Behind The Scenes Ship Tour (Empress of the Seas-Royal Caribbean)

 One interesting tour that can be done while cruising with Royal Caribbean is that they offer an all-access behind the scenes tour of the ship while you will be cruising at sea. Take note though that not all of their ships offer this tour. So if you're interested in signing up for this type of tour check your ship if they offer one.

This tour lasts for 2 hours and involves a lot of walking and standing most of the time. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for safety reasons as there are some steep areas you will be walking on during the tour. You should be in a good physical condition when joining this tour.

A complimentary ID necklace was provided for each tour guest. (see above photo).

In this tour, you will be given the opportunity to see various back of the ship's house areas that include the dining room, galley, provision area, incinerator room, engine control room, laundry and the bridge.

Photos are allowed, so yes, you can bring your cameras but audio/video taping is not allowed!

Also avoid bringing purses or bags that are huge in sizes. Not sure why, but sling bag is okay coz I carried one! 😊

You will receive a letter of instruction a day before the tour so you don't need to worry about the pros and cons! It is all in the letter. 

It's an interesting tour, because you can actually learn the daily routines of what's happening in the ship, including on how they control it; - you can get the chance to chat with the ship's captain at the bridge and ask questions too!

Havana Cuba; - A Place of Untouched Time

 Before planning a trip to Cuba, you need to have a visa. Iand my husband went for a cruise to Cuba and we paid $75 each for the visa, but the processing were all handled by the cruise ship company, so, no hassle! 😉😊

Money Exchange: - You need to have enough US dollars to spend available on your wallet before reaching Cuban waters. It's because once you reach Cuba, all ATMs will not work due to banking restrictions.

Money exchange centers are available at the cruise port terminal (if you're cruising), and at any hotels located throughout Old Havana, if you're in the area.

Cuba has two types of currencies; - Cuban pesos and the one they called CUCs. While Cuban pesos are used by Cuban citizens, CUCs are the ones given to tourists which have higher value. Make sure you only carry CUCs. Be sure you know how to identify between Cuban pesos and CUCs. You can easily identify a "CUC" by having the word "convertible pesos" on the currency (or pesos convertibles"), and has a monument that is printed on the bill, instead of "faces".

Immigration: - Be sure to take your passport and your Cuban visa with you before exiting the ship. (If you're cruising). Your visa should be filled up. Be sure you follow the instructions given on the visa. The immigration personnel will get your visa and retain it with them. A Cuban visa is in paper form, and is not a stamp or sticker as is usually done by most countries. (see above, top most photo on this post). Depending on the situation and the crowd, it may take a longer wait at the immigration area before your turn comes.

While Havana is said to be a safe place, be always watchful of your surroundings and steps. Don't leave your belongings anywhere else and always be mindful about uneven street surfaces while walking. Visitors are only allowed with a people to people experience. So, no beach trips are allowed!

Bathrooms/restrooms are also limited in Cuba, and amenities are not always complete. So, always take some toiletries with you such as tissues, wipes, etc.. Always wash your hands well with soap and water and bring your sanitizers! Only drink bottled water, avoid tap water. Don't eat fresh veggies, just to be sure. If you want to risk it, then do find a restaurant highly recommended by many.

While touring, giving tips to Cuban nationals is highly expected. 

Honestly, visiting Cuba isn't enough for a day!...we only had a few hours in our case because we were in a cruise so we thought, the best way to tour Old Havana was signing up for a 4-hour Old Havana City Sightseeing tour which wasn't really bad. We got our money's worth!

Cuba has a distinct and a fascinating local culture!

Highly recommended places to visit are castles and 18th century fortresses like Morro Castle and La Cabana fortress, the Revolution Square, Colon Cemetery, Christ of Havana Statue, and be sure to witness the colorful vintage cars around! Then enjoy your walk on cobbled stone paths as you discover and witness timeless architectural building designs that dates back to the 15th century. Each place and building has its own story to tell.

Colon Cemetery for instance is worth visiting as you visit some of the gravestones of famous Cuban residents and with more than 500 mausoleums!

Don't forget to visit and shop at Almacenes San Jose, a waterfront market built in 1885!