CENTRAL HOLIDAYS - CUBA

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AFTERNOON: “Rum Tasting” briefing by our destination expert.
AFTERNOON: Let’s Learn Salsa!
EVENING: Dance Like a Cuban - It’s Rumba Time!
DAY 3 I SUN I AT SEA I AUTHENTIC CUBAN EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
ON BOARD
MORNING: A Taste of Cuba: How to "mix and match" the Most
Mouthwatering Dishes by our destination expert. Join us for a Cuban
cooking lesson and learn about some of the unique gems endemic to
Cuban cuisine. You’ll learn how to take fresh ingredients and create
incomparable tastes that burst with the flavors of Cuba. Our chef will
show you how Creole and Spanish cuisine blend to create the
authentic, singular Cuban gastronomic experience loved all over the
world.
AFTERNOON: “Cuban Cigars - The Story behind the Smoke”
AFTERNOON: Documentary about Cuba.
EVENING: Dance Like a Real Cuban: It’s Cha Cha Cha Time!
DAY 4 I MON I HAVANA I ARRIVE: 8:00 AM
MORNING: Lecture Join us for a lecture where we will have the unique
opportunity to learn and discuss topics on which Cuba excels, such as
social security, family code and agricultural co-ops.
MORNING: “Real Taste of Havana” Tour. The old city center comprises
a breathtaking mix of Baroque and neoclassical monuments and a
homogeneous ensemble of private houses with arcades, balconies,
wrought-iron gates and internal courtyards. Come meander along the
narrow streets of this fascinating city with our expert guide, who will
regale you with tales of this magical city’s storied history. We begin with
a walking tour of the historical center of Old Havana (“Habana Vieja”),
where we’ll see the Royal Forces Castle, Saint Francis of Assisi Square,
the Cathedral Square, the Old Square and Arms Square. We’ll have the
opportunity to see and buy old books in all languages and interact with
the book sellers.
AFTERNOON: “More of Authentic Havana” Tour. This Panoramic tour
includes a photo stop at the famed Old Capital Building, then we drive
past Revolution Museum, The Fine Arts Museum, The Parque Central
(Central Park) and the Gran Teatro de Havana. We then stop at
Revolution Square for some free time and photos - you’ll find the Jose
Marti Memorial, the National Library and the Revolution Palace here.
We leave Revolution Square to continue our tour with a drive past some
of Old Havana’s most important buildings, the University of Havana
and its escalinata (stairway) and the Alma Mater statue, La Rampa; the
Coppelia ice cream parlor, the Yara movie theater and the Habana
Libre hotel. We end our tour at San Jose Market for more free
time and the market’s unique shops and hospitable vendors. Overnight
in Havana.
DAY 5 I TUE I HAVANA - DEPART: 10:00 PM
MORNING: “More of Real Havana” Tour. Old Havana and its
fortifications are a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city was founded
in 1519 by the Spanish, and by the 17th century it had become one of
the Caribbean's main centers for ship-building. Our “More of the Real
Havana” Tour features a visit to the Fine Arts Museum and the famed
“Museo de la Revolución” (The Museum of the Revolution). Housed in
the former Presidential Palace, the museum is devoted to the
revolutionary war of the 1950s and to the country's post-1959 history.
Following the Museo de la Revolución we will make a stop to marvel at
some of the outdoor installations of legendary Cuban ceramicist and
graphic artist Jose Fuster, a pioneer of Cuban visual art. We then return
on board Celestyal Crystal.
EVENING: Dance like a Cuban. Come join us for a selection of beautiful
Cuban dances and live Cuban music by the “Latin Souls” band. We will
take you through the steps - by the end of the hour, you’ll feel as if your
feet aren’t touching the dance floor.
DAY 6 I WED I DAY AT SEA
MORNING: “El Ajiaco” Cultural Briefing by our destination expert. This
hearty Cuban stew has been eaten on the island since the 1500’s! It’s
a mix of chicken, pork spare ribs, corn malanga (yellow taro), plantains,
WEEKLY DEPARTURES FROM MONTEGO BAY
Jan. 5, 2018 thru Feb. 9, 2018 & Nov. 9, 2018 thru Mar. 2019
From $2,369 per person for an Inside Stateroom*
From $2,559 per person for an Ocean View Stateroom*
From $2,999 per person for a Balcony Stateroom*
(*) Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Single room supplement &
children’s rates available upon request.
INCLUDED FEATURES
•Free roundtrip transfers between Montego Bay airport
and the ship
•7 nights’ accommodations in your selected cabin category
•Two full days in Havana
•Full breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
•Unlimited bar & beverage package
•"People to People" cultural exchange program in Havana,
Cienfuegos & Santiago de Cuba via air conditioned motor coach
•Port charges and all shipboard gratuities
•Daily entertainment program
•Fitness center
•Evening entertainment and theme nights
•Cuba visa & Cuba health Insurance
yucca, Cuban boniato and pumpkin! Join us prior to your shore
excursion to discuss the ways in which the authentic Cuba you'll
experience ashore is similar to the legendary meal, a mix of diverse
accents, myths, races and religion all stewed together - and to
perfection!
MORNING: Cooking Demonstration - Cuban Festive Dishes. Join us for
a Cuban cooking lesson and discover some of the many gems of Cuban
cuisine. You will learn how to take fresh ingredients and create
incomparable tastes that burst with the flavors of Cuba. Our chef will
show you how some of the most popular Cuban festive dishes are
prepared.
EVENING: Dance like a Cuban - Que Rico Mambo!
DAY 7 I THU I CIENFUEGOS I ARRIVE: 7:00 AM - DEPART: 3:00 PM
MORNING: Cienfuegos City Tour. You will have the unique opportunity
to visit Cienfuegos, a 19th century planned city and a UNESCO World
Heritage site. “The Pearl of the South”, this colonial gem was founded
in 1819. Situated on the Caribbean coast of southern-central Cuba at
the heart of the country’s sugar cane, mango, tobacco and coffee
production area, the town first developed in the neoclassical style - it
became more eclectic as it grew but still retained a harmonious overall
townscape. We then stop at the Graphic Society of Cienfuegos, where
we’ll meet with local artists and view their prints - the society is beloved
by the people of Cienfuegos for its programs for children with special
needs. Our tour continues at Project Trazos Libres: artist Santiago
Hermes Martinez converted his family home into an art collective in
2009 to support local artists and collaborate with them – get ready to
view unique handicrafts, murals, photographs and traditional
costumes. We will then enjoy a panoramic view of Cienfuegos, before
we visit the magnificent Teatro Thomas Terry: built between 1887 and
1889 to honor Venezuelan industrialist Tomás Terry, this 950-seat
opera house and theater is decorated with Carrara marble and hand-
carved Cuban hardwoods. After Teatro Thomas Terry we’ll return to the
Celestyal Crystal.
EVENING: Make Your Own Cocktail. Try a real mojito.
EVENING: Farewell event. Before your disembarkation, join us for a get
together and a farewell drink.
EVENING: Dance like a Cuban.
DAY 8 I FRI I MONTEGO BAY I ARRIVE: 8:00 AM Instead of saying
Adios… say hasta pronto – meaning “until soon” as you bid farewell to
this culturally rich People to People experience by sea in Cuba. This
morning disembark the ship and transfer to Montego Bay airport for
your flight back home. Thank you for sailing with us in Cuba.