Immerse yourself in Cuban culture aboard Viking Sun
On-board lectures, films and excursions offer insight into Caribbean destination
Cuba has become one of the Caribbean’s most popular cruising destinations, but that doesn’t mean that every cruise line offers the same experience on this fascinating island. I just returned from a weeklong cruise to Cuba aboard Viking Cruises’ (cruise.center/vikingsea) brand new Viking Sun. With just 930 guests on board, we sailed on an itinerary that offered a unique perk: three days spent in Cienfuegos, Cuba.
Viking has crafted its Cuban itineraries differently than other lines, and this is to Viking ’s advantage. It is easier for guests to complete customs and security formalities in Cienfuegos (believe me, I’ve spent hours trying to disembark in Havana on other ships), but the entire process here — from tender to motorcoach — took just over 30 minutes.
By calling on Cienfuegos, Viking can offer excursions not only to this charming seaside town on the country’s southern coast, but also to the nearby city of Trinidad.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinidad is absolutely fascinating. A full, eight-hour tour takes guests through Cuba’s rolling hills and valleys to this historic colonial town, with its cobblestone streets and brightly coloured buildings that hearken back to the glory days of the sugar cane trade.
The town, which dates back to 1514, seems to have changed little in the intervening years. I watched as a horse-drawn carriage made its way past Plaza Mayor, the city’s central square, rolling into the distance in a cloud of dust, followed by a lovingly restored 1950s Chevrolet. It’s a true time warp that makes Havana look positively modern.
Speaking of Havana, those wanting to see the city aren’t left out, with a full 12-hour excursion to the Cuban capital, or the option to participate in a full day-and-a-half tour that includes an overnight stay in Havana at a five-star hotel and a performance at the famous Tropicana cabaret.
If you’re wondering how much these excursions cost, I have good news: every one of Viking ’s Cuban adventures ashore, from the walking tour of Cienfuegos to the overnight trip to Havana, are entirely complimentary.
What really impressed me, though, was how immersive the on-board experience is. Lectures on Cuban history were provided almost daily by insightful guest speakers, and relevant films were shown on the pool deck, where wireless headphones ensure you can hear the movie while things are kept quiet for those who’d rather read.
The highlight, though, was an on-board performance by Cuban entertainers from the El Guajirito group, which included musicians from the legendary Buena Vista Social Club. Between the included experiences ashore and the great on-board entertainment, Viking has done a wonderful job of making its Cuban itineraries a true cultural immersion.
Viking Sun is the fourth ship in the line’s rapidly growing oceancruise fleet. A fifth — Viking Orion — is on the way in the new year.
Viking doesn’t tinker a lot with its ship’s interior designs. There’s just no need. From the soothing poolside Wintergarden to the two-storey, forward-facing Explorer’s Lounge and kilometres of open deck space, these ships exude plenty of hygge — the Scandinavian word that describes a feeling of coziness. Everything about these ships reaches out to gently hug your senses, from the wool throws placed over chairs to the onboard collection of books that turn the entire ship into a floating library.
The good news is that Viking’s brand of shipboard coziness works just as well in a hot destination like Cuba as it does in the chilly reaches of northern Norway.
By the time you read this, Viking Sun will be off on her next adventure: a massive, 141-day World Cruise calling on 64 ports of call in 35 countries before her guests disembark in May in London. It is a first for Viking, and it sold out in the blink of an eye. Viking Sun will head out on the World Cruise circuit again in 2019.
If that’s a little out of reach, Viking repeats its Cultural Cuba itineraries from Miami next November aboard Viking Sun’s sister ship, Viking Star, and additional departures in January and February of 2019. These cruises still include the three-day stop in Cienfuegos, but also add a day call to the historic city of Santiago de Cuba.
Happy cruising!