Experiences in Cuba and Smol Island Living Plus a Plan for Cannibals!

39 thoughts on “Experiences in Cuba and Smol Island Living Plus a Plan for Cannibals!”

1. I dig your always prepped mindset, but shit always seems to come up for whatever reason. I remember a road trip a bunch of us took in college to this really cool cave that had a natural “chimney” (basically a hole above the ceiling in said cave that allowed for fresh air to come in and campfire smoke to escape). Anyway, we had everything we needed for an overnight stay…except for flashlights to get thru the almost half mile corridor to get to the site. Times like this is when improv skills are paramount. Basically, I channeled my inner Indiana Jones and all us guys had to sacrifice our underwear for makeshift torches. We asked the girls for theirs provided it was more than a thong….no takers lol. A good night was had by all regardless. So I guess my point is make sure to have fun and don’t let the prep mindset drag things down. Afterall, if the living is stripped from an activity, why engage in it in the first place?

   Just my 2 pennies worth.

2. As soon as the ship leaves port, put your phone in airplane mode.

   Most of the cruise lines have cell systems onboard and your phone will happily login and copy data, etc all while you are being charged ROAMING charges.
   You have no clue and then next month when you open your cell phone bill, the roaming charges will SUCK.

   Also I’ve watched life boat drills on several cruise lines. It seemed the winches to lower the life boats were electric but I’m sure there is a manual override in case of ship power failure.

3. If the power on the boat goes completely dead for a period of ten to fifteen minutes… like COMPLETELY FUCKING INOPERATIVE… no ’emergency power’ no backup genny… nada… just silence and a HUGE “Ooooooh SHIT!” moment?

   Your cell phone should be the canary there. Power goes out but your phone is fine? Shitty boat shit the bed, grab all the bottled water you can, a bucket, and barricade in your room for the first part.

   Power goes out and everyone is complaining about their sail foams? Exfil as fast as you can. It’s all over but the crying then. In fact, you are better off looking for an island than getting home.

   1. If your cell phone dies with the lights, that’s EMP, natural or man-made. Don’t wait the ten or 15. Start moving as soon as you are sure everyone’s phones are dead.

      1. This is a salient point that applies even if not on a boat. An EMP isn’t something most people expect to happen, so it will not be the first assumption made in a sudden grid down scenario, for the majority of folks. As the saying goes, he who panics first panics best.

         If you suddenly notice your phone has completely died concurrently with a power failure, be immediately aware that you are now living the worst case scenario. It may not be a survivable event anyway, but if one is inclined to try, best to be amongst the very first to figure that out and start doing whatever is deemed necessary and appropriate straight away.

4. This is the most likely scenario…https://youtu.be/6kKCbDw7lR4

   1. Hilarious

   2. It’s still odd to see Leslie Nielsen in a serious role, given the type he was best known for (airplane, police squad, naked gun, etc.) Also kind of strange to contemplate how the blockbuster disaster flick was such a huge thing when I was a kid. Irwin Allen was largely responsible for the proliferation of these stories on film, and he kept at it until it ran out of steam, with The Towering Inferno, which was sort of the “jump the shark moment” for the whole genre. The Poseidon Adventure is an ok movie, but I’ve gotten tired of it after numerous re-viewings over the years, a few of the principle characters are rather annoying.

      1. Interesting take. I both agree and disagree. Your points are solid, but it appears to me that faith in humanity will still live on despite the circumstances of the particular time in which one could find themselves. History proves that humans have done things live on, both good and bad. As for the good, are we still not astounded by Beethoven or Paganini. Shakespeare is still a thing. For fuck’s sake, certain circles still discuss cave drawings. Regardless, people still created that, and that’s the point.

         And for the bad, that’s part of the story too. Think of the villains that have appeared. Some of them had pretty good ideas…just shitty execution…well less tasteful lol

         I just think we’re too quick to bash the things we don’t like…nay, even understand at a particular time in space.

         1. Huh? I wasn’t making any deep philosophical statement about humanity with that. Was just riffing on how disaster movies with all star casts were a major thing in the American movie industry – mostly on account of one producer, at that – for about a decade (give or take) and then they got played out like all other trends that come and go.

            Just like superhero movies have more recently. The difference with the latter being that the industry tried to force the trend to last well beyond its use by date, because pedowood is at a distinct lack of good ideas for anything new that requires actual creative talent. Not that I disagree with what you posted, I just wasn’t sure how it relates to my previous comment.

            1. Not sure I can explain where I’m coming from. Your critiques of disaster flicks gives them merit. But your seeming dismissal of your line in the sand of what is acceptable to you (or whomever) is, to me, still validating what you dislike. If folks argue about things, I think they still hold merit (subject notwithstanding).

5. The lifeboat escape idea will work, but only if you have a couple friends to help. Any white crew will probably want to escape also. Cruise ship lifeboats are designed to be launched and retrieved with or without power. Someone has to be topside to operate and monitor the equipment that lowers the boat. They can slide down the lines on the davit after you hit the water and the boat is released by lifeboat crew.As you are only going to Nassau the boat should have plenty of fuel to get stateside (48 hours worth). You’ll have to use dead reckoning to find your way so see if you can download and print a chart of your route. If you are out of Palm Beach you’ll go south of Freeport through the Northwest Providence Channel and turn south to Nassau. Lights probably would still be working on the channel marker buoys that will be your guides. They’re designed for lightning strikes. So it can be done. better than being some Shaniquas’ dinner.

6. Have a good trip.

   Good advice should the fecal matter hit the rotating osolater.

   Good luck.
   .

7. Pingback: BCE: Cruising, Cannibals, & Cuba – Western Rifle Shooters Association

8. You’re really gonna get on that floating deathtrap prison? You lost your marbles my man.

   1. But it’s only* $250!!!!

      1. I bet it will end up being double or triple that…

         1. With the cost of booze (and I assume they try to maintain strict control against sneaking your own on board) that would easily be within the realm of possibility. They’d hate my ass, because I don’t drink, so there goes one of their primary profit centers. I despise any business model that relies on “gotchas” and huge markups to extort captive customers. Commercial airlines, amusement parks, sports and concert venues, and cruises all do this shit, which is why I don’t do any of those things.

            1. Thing of it is Brother you are non entity to them because it’s a booze cruise so you wouldn’t even book…You are more likely to do an Alaskan Cruise where you eating fresh seafood and watching the sights…I don’t drink either just a waste of money that could be spent elsewhere where it’s needed for the family or the tribe…If I want something good to drink I will go grab a gallon of cider out of the freezer that we pressed…

            2. Yes, that’s certainly true. Was just speaking hypothetically. And really, I prefer vacationing on land. Setting my own itinerary and choosing my accomodations is much preferable over a prepackaged experience. Besides which, sea travel has never had much appealed to me, partly be used there’s nothing to see but endless ocean between ports of call (and I like a variety of scenery). Most places the typical cruises dock at don’t really do anything for me. Have never been a beach person, can’t stand sand in my ass crack, and the Caribbean islands just don’t interest me as places to visit for experiencing the local food and culture.

               At one time there were places in Europe I’d not have minded seeing in person, but one doesn’t need to take a cruise to do that, and now some of those places are simply no longer attractive to me due to what unchecked immigration has done to them. That translates into time and money saved for use on other exploits.

            3. Had a buddy who did the whole smugglers run…. Vacuum sealed bags of liquor in a puffy jacket…

               All at the end was like … I drank barely any of it… But it was nice to have… Lol… He even had the throwaway decoys of scope with green liquor… In case they searched… You could likely reseal some bottles of ‘water’…

      2. I’m in my 70s, one thing life has taught me for certain is nothing is “only” $250. But you seem determined, so…

         1. Well, if nothing else, we could be treated to an entertaining account of the indignity suffered while on board, once BCE returns. And if not, my disappointment will be immeasurable, and my day ruined.

            1. I’d rather pull my teeth and toenails than go on a cruise.
               Just ain’t my cuppa shit, I reckon.

            2. yeah

               i hate people

               dafuck i want to be around ones i don’t even know

            3. https://bigcountryexpat.com/index.php/2025/11/09/on-my-way-back-mightily-reeeeeelaxed-now/

               SHOCKED! SHOCKED I SAY!
               No… seriously… found 2x Rakks here, 3rd ID Reppin and even 1CAV….
               Made this a FUN and secure feeling having a shitpot of Joes on board BOWT

            4. Believe me, I’m right there with you gentlemen. On the other hand, if it yields us a lengthy and humorous read in the style that Big Country is so well known for, I’ll let him take one for the team, since he seems willing to do so anyway.

            5. i’ve only bumped into 1 Rakkasan in 40 fucking years… an old customer of mine and you meet up with 2?

               very cool man

9. Sounds like Matt Bracken’s “Doomsday Reef”. The Rebel Yell comes across an abandoned cruise ship stuck on a reef after drifting with no GPS.

10. A modern cruise ship is a marvel of technology, seriously.
    I wouldn’t worry about most things and let’s be honest an EMP is right up there with a nuclear war for “Game over man … Game over”.

    I know we kid but there is reasonable risk and unreasonable risk.

    Right now going on a cruise in the Carribean is pretty low risk (I just got back from one 2 weeks ago).
    Even on my cruise, they had to cancel stopping at Grand Cayman because of Hurricane Melissa.
    What the captain did was pour on the coal and book up the coast past Belize, Honduras and the Yucatan and then turned left towards Key West and Fort Lauderdale. We had a little bit of wave action but not that big of a deal. The captain and cruise line is NOT going to risk their extremely expensive ship for anything.

    I know we all don’t like what is going on in the World right now but still live your life as BCE is.

    1. Sure, it’s an unlikely scenario. But a wise man pencils out the possibilities (and his planned responses) in advance so as not to get caught with his pants around his ankles. One shouldn’t let it impede living their life, but should mentally prepare themselves for outliers nonetheless. That’s just basic OPSEC, and too many people have gotten burned by not asking themselves “what if…” and “then what…” in advance.

    2. Other good deals Ive heard of are dead heading the cruise ship when it’s changing ports/continents… Us to Europe etc… Cheap, slow ish ride across the pond. Not crowded and low drama

       1. B, this is 100% true and my wife and I have sailed on several trans Atlantic cruises and we LOVE them. Usually in the Spring you have ships being moved from the Carribean to the Med.
          In the Fall they move from the Med back to the Carribean.

          You can get a GREAT deal price wise on these cruises because the cruise line wants you to pay for the fuel to reposition the ship. Also you’ll hit some really neat ports like the Azores (absolutely incredible), the Canary Islands and Bermuda.

          The only 2 niggles are you have to fly one way on these trips so add air fare AND you really should like cruising and sea days because you will be on the ship for several days without stopping and can see water. Also definitely bring sea sickness meds because in the middle of the Atlantic storms pop up and the captain will try to avoid them but sometimes he can’t.

          If you really like cruising, definitely check these out. My wife & I are looking at doing another trans Atlantic next year. Also if you are retired or can get a lot of time off, they have trans Pacific repositioning cruises too but I’ll have to wait until I’m retired to do one of those.

11. So you were in Gitmo after all the abu ghraib stuff? Me too. Coast guard though. I used to pull in there all the time on the boat. We always had a good time at o’kelleys and the tiki bar. Enjoyed jerk house food too. They had great diving, and that little hotel wasn’t bad either. We also have some little houses up in the hills when we were there for a while too. Always had a good time down there, but I never spent an entire 6 months there either. You ever party with the coast guard guys?

    I know there were a lot of people who worked in the prison that were pretty miserable. We had some army guys come want to take a tour of the boat. A few 02/3s and some NCOs. You could tell they were really questioning their life choices walking around on the boat and getting a sense of what we did. They set up a tour of the jail for us too.

    I’m guessing you haven’t been to Gitmo in a while, but I have. You should see it now – fucking ghost town. Hardly anyone there anymore, and the exchange/commisary would be pathetically empty sometimes. Still had plenty of that cheap vodka though haha.

12. Troop ships back in the day cured me of enjoying the sea. Before going anyplace maybe ask Grok/AI what the average IQ is at your destination: https://ripleyporch.blogspot.com/2025/11/iq-conversation.html

13. the only way to deal with a cruise ship – especially if bringing along kids – is to maintain a consistent state of semi 40 proof fog. we did one trip as a duo, 10th anniv, IIRC. little trip around the carribean lots of ports of call, the first being Nassau Baham. our drink budget was narrow – got a flash to drop into the local package store and pick up wodka and a big bottle of water. walked in to the nearest place with a head near the port with a bathroom, and wouldn’t you know, its the Hard Rock. found the bathroom, emptied out the useless H2O, and filled the bottle with the good stuff. but me thinking
    “so smart, nice idea!” evaporated pretty quickly – the entire floor, stalls included, was covered with empties. made it back onto the boat with the crowd (key), which made inspections hurried. the crew checking at the door re-boarding probably has this figured out by now, but if not, have that neck hanging ID tag right out, and try to go in right ahead of some likely troublemakers – more common these days, as seen in many entertaining shipboard adventure videos. if anybody can bring back a goes-viral, i have faith its you.

14. Hope you have a great time
    Maybe see a few uplifting things
    Have some decent chow that you don’t have to cook yourself
    Git yerself a foo-foo drink or two with the paper umbrellas

    And give us all a good after action report

    1. https://bigcountryexpat.com/index.php/2025/11/09/on-my-way-back-mightily-reeeeeelaxed-now/

15. When I was working offshore, we brought 6 packs of 7-up with white rum or vodka in the bottles. Dark rum went into 6 pack bottles of Coke.

    Nobody ever asked why we were bringing 12 packs of canned Coke and bottles of Coke.

    I’d pack a Katadyn Be Free water filter, Sawyer Squeeze, or another reputable water filter, just in case you have to drink from the ship’s fresh water supplies. You don’t know how clean those storage tanks and pipes are.

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