Viking And Cuba visa info received

Just received an email from my TA, that the visas required by US passengers to travel to Cuba will be provided and covered by Viking. However, passengers are required to book and STAY with the Viking excursions. No going off on your own or arranging private tours. Kind of put a damper on my plans, especially with an overnight stay. Would really have preferred to at least try a couple of local restaurants on our own, stroll at our leisure since my husband has some back pain. Bummer.

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Just received an email from my TA, that the visas required by US passengers to travel to Cuba will be provided and covered by Viking. However, passengers are required to book and STAY with the Viking excursions. No going off on your own or arranging private tours. Kind of put a damper on my plans, especially with an overnight stay. Would really have preferred to at least try a couple of local restaurants on our own, stroll at our leisure since my husband has some back pain. Bummer.

 

 

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Why is Viking so restrictive regarding shore excursions?

If Viking (or any other cruise line) provides what is called a 'blanket visa' for their passengers, then they are required to have you stay with them at all times. The country has issued the visa to the cruise line, not the individuals on the ship.

However (I don't know how Cuba will be working this) if you wish to tour independently then you may be able to obtain your own visa and therefore have the freedom to move on your own.

Also, there may be private tour companies who will obtain visa for small groups and you will then need to stay with that tour company. You would need to provide your information ahead of time to the tour company to do this.

When we visited St Petersburg this was the same case. We set up a private two day tour with a company and provided our information prior to arrival. They then obtained the visa for the 8 people I organized from CC into that group. Otherwise in order to leave the ship, we would need to be with Viking.

The same situation occurred for us when we visited Egypt. Either stay with that cruise line (was not Viking) or arrange prior with the small group tour with an independent tour company.

All that said, with Cuba being such a new destination for US citizens, I do not know how that will be working.

Although diplomatic relations have opened up again between the US and Cuba, it seems that travel to Cuba still has restrictions that are imposed by both the US and by Cuba. In fact, as of 1/24/17, according to the Department of State website, tourist travel to Cuba remains prohibited; US citizens and residents still cannot simply book a flight, a hotel and a car and visit Cuba for a week. I think what we will find is that the cruise lines are offering visits not as tourist visits but as educational programs. I read somewhere that we should not expect that our visits to Cuba will include a day at the beach.

Here are some places to read more about it:

The US Department of State website's page for travel to Cuba

Or, you can learn more simply by googling information on visas for Cuba. There are a number of websites offering information and answers about travel there.

It's just frustrating. Read trip reports from passengers that sailed on Oceania, and although they had to pay a fee for their visa, they were able to get it thru the ship, then go off on their own. Unfortunately, they are fully booked. Just not sure what I want to do at this point, this was basically the reason we booked this cruise. I have a month before final payment is due, will have to make a decision.

It's just frustrating. Read trip reports from passengers that sailed on Oceania, and although they had to pay a fee for their visa, they were able to get it thru the ship, then go off on their own. Unfortunately, they are fully booked. Just not sure what I want to do at this point, this was basically the reason we booked this cruise. I have a month before final payment is due, will have to make a decision.

Perhaps your next step should be to talk with the folks at tellus@vikingcruises.com and discuss your issues with them and get a clear explanation from them exactly what the plan is and even ask them if you will be permitted to get your own visa. Only Viking can speak for Viking.

I sent an email, but not optimistic. Read threads re the same on Azamara, and even though British citizens had their own visas for Cuba, and had walked freely on previous land trips, they had to follow the rules of the ship.

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I haven't read all the posts, but just wanted to point out that what cruise lines say and what actually occurs can be different. When we went to St. Petersburg, the cruise line told us we had to get a visa if we weren't going on a ship's excursion. Apparently many or perhaps most cruise lines say the same thing. However, as I think someone above mentioned, you can go on a group tour with a privately-arranged registered tour guide without getting your own visa or being limited to shore excursions. Of course, Cuba is not Russia, so being new to the game, they may have more restrictions than other countries, and with Cuba being quite new to Viking, the same applies. Also, many groups other than Americans could travel to Cuba before using their own visas, and Cuba may be even more restrictive when it comes to Americans cruising there.

If anyone hears anything about the possibility of arranging something (with a blanket visa provided by tour operator, for example), I'd love to hear about it. If nothing else, I'd love to eat dinner in Cuba, since we'll be there overnight.

If nothing else, I'm hoping that in time, Cuba and Viking will work out something which offers more choices regarding what Americans see and do in Cuba.

Travel to Cuba Explained

Cruise Critic has published an article about cruise travel to Cuba. It is full of help information (like currency and credit cards) and really is one of the better articles they have published. Please share the link with your roll calls.

I haven't read all the posts, but just wanted to point out that what cruise lines say and what actually occurs can be different. When we went to St. Petersburg, the cruise line told us we had to get a visa if we weren't going on a ship's excursion. Apparently many or perhaps most cruise lines say the same thing. However, as I think someone above mentioned, you can go on a group tour with a privately-arranged registered tour guide without getting your own visa or being limited to shore excursions. Of course, Cuba is not Russia, so being new to the game, they may have more restrictions than other countries, and with Cuba being quite new to Viking, the same applies. Also, many groups other than Americans could travel to Cuba before using their own visas, and Cuba may be even more restrictive when it comes to Americans cruising there.

 

If anyone hears anything about the possibility of arranging something (with a blanket visa provided by tour operator, for example), I'd love to hear about it. If nothing else, I'd love to eat dinner in Cuba, since we'll be there overnight.

 

If nothing else, I'm hoping that in time, Cuba and Viking will work out something which offers more choices regarding what Americans see and do in Cuba.

Roothy, it is just isn't that simple. The US still restricts travel to Cuba. Viking is bound by restrictions that the US places on its citizens and residents for travel to that country. (from the Cruise Critic article):

Roothy, it is just isn't that simple. The US still restricts travel to Cuba. Viking is bound by restrictions that the US places on its citizens and residents for travel to that country. (from the Cruise Critic article):

Although the embargo will have to be lifted in its entirety for Americans to visit Cuba simply to go on a beach holiday, no U.S. regulations prohibit cruise ships from visiting (at this point, it's the Cuban government that has been turning down requests from companies to dock). The one stipulation for Americans cruising to Cuba is that they must get a people-to-people visa, either through the cruise line or self-certify that they are doing activities that are educational or cultural in nature.

The Cuba situation is unique and NOT comparable to our collective experiences in Russia or elsewhere. I can recall a news article during President Obama's visit to Havana wherein the people who were bumped from the Hotel that the President's party used were relocated to a beachfront hotel BUT were not allowed to go to the beach as they were not considered "tourists" but "cultural" visitors and thus not entitled to use tourist facilities.

PS I found that article that I mentioned here is a link: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-cuba-tourism-idUSKCN0W52CF

I'm sorry but I don't understand the need to go to Cuba, all tourist dollars go to corrupt government officials including that Castro low life. From above, it seems that they want American dollars but on their terms. I won't go until the Cuban people are freed . And I love the Cuban people that I have met

Roothy,

We, along with friends, are going on a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Tampa in June that goes to Cuba for the day. Although Royal Caribbean is also handling our visitor visas, according to a passenger who has just returned, they were able to take independent tours, or just wander on their own. However, the visa is only good for a 'once off/once on', meaning if you go back to the ship, you are done for the day with Cuba. Here is a link to her post on our roll call; look for 'luvthoseships': http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2459081&page=5

Becki

Becki, thanks for keeping my hope alive! A lot can change between now and the time we travel, and I'm hoping things change for the better - for Viking cruisers and ALL cruisers. An authentic people to people visit to the house and favorite restaurant of a friend's cousin would make things a lot better, but if we have to settle for a ship's excursion, that will have to do. Enjoy your cruise in June.

Thanks, Roothy. I'm sure we will. I would have preferred a longer stay on the island, like you are doing, but this opportunity to cruise with friends came up and so we jumped on it.

Have a great cruise!

Becki

Is anyone else getting concerned that Viking has not received permission to sail to Cuba yet? We are on the Dec 1 sailing and final payment is coming due in early June. If they cannot do Cuba we are cancelling as this is the only port that would not be redundant.

How did you hear this? My TA says that Viking is providing our visas. They have informed her that we are all set to go. I had also talked to a rep from Viking, when the question of the visa came up. At no time did it sound like there was any question of going. Maybe another phone call to Viking is in order, because I have to pay my TA my final payment on may 17.

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How did you hear this? My TA says that Viking is providing our visas. They have informed her that we are all set to go. I had also talked to a rep from Viking, when the question of the visa came up. At no time did it sound like there was any question of going. Maybe another phone call to Viking is in order, because I have to pay my TA my final payment on may 17.

 

 

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I have been monitoring all the industry websites for months and while you see announcements periodically of various approvals for other lines, Viking Ocean has not been among them. As our full payment date approaches next month we are getting a little nervous so I inquired with Viking directly. Below is their reply from Tuesday, May 2. What is most concerning is he states "we will have final resolution on this issue shortly", not "final approval":

Hello,

At this time we are in the process of acquiring the appropriate permits for the scheduled call in Cuba. As you can imagine, the process for permit approval is longer than a standard port that has been accepting cruise line passengers for a longer period of time. We are confident that we will have final resolution on this issue shortly and will advise our guests accordingly.

We appreciate your patience with us.

Thanks!

Robb

Viking Cruises

Lead Customer Support Specialist

This is very upsetting. What are they going to do with all of the people that have booked expecting to go to Cuba? I know fine print always says they have the right to change ports, but this would be ridiculous, I can't imagine the PR nightmare. My husband and I have discussed the same - we booked this to go to Cuba, and I could do more days on Celebrity at the same price if it's just a bunch of islands in the Caribbean.

The good news is final payment and cancellation date are not one in the same. For us final payment is due June 1 (6 months prior to cruise) but cancellation schedule allows us to cancel as late as August 2, with only a $100 per person penalty.

The good news is final payment and cancellation date are not one in the same. For us final payment is due June 1 (6 months prior to cruise) but cancellation schedule allows us to cancel as late as August 2, with only a $100 per person penalty.

Same for us, and I think we're on same cruise as you. I'm hoping that if approval isn't granted before August 2, Viking will consider waiving the cancellation penalty if our cruise doesn't include Cuba. Certainly they don't have to, but it would be a nice gesture considering that this is a rather unusual situation and not just an itinerary change due to terrorism concerns, weather, mechanical problems, disease outbreaks and other reasons that necessitate itinerary changes.

DH and I discussed what to do if approval isn't granted, and decided we still wanted to try Viking, especially since our cruise will be the Sun's second voyage, and the idea of a new ship is kind of exciting. I did look, and noticed Azamara has almost an identical cruise sailing on November 20th, with a stop in Key West, an overnight in Havana and an overnight in Cozumel. I haven't sailed with Azamara, but we had a great time and were pleased with our cruise on Celebrity last year. But we really want to try Viking.....!

Looks like HAL just got their approval to sail to Cuba. I take this as a good sign and hopefully we will see Viking Ocean get their permission soon.

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/17035-holland-america-adds-cuba-calls.html

Can you just get your own Cuba visa through a service like Cuba Travel Services? My husband and I went to Cuba for a week and got our visas through them. They were also selling them at the Alaska Air desk for the non-stop LAX to HAV flight.

http://www.cubatravelservices.com

Don't bother to shop around for better prices for cigars or rum--same prices every where including the airport.

Hmmmm...something else to this mix...as a Canadian ( no restrictions for travel to Cuba) do we also fall into the American restrictions since departing from an American Port, Miami on Viking Ocean? I assume so and thus need to be covered under a people to people Visa such as Viking Oceans likely will have. Thus all passengers , Canadians included, have to use the ship's excursions which fall under those restrictions and thus no beach stuff or wandering on own!