Is Norwegian more strict than Royal Carribean about enforcing OFAC rules going ashore

[CarribeanCruise321]

According to what I am reading on Norewegian's website, they require "All guests must complete a certification form which sets forth and confirms that they will be participating in OFAC-compliant activities. Certification must be received by Norwegian no later than 3 days prior to the departure date. Please be advised that guests will not be able to board the vessel without having first completed the form."

 

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/cruise-travel-documents

 

A link is provided to verify but can only be filled out AFTER you book your cruise:

https://ncl.secure.force.com/CubaTravelAffidavit

 

But according to what I can find on Royal Caribean, they do not require any pre-certification for getting on the ship. Is anyone able to verify this?

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cuba/faq/

[pbenjamin]

It's a simple form. Whether it must be filled out 3 days in advance or "prior to boarding" as it says in the Royal Caribbean FAQ seems pretty much irrelevant.

In accordance with U.S. law, all guests (including children) traveling to Cuba will be required to complete a travel certification identifying the category of travel under which they are visiting. This must be completed prior to boarding the vessel.

[CarribeanCruise321]

It's a simple form. Whether it must be filled out 3 days in advance or "prior to boarding" as it says in the Royal Caribbean FAQ seems pretty much irrelevant.

 

Right, Royal Caribbean has a simple form, but Norwegian makes you verify your intended itinerary through a link on their website, saying you can't board unless you do.

[pbenjamin]

Right, Royal Caribbean has a simple form, but Norwegian makes you verify your intended itinerary through a link on their website, saying you can't board unless you do.

 

Show us where they state that requirement. The links that you supplied simply end up with an affadavit which looks pretty standard and does not ask about your itinerary.

[CarribeanCruise321]

Show us where they state that requirement. The links that you supplied simply end up with an affadavit which looks pretty standard and does not ask about your itinerary.

 

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/cruise-travel-documents#Cuba

 

 

In the section Cruising to Cuba:

How do I certify that I am travelling under one of the OFAC-approved categories of travel?

 

All guests must complete a certification form which sets forth and confirms that they will be participating in OFAC-compliant activities.

Click here to link to the certification form. One per guest.

 

Certification must be received by Norwegian no later than 3 days prior to the departure date. Please be advised that guests will not be able to board the vessel without having first completed the form.

All guests will be certifying which means that they are solely responsible for arranging a full-time schedule of OFAC-compliant activities, as explained above. These activities may include excursions provided by Norwegian or another U.S sponsoring organization.

[pbenjamin]

That link takes you to a form that just has check boxes. Most cruise passengers will either check

 

Educational exchanges – group people-to-people through Norwegian or other organization

or

Support for the Cuban people

There is nothing about telling them what your itinerary is. This is no different than what other cruise lines are doing.

[Go-Bucks!]

Right, Royal Caribbean has a simple form, but Norwegian makes you verify your intended itinerary through a link on their website, saying you can't board unless you do.

You're getting confused....both of these cruiselines are referring to the affidavit. EVERYONE on EVERY cruise line visiting Cuba from ships leaving America has to complete the affidavit which lists the 12 licenses (fancy word for reason why you're visiting Cuba). You must choose at least one and sign it.

 

Some cruiselines want you to send or fax it back to them in advance and other lines have you fill it out at embarkation check in....either way, they are right that it must be done before you walk onboard. Do whichever your cruiseline wants and stop worrying. You do NOT have to tell anyone your tour plans....they're trying to sell you their (usually expensive) tours. Take them if you want, but its not required.

 

Once you do this cruise you'll look back and laugh at how easy it really was! Everything will fall into place....just be sure to have fun and mingle with the very friendly Cubans!!

[CarribeanCruise321]

That link takes you to a form that just has check boxes. Most cruise passengers will either check

 

Educational exchanges – group people-to-people through Norwegian or other organization

or

Support for the Cuban people

There is nothing about telling them what your itinerary is. This is no different than what other cruise lines are doing.

 

This is bizarre. I don't know if the link is taking us to two different pages but I don't see "a form that just has check boxes" at all.

 

This link (Click here to link to the certification form) takes me to a page that says

 

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE TRAVEL AFFIDAVIT.Enter your Reservation Number:

 

(picture included)

[pbenjamin]

Click on the submit button -- you can leave the number field blank -- and you'll get the form.

[CarribeanCruise321]

Click on the submit button -- you can leave the number field blank -- and you'll get the form.

 

Well don't I feel silly. Thank you!