travel
May 16, 2024

Two women on Caribbean cruise: Just cross the plans

The first question on the ship: Does anyone have a toothbrush?

"I need a mojito for now," my mother says as we arrive at the wharf in Havana late at night. Your urgent request has reasons? we landed in Cuba without our bags, my mother, the photographer and me. And we spent two hours at the lost-and-found counter, where they picked up our luggage numbers on a computer built in 1992 in deep Caribbean silence. 134662 is mine, 134773 is my mother's. For the next few days, I will be shouting these numbers into countless telephone receivers, entering them in forms and keeping half the crew of the "MSC Opera" busy.

The word "guest relation manager" gets a whole new meaning for me. But Walter, the Italian with the German name, did a great job. If he ever had thoughts of escape, if he saw me hurry to the reception to ask about the lost suitcases: He did not show it. And my over 80-year-old mother? Remained surprisingly calm. But in turn.

See you in Cuba

Cuba, Havana, the lightness, the colors, the music ... Every time my mother remembered the island, she got into raptures. A journey she had made 18 years ago with my now deceased father. An experience that burned into her and she had never believed to repeat it. Then this tour fell to my feet: a week-long Caribbean cruise starting in? Havana! Sure, who would accompany me.

And now the "MSC Opera" will be our hotel in Havana for the next two days, before we set sail with her. Immediately after embarking, as we say in Crusader jargon, we go on mojito search. Which is easy, because the old town with its bars and restaurants is right in front of our bow. We walk through narrow streets, let ourselves be lulled by Caribbean sounds and finally land at a bar. Loud, full, alive. There is the "national drink" Daiquiri and of course a mojito for my mother, who is happy to be in Cuba. Later, we fall slightly frazzled and gedjetlagt in our cabin beds. In T-shirt and panties from the "MSC-Not-Package". Unfortunately, my mother received the men's set.

We drive in vintage cars through Havana

After an opulent breakfast on the upper deck we start our first day in Havana with a vintage car tour. The sun is shining from the sky as we drive in the convertible the famous Malecón, the multi-lane road right on the sea. Driver and car are about my mother's year of construction. Fits.

We stop at the pretty "Parque Central" in the middle of the city, let us breathe in the lush garden of the "Hotel Nacional" a fresh breeze and finally land in the famous Hemingway-Bar "Floridita", where already in the morning tens of Daiquiris on the Tourist streams are waiting. "Yes, there's more going on here than back then," says my mother, sipping her drink. "But it's all just as dilapidated."

Of course, the number of visitors has changed drastically recently. Since Fidel Castro's death, everyone wants to rush back into the creepy, honest, untouristic Cuba before it completely succumbs to capitalism. For me, Havana feels like an undefined mix of socialist lethargy and mega-hippy travel destination. It seems that the locals have not quite understood what is happening, while thousands of crusaders and other tourists are moving through the narrow streets of the old town.

Slips are traded here, as are semi-legal substances elsewhere

In the afternoon I want to buy underpants and realize that I was a bit too optimistic about the quick solution of the problem. Briefs are traded here, as are semi-legal substances elsewhere: in a plastic bag under the cash desk. With detective instinct, I finally get a pair of underpants for my mother and me.

Some other things have to be done too, because the luggage, our favorite Walter told us, will be delivered tomorrow, but then we will have already left for Jamaica. Crusaders bad luck. My mom wears it dignified and, for lack of alternatives, buys flowered platform sneakers in which she somehow looks like a cool silver age fashion blogger.

In the evening we do without the ship's dinner and drive to the restaurant "La Guarida" in a neighborhood near the university. The store is in a typical historic house and was even the filming location in the movie "Strawberries and Chocolate". Nevertheless, we get a table without reservation on the terrace lit by candlelight.Here meets who is hip? the main course prices are quite high for Havana at around 18 euros, but the grilled rabbit and the fresh fish are worth it. In addition, the ambience is simply unbeatable: around us facades in the best Shabby Chic, in front of us the good red wine, above us the moon. It does not get more romantic.

Such a cruise ship has its own DNA

My mother may know Cuba, but she has never been on a cruise ship. And that is like a country with its own DNA. Mostly it takes at least one lake day to understand that. We have that when it comes to Jamaica. Of course, the best deck chairs on deck are manned in the morning. Cruise ships usually have many regulars who are knowledgeable, while we still get lost at the huge breakfast buffet. Then I first look for the fitness area and get hold of a treadmill with a panoramic view of the sea (the Crusader knows: on days at sea like long waiting times connected). I run (in the absence of my sports clothes I wear a mini-skirt converted to a stretch top), music in the ear, the horizon in view.

My mother, on the other hand, lets Havana sink on the cabin balcony. Your acclimatization will take some time, I suspect. Even if the "Opera" is rather small compared to other ships and "only" accommodates 2700 passengers, it still has many stairs and corridors to get lost. Where was Deck 5 right now? Which elevator goes to the pool deck? In which of the four restaurants do we have dinner? What should I wear?

Oh, no, the question does not arise. As we come to the "Captain's Dinner", we fall a bit off the floor between evening dresses, high heels and suits. I'm wearing a mini dress from the onboard shop and my sneakers. My mother a white hippie blouse with embroidery (also on-board shop) and her extravagant platform sneakers from Havana. Christian, the photographer, carries about what he already had on the plane. But hey, I think looking at the other guests: Get used to our sight. If in doubt, we will look like that the next few days.

Pure Caribbean: Jamaica and the Caymans

Jamaica and the Caymans somehow fly past us. The sea so blue, the beaches so white, the air so mild. Of course you can book countless excursions at any destination, but the Caribbean is enough excursion for us. We just want to let ourselves drift. In Jamaica, we sit at the "Public Beach" and watch Genando, the Rastafarian, fishing. Invents that he deserves a beer for it. And that with emphasis. Christian buys him one, but there is still a nice photo. My mother is having fun. She still can not believe that she has Caribbean sand on her old days.

On the Caymans, we take the public bus to "Cemetery Beach", which is located in a cemetery, but is a beautiful beach, where an expensive summer house ranks next. So here are the hideaways of the rich Americans! We go for a walk and I swim in the blueest water I have ever seen.

The hope that we will reach our luggage, which was allegedly forwarded, I have slowly given up. At least not here and in Jamaica. My mother, who is not just missing her swimsuit, wears it with composure? yes, with over 80 you have clear ideas of well fitting swimwear, because you do not buy anything. She looks a bit wistful on the paradisiacal sea. But she has her principles.

Enlightenment in Mexico

The thing with the cruise is that: You really get around. Three countries in a week are nothing. So we hop full of Havana, Jamaica and the Caymans again just over to Mexico. Another completely different world. Here we have booked a trip. The Mayan ruins in San Gervasio have won against swimming with turtles. We were somehow after culture. And we are lucky: The tour guide is great, and the stone remains have something very special? even if they are just the little sisters of the huge plant in Tulum.

But I'm learning something. Namely, according to the Mayan cycle, since 2012, the era of sustainability has begun. The phase of competition and useless materialism is over, now it's about soul, mind and humanity. How fitting, I think at the thought of our luggage. I feel like it's completely gone, and nobody wants to tell us. Somehow, the Mayan idea helps me decide that it's time to let go of the vile mammon. And here between these venerable, millennia-old stones I know that I'll miss my favorite summer sandals painfully? but in the end it's only clothes.

What else happened

The breakfast on our balcony becomes the favorite ritual of my mother and me. Coffee, croissant, sea view? more is not possible. She does not go out in the evening on her way to the restaurant and enjoys the gigantic sunset every day.

We discover the most beautiful berths on the deck and get to know the Italian captain, who is revered by regulars like a pop star. And we find out that you can get a good mojito at the ship bar.

Back in Havana, we get an upgrade from Condor because of the baggage affliction for the flight home? but the spontaneously substitute machine has no business class.

Our bags are not gone. They come a few days after we get home. I had already let loose in deep Caribbean Mayan relaxation. But I'm happy anyway.

Also fancy a cruise to Havana & Co.?

The described MSC cruise? Caribbean, Cuba, Antilles? lasts 8 days / 7 nights (Havana? Jamaica? Caymans? Cozumel? Havana). Next date: March 31, 2018 (from 949 Euro / without arrival). A similar route will be offered weekly between December 2017 and March 2018 (from 649 Euro / no arrival). The special thing: You have time to take a look at Havana in peace (www.msc-kreuzfahrten.de).

Getting there: Condor flies three times a week from Frankfurt to Havana, once a week from Munich (from 300 euros, www.condor.com).

For whom are MSC cruises suitable? Who books here, gets entertainment for the whole family. There is a high-quality board program? both during the day and in the evening in the respective ship's theater? a spa and a large water playground.

The guests: international, families with children, but also many younger couples. The fleet will soon include 15 ships, the new additions "MSC Seaside" (from December) and "MSC Meraviglia" have a very comprehensive fitness and wellness offer.

highlight: special offers for single parents.

routes: Caribbean Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Africa, United Arab Emirates, Cuba, Asia, Iceland, Norway, Baltic Sea, Azores, Canaries, South America.

Which cruise suits me?A lot of program or rather rest, family fun or culture? Every shipping company has its specialties. We have put together a few alternatives here.

1. ON THE ROAD WITH THE "QUEEN"

Cunard Cruise Line, the most traditional cruise ship brand in the world, offers high tea with scones and clotted cream on the "Queen Elizabeth", the "Queen Victoria" or the "Queen Mary 2"? served by white-gloved waiters. In the evening, "Gentleman Hosts" in the ballroom ask for a dance.

For whom? Fans of classic cruises. Routes: Transatlantic, World Tour, British Isles, Africa and Australia.

highlight: special offers for single travelers.

Typical tour: "Queen Elizabeth", Kiel? Southampton (21 to 24 May 2018, from 970 Euro, www.cunard.de).

2. PIRATE SHIP & ICE

Children are welcome at Costa. On the flagship "Diadema" lure, for example, a pirate ship and a castle, including a large water playground. A total of 15 ships. The motto is "Italys Finest" with homemade ice cream and Italian hospitality.

For whom? Families with children and friends of Italian way of life.

routes: Baltic Sea, Mediterranean, Caribbean and many others. highlight: In the parents' cabin, children under 17 travel free of charge.

Typical tour: "Costa Diadema", Mediterranean from / to Civitavecchia / Rome (2 to 9 March 2018, from 629 Euro; (www.costakreuzfahrten.de).

3. RUNNING, SWIMMING, FITNESS ...

There will be a 438-meter-long jogging course with gradient from 2018 on the future "Mein Schiff 1" from TUI-Cruises, a special fitness week on the "Mein Schiff 5." Free offers for newcomers and sports guns on all ships.

For whom? Couples and families who want casual fun ship feeling.

routes: Mediterranean Sea, Nordland, Caribbean u. a.

highlight: with 25 meters longest pools at sea.

Typical tour: "My ship 4", Gran Canaria? Mallorca (22 to 30 April 2018, from 1218 Euro, www.tuicruises.com).

4. LUXURY PUR

The service is excellent, the restaurants on the? "MS Europa" and the "MS Europa 2" from Hapag Lloyd Cruises at top level. The expedition ships such as "MS Bremen" drive on ever new routes to remote regions.

For whom? For discerning guests who value a family atmosphere on small ships.

routes: Mediterranean, Nordland, Asia, Caribbean and South America.

highlight: From 2019, the five-star new buildings "Hanseatic nature" and "Hanseatic inspiration" will be setting sail.

Typical tour: "MS Europa 2", Benoa / Bali? Laem Chabang / Bangkok (13 to 26 March 2018, from? 9450 euros, including arrival and departure, www.hl-cruises.de).

5. PARTY FUN

In December 2018, the new building "AIDAnova" gets going. As with the others, the 13th member of the Kussmund fleet also focuses on professional entertainment. New: The first TV studio at sea. And: The "Body & Soul Organic Spa" section offers more than 80 treatments from all over the world.

For whom? For couples and families who want to combine experience and recreation.

routes: Canary Islands, Mediterranean Sea and many other sun destinations.

highlight: the "spray bars" at the bow of "AIDAprima" and "AIDAperla"? Enjoy drinks and spray.

Typical tour: "AIDAblu", Tenerife? Mallorca (23.until 31st March 2018, from 945 Euro; www.aida.de).