Cuba Cruise Shows Us A Cuba Rarely Seen

with Adrienne Lem Burkett

With much anticipation, I stepped off Air Transat’s flight #508 in MBJ, hopped in a cab and watched Montego Bay whiz by as we drove to the nearby cruise terminal. I was travelling with my husband (honourary Open Jaw photographer) and we were about to board the Louis Cristal for the all new Cuba Cruise. I had been well briefed on the product, attending an industry event here in Toronto. But I have to say that the service, the itinerary and overall experience were well above my expectations.

Upon embarkation, our luggage was swiftly taken off our hands, while we were personally escorted to our stateroom. In less than 5 minutes, we were checked in and our luggage was waiting for us. That’s efficiency! “That’s the benefit of being on a smaller cruise ship,” said Danny, Louis Cristal’s Cruise Director. “You get a more personalized service, something that’s not as common on a larger ship.” The service was exceptional.

The onboard experience was indeed an intimate one. The ship was at ¼ capacity with approximately 330 passengers. It was only natural that guests and crew became well-acquainted with one another. And what a diverse group of people! Not only did the ship’s staff members hail from 25 different countries, I met fellow passengers from the U.K., Germany, Norway and the U.S.

That’s why Cuba Cruise is significant. By embarking at MBJ, Americans have the opportunity to join the sailing and visit Cuba. MBJ is also where the ship receives its provisions. Therefore, passengers can expect a well-catered dining experience. Havana is another embarkation port, which simply gives Canadians more sailing dates and air options.

Most of the passengers I spoke with were well-seasoned cruisers, and for many, it was their 1st time visiting Cuba. “Cuba was for many years high on my to-visit list. But the beaches of Varadero and other resort areas were not a priority,” said Gordon Turner of Toronto (who’s been on more than 65 cruises). “What I wanted was to see the cities and towns of the island, to travel the highways and rural roads. To achieve my goal, the best solution was Cuba Cruise.”

I’d have to agree with Turner. Circling the entire island, Cuba Cruise drops anchor in Cienfuegos/Trinidad; Punta Frances, Isle of Youth; Havana; Holguin; Santiago de Cuba and Montego Bay (for those who embarked in Havana).

A great way to see what each of these ports has to offer is by booking a shore excursion. We chose 2 excursions - the infamous Tropicana Cabaret in Havana ($125pp) and the Cuba Life tour in Holguin ($92pp).

The Tropicana Cabaret show dates back to the 1940s and involves over 200 dancers, singers and a live orchestra. The open-air theatre, colourful costumes and intricate set design was like nothing I’d ever seen. To top off the experience, our ticket included a cigar and a large bottle of Havana Club to share among 4 people! The Cuba Life tour in Holguin showcased Cuba’s rural countryside where we visited the national park where Christopher Columbus 1st arrived. We also met with a local farmer, took a tour of his plantation and taste tested sugar cane as well as visiting an archeological site, believed to be a tribal burial ground.

It was all so fascinating – a side of Cuba I have never seen. In fact, this was probably a side of Cuba that I would have never been able to see on my own. Cuba Cruise allows its passengers to experience most of what the country has to offer in just 7 days.

According to Cruise Director Danny, he and his fellow crew members have been just as excited about the new Cuba Cruise as its passengers. “Not only are we the 1st people to do this type of cruise, we can also say we’re the only people,” he boasted.

And isn’t that what Canadians love? Exclusivity, experiences and to have our expectations exceeded.

Here are my top 10 Cuba Cruise tips for your clients:

1. Book an outside cabin on the starboard side of the ship. Cuba Cruise sails clockwise around the island, so views can be enjoyed from the comfort of their stateroom.
2. Suggest excursions to your clients. The guides are informative, the tours are fascinating and they’re reasonably priced.
3. Your clients can get their souvenir embarkation photo printed as a postcard to send to their envious friends back home.
4. Passengers can access the very front of the ship. As the Louis Cristal enters port, the views here are spectacular.
5. The Mojitos are excellent and your clients should watch out for the Cuba Cruise happy hours at select bars.
6. If rum is their spirit of choice, your clients can savour a rum tasting along with a Cuban cigar at the Caruso Bar on Deck 5.
7. If your clients register for the circus aerial workshop, they can live out their fantasy of becoming a Cirque star.
8. Have they got a hidden talent? Passengers can wow their fellow pax at the “Cristal Got Talent” passenger and crew talent show.
9. Ronny from the Phillipines is a restaurant server by day, and the ultimate entertainer by night. His mini concert is not to be missed. If Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley were to be reincarnated into 1, that person would be Ronny!
10. Don’t live vicariously through me! There are some great last minute offers currently available. The inaugural season ends on March 24th, and Cuba Cruise is scheduled to return for its 2014/2015 season!

 

Cruise Director Danny & Yiannakis Ioannou, Hotel Manager

 

I had the pleasure of visiting the bridge & meeting Captain Stathis Goumas