Cruise Cuba Libre

Saturday, March 17th
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Cuban Explorer
Day 0 - Embarkation
Mostly Sunny - 78 Degrees

They say you can go to Cuba now.  Well, let's go then.

As we are fond of saying, our idea of camping is a four star hotel.  But, in Cuba, their idea of a four star hotel is our idea of a hostel.  Not exactly the style we have become accustomed to.  So, we are going to take our hotel with us.

We will be sailing on the ms Veendam, one of Holland America's oldest and smallest ships.

"Grandly proportioned and recently enhanced, ms Veendam offers an onboard experience defined by spacious comfort and the latest amenities."

The cruise is called the Cuban Explorer, eleven days through the Western Caribbean with two stops in Cuba, Havana on the North side, and Cienfuegos to the South.  Thanks to Lonely Planet, here is the map of Cuba:

Cuba is the highlight, but here is the full itinerary:

Saturday, March 17th Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Sunday, March 18th Key West, Florida Monday, March 19th At Sea Tuesday, March 20th Cozumel, Mexico Wednesday, March 21st At Sea Thursday, March 22nd Havana, Cuba Friday, March 23rd At Sea Saturday, March 24th Cienfuegos, Cuba Sunday, March 25th Montego Bay, Jamaica Monday, March 2th Georgetown, Cayman Islands Tuesday, March 27th At Sea Wednesday, March 28th Fort Lauderdale, Florida

We flew into the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport yesterday, and spent the night at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort.  In spite of the name, this is not a trip to the beach, just an overnight before the cruise.

It was a Friday night fun drive up the beach to the resort.  The Westin claims to have the beach's best Mexican Restaurant, Lona Cocina Tequileria.  "Celebrated chef Pablo Salas brings his eclectic, soulful Mexican cooking to Lona. A chic, yet funky environment. featuring a diverse menu including Salmon Mole, Crab infused Guac and tacos."  Pretty good, and very convenient.

After stopping at the Starbucks downstairs this morning, we took a walk up and down the boulevard, then set off to the ship at Port Everglades for embarkation.

We are in a standard Verandah cabin aboard the ms Veendam, Stateroom 152, Deck 9, amidships on the port side.  And, we have unlimited passes to the Hydropool and Thermal Suite, so relaxation awaits.

Cruising out of Port Everglades takes you around the point, through the break in the barrier islands, and out the mouth of the Stranahan River.  In addition to the Pilot boat that is always our constant companion sailing out of port, we had a Coast Guard escort as well.  They mean business.

We sailed away in the sunshine amid the traffic of the river, with a final view all the way up the coast.

We are unpacked and settled in, with the sun and views setting behind us, and looking forward to our traditional embarkation dinner reservation tonight in the Pinnacle Grill, a floating PNW steakhouse cruising in the ASE.

Next Stop:  Key West, Florida