Celestyal Crystal cruise to Cuba Archives – Page 2 of 2

Celestyal Crystal Cruise: Visiting grave of Fidel Castro in Santiago de Cuba

May 22, 2017 by Jackie Sheckler Finch

ABOARD THE CELESTYAL CRYSTAL – An elderly lady in a faded black dress kissed the wilting red rose in her hand and gently placed it on the grave. Turning with tears in her eyes, she said something in Spanish but the only words I understood were “Yo soy Fidel (I am Fidel).” My first day in Cuba on our Celestyal Crystal cruise and I am at the grave of Fidel Castro learning why the most common answer …

Celestyal Crystal Cruise: Heading to Cuba for weeklong adventure

May 22, 2017May 21, 2017 by Jackie Sheckler Finch

When Christopher Columbus first discovered Cuba, he called it “the loveliest land ever beheld by human eyes.” Now I’m on my way to discover those legendary beauties for myself. And I’m traveling to Cuba in one of the best ways possible – aboard the Celestyal Crystal. Although once-forbidden Cuba now welcomes American visitors, the country’s infrastructure is still not very visitor friendly. Accommodations are limited, usually expensive and not up to American standards. Restaurants are the often …

Heidi Allison-Shane, Editor-at-Large, writes for numerous travel publications and has worked extensively as a consultant to the career and travel industries.

Gerry Barker is a life-long journalist, and he has been on more than a dozen cruises, from Barcelona and Rome to the Panama Canal.

Dennis Cox is an award-winning travel photographer and writer who has visited over one hundred countries on all seven continents.

Judi Cuervo is a New York City native who has been writing about travel for over 20 years.

Jackie Sheckler Finch has cruised on large and small vessels on numerous rivers and oceans.

Alexander & Rachel Garrett are experienced world travelers with a young and fresh point of view.

Renee Goyeneche is our Research Editor, and a writer and contributor to several prominent travel websites.

Julie Hatfield is a freelance travel writer and an active member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW).

Cynthia Boal Janssens is the award-winning editor of ATC. She has cruised extensively and loves small ships.

Debi Lander is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in travel, food and lifestyle.

David Molyneaux has cruised on more than 50 ships and is president of the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation.

Bryce Sanders has traveled the world extensively and is now concentrating on writing about his adventures.

Judy Zimmerman has been a travel editor and award-winning freelance travel writer for 27 years. She’s been to over 100 countries and has taken 65 cruises.

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