Clients can dance to the (Cuban) music!
IAN STALKER
Cuban watersports firm Marlin has a catamaran that at times serves as a waterborne dance academy.
The Romero — which regularly sails on day excursions from the island of Cayo Guillermo, found off Cuba’s north coast — invites people to try their skills at the likes of salsa, joining the nimble crew who are happy to provide pointers to those wanting to better their Latin dance skills.
And says crew member Aselia Ledesma, there’s no better place to learn Latin dancing than in Cuba, which has given the world such dance genres as salsa, son, rumba, cha-cha-cha and a host of others.
“We have rhythm. It’s in our blood,” she says of dance-mad Cubans.
Latin music is played throughout Romero cruises, which leave in the morning and return in the afternoon.
“If you are sad, you listen to music. If you are happy, you listen to music. If you are drunk, you listen to music,” says Ledesma, whose duties include bartending.
Ledesma’s colleague Maileidy Batista Gonzalez says learning to dance on a boat that may at times gently rock can be particularly beneficial for improving balance. “If you can learn here, you can dance anywhere.”
Romero sailings stop twice for snorkeling, with masks and life jackets provided, and Ledesma assuring people they needn’t be nervous about entering the water. “There are no crocodiles here. There are no piranhas here. There are sharks but they’ve had breakfast already.”
They’ll also visit Pilar Beach, known for its white sand and bright blue water and which was named after the boat used by Ernest Hemingway to sail local waters.
Another call has passengers visit an island restaurant for a buffet lunch that features musicians.
Meanwhile, Ledesma says that she and her colleagues are determined that the cruises are enjoyable.
“If you feel great, our job is done,” she states.
