hellobeautifulcreatures

Setting out on a FunShip Voyage to Cuba! The Carnival Paradise passes the historic El Morro Castle in Havana, Cuba, on its first voyage to the city on Friday, June 30, 2017. Photo courtesy of Sven Creutzmann/Carnival Cruise Line. August 14, 2017 Today, I embarked Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Paradise in her homeport of Tampa, Florida to set sail on one of Carnival’s newest and most unique itineraries: a five-night voyage to Havana, Cuba . Carnival Paradise arrived in Havana for the first time on June 30 of this year, becoming the first Carnival ship in the company’s 45-year history to ever visit Cuba. All of this was made possible by the easing of travel restrictions against the island nation by the U.S. Government – though how long this will all last is anyone’s guess. Cuban and American flags…Photo © 2017 Aaron Saunders …adorn Carnival Paradise ’s soaring atrium. Photo © 2017 Aaron Saunders This isn’t my first visit to Cuba. As a Canadian, I’ve traveled here in the past as ...

We drove from OKC to Houston the day before so that we wouldn't be rushed on the sail day. Stayed at the Fairfield Inn near the Houston airport. The price was reasonable and it was convenient and close to restaurants and easy access to the highway the next morning for the drive to Galveston. Only took about 35 minutes. The traffic getting to the cruise terminal on Sunday AM was SLOW going to get into the terminal area. I would recommend driving past the terminal and coming in from the east direction, rather than from the West and having to wait forever to turn into the terminal drives. Once we did get on the property, there were porters very available to assist in getting the luggage from the car and onto a cart for us. He showed us where the check in was and took care of getting all our luggage inside and checked in for us, which was a great help. He was friendly and affable and well worth the tip he earned. The staff inside the terminal were courteous and More smiling as...