In 2018, Holland America Line is launching new itineraries which leave from Boston and head to Cuba. I skipped ahead and cruised from Florida to Cuba to preview what passengers can expect. A cruise is a relatively easy way to visit the country, with the paperwork handled for you and ground tours ensuring you get the most out of your visit. If you live in New England, leaving from Boston allows you to skip flying (and all that entails) and means you only have to unpack once. It’s a winning combination.

I found that most of the cruisers on the trip were first-time visitors to Cuba (like me) and didn’t know what to expect. First and foremost, you should know that you won’t have as much time as you might expect. Even though you may be on a 14-day or 21-day cruise, there are only two days dedicated to Cuba, one in Havana and one in Cienfuegos. For some, that’s enough. For me, not nearly.

Before you go. Exchange some spending money into Euros, pounds, Canadian dollars, or anything other than U.S. dollars, before you get to Cuba. An extra fee is charged to exchange U.S. money into Cuban, so it will save you a bit.

Pack some patience. Cuba is not really set up yet to handle hordes of cruisers descending at once. I was embarrassed on more than one occasion by impatient passengers who couldn’t wait in line with grace. Be prepared to chill out.

Act like a guest. I was taught that when you meet someone for the first time or are invited to someone’s house for dinner, you don’t talk about religion or politics. Why anyone would jump in a car for a tour and immediately ask the driver what’s wrong with Cuba’s policies is beyond me, but I heard that, and other inappropriate and insensitive comments, numerous times. Just don’t.

Cuba has been on my bucket list for a long time and I am so glad to have finally gotten a chance to visit this year. For a first-time visitor, the cruise was an excellent introduction. I can’t wait to go back!