San Pedro de la Roca Castle, one of the best preserved fortresses and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has epic views as well as a plethora of history. Photo by Melody Pittman.
If Cuba’s not on your bucket list, discoveries by a savvy traveler who gave it a skeptical try could change your mind. She chose to see Cuba via cruise ship to eliminate the stress of planning her own trip. What did she cherish the most? The way time stands still, the smooth taste of authentic Cuban rums, the art of smoking a Cuban cigar, and, of course, the myriad of vintage cars with a cruise to Cuba.
Beautiful local art on the streets in Cuba. Photo by Melody Pittman
Cruise to Cuba with Fathom Cruises
Cuba became the 42nd country I’ve visited, and I didn’t really think I wanted to go! Fathom Cruise Line opened the door to Cuba with a one week cruise that included guided local tours while in port. I discovered culture and experiences that made Cuba special to me.
Vintage cars that transport you to a bygone era
Dining like a local in a paladar on Cuban dishes
Following in the footsteps of Hemingway
Exploring iconic Havana
Retracing the Spanish-American War
Tasting Cuban rum (and mojitos!) firsthand
The Cruise Itself
I boarded the Fathom Adonia ship from the cruise port of Miami. Parking was easy. I literally walked across the street, checked in, and was on the ship within 15 minutes. While a travel VISA is required for entry into the country of Cuba, the cruise line took care of those details.
The Fathom Adonia (a-DOAN-e-a) holds a little over 700 guests. On my sailing, there were only 200 passengers due to a scheduling change. Hooray for us; we had the ship all to ourselves! I liked the Adonia ship’s classy decor, a ship that formerly sailed in Britain. Dark heavy woods, calm fabrics, and demure wall coverings were the basis for the common areas.
My stateroom was upgraded to an ocean view and though I am not sure the size of all staterooms, mine was huge. It was similar to other cruise staterooms in that a King bed could be split into two singles and there was a small closet, storage area, chair and couch for seating, desk with lighted mirror, and small bathroom.
Fathom’s Food & Dining
I am generally not a fan of cruise ship food. However, Fathom had a mix of good and not-so-good dishes. I preferred dinners to breakfasts. If you have the opportunity for Cheese Soufflé (OMG!), Chicken Satay, or rich Mushroom Risotto, make sure to order two. They are so mouth-watering! For those who do not want to sit down in the main dining room for meals, there are other options including a buffet on the Lido deck, room service, and a poolside grill. Be on the lookout for the Domincan-inspired Chimichurri burger, full of pungent peppers. It is pretty darned spicy and tasty.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, SheBuysTravel may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.
The beautiful National Capital Building in Havana, Cuba. Photo by Melody Pittman.
The Iconic Havana Cruise Port
When we arrived in Old Havana, we split into groups and set out on foot to explore the four most popular squares in Havana: Plaza Vieja, San Francisco Square, Plaza de Armas, and Plaza de Catedral (my favorite one, with the historic cathedral). We walked 2-3 miles, enjoying being outside and the gorgeous setting. Cuba’s architecture is superb. I took hundreds of pictures, marveling at how clean and safe the city was.
Hanging with my travel partner in crime, Howard of Backroad Planet at Hemingway’s stomping grounds. Photo by Melody Pittman.
After a few hours of intense sightseeing, we broke for lunch. Keep in mind that most of the tours and excursions on the Fathom Cuba cruise are included with your fare. I love that! My group was ushered to the third floor of the famous La Bodeguita del Medio (blue front with yellow sign), where Hemingway was a regular patron. It is the most popular bar in Havana and featured in many of the paintings that are for sale around town.
Our lunch was a traditional Cuban meal of rice, beans, seasoned meats, and two cocktails per person. Mojitos were the most common drink order, but sodas and bottled water were also available. Fun fact: Cuba refers to their rum as “vitamin R.” I found the Cuban mojitos to be super refreshing and a very nice way to beat the heat. They went down way too smoothly. A lively band danced and sang while we enjoyed our meal.
Impressive statue of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes (who freed the slaves in Cuba) at Plaza de Armes. Photo by Melody Pittman.
Figuring Out Cuba’s Currency
We visited a few local shops looking for souvenirs, but other than cigars, rum, and art, there was not much to buy. Figuring out the odd currency in Cuba is quite exhausting since they have a dual currency system, using both CUC’s (Cuban Convertible Peso) and CUP’s (Cuban Peso). It is imperative that you understand how it works before embarking on a Cuban vacation.
Americans cannot pre-buy the currency before leaving home, so kiosks are located within steps of the cruise ship at each port for you to convert money. There is a 10% penalty for exchanging American dollars, plus a small exchange fee. If you have euros, bring them as the exchange rate is better.
We purchased CUC’s, which can be used in some stores, but there is no rhyme or reason as to which you can or cannot use at each establishment. Note: You will only need this money for souvenirs. Do not count on any vendor taking credit cards as they are not commonly used in Cuba. I converted $80 US dollars for my entire trip and that was plenty.
Ministry of Interior Building at Revolution Square, a hot spot for tourists and photographers. Photo by Melody Pittman.
Exploring the Capitol on Day 2 in Havana
Our cruise allowed for an overnight in Havana and though we had the evening all to ourselves, I needed rest and took the opportunity to do just that up that. Many of the guests on board took the excursion (which required a small fee) to the iconic Tropicana Club for a Cabaret style show.
On the morning of day two in Havana, we were shuttled by motor coaches to see the capital of Havana and the lovely city in which it lies. Again, we were split into groups.
One of our stops was to the impressive Christopher Columbus Cemetery. Though I found it an odd stop, I appreciate seeing cemeteries and their decorative tombstones. Hemingway’s favorite bartender had one of the most noteworthy resting places. Another stop on the trip was to a Fusterlandia, a town done in all mosaic tiles. Well-known Artist Jose Fuster places his custom tiles on roofs, doorways, benches, walls, and everywhere in between. It was both interesting and colorful and reminded me of Barcelona great Antoni Gaudi’s style.
Other points of interest along the ride into town were the Plaza de la Revolution and the popular freedom fighter Che Guevara’s monument, which drew a big crowd.
Best Spot for Seeing the Classic Cars
Last but not least, we were taken to the second story of Cine Payret, a 1950’s theatre, for refreshments. While sipping our minty mojitos, we used their small balconies for exceptional photos of the Cuban capitol buildings. From that vantage point, we also saw the old, colorful cars below, perfect for more pictures. Photographing these classic cars was my favorite thing to do in Cuba. It felt like I was an extra on a movie set, stepping back in time like this. Time seems to stand still in Cuba and capturing it through my camera lens was magical!
Want to ride in one of the classic cars? Prices are somewhat negotiable but were mostly around 40 CUC per hour for a guided tour. Definitely a great way to experience Cuba like a local!
What To Do on “At Sea Days”
The Fathom Adonia has a small swimming pool, and daytime activities (meditation, story writing, unleashing your inner Superhero, and cocktail classes) for days at sea. They also have an Elemis spa to take care of your pampering needs. My favorite activity on the boat was the painting option. Similar to the Painting with a Twist classes, for $20, we each painted a canvas with a moonlight dolphin scene. The class included a choice of soda or glass of wine, and we laughed as much as we drank. This was my first time unleashing my inner artist and I had a ball! Ladies and gentlemen, this is one activity you will not want to miss. Sign up early as the class sells out.
Make sure to have your camera ready for the scenic cruising into the port of Cienfuegos. Photo by Melody Pittman.
Discovering Cruise Port of Cienfuegos
Referred to as “the Pearl of the South,” Cienfuegos allowed for scenic cruising through the bay upon arrival. Be sure to grab a good seat on the Lido deck or your personal balcony and enjoy photo-ops along the waterfront. Cienfuegos was settled in 1819.
Our tour for the day took us to an old auditorium to hear a local choir. The venue was decorated with ornate hand-carved woods and gorgeous Carrara marble. The choir’s voices were melodious and enjoyable. They even performed a few English songs we recognized. During your Cuba visit, it is encouraged that visitors take in cultural/social performances. This beautiful performance might have been missed if not for that requirement that the cruise ship was fulfilling.
Cuba Gets a Thumbs Up!
After the concert, we visited downtown Cienfuegos for a bit. We explored the neighboring shops for about an hour on our own. I sat with some friends at a little outdoor restaurant and tried their deep-fried ham and cheese croquettes. My snack was cheap but tasty, with melty cheese oozing out. The tangy mustard for dipping was a great accompaniment. There were stray dogs around so I tried to share my food with them. They were not having any of it. As it turns out, Cuba maintains, feeds, and provides medical treatment for the city’s stray dogs. Well done, Cuba.
The grounds where US President Teddy Roosevelt and his Roughriders fought. Photo by Melody Pittman.
Exploring Cruise Port of Cultural Santiago
This cultural gem, circa 1515, was my favorite stop on my cruise to Cuba. Located in the Southeastern part of the country, Santiago faces the Caribbean Sea and has an incredible historic past. This is where Teddy Roosevelt and his Roughriders fought in the Spanish-American War. We visited the San Juan Battle Site and walked around the watchtowers. Cannons were still on the property, making the site even more believable.
Our group took a tour of Santiago UNESCO World Heritage Site attraction, San Pedro de la Roca castle (or fortress). This is one of the top visited tourist destinations in Cuba. The fort was built in 1637 to protect the city. The temperatures were extremely hot and I was drenched with sweat, but this was one of the best forts I have ever seen.
The fort’s sprawling rooms, full of historic artifacts, seemed to go on forever. The 365° views of the historic city and gorgeous blue sea below us made the climb to the top worthwhile. This fort came alive through the pre-recorded headphone tour and you almost felt like you were there during battle.
This vintage car photo was worth the trip to Cuba for me. Photo by Melody Pittman.
Later, we took a short walking tour of the downtown area. Here my friend, Howard, photographed me in front of an orange vintage car. My clothes just happened to coordinate, and it quickly became my favorite souvenir of my visit to Cuba.
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
Afterwards, we saw a very lively cultural performance at the Cutumba and Macumba Center. African-inspired dancers jived, quaked, shook, and bopped to the beats of African drummers. It was sensational; a combination of sexy, dangerous, and theatrical all rolled into one, definitely a little out of our comfort zones. The moves of one of the main dancers (while she smoked a fat cigar and sprinkled the audience with wet herb branches) were interesting, to say the least.
The colorful, vintage cars even top the spectacular rum and cigars in Cuba. Photo by Melody Pittman.
Experiencing a Paladar
After all of that dancing, we worked up quite an appetite. Our tour guides took us to a paladar. Paladars are independently owned restaurants, unlike the typical government owned and operated establishments in Cuba. Restaurante Primos Twice normally served Italian cuisine, but we were given a spread of famous Cuban dishes. These included tostones (twice fried plantains), malanga chips, moros y cristianos (savory beans and rice), and rope vieja (delicious shredded beef simmered in a velvety tomato, onion, and pepper sauce). A shrimp dish was also served, which I treated myself to seconds of. Yum! Lunch was completed with a serving of creamy flan. This meal was really hearty and the best of the whole trip. I felt like a local.
How to Spend Your Nights Onboard the Ship
There are no big production shows or casinos on this ship, something pro cruisers may balk at. However, Fathom does offer trivia, movies, Bandioke (where you sing karaoke with the help of a live band on a stage), and live music. On this cruise, the ship’s band, The Move (they change frequently), provided fabulous musical offerings for the guests,. We all danced and sang along with many songs we all knew and loved. They were exceptional, far better than some bands I have seen on major cruise liners.
A Dining Experience That Will Delight Your Taste Buds!
I recommend splurging for dinner at the Ocean Grill one night, which applies a $25 cover charge for visiting. The food is incredibly delicious and the service really intimate. Dishes I recommend are the island-inspired Tropical Ceviche and the tender Beef Flank Steak. Cuban-inspired side dishes accompany whatever meal you choose. Save room for the ooey-gooey Bread Pudding for dessert. Certainly worth the fee.
Cruising to Cuba: A Win-Win
Fathom has been one of the pioneers in cruising to Cuba from the United States. I feel that cruising is a wonderful way to explore the country and not have to do much legwork in planning it. To save money, book an inside cabin. Do not miss the overnight in Havana; this is your chance to dive into the sultry rhythms of this salsa loving city. The safety and cleanliness of Cuba will astound you while the beauty of the island will leave an memorable impression. I am glad have my Cuba passport stamp and to have discovered this cultural gem for myself.
Bob Bales says
Looks like so much fun. I would love to visit one day . I would love to see the castle and of course the cars.
Sue McCarthy says
Great article and photos.
Melody Pittman, Southern SheBuysTravel says
Thanks so much Sue! Do you have a desire to see Cuba?