2025/26 Cuba: Cultural Odyssey
Olá from a recent Cuba traveler!
We returned this past weekend from our journey.
We departed on the day Maduro was captured.
Our hearts remain strong for the Cuban souls as they enter this new year with chaos and struggle.
The itinerary / our director (Siggy)/ our translator (Edel)/ the program events/ the culture - all exceeded our expectations.
Our hearts beat with a salsa rhythm as we created memories rich with Cuban generosity and flare.
Having said this - we cannot recommend this journey to any traveler as long as the Marqués de la Torre remains the venue.
The air quality (perhaps due to the recent hurricane) is less than healthy/acceptable.
The lobby, communal areas, and rooms reek of mold/mildew.
It is worth noting that Tauck has no control over the "People-to-People" government restricted list of allowed venues.
Upon our arrival - and as directed - we checked into a room that had no hot water - and had a faint odor of mold/mildew.
We were immediately relocated to a room across the hall.
The carpet and curtains were saturated with the musky smell of water saturation (mildew).
We did our best to self-manage - leaving our window open and minimizing the AC.
On Day 3 - we experienced incessant sneezing.
Our symptoms progressed - we decided to cancel our post stay night and return home.
We immediately tested for Flu A/B and Covid. All negative.
We saw our physician on Monday - showed her pictures of the lobby window casings and ceiling (riddled with black mold).
Her medical opinion - mold exposure. (We retested yesterday - negative).
We gave detailed feedback on our comment card.
A Tauck guest relations representative contacted us today.
Her gracious attention to our concern was heard with valued active listening - and a commitment to give feedback to the hotel.
We learned that Tauck has a "point of contact at the hotel" that reviews and confirms each room has had a quality check for Tauck expectations (hot water/cleanliness, etc.)
Because we were relocated (not hot water) - it is a possible root cause that our new room did not have a "pre-quality check".
We are seasoned travelers - and have appreciated Tauck's mission not only to fostering meaningful connections for their guests and the destinations they visit, but also to supporting local economies and protecting our planet. We believe Tauck will do all they can to avoid another traveler having this experience. However - with the current state of economics and political strife - change will not be swift.
We share this feedback to inform other travelers to Cuba.
When you arrive - if your room has the musty, damp and dank aroma of earth - it is mold/mildew.
Request another room and inform your tour director - we have no data to support that they have rooms without the exposure.
It is worth the request.
This journey filled our souls. We walk with a revised sense of happiness - our hope is that the contagious Cuban happiness grounded not in accumulation of wealth but by the richness of relationships and daily experiences will remain with us - each and every day of our lives.
Viaja bien amigos!
Comments
What a wonderful commentary! Although your hotel experience didn’t meet Tauck’s usual standards, I applaud you on your positivity and for not allowing the hotel’s shortcomings to taint the balance of your trip.
We did this tour shortly after it was first offered and are so glad to have experienced Cuba’s history and the warmth of its people.
Thank you.
In my opinion, Tauck does not have a very good itinerary for their Cuba tour. There are other tour companies who take you to a lot more places. We went there in 2016 (with a different company) and I thought it was a good tour. https://www.mikeandjudytravel.com/2016Cuba-01.htm (Judy and I looked so young then:-)
Cuba is very poor. There were some meals where I was embarassed by the amount of food offered, knowing that there were people nearby who didn't have enough to eat. But it is a good lesson in the failures of socialism.
We were in Cuba with Tauck last March. It was truly an education and unique experience, much different than the tours we're used to taking. We left with a greater appreciation of humanity and hope for a better future.