This sunrise viewed from the ship as it was coming into the waters of Cuba on August 8, 2018 was the beginning of a life changing experience for me.  Of course, there are greater major life changers such as giving birth or the births of grandchildren, but this is a different category.  It compared to visiting Pearl Harbor for me.  It was my first cruise, a gift from my cousin Gina, and after this I knew I wanted to see just glimpses of other countries within the distance of sailing from a Florida cruise port.  Even more, I knew I wanted to have vacations out to sea from then on.

No shore excursions from a cruise ship have compared to this at Cuba.  I may have since seen more beautiful scenery, but have not seen anything more meaningful, except as I said perhaps Pearl Harbor during the trip to Hawaii.

As the boat came in, there were a few other passengers on the walking & jogging deck besides me.  Early morning for walks or runs on the 6th deck of the Norwegian Sun are always a wonderfully quiet time.  This morning was the most quiet as everyone stopped and watched as we approached the port at Cuba.  It was even reverent in a way, seeing it for the first (and as it turned out, probably last) time.  Soon after this cruise vacation, I told myself I was glad to have experienced Cuba, but it was so heartbreaking I did not want to ever go back.  I soon changed my mind and wanted to go back and see more, at least of the Havana area.  I don't think that will happen; with the way the world is now, I don't think a President will lift the travel ban to Cuba any time soon.  I had another Cuba cruise planned.  That was the 67th birthday cruise in 2019 with contributions from Russ, Michael, & MZ!  The week before was when the ban was announced.  That cruise destination was cancelled and even though the birthday cruise was still a go, with a changed itinerary, I got a half refund and half amount in future cruise credits!

I have since come to love the cruising time at sea regardless of the ports of call.  Sometimes if I have stepped on the land at destinations, I don't even get off the ship while it's at port.  And that my friend (family) is what I love, sailing on a cruise ship.