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Question ( I hope I am posting in the right section...new to this). Going on MSC Armonia ( RT/Miami) with an overnight in Cuba in Sept. We booked an excursion for the Walking Historic Havana Tour for the first day ( 5 hours). Any ideas or tips on how to find private tour guides ( that are trustworthy)? Any hints on nightlife ( NOT Tropicana)? Since MSC is providing us with a visa, I assume we get get off/on ship anytime we want. Is Havana safe to walk around at night? Any tips would be appreciated. I can get by in Spanish , but I would not consider myself fluent).

Exactly, Jackie! Getting back to the ship before it sails is a pretty important feature of cruising - you might think they'd double and triple check the all-aboard time.

EXACTLY - Jackie! Icy Strait Point is my favorite port BECAUSE it is still so "Alaskan"! They have a few shops - one of which is a bookshop run by the local high school students, so the proceeds go back to the school. And the two restaurants had many locals as well as cruise passengers in them for halibut pulled right out of their bay and local beers (among other things.) You can sit out on the boardwalk patio and watch the whales - it's fabulous! And yet....I have read reviews from people who hate it....think it is a waste of time...not anything to do or see! No....no jewelry stores in sight, but plenty of opportunities to see whales, sea lions, bears, eagles....nothing special, right, ha! The people who's livelihood ended when the salmon plant closed down have turned it into a wonderful change of pace from the standard three ports.