ship visa

[jkeller527]

We are on MSC in May  They are advising that we can only get off if we have a ship excursion. They said that since we are there 2 days we have to have one for each day . IF it is a ship visa who has it . I am confused. We really do not want to do their excursion as it is very limited. IF we do the paperwork then do we print the visa . Did any one do Tropicana on their own  

[LaCal]

You’ll get the visa on the ship and they charge $75 pp 

 

You DO NOT have to do a MSC Excursion 

 

We’re on the May 6th cruise and booked a 6 hour classic car excursion through Blexie of Havana Tours for $130 CUC TOTAL for up to 4 people 

 

MSC charges $110 per person for a classic car excursion that’s only 3 hours 

 

 

[Luckiestmanonearth]

Every cruise line will try to scare their passengers to force them to take the ship excursions (shameful but true).

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE A SHIP EXCURSION.

Many passengers take private excursions without any repercussions.

 

Ignore their plea and do what you want and enjoy

[Cienfuegos]

A ship's tour every day is pretty harsh (and greedy).

 

My understanding is the US government requires people traveling to Cuba to either fall under a (group) general visit license such as a cultural trip, which most cruise lines do, or to visit families and relatives under an (individual) personal license.   The Cuban government doesn't care.

 

The cruise lines organize and mark up the price for a cultural tour to expand understanding of the Cuban people. That's where San Juan Hill, botanical gardens, city markets, history museums, etc come into the picture.  This qualifies under (US) Office of Foreign Asset Control rules, and assures you aren't spending money to the benefit of the government, the army, certain named people,  etc.  I'm sure the dock agencies, customs people, tour bus companies, large operators, hotels, clubs, etc have worked out the right deals.

 

Edited March 25, 2019 by Cienfuegos
clarity

[carolat]

Seabourn is saying we have to prove that any independent tour we take is “government certified”.  Are there such tours?

[Cienfuegos]

I don't know.  But, I suspect the private guide services would be able to tell you.  It would then be up to you to present that info to the US government or Seabourn, if either cared to ask for it.

 

Viking Ocean required all guests to purchase the INCLUDED tour at each port, and then didn't care what we did. We went on other tours, and I took a long, un-escorted walk through Cienfuegos, hired a cab, and went for a ride, etc.  No problems.

 

My understanding is the US Government does not want any travel dollars spent on activities or in places which benefit the Cuban government, the military, and named persons who are under sanctions.  So, visitors have to fit into either private or group travelers. The assumption is that group travelers will follow at least one group activity which involves person to person contact, cultural activities, historical research, etc.

 

 

[mac1_131]

I did Tropicana on my own bought tickets online using credit card (uses payment provider in Spain) and used voucher on my iphone and took a cab.

If you buy while still at home print out voucher. I bought on ship at sea so just showed them voucher on my iPhone

Everything went fine. Cab driver will offer to pick you up I recommend that and he will be waiting for you outside

Leave a few moments early to avoid the rush

They give you a bottle of rum, ice, Coke’s and limes to make your own Cuba libres during show so drinks essentially included

Gentlemen are issued a cigar on the way in [emoji41]

Tropicana is a well run class act