Cruise Cuba

Overview

It’s been a long time coming, but today we can cruise to Cuba as easily as we can fly. If you love cruising and are looking for an incredibly affordable way to visit Cuba, you won’t want to miss this opportunity. We’ve collaborated with our long-time partner, Celestyal Cruises, to bring you yet another exciting, affordable option for visiting. Our Cruise Cuba program explores the colors, culture and welcoming people of this captivating Caribbean island with all the convenience and enjoyment of cruising. You’ll embark aboard the Celestyal Crystal from Montego Bay, Jamaica, and make port calls in Santiago de Cuba, Havana and Cienfuegos. 

Your ship, the Celestyal Crystal, has a yacht inspired design with classic teak promenade decks evoking an intimate atmosphere, with all the amenities of a hotel at sea, including spacious staterooms and suites, pool with Helios pool bar, fitness center and spa and a casual and fine dining restaurant.

With your dedicated Friendly Planet tour manager, you’ll experience true People-to-People tourism onboard, with lectures, classes and entertainment, and during your included tours and sightseeing on land, all designed to introduce you to the people of Cuba and provide ample opportunities to interact with them in meaningful and rewarding ways.

Your package price includes 20 meals on board ship and unlimited non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. And in true Friendly Planet style, you’ll enjoy the best package pricing for this all-inclusive vacation. But space is very limited and won’t find a better value to Cuba anywhere, so don’t miss your opportunity to book now!

We're still going to Cuba!

Our People-to-People tours are still legal and not impacted by recent changes in U.S. policy. Questions? See our Cuba FAQs.

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Detailed Itinerary

This cruise departs from Montego Bay, Jamaica, and airfare is not included. Important information about booking flights and transfers.

Day 1: Montego Bay/Embarkation

7 nights Celestyal Crystal. Dinner.

• Arrive in Montego Bay and transfer from the airport to port
• Check-in to your cabin and time to explore the ship
• Embarkation must be completed by 4:00pm
• Attend an introductory briefing with your Friendly Planet Tour Manager
• Attend a lecture about language in Cuba

Full Day Itinerary: Today your exciting voyage begins as you arrive in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Collect your luggage, continue through customs formalities, and meet our representative who will transfer you from the airport to the port. Check into your cabin and have some time to explore the ship and its amenities. Embarkation must be completed from 1:00pm-4:00pm. 

This evening, attend the Authentic Cuba Experience Welcome Meeting for US travelers, followed by the muster drill. Afterwards, meet your Friendly Planet Tour Manager and your fellow travelers for an introductory briefing.

Later, a destination expert will host a discussion on language in Cuba and how it differs from other Latin American countries. 

Tonight, enjoy the lively onboard entertainment!

Day 2: Santiago de Cuba

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

• Arrive in Santiago de Cuba this morning, ship in port 7:00am-3:00pm
• Enjoy a half day shore excursion of Santiago de Cuba
• Attend a lecture on the history of the rum industry in Cuba

Full Day Itinerary: This morning, visit the city of Santiago de Cuba. Meet with a historian and director of the African Cultural Center for a presentation followed by a dance performance. 

Then, continue on to visit three of the most iconic sites in Santiago. Visit a memorial to Antonio Maceo, the “Bronze Titan”, who led two wars for independence against the Spanish. Then stop at San Juan Hill, where Teddy Roosevelt and his rough riders defeated the Spanish during the Cuban-Spanish-American War. Lastly, visit Moncada Barracks where Fidel and Raul Castro began their 1953 assault on the Batista regime. 

Afterwards, return to the ship for lunch.

This afternoon, join your fellow travelers for an overview of the history of the rum industry and culture in Cuba, and how rum became Cuba's national drink.

Later this evening, enjoy the fabulous onboard entertainment!

Day 3: At Sea, en route to Havana

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

• Learn about the Musicality of the Cuban People
• Enjoy a Cuban cooking demonstration
• Watch a documentary film about Cuba
• Attend a presentation about the tobacco industry

Full Day Itinerary: This morning, enjoy an onboard introduction to the instruments that create the distinctive sounds of Cuban music.

Then, watch a cooking demonstration and discover some of the many flavors of Cuban cuisine. The chef will show how Creole and Spanish cuisine blend to create an authentic Cuban dish, with simple, hearty flavor.

Watch a fascinating and informative documentary film about Cuba.

Attend a presentation to learn about the history of the origins of tobacco in Cuba and see first-hand how the famous Cuban cigars are individually hand-rolled.

After dinner, enjoy the nighttime entertainment!

Day 4: Havana

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

• Arrive in Havana this morning, ship in port from 8:00am
• Enjoy a full day tour of Havana
• Evening optional shore excursions in Havana

Full Day Itinerary: This morning, join your fellow travelers on a revealing tour of Havana, Cuba's capital city and designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin with a walking tour through the vibrant cobblestone streets as you immerse yourself in the colors of Cuba which surround you. 

For lunch, you can either return to the ship or enjoy one of the many paladares in Old Havana.

This afternoon, take a guided coach tour around modern-day Havana. Stop at the Artisan Market, situated along the Malecon, where you'll find plenty of souvenirs, including handicrafts, posters and other collectibles.

Visit the Plaza de la Revolución, the most famous and politically important square in Cuba. The square has witnessed many rallies and revolutions that have altered the course of Cuban history, where you'll view the 109m tall tower and an 18m statue of José Martí.

Enjoy your evening at leisure. Return to the ship for dinner or dine at one of Havana’s fabulous paladars.

Tonight, take part in exciting optional excursions, or explore the nightlife of Havana on your own.

Optional Excursion: Tropicana Cabaret, $149 (shore excursion purchased on board). The internationally known Tropicana is the biggest nightclub in Havana. Every night, more than 200 dancers and singers perform on stage, accompanied by a giant orchestra. Your price includes the show with preferred seating, welcome drink, and a quarter bottle of Havana Club rum with drink mixers and snacks.

Optional Excursion: Buena Vista Social Club Tribute, $110 (shore excursion purchased on board). Revel in this incredible tribute show to the Buena Vista Social Club, a spectacular act with world-class performers. See salsa and bolero numbers performed by some of the original Buena Vista Social Club members and Grammy-award winners.

Optional Excursion: City Tour at Night with Dinner, $83 (shore excursion purchased on board). Step back in time, deep into Old Havana and its fortifications, as you take a night tour of its spectacular plazas – each with its own architectural character: including the Plaza de Armas, Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the Plaza de la Catedral and the Old Square. Then depart for the Fortaleza De San Carlos De La Cabana, to witness a ceremonial cannon shot, signaling the closure of the city gates. Then, head to one of Havana’s famous Paladares for dinner.

Day 5: Havana

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

• Enjoy a half day shore excursion in Havana
• Ship sets sail at 10:00pm
• Attend an evening presentation about Visual Arts in Cuba

Full Day Itinerary: This morning, disembark with fellow travelers and drive to Jaimanitas, where you'll visit "Fusterlandia," the home and surrounding neighborhood of "The Picasso of the Caribbean," Jose Fuster. Starting with a small wooden home as his canvas, Mr. Fuster has turned his dream into reality and transformed not just his own home but the entire neighborhood into a unique and colorful artistic landscape. Using the money he makes from selling his artwork, Jose adorns the community with sculptures and mosaics galore.

Then, visit the Museu de Bellas Artes OR the Museo de la Revolución.

Return to the ship for lunch or continue exploring Havana on your own.

This evening, join your fellow travelers for an interesting presentation on the visual arts in Cuba.

After dinner tonight, enjoy the onboard entertainment!

Day 6: At Sea, en route to Cienfuegos

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

• Learn about popular Cuban culture
• Enjoy a Cuban cooking demonstration featuring festive favorites
• Participate in a presentation on the Cuban landscape

Full Day Itinerary: This morning after breakfast, attend a lecture on popular Cuban Culture, namely how foods such as "Ajiaco," one of the staples of Cuban cuisine, are thought to be symbolic of Cuban culture. Cuba's geography and national symbols as well as historical places will also be discussed.

Afterwards, enjoy a cooking demonstration and discover some of the many flavors involved in making Cuban festive dishes.

This afternoon, attend a presentation on the Cuban landscape in the 20th century.

In the evening, enjoy the onboard entertainment!

Day 7: Cienfuegos

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

• Arrive in Cienfuegos this morning, ship in port 7:00am-3:00pm
• Enjoy a half day shore excursion in Cienfuegos
• Watch a documentary film about Cuba
• Learn to make a Cuban Cocktail
• Dance like a Cuban finale!

Full Day Itinerary: This morning arrive in Cienfuegos, known as “the Pearl of the South.” Visit the University of Cienfuegos for a rare opportunity to meet the university’s engaging professors and hear their insights of the city’s history.

Continue on a tour of the city center, including the famous opera house and theater, Teatro Terry. Visit the Graphic Society of Cienfuegos to meet with local artists who lead programs for young artists with special needs. 

Then, experience the Spanish-Moorish architecture of Palacio de Valle, built to resemble an ornate Moroccan casbah.

Return to the ship for lunch.

This afternoon, watch an informative documentary about Cuba.

Enjoy a mixology lesson to learn how some of Cuba’s best cocktails are shaken and stirred. While mixing, the bartender’s will share the origins and stories behind each beverage.

Tonight, put on your dancing shoes and dance the night away at the final Cuban dance party!

Day 8: Montego Bay/Disembarkation

Breakfast.

• Arrive in Montego Bay this morning
• Disembark between 10:00am and 12:00pm, and transfer to the airport for your onward flight
• Flights should be booked for 2:00pm or later

Full Day Itinerary: After breakfast this morning, disembark by 12:00pm and transfer to the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica for your flight home.

All visits are subject to availability. When a scheduled visit is not possible, appropriate alternate visits will be included. The cruise itinerary is also subject to change based on local conditions.

This itinerary provides a full time schedule of educational activities that will result in meaningful interactions between you and the people of Cuba. U.S. law requires that all persons who participate in this program adhere to this full time schedule, and imposes on Celestyal Cruises and Friendly Planet Travel the obligation to ensure such adherence.

Reviews & Photos

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Have something a little different in mind? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 21 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about Cuba? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.

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