SDJEL
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2016
I just got off this boat. There were three adults in Suite 8100. The room was very small and the beds were not comfortable. Other than that, we had a really good time. Our state room attendant was wonderful and the staff in the dining room was excellent. There were lots of open public spaces and the ship, although it was fully booked, never felt crowded. The age demographic on the boat was definitely mostly mid 40s and up. I saw less than a dozen children.
They were super organized about the whole Cuba thing. There were talks in the theater the day before and they were rebroadcast on the television. Do not miss these talks. They really help prepare us for the day. I did the guided walking tour of Havana. I really felt it was a waste of money. They took us to a cigar and rum store first. Then, we walked around Havana a little bit. The guide was very soft-spoken and I could not hear her at all. Someone else we spoke with hired a private guide and I would highly recommend that.
We did a one hour tour in one of the classic cars. It was super easy to find somebody right at the cruise terminal. It was about $50 for the hour and totally worth it. It was very hot though. Also, there are no seatbelts in those classic cars. That made me a little nervous. I did end up leaving my iPhone in the car and I did not realize it until after he had driven away. He actually drove back to the market where he dropped us off and gave me the phone back. I was so impressed with his honesty and diligence.
There was a ship tour that you can take that is an up charge. It was fascinating and I think it was worth every penny. I also did a sushi making class which I thought was a waste of time. The shows were entertaining, but the performers were not up to Disney quality.
I would absolutely take this trip again. If possible, I would do the overnight and Havana so that I had time to go into the real Cuba. It was wonderful to step back in time. One of the women that I traveled with did not enjoy the trip at all. I don't think that she had A good understanding of why it was so special to be able to travel to Cuba. Also, she found a lack of amenities on the boat a disappointment. She has sailed on previous larger royal Caribbean ships and she wanted the shops and more restaurant choices. I did feel that the crew was wonderful and that the service was good.
I have been on another Royal Caribbean cruise in the past. It was a smaller boat and it sailed out of Baltimore. That **** was full of people who drank far too much and partied. I enjoyed the quieter atmosphere on this empress cruise.
They were super organized about the whole Cuba thing. There were talks in the theater the day before and they were rebroadcast on the television. Do not miss these talks. They really help prepare us for the day. I did the guided walking tour of Havana. I really felt it was a waste of money. They took us to a cigar and rum store first. Then, we walked around Havana a little bit. The guide was very soft-spoken and I could not hear her at all. Someone else we spoke with hired a private guide and I would highly recommend that.
We did a one hour tour in one of the classic cars. It was super easy to find somebody right at the cruise terminal. It was about $50 for the hour and totally worth it. It was very hot though. Also, there are no seatbelts in those classic cars. That made me a little nervous. I did end up leaving my iPhone in the car and I did not realize it until after he had driven away. He actually drove back to the market where he dropped us off and gave me the phone back. I was so impressed with his honesty and diligence.
There was a ship tour that you can take that is an up charge. It was fascinating and I think it was worth every penny. I also did a sushi making class which I thought was a waste of time. The shows were entertaining, but the performers were not up to Disney quality.
I would absolutely take this trip again. If possible, I would do the overnight and Havana so that I had time to go into the real Cuba. It was wonderful to step back in time. One of the women that I traveled with did not enjoy the trip at all. I don't think that she had A good understanding of why it was so special to be able to travel to Cuba. Also, she found a lack of amenities on the boat a disappointment. She has sailed on previous larger royal Caribbean ships and she wanted the shops and more restaurant choices. I did feel that the crew was wonderful and that the service was good.
I have been on another Royal Caribbean cruise in the past. It was a smaller boat and it sailed out of Baltimore. That **** was full of people who drank far too much and partied. I enjoyed the quieter atmosphere on this empress cruise.