Cruising to Cuba

The hidden gem of the Caribbean

  • Home
  • Cruise Lines
    • Virgin Voyages Cruises to Cuba
    • Royal Caribbean Cruises to Cuba
    • Holland America Cruises to Cuba
    • Norwegian Cruise Lines Cruises to Cuba
    • Oceania Cruises to Cuba
    • Viking Cruises to Cuba
    • Azamara Club Cruises to Cuba
    • Carnival Cruises to Cuba
    • Pearl Seas Cruises to Cuba
    • Fathom Cruises to Cuba
  • Cruise Excursions
    • Havana Cuba Cruise Excursion
    • Hemingway Cuba Cruise Excursion
    • Cuba Cruise Excursion to Las Terrazas
    • Cienfuegos Cuba Cruise Excursion
    • Santiago de Cuba Cruise Excursion
    • El Cobre Cuba Cruise Excursion
  • Booking Form
  • Books for Your Cuba Cruise
  • Cuban Cars
    • Cuban Music
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
    • Affiliate Disclosure Page

Hemingway Cuba Cruise Excursion

One of the unforgettable experiences in Havana is to take a Hemingway Cuba Cruise Excursion to follow in Hemingway’s footsteps. Few authors have captured the imagination of generations of readers when it comes to Cuba as Ernest Hemingway has. Fortunately for those of us who cruise to Cuba, Hemingway’s most famous haunts are unbelievably close to the Port of Havana where your cruise ship will dock.

Once you leave the port at Terminal Sierra Maestra, where all ships that cruise to Cuba dock, you enter into Old Havana where your adventure begins…

Terminal Sierra Maestra San Francisco Havana Cuba Cruising

Our first stop will be across the bay.  Have your camera ready for the amazing sights are just beginning!

Bar Restaurant Cabana Cuba Cruise Excursion

There is no bridge over the Havana Bay, so you will have the opportunity to experience a tunnel, some 30 feet beneath the bay, a technological marvel that was built by a French company, Societe des Grands Travaux de Marseille in the mid 50’s under the Batista regime. For the next 30 minutes, as you travel to Hemingway’s house, Finca Vigia, your Cuba Guide will fill you with stories of Hemingway’s life on his favorite island.  From the tales of his wife to his love of the Cuban people. you will have a glimpse into the life of Ernest Hemingway. Then we arrive at Finca Vigia and the beautifully maintained grounds.

Havana Cuba Cruise Excursion

While we are not allowed to enter Finca Vigia on the Hemingway Cuba Cruise Excursion, the windows and doors are left wide open for us to easily view the most important rooms in Hemingway’s house.  Better known as as Museo Ernest Hemingway, it has been immaculately preserved by the Cuban Government. We’ll only share one picture here of the dining room so you can experience the rest for yourself when you take this historic excursion.

Finca Vigia Dining Room Cuba Cruise Excursion

Make sure to stroll the the grounds of the estate and imagine it through the eyes of Hemingway. And if you have time take a quick stroll first to the pool. Picture Ava Gardner and Ernest Hemingway swimming here.

Finca Vigia Pool Cruising to Cuba Excursion

Just to the right of the pool rests Hemingway’s fishing boat, Pilar. You can get right up close to see it in all its glory. It is covered and protected from the elements and nicely restored.

Hemingway's Pilar Bow Finca Vigia

Pilar is 38 feet in length, Hemingway originally purchased it in 1934 for the sum of $7,495 from Wheeler Shipbuilding in Brooklyn.

Wooden Fishing Boat Pilar Cruising to Cuba Excursion

Mary Welsh, one of Hemingway’s wives had a lookout tower built for Ernest, so that he could have an “office with a view”.

Hemingway's Writing Tower Finca Vigia

Take a walk up the rickety stairs if you dare as here lies the most famous typewriter in Cuba.

Hemingway's Corona Typewriter Finca Vigia

And once up here, you will have one of the most beautiful views of Havana, just as Hemingway had.

View from Finca Vigia Cruising to Cuba Excursion

On to our next stop in the Hemingway Cuba Cruise Excursion, Cojimar, the small fishing village where Hemingway was inspired to write “The Old Man and the Sea”. This is why you cruise to Cuba, an experience that truly makes the story come to life.

Cojimar Pier Old Man and the Sea

A bronze bust sculpted by Cuban sculptor Fernando Boada Martín utilizing propellors, anchors and chain links donated by local fishermen, stands proudly in the town square.

Ernest Hemingway Statue Cojimar Cuba Cruising

Hemingway looks out at the bay in this great tribute to the man who loved Cuba as much as Cuba loved him. Painted in the colors of the sea and the sky, it is a thrill to behold.

Hemingway Cojimar Bay

How about lunch at La Terraza de Cojimar, one of Hemingway’s favorite bar restaurants? I say YES!!! We all say YES!!!!

La Terraza de Cojimar Restaurante Bar

When you enter from the front door, the bar well stocked with Havana Club and art will greet you. How about a fine daiquiri!

La Terraza de Cojimar Daiquiri

Don’t miss this painting in a port hole of Hemingway’s First Mate, Georgio Fuentes, and the inspiration for “The Old Man and The Sea”

Captain Gregorio Fuentes Cruising to Cuba Excursion

When you enter the dining room, the first thing you will see is Hemingway’s favorite table, looking out over the bay, always reserved just for him.

La Terraza de Cojimar Hemingway's Table

Now it’s time to head back to Old Havana for some liquid refreshment, first to Floridita, the “Cradle of the Daiquiri”.

Floridita La Cuna del Daiquiri Cuba Cruise

Be sure to order a Papa Double or just “Papa” for short, Hemingway’s preferred drink at this world renowned bar.

My Daiquiri in El Floridita

Now that we are sufficiently satisfied, lets head on to La Bodeguita del Medio, Hemingway’s bar for his other favorite libation, the Mojito!

La Bodeguita del Medio Cuba Cruise Excursion

That’s right, it is a very small bar isn’t it? Everyone lines up to have one of their famous Mojitos. Trust me it is worth it!!

Havana Club La Bodeguita del Medio

The sign speaks for itself…

My Mojito in La Bodeguita

If you are lucky enough to stay overnight in Havana on your Cuba cruise, now’s a good time to head back to the ship, rest up and get ready to venture out again. The sight of Havana Bay at sunset from the ship is truly magnificent.

Sunset in Havana Bay Cuba Cruising

The sun is setting, the Old Havana night calls you like a siren.  Let’s head back out to visit Hemingway’s favorite Hotel Ambos Mundos.  Just a short walk from the port you will enter the magic of this beautiful city.

Hotel Ambos Mundos Cuba Excursion

This hotel holds the history and literary spirit of Hemingway on the 5th floor, Room 511.  It is where Hemingway wrote “For Whom the Bell Tolls”.  It is been preserved just as he left it. As it should be!

Hotel Ambos Mundos Cruise to Cuba Excursion

If you walk the corridors of this magnificent hotel you will find that the walls are sprinkled with some historic photos and classic art depicting Hemingway in his finest moments.  Truly worth the trip!! Take a stroll through The Hotel Ambos Mundos and you walk in the steps of Hemingway himself.

Hemingway Art Hotel Ambos Mundos Cuba Cruise Excursion

Then be sure to sip on a Mojito in the lobby bar while listening to their pianist play the songs of Ernest’s era. The music, the atmosphere, the piano player, the romantic setting will take you back in time.  We at Cruising to Cuba always make time for romance.

Hotel Ambos Mundos Mojito Cuba Cruise Excursion

The night is still young and Old Havana waits with its many bars and Paladares all within short walking distance of your ship. And be sure to take a photo in the San Francisco de Asis Square before you cross the street and head back onboard from your Hemingway Cuba Cruise Excursion. The light is beautiful, as is Shauna….

San Francisco de Asis Square Cuba Cruise Excursion

And we have a list of some suggested books on Cuba that will make your experience more meaningful. having a deeper understanding of past and present Cuba will open your eyes and hearts to this wonderful and enigmatic island. Click on our Books For Your Cuba Cruise page.

Whether you are Cruising to Cuba on board Royal Caribbean, Fathom, Oceania, Norwegian, Azamara, Viking or Carnival be sure to work a Hemingway Cuba Cruise Excursion into your plans!

Call us to Book Now 661-297-3208

We are here to book trip to Cuba and to answer any questions you may have, so please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!!! Cruising To Cuba is a Website of the Travel Agency Whodunit Productions, Inc. Whodunit Productions always suggest that you purchase a Travel Protection Plan to help protect you and your cruise purchase.

Whodunit Productions, Inc is a Registered Seller of Travel in the State of California #2003317-40

Travel Protection

We recommend that you purchase a Travelex travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more. 

Please Note: To be eligible for the waiver of pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the protection plan must be purchased within 15 days (Travel Basic) or 21 days (Travel Select) from the time you make your initial trip deposit. However, the plan can be purchased any time prior to departure. 

For more information on the recommended plans or to enroll, contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 05-1479.

Please advise Travelex that Whodunit Productions is the travel company for this trip.

 

Upon request for enrollment Travelex will collect the following information for the traveler(s):

  1. Dates of travel 
  2. Name of traveler
  3. Date of Birth 
  4. Traveler’s phone number, address, city, state, zip
  5. Reason for travel (list reason here)
  6. Name of Travel Agency (Whodunit Productions) and Tour Provider (name of tour provider)

Please note: Insurance for this trip may differ from previous insurance purchases and follows a different process given the destination. In addition, this is a process we must follow as regulated by the Office of Foreign Asset Control for any travel to Cuba.

The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex CA Agency License #0D10209. All products listed are underwritten by, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (formerly known as Stonewall Insurance Company), 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102. 11.17 E7N 

Cuba Cruises - Join Us

Cuba Cruises – Join Us

Cuba Cruise Books

Books for Your Cuba Cruise

There are quite a few very interesting and enlightening books for your Cuba cruise that will make your cruise even more … [Read More...]

Havana

Cienfuegos Cuba Cruise

Cienfuegos

Santiago de Cuba

Maria la Gorda

Varadero

Holguin

Baracoa

Trinidad Cuba

Trinidad

Whodunit Productions, Inc is a Registered Seller of Travel in the State of California. #2003317-40
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Member of CLIA-Cruise Lines International

Copyright Cruising to Cuba © 2023