Celestyal Crystal Review

A great way to escape Christmas!

Review for the Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Celestyal Crystal

I'd recommend this week long cruise, both for value and content. There is something for everyone here. I'm not going to bore you with information that can be found on the mycubacruise.com website; the information there is generally accurate. I see there is one gentleman who seems to have been on the same cruise as us who likened the trip to the famous Brit TV series 'Fawlty Towers'. This is really very unfair; while there were significant organisational issues to be sorted as regards excursions off the ship this was the first tour of Cuba this season so to grant a little slack is reasonable.

We booked this trip about six weeks before the departure date of 19th December and the process was quite strait forward. It was done over the phone to the company's office in Calgary, Alberta, as this is a Canadian company. We dealt with a lady called Jane who was both friendly and efficient. Book as early as you can or you may not get the cabin type you want (as happened to us). Having said that the cabin we actually got was quite adequate for our needs, cabin number 7228 (see website: cabin layout). Being on the starboard side (right) is an advantage as the cruise proceeds clockwise around the island. On the port side there are excellent views...of the sea!

The ship herself, the Louis Cristal, one of two this company owns, is some 155 meters long, is 34 years old and can carry 1,200 passenger plus some 350 crew. This makes her quite small by modern standards but a lot friendlier. You get to know a lot of passengers & crew by the end of the week. A further advantage of being quite small is her ability to go where others are unable to...like the tiny port of Antilla, the first call after Havana.

Cabin Review

Cabin AF

This was a lucky selection as it was on the starboard side and one of the rearmost (and quietest) cabins. Starboard is best for this series of cruises as the ship goes clockwise around Cuba so the views of the island, such as they are, are on this side.

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