so the price is standardized throughout the area. Just wait til you get back close to the terminal to buy everything so you don't have to carry it all over the place. I loved that there are no street vendors, no haggling. Stuff your backpack or bag with candies, toys, small shampoos and soaps, hair accessories, etc. to hand out the children and others who help you out. They will love you for it.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

If everything is completed online before you reach the pier, the embarkation process is a snap.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

The buffet selections are more limited than on the bigger ships, but they are varied and tasty. The drinks, while fully loaded, are way overpriced, in my opinion. I mean $14.95 for a mojito when I can get one off-ship for under $5.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

The layout of the ship makes all locations easily accessible, and everything was shining and spotless at all times.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ship tip

Keep in mind the staterooms are considerably smaller than on the larger ships. We upgraded to a junior suite because of the balcony, but we're so happy we did because it is about the size of the regular balcony cabins on other ships. I peeked into some of the regular cabins and they are TINY, barely room to move around, and some of our dinner mates complained about that.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Key West, Florida

4 out of 5

I can't complain about Key West, because we've been there many times. We just wandered around Mallory Square for awhile in the heat and then returned to ship for lunch and air-conditioning.

Thumbs Up 1

HAVANA, CUBA

5 out of 5

Our first day we enjoyed the Classic Car tour offered by CruisesOnly , but our driver did not speak English so we learned nothing of the buildings and other sites we passed. Everything was beautiful to see, but I feel somewhat cheated. As for Havana, I am still smiling. It is charming, friendly, inexpensive ($1.50 cold beer), and scenic. Keep in mind that very vew locals speak English, but it is nice to visit a port with no street vendors, no haggling. I'll go back to Cuba soon.

Thumbs Up 10