Azamara Headed to Cuba !

Hi Everyone,

Just received this Press Release from Royal Caribbean. Hope this is helpful :

==============================================

News Release Issued: Dec 7, 2016 (1:35pm EST)

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Approved To Begin Cuba Service

Cruise line company will offer multiple itineraries; Florida-Havana routes are being planned

MIAMI, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) today announced that the Cuban government has granted approval for the company to begin cruises to Cuba. The company said it plans to announce its first Florida-Cuba itineraries in the near future.

"Our guests have expressed real interest in having the opportunity to experience Cuba, and we look forward to bringing them there," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "Our discussions with our travel partners indicate that Cuba is a destination that appeals to a new generation of travelers."

Two RCL lines, Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises, will provide guests with travel directly to Cuba for the purpose of providing people-to-people exchanges between guests and Cuban citizens and other travel permitted by current U.S. regulations.

The cruise itineraries will comply with U.S. Department of Treasury rules that permit travel companies to transport approved travelers to Cuba to engage in people-to-people activities as defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) is a global cruise vacation company that owns and operates three global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. We also own a 50 percent joint venture interest in the German brand TUI Cruises and a 49 percent interest in the Spanish brand Pullmantur and have a minority interest in smaller regional brands. Together, these brands operate a combined total of 48 ships with an additional 11 on firm order. They operate diverse itineraries around the world that call on approximately 490 destinations on all seven continents. Additional information can be found on http://www.rclcorporate.com.

SOURCE Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

For AZ, these will either be early 2019 trips or cancellations will be in the offing for Journey in Nov/Dec 2018.

RCCL very likely will be Empress which only has itineraries through April 2017 and is already positioned in Miami.

For AZ, these will either be early 2019 trips or cancellations will be in the offing for Journey in Nov/Dec 2018.

 

RCCL very likely will be Empress which only has itineraries through April 2017 and is already positioned in Miami.

I'm betting on 2017...perhaps as early as March 2017!

https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/west-indies

Sweet! Too bad it could not be earlier.....a quick stop on the way back to Miami on the Quest New Year's cruise. :)

I'm betting on 2017...perhaps as early as March 2017!

https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/west-indies

Thanks, Bonnie. I was thinking of a Cuba-centric cruise. Really have no interest in a 1-2 day visit to only Havana as part of a longer itinerary.

I'm betting on 2017...perhaps as early as March 2017!

https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/west-indies

So those itineraries will be 'adapted?'

So those itineraries will be 'adapted?'

Hopefully not at the expense of New Orleans as we're booked on the Azaleas and Bourban cruise in March and it's on our bucket list, but then also is Cuba!

So those itineraries will be 'adapted?'

I would like to know that too - since if the itineraries which will include Cuba include the 'featured' voyages on the side of that link, I'm actually booked on one of those.

Can you please shed any light on this Bonnie :confused:

This is very good news. We would prefer multiple stops in Cuba. Have looked at other lines and are not crazy with the ships and quality of service provided. Also fares are way out of line with what you get. AZ might be just right!:)

Ed,

I've lost your email. Could you send it to:

brucedodge at comcast point net

Bruce

Wow, this is great news! An overnight or two in Havana would be amazing! I don't ever book Caribbean cruises, but this would convince me. Looking forward to seeing how AZ amends the current itineraries (although if it's in this time frame I think they're indicating, I can't travel =(

Michael

Azaleas and Bourbon Street now name renamed Hemingway Hideaways - and it's an overnight!

We're happy!

Azaleas and Bourbon Street now name renamed Hemingway Hideaways - and it's an overnight!

We're happy!

Wow, that was quick!

Wow, that was quick!

Yes we've had our revised itinerary from our TA, now shown on the AZ website. This will prove to be an interesting change to our cruise. Fortunately we're still having overnight in New Orleans as well. missing out on Progresso is a shame as we had booked a private tour to see the Mayan ruins at Uxmal. Looking forward to Havana, just need to understand what visas etc are needed for U.K. Citizens. No doubt AZ will advise in due course.

Enjoy Cuba people! Havana is incredible but it is an assault on the senses.....

Here is our press release from Azamara Club Cruises, going out today, December 9:

TIME TO CROSS HAVANA OFF YOUR TRAVEL WISH LIST

MIAMI, December 9, 2016 – American travelers have long imagined what it would be like to salsa, mambo and rumba the night away in Havana’s many clubs or sit down for an authentic Ropa Vieja (shredded beef) and Moros y Cristianos (rice and beans). The tide has turned as Azamara Club Cruises, the boutique cruise line owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and known for its premier destination-immersive voyages allowing guests to stay longer and experience more, introduces a voyage visiting Havana, Cuba. The Azamara Quest will do a Miami, Florida roundtrip departing on March 21, 2017 for a 13-night Hemingway Hideaways voyage in the Caribbean making Azamara one of the first American luxury cruise lines to visit Havana. The voyage will include visits to Key West, Florida, Tampa, Florida, New Orleans, Louisiana (2 overnights), Cozumel, Mexico and an overnight stay in Havana, Cuba. Devoted to bringing its guests to ‘bucket list’ destinations, Azamara is building Havana into an existing 2017 itinerary. In time, the line looks to also add additional ports of call in Cuba into several of its itineraries.

“Destination Immersion is the heartbeat of our brand as expressed by our overnight stay in Havana, Cuba. Our guests rely on our programs to provide authentic, interactive experiences that dive deep into the cultures of the destinations we visit,” says Larry Pimentel, President and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. “We’ve spent years defining and refining each voyage to enable our guests to explore their favorite ports in new ways and discover hidden gems in places they’ve never been before. Cuba has been a destination on our radar for years and being one of the first cruise lines to bring American guests to this amazing country, is an important offering that will resonate in a real way with our loyal guests.

Culture Rich and Cafecito-fueled Experiences in Havana

Azamara has developed a variety of unique land programs to bring our guests true Destination Immersion. By spending a longer amount of time in port, including staying overnight, guests will enjoy a deeper travel experience.

As part of the line’s Land Discovery offerings, guests will have a selection of experiences to choose from while in Havana that will bring to life meaningful and engaging interactions with local Cuban residents. Land Discovery tour highlights in Havana will include:

• Hemingway’s Havana: Explore the literary connections between Cuba and the late American novelist Ernest Hemingway on a dynamic four-hour tour that offers the chance to see where he lived, fished, dined and sipped his favorite cocktails.

• Old Havana City Sightseeing: Havana’s city-center is jam-packed with timeworn fortresses, government buildings, historic squares, notable cemeteries and an artisan market. Sights include visits to Morro Castle, La Cabaña, El Capitolio and more.

• Best of Havana 8-hour Tour: Come along for a full-day, all-encompassing trip through bustling Havana, as you spend eight hours exploring the city’s sprawling cemetery, notable square, artsy neighborhood, artisan market, literary connections and enjoy an authentic Cuban meal.

The line’s Cuba voyage will be available for booking on Friday, December 9 in our Call Center, or on http://www.AzamaraClubCruises.com as of Saturday, December 10.

For more information, travelers can call their travel professional, dial 1-877-999-9553, or visit https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/Cuba.

Connect with Azamara Club Cruises on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AzamaraClubCruises, on Instagram at Instagram.com/AzamaraClubCruises, on Twitter @AzamaraVoyages or follow President and CEO @LarryPimentel.

Travel agent professionals can access more information and make reservations at http://www.CruisingPower.com.

About Azamara

Azamara Club Cruises is a brand of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) is a global cruise vacation company that owns and operates three global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. We also own a 50 percent joint venture interest in the German brand TUI Cruises and a 49% interest in the Spanish brand Pullmantur and have a minority interest in smaller regional brands. Together, these brands operate a combined total of 49 ships with an additional thirteen on order. They operate diverse itineraries around the world that call on approximately 490 destinations on all seven continents. Additional information can be found on http://www.royalcaribbean.com, http://www.celebritycruises.com, http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com, http://www.tuicruises.com, http://www.pullmantur.es, or http://www.rclinvestor.com.

# # #

We have mixed feelings about this latest announcement. Whilst the opportunity to visit Cuba is welcome, we are pretty fed up with Azamara continually changing itineraries relatively close to departure dates. One of the attractions of this cruise was the chance to visit the Mayan ruins at Uxmal which will not now be accessible, we have booked and paid for the trip already, let's see how quickly that money comes back to us. This is the 2nd cruise running that our itineraries have been massively changed, last year we missed out on the 3 days in Vietnam because of the refit debacle. Beginning to feel rather unimpressed with Azamara customer service.

Just wondering whether we will require a Visa for Cuba. Anyone know?

Just wondering whether we will require a Visa for Cuba. Anyone know?

Yes

Best place for bang up to date advice is the FCO website

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cuba/entry-requirements

Yes

Best place for bang up to date advice is the FCO website

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cuba/entry-requirements

Thanks.

I've also found this site.

https://www.cubavisa.uk/

As an American I am very xcited about this. I am doing a land. Tour in Jan . I get the whole island vs one city. The land company took care of the Visa. So my guess is AZ will. Ne if those computer ones now.

Hemingway here I come.

It's exciting to see Cuba opening up a bit, and I hope the people of Cuba will benefit! After reading about the boom in tourism causing a food shortage for the people of Cuba, a cruise is the only way I'd do it again, since you have your own food sourced US with you! On our website (linked below) we have loads of photos and tips for what to expect in Havana, where we spent several days in 2015. You can find it under the drop down tiro reports, or click on Cuba as a destination on the right side to see our blog posts. Our experience was that despite the challenges, the young people of Cuba maintain an incredibly positive outlook and are happy to share their beautiful colorful, musical culture with Americans!

Hope those of you going enjoy the experience!

We have a new Cuban section on our Azamara website: https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/destinations/cuba

As we announce more ports our ships will eventually visit, and things we will be offering to do in Cuba, they'll appear on this micro-site.

We also have new blog posts on going to Cuba, such as "What Do US Travelers Need to Know About Traveling to Cuba."

https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/blog/what-do-us-travelers-need-know-about-traveling-cuba

We have a new Cuban section on our Azamara website: https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/destinations/cuba

 

As we announce more ports our ships will eventually visit, and things we will be offering to do in Cuba, they'll appear on this micro-site.

 

We also have new blog posts on going to Cuba, such as "What Do US Travelers Need to Know About Traveling to Cuba."

https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/blog/what-do-us-travelers-need-know-about-traveling-cuba

How does one obtain the travel visa? Will Azamara take care of this?

Hi marinaro44,

We will obtain the Cuba visa for guests...for a fee. Right now it stands at $75 per person, which includes procurement and processing fees.