Going to Cuba was a bucket list item of mine. I've always wanted to go, but never could. Then it opened up, and best of all, a reasonably priced Royal Caribbean cruise could take me there from my hometown of Tampa! What could be better?

Well let me tell you, Cuba was spectacular, but find a different way to get there. Majesty of the seas is a 70,000 ton ship that carries almost as many people (2,700) as the 130,000 ton ships (Carnival Breeze, Regal Princess: carry approx 3,200-3,500) but with only half the size. The ship feels completely crowded everywhere you go. Want a table at the buffet? best of luck!

In addition, the security staff is grossly incompetent. It took 2 hours to board the ship in Tampa. It took well over an hour to board in Havana, Cuba. It was a single file line that went back and forth the length of the ship 4 times to get back on board. They only had one single line to get back on the ship... for almost 3,000 people. Then, they tried to blame Cuba customs. But nope, this was after Cuba customs (which by the way just waives everyone through). Read more