Why Your Carnival Cruise History Should Include Cuba

Posted onAuthorChris Owen

We began our Carnival cruise history with Carnival Fascination on a short cruise to Key West and Cozumel from Miami.  At the time, Carnival Paradise was the last-built in a class of its own. Fantasy class ships have served Carnival Cruise LIne well. Carnival Paradise began service as a totally non-smoking ship, far beyond its time. Just ending, Carnival Paradise’s first Cuba Cruise season as the ship took thousands of passengers and crew to Cuba from Tampa.  One great reason for adding Cuba to your cruise history via Carnival Cruise Line?  They have been introducing travelers to all things cruising for quite some time.  Makes sense, yes?  But there’s more.

Now We Know Cuba Can Be Fun
The Funship version of Cuba had a better than average chance of being an enjoyable travel experience. At least that was my thought and a prime reason for sailing with Carnival to Cuba for a first visit.  That proved a wonderful idea. Basically, show up at the pier with a passport, credit card and forms filled out the best you can.  Get past that and it’s not unlike many other Caribbean sailings except for the gigantic elephant on deck: you’re going to (mysteriously closed for a half-century) Cuba.  Funny though, Communist teen boys have the same look on their faces when around teen girls, politics irrelevant. It’s sort of like that in other areas of life in Cuba too; a little weird.  Weird is not an issue for most cruise travelers. Some embrace it.

 

It Might Be Your Best Carnival Cruise Ever
A great many fellow passengers aboard Carnival Paradise tagged their Cuba cruise as best ever, for a number of reasons.  Actually, having ‘Your Best Carnival Cruise Ever” is the topic of the next post in this series that take a deep look at the World’s Most Popular Cruise Line, examining asked about features.

 

Yes, The Cars
Well, there is sure no denying it, those classic American cars are all over the place.  There are other cars too but yes, classic car lovers will get their fill in Cuba.

 

And There Are Other Photo Opportunities Too
To many U.S citizens, going to Cuba to see the cars is reason enough.  Indeed, we saw more than a few hoods popped as curious Carnival travelers asked for a peek. That happens.  But there are way more opportunities for interesting photos in Cuba, rain or shine. Those other photo ops might include something tied to history.  Afterall, it has been history that prevented us from visiting as our Canadian friends; just another island in the Caribbean, albeit a really big one.  When we were there, it rained all the time off and on…which really just added to the cold war ambiance in my brain, imagined or not.

 

-Learn More About Cuba- 

We were just there not long ago, consider these sources of information considered prior to travel as well as our production during the historic sailing:

Pre-Cruise Preparation

Live- Published While Sailing

[soliloquy id=”73821″]

Facebook Photo Albums-

  • Carnival Cuba Cruise- Visiting Cuba is actually pretty simple for citizens of the United States.
  • Carnival Paradise– After nearly 20 years sailing with Carnival Cruise Line, Chris returns to a Fantasy-class ship after a dozen years of exploring dozens more

Featured Flickr Photo Albums-

  1. Tampa Embarkation
  2. Stateroom M-211 Oceanview
  3. Port of Tampa
  4. Tampa Sailaway Party
  5. Taste Bar
  6. Carnival Paradise Library
  7. Tampa Sailaway Sunset
  8. Tampa Sailaway Deck Shots
  9. Towel Animals
  10. Unique Design Details
  11. Paradise Open Decks
  12. Pancho’s Backyard- Cozumel
  13. Ships Seen Sailing
  14. See More Carnival Paradise Flickr Photo Albums

After Sailing- Published In Reflection