meadowdrive

On 5/1/2018 at 12:39 PM, Skid said:

@meadowdrive I have never been to Tampa, but when I used the RC Shuttle service in Puerto Rico last year they were located at a kiosk in the baggage claim area. My guess would be that is how they do it at every airport. So even if you only have carry ons, go to baggage claim. Also, they take passengers and luggage on separate vehicles. The luggage goes on a truck and they wait for it to fill up as much as possible. So on the return trip from the ship we arrived at the airport about 40 minutes before our luggage did. I am not telling you this to scare you--just wanted you to be aware so you don't get nervous. And hopefully you are not cutting it too close for your flight departure. You can call RC to verify.

Thank you!

Is the signage at Tampa Airport clearly marked for the transportation shuttle to the RC Cruise ports? We purchased the transportation to and from the port to airport. Thanks!

15 hours ago, FLGooner said:

Monorailmedic has this 100% correct, we regularly cruise from Tampa to Cuba, Take Euros and then very simple, quick and efficient exchange operation inside the Cruise Terminal in Havana. Great tip is exchange your CUCs back into USD at the end of your visit as there is not the 10% penalty when you exchange that way.

And this is great as well...I probably would have exchanged back to Euros. Thank you!

16 hours ago, monorailmedic said:

You'll be able to quickly and easily change currency at the CADECA located within the cruise terminal.  We found it very efficient.  Cuban currency is now supposed to leave the island, so as far as I know you can not change any money before arriving.

It's important to know that with very limited exceptions, US credit cards are not accepted in Cuba (and cash is king there anyway).  There are also two currencies, CUCs and CUPs, and they're valued VERY differently, so it's important to know the difference.  The exchange at the terminal will only give you CUCs, which is what you want.  This article explains how to pay for things in Cuba, how to identify the two currencies, a way you *may* be able to save a bit when changing money, and more.  You may want to check the rest of the Cruising Cuba series as well.  

http://www.cruisehabit.com/cruising-cuba-credit-cards-and-changing-currency-cuba-how-pay-goods-and-services

Thank you for this great information! This makes me feel much better about the exchange. 

Is there a way to find our who's on the cruise May 9?  Onboard the Majesty. Thanks!

Is this still the case? No Cuban Convertible Peso exchange onboard? Just confirming. If so, I'll take Euros with us and exchange them instead of USD.  Thanks for your help!

On 2/24/2017 at 7:30 AM, monctonguy said:

Only place to get Cuban currency is in Cuba.....no matter what country you are from.

 

You will find that American is  accepted at a lot of places these days, but still somewhat limited(as are USA credit cards I believe still)