Who really wants to go to Cuba?

We took 2 cruises to Cuba last year, I would go again.

My daughter suggested a short family cruise this summer as we have not had a chance to vacation as a family for several years due to work and school schedules. She found a cruise to Cuba that fit our time constraints. I was certain that my husband would turn it down and was shocked that his response when I mentioned it was, “Hell yeah!”

His father emigrated to Cuba from Poland many years ago and lived there for 14 years before finally being able to emigrate to America. He was thrilled at the opportunity to see where his father lived. We are all looking forward to our cruise.

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I think the interest in going to Cuba is that we weren't "allowed" to visit Cuba for so many years.

 

People from other countries that we have chatted with, that have visited, seem to have mixed feelings about the country.

 

We would like to visit as a cruise stop, sometime. But we're not in any real hurry. I don't think that we will book a cruise anytime in the near future specifically to visit Cuba, and pay for a Visa, and fill out forms, etc. etc.

 

We're just not that excited about it.

 

St. Petersburg, Russia might be kind of interesting and different; and worth all the paperwork :D

Form you put names and check a box On the visia it is 75.00 pp Cheap to last time in Brazil it was 225.00 Now it went down to 160.00 We where there3 in April had a great time

We have interest and will be going back on our second Cuba cruise next month. This time we will have an overnight stay and can enjoy the nightlife of Havana.

 

The first cruise (last year) was on Empress the second one is on Majesty, but that had no bearing on our decision. The dock area is small and cannot accomodate one of the larger newer ships. We’ve had to take older ships for lots of sailings. I have read many comments on Cruise Critic that once folks take a large new ship they cannot go back to a smaller ship. Luckily, we don’t seem to have that problem. We will sail in a suite on Oasis, and then the next cruise have an ocean view cabin on Majesty. That is not a problem for us. Sometimes the ship becomes a destination, and sometimes the port becomes the destination. One will have to make the decision for what is important to them at the time. For us, for the Cuba trip, obviously the port wins out. If the only way to go (on RCCL) is on a smaller older ship, we have no other option.

 

The visa paperwork is no issue, and the price is small considering other travel expenses one incurs on cruises or land tours. We all decide how to spend our money. I read comments about folks grabbing up cabanas for hundreds of dollars for a few hours on Labadee. So why the balk at $75 (pp) for a visa. And we've had to purchase visas to visit other countries.

 

Personally, I am glad that Royal Caribbean offers options. Those who want to go to Cuba can book a cruise, and those who don’t can look at other offerings.

 

M

Well said and my thoughts exactly!;) We have 11 friends and family on the Majesty this October 24-29th!:cool:

Years ago cruises left almost weekly from NY to Cuba for a few overnights and a return. Why not do a true return to Cuba on a 12 day or night out of Cape Liberty on a DECENT ship with a few days in Cuba and a few stops in other Caribbean ports.

I don't see the Visa-Insurance fee as anything other than a port charge BUT I do see the silly OFAC requirements as useless hoops that do NOTHING and as shown can be and are ignored by many. WHAT PURPOSE do the requirements serve??

Do we have any requirements when visiting any other countries, whether they are friends or foes of the United States?

Drop the entire politically motivated embargo.

bosco

I went to Cuba in July 2017 from Tampa on the Empress with family. It was a wonderful experience.

Cuba has been on my bucket list since it opened to US tourists. Casino Royale pushed a sailing that matched my availability and I am headed there On Majesty in August. As to large ship vs. small ship there are definite positives to both so if you concentrate on the positives you can enjoy a cruise on either. I think the $70 or so for the one visit tourist visa is a bit out of line and will deter some of us that otherwise would consider visiting more than once. Of course I also think the US government is playing the bully when it comes to Cuba. It has been over 50 years since Cuba represented a threat to the US. Isn't it time for a little prosperity to reach the island?

When will I learn, if I wanna start a popular thread, title it something passive aggressively enticing and the make up my batch of popcorn?

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Obviously people want to go...there's a market. I'm not sure if I would want to go on a cruise...but those of us with non-US passports have been able to go for ages :)

No. It’s not on my bucket list. Plus my Cuban friends would probably unfriend me

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No, not really. Maybe later when all the hype is over with and they have better set up for visiting cruise ships. And then the prices become more favorable also.

We are looking at early 2019. Want to go before the cruise lines turn the place into just another bland port in the Caribbean overrun with Diamonds International, Margaritaville and other assorted chain places and tourist traps.

We are looking at early 2019. Want to go before the cruise lines turn the place into just another bland port in the Caribbean overrun with Diamonds International, Margaritaville and other assorted chain places and tourist traps.

You can get away from that in any port. Just by getting out of the port area. There are some really cool, out of the way places in many of the islands if you strike out and explore. :cool:

We absolutely plan to go, but not necessarily with Royal. Whoever has the best itinerary and newer ship will get our business for that one.

 

The word "Cuba" in the thread title could easily be replaces with nay other port of call. All have their fans and their detractors.

We recently received a brochure from Oceana. They are also going to Cuba. You might want to check them out. Their ships are on the smaller side, but beautifully appointed

I agree with your statement of just substituting Cuba for any other port and there will be those who want to travel there and those who don’t.

M

We went last month on Majesty, Had a great time in Cuba, the people were wonderful.

Only downside was the Cluster Fk in organization on the Majesty being their first time there.

Hopefully, better organized from now on.

I think the interest in going to Cuba is that we weren't "allowed" to visit Cuba for so many years.

 

For regular US citizens travel to Cuba is still prohibited according to the US Department of State - Bureau or Consular Affairs.

If memory serves me correctly travel and economic restrictions were put into place by Congress so they are the only ones who can lift them.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cuba.html

TOURIST VISA REQUIRED:

Tourist travel to Cuba remains prohibited. You must obtain a license from the Department of Treasury or your travel must fall into one of 12 categories of authorized travel.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Travel to Cuba is regulated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Anyone located in the United States, regardless of citizenship and nationality, must comply with these regulations. Individuals seeking to travel to Cuba are not required to obtain licenses from OFAC if their travel is covered by a general license. If travel is not covered by a general license, you must seek OFAC authorization in the form of a specific license. Travelers who fail to comply with regulations may face penalties and criminal prosecution. See the Department of Treasury webpage. (emphasis mine)

Right now I have other places I would prefer to visit first, not that I will ever get to the ones on my list but I hope to.

No. It’s not on my bucket list. Plus my Cuban friends would probably unfriend me

 

 

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My daughter and two close friends, one of whom is on her first cruise, leave for Tampa today and cruise on Majesty tomorrow. We’ve been doing non-Caribbean cruises but will at some point go to Cuba.

No, not really. Maybe later when all the hype is over with and they have better set up for visiting cruise ships. And then the prices become more favorable also.

The association between the cruise lines and Cuba has worked out perfectly for tourists. RCCL did a great job of preparing passengers for the visit, and Cuba really stepped up with refurbishing the terminal, and providing beautiful new air conditioned buses for tours. The tour guides were knowledgeable and helpful.

There were ample ship tours offered and many private tours offered. I felt completely prepared when getting off the ship. More so than in other foreign ports. We were told exactly how and where to do money exchange, how and where to pick up tours, what was safe and what was not.

In my opinion, the locals love the tourist dollars and are happy to have tourists there. Of course tourists have been visiting Cuba for years, it is just more recently that the cruise ships can make a stop.

As another poster mention, we really enjoy going now while the area is In its natural state. There so much history to learn and so many beautiful spots we are happy to be going back.

Yes the price is high, but everyone makes a decision on how to spend their money.

M

I do enjoy sailing to new places however, I am ambivalent about sailing to Cuba. I may end up there some day but, I probably won't seek out a cruise there unless it's a really good deal.

I absolutely want to go to Cuba someday.

 

Travel to Cuba is regulated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Anyone located in the United States, regardless of citizenship and nationality, must comply with these regulations. Individuals seeking to travel to Cuba are not required to obtain licenses from OFAC if their travel is covered by a general license. If travel is not covered by a general license, you must seek OFAC authorization in the form of a specific license. Travelers who fail to comply with regulations may face penalties and criminal prosecution. See the Department of Treasury webpage. (emphasis mine)

Yes, those are the requirements ? Do they serve any purpose ?

bosco

No desire but being Canadian it’s never been off limits.

For regular US citizens travel to Cuba is still prohibited according to the US Department of State - Bureau or Consular Affairs.

 

If memory serves me correctly travel and economic restrictions were put into place by Congress so they are the only ones who can lift them.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cuba.html

 

TOURIST VISA REQUIRED:

Tourist travel to Cuba remains prohibited. You must obtain a license from the Department of Treasury or your travel must fall into one of 12 categories of authorized travel.

 

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

 

 

Travel to Cuba is regulated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Anyone located in the United States, regardless of citizenship and nationality, must comply with these regulations. Individuals seeking to travel to Cuba are not required to obtain licenses from OFAC if their travel is covered by a general license. If travel is not covered by a general license, you must seek OFAC authorization in the form of a specific license. Travelers who fail to comply with regulations may face penalties and criminal prosecution. See the Department of Treasury webpage. (emphasis mine)

When you read the requirements to get a specific license, you can see it's pretty straightforward to find legal ways to travel to Cuba- https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_new.pdf

Especially when you see the requirements to satisfy "Support Cuban People" in this document- https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_fact_sheet_11082017.pdf

Support for the Cuban People Travel In accordance with the NSPM, OFAC is requiring that each traveler under thistravel category engage in a full-time schedule of activities that result inmeaningful interaction with individuals in Cuba. Such activities must alsoenhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promotethe Cuban people's independence from Cuban authorities. Renting a room in aprivate Cuban residence (casa particular), eating at privately owned Cubanrestaurants (paladares), and shopping at privately owned stores run by selfemployedCubans (cuentapropistas) are examples of authorized activities;however, in order to meet the requirement of a full-time schedule, a traveler mustengage in additional authorized Support for the Cuban People activities.

Which is pretty easy to do as tourists.

And given that the goal of "supporting Cuban People" is to end the oppressive government, it also meets all of the goals that most people have issue with Cuba.