Cruises to CUBA

For some time now I have wanted to visit Cuba......I would love to do a NYC - CUBA- NYC voyage at some point.

Anyone else have an interest in this cruise????

For some time now I have wanted to visit Cuba......I would love to do a NYC - CUBA- NYC voyage at some point.

 

Anyone else have an interest in this cruise????

That currently is illegal, as it has been since 1960. The U.S. embargo of Cuba still exists, although we could still see some thawing in the second Obama administration.

U.S. citizens cannot freely travel to Cuba with some limited exceptions now by special interest group, and some charter flights are allowed, though most are connections to other international flights over Miami with no local traffic. But otherwise the rules stand...no airline or cruiseline can participate in any itinerary or ticket that includes touching both the U.S. and touching Cuba, even if you are not a U.S. citizen.

Now, maybe a cruise from Canada, Mexico or non-U.S. Territorial island in the Caribbean to Cuba could happen, but it would not be allowed to touch a U.S. port.

I have wanted to go Cuba for at least 20 years. I used to live in Miami and it was sooooo close, but it is still forbidden fruit.

I have known of the embargo for many years now. Since the 1980's I have known people that have flown to Cuba via Canada. Most have been Europeans but also a few American citizens.

The NYC / Cuba would be an easy cruise akin to NYC to Bahamas that the HOME LINES use to do.

pxn748 - I worked in Miami / Coral Gables & the Cuban culture was such a strong presence there as most know.

Hopefully the politcol climate will improve drastically in the near future so we can enjoy this island & culture(and certainly before McDonalds & Macys opens branches there).

You can fly to Cuba from Miami, you just have to bring some school supplies with you and then go to one of the local schools and donate them. I have family members who have done this several times.You need to obtain a cultural visa to do this. There are also a few tour companies that offer trips to Cuba from Florida via charter flights. The last one I saw was $2,999 for a week including flights and hotel and a few meals.

For some time now I have wanted to visit Cuba......I would love to do a NYC - CUBA- NYC voyage at some point.

 

Anyone else have an interest in this cruise????

Yep, would love too....but no US based cruise ship stop in Havana and haven't for a very long time. A few European based passenger ships do stop in Havana, but none of these leave from a US port and I'm not sure if US passengers would be able to book these cruises. From my understanding even if US cruise companies were able to stop in Havana; Cuban's ports and the infrastructure are not yet quite able to handle the large ships and passengers volumes and would have to upgraded as such. A US citizen can legally travel to Cuba; however, it must be a part of educational program and the tour costs are pretty expensive.

P.S. Just an interesting foot note....in the Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (I Love Lucy) episode "Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana," with Lucy and friend Susie McNamara (Ann Sothern), is that Lucy met Ricky while vacationing in Cuba in 1940. Also on the cruise was a newlywed couple Fred and Ethel Mertz...and as they say the rest is history. :)

As we all know, a one-day port of call does not divulge a culture. It is far better to take a land tour. We in Canada have never had a restriction on foreign travel to Cuba (or anywhere else for that matter that I know of). I do not understand the concerns. Are they worried you may get to better understand the workings of a 1952 Chevrolet Styleline DeLuxe Bel Air Hardtop Coupe?

were 7 days & would spend 1 day in Bermuda & 2 in Nassau...if they could get 3 days in Cuba instead that would be great....

I had never seen those episodes of I Love Lucy....they remind me of a few "ladies" I know here in NYC....also -the clothes were too much!!!

Yep, would love too....but no US based cruise ship stop in Havana and haven't for a very long time. A few European based passenger ships do stop in Havana, but none of these leave from a US port and I'm not sure if US passengers would be able to book these cruises. From my understanding even if US cruise companies were able to stop in Havana; Cuban's ports and the infrastructure are not yet quite able to handle the large ships and passengers volumes and would have to upgraded as such. A US citizen can legally travel to Cuba; however, it must be a part of educational program and the tour costs are pretty expensive.

 

P.S. Just an interesting foot note....in the Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (I Love Lucy) episode "Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana," with Lucy and friend Susie McNamara (Ann Sothern), is that Lucy met Ricky while vacationing in Cuba in 1940. Also on the cruise was a newlywed couple Fred and Ethel Mertz...and as they say the rest is history. :)

Friends of mine went last year with a group tour out of Miami and they loved it. My understanding is that Americans can go there, but the illegal part is that you cannot spend US dollasrs there.

PS-They are also went to Myanmar (Burma) last year, and are currently on safari in Africa so they are pretty adventuous. Must be nice on a retirement income.

Just thought I would mention this because there have been so many threads here regarding anti-gay Caribbean islands (i.e. Jamaica, etc.). Historically, the Castro government has been very anti-gay, imprisoning and persecuting gays for being gay since the sixties. There seem to be many changes in Cuba these days but don't expect this small, isolated country to become San Francisco overnight.

Its been reported that the original SLOPPY JOE'S in Havana will be reopening!!!!!!

Yahoo.....

All you have to do is go to Miami to see what a gay Havana would be like.....cha cha cha...

PS.. love your name! I've kissed a few dogs in my day but yet to kiss a Sea Horse!

Just thought I would mention this because there have been so many threads here regarding anti-gay Caribbean islands (i.e. Jamaica, etc.). Historically, the Castro government has been very anti-gay, imprisoning and persecuting gays for being gay since the sixties. There seem to be many changes in Cuba these days but don't expect this small, isolated country to become San Francisco overnight.

Friends of mine went last year with a group tour out of Miami and they loved it. My understanding is that Americans can go there, but the illegal part is that you cannot spend US dollasrs there.

 

PS-They are also went to Myanmar (Burma) last year, and are currently on safari in Africa so they are pretty adventuous. Must be nice on a retirement income.

Not just USd, but even with CDN ,and change it to Cuba dollar and you cannot use. A US credit card

For several years this vesel saild out of Miami as Norwegian Cruise Line's Leeward. A very sleek looking smallish vessel, that started out as a Baltic ferry and with a very checkered past. She suffered a very major grounding and also a near total loss in a bad fire as Sally Albatross, prior to her Nowegian career. Since then she has done a stint as a casino gambling vessel out of Hong Kong. While aboard Star Princess last fall, we passed at very close quarters in the Greek islands. She looked fantastic, and word is that Louis is spending large amounts of money and giving her tender loving care. Might be a good choice.

thats amazing its the old Leeward.....we'll have to keep track of this....

While not a cruise, I have seen gay travel agents offer Cuban tour packages flying from Mexico, and it is common to see regular flight/tour specials advertised by Mexican travel agents.

Americans travel to Mexico City and a Mexican visa is required... about $20. Then the Cubans stamp your Mexican visa as opposed to your US Passport. I have several American friends who have visited Cuba without problems.

The only problem would be if you were involved in a major crime, so Cuba would not be a place to "live la vida loca." ;) Other issues are cash management and credit cards since your bank may or may not have established agreements with Cuban banks for ATM use. Depends on your bank.

From the research I have done, the gay scene in Havana is somewhat covert, but once inside, quite open. Instead of going to bars, there is a circuit of residences or other locales that open only for a gay party, etc.

The Cuban government is not known to be gay tolerant. However, Fidel Castro's daughter gives every impression of being lesbian and speaks out on GLBT issues.

A cruise would be a great introduction to Cuba, but to really see it, you may need more than a shore excursion. It's on my bucket list to see before it changes.

For some time now I have wanted to visit Cuba......I would love to do a NYC - CUBA- NYC voyage at some point.

 

Anyone else have an interest in this cruise????

I would love to, but until Castro dies, there is zero chance that the US will change policy.

I am sure that the Cruise industry would also love to see the embargo lifted. Can you imagine how many 3 night sailings to Havana they can set up from Miami/Fort Lauderdale with an overnight in Havana? hardly and fuel and lots of money coming in.

I found this petition on whitehouse.gov - maybe if they get enough interest they will actually respond about travel to Cuba... https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/open-travel-cuba-all-us-citizens-any-reason/zGzSf8yQ

... Other issues are cash management and credit cards since your bank may or may not have established agreements with Cuban banks for ATM use. Depends on your bank.. .

Currently over one million Canadians visit Cuba each year so I doubt there would be a banking issue although exchange rates would have to be considered.

For some time now I have wanted to visit Cuba......I would love to do a NYC - CUBA- NYC voyage at some point.

 

Anyone else have an interest in this cruise????

You would have to book through Canada & I think only a flight to and from Canada. I don't believe any US based cruiselines go there. MSC & some of the European lines might.

We shared your apprehension when first approaching this cruise. We know little of the company other than it is registered in Canada and located in Alberta. What convinced us to proceed was the involvement of the Louis Cristal Line plus the land tours that are being offered in each port and which would have to be sanctioned by the Cuban government. As a matter of fact it was these tours that prompted us to book a b2b repeat in order to experience more than one desired activity in certain ports. The company did required payment upon our particular booking and offers a fully refundable cancellation up to 72 days before departure. Hard copy of all transactions has been made. A gamble? Perhaps, in that we are dealing with the company directly and they would have to obtain sufficient bookings in order to have these cruises materialize. But of the one million Canadians traveling to Cuba each year we suspect that there are sufficient people like ourselves who want to visit the island while enjoying the luxury accommodation of a cruise.

I will wait until after the summer to make a decision. I seem to remember some Norwegian TA starting to sell these cruises. I am going to research further.

If I decide to go it will be in February. Maybe I will see you onboard:)

Both Fred Olsen and P and O have itineraries which include Cuba, but don't know if US citizens are eligible for the cruises.

Both Fred Olsen and P and O have itineraries which include Cuba, but don't know if US citizens are eligible for the cruises.

US citizens are not! Cuba will not deny entry, but you could be in trouble with the US. It would be interesting to know if a US citizen tried to book one of these cruises and they listed a US address if the cruise line would deny you to continue the booking.

... It would be interesting to know if a US citizen tried to book one of these cruises and they listed a US address if the cruise line would deny you to continue the booking.

FYI, and in checking the booking conditions we found this;

Cuba Cruise does not discriminate against any nationality and we would not deny boarding to anybody simply because of his or her citizenship. We operate according to the laws of Canada