As I was composing this review and thinking of all the negatives that I wanted to write about, I realized that I was not making it clear that I think, even with its many flaws, this cruise was still the best way to visit Cuba. The ports of call were the real reason to take the cruise and they did not disappoint.
Being able to visit Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago while traveling overnight and returning to the ship to sleep and eat worked out perfectly and I would recommend the idea to anyone.
Unfortunately there was one important flaw in the cruise that I consider a complete show-stopper. Until this issue is resolved, I cannot imagine traveling on the Louis Cristal again.