New: US Govt travel restrictions to Cuba announced

[cbb]

https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/04/politics/us-cuba-travel-restrictions/index.html

Edited June 4, 2019 by cbb

[Paulchili]

I read that as cruises to Cuba will be stopped - is that what this means?

Is this effective immediately?

[cbb]

paul--i'm looking for further clarification but here is what i found just now--

 

i'm sure everybody involved in US tourism to Cuba is examining the new policies....but AP seems to think cruising there is over for Americans

 

also appears to have some indication that if you've already paid for the cruise BEFORE this was announced you can still go.....(maybe Wednesday is the deadline) Don't know about deposits made rather than full payment.

 

  see what you think.....

 

https://www.apnews.com/67c721daee8143d4a2e6ee8c401bf215

[LHT28]

wow

I wonder if  you are booked on a cruise if  that constitutes "reserving  accommodation "  in the eyes of the US government ?

I guess  the cruise lines will have to get that clarified  ASAP  before cancelling Cuba stops

 

 

 

[Hawaiidan]

28 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

wow

I wonder if  you are booked on a cruise if  that constitutes "reserving  accommodation "  in the eyes of the US government ?

I guess  the cruise lines will have to get that clarified  ASAP  before cancelling Cuba stops

 

 

 

It looks like that if your paid in full with a non cancel fare/ reservation  you go.  A deposit is refundable and you get a refund..  you don't go

I suspect the cruise lines will just re-organize their cruises  to other ports so as not to get hurt.....   Planes and boats private and commercial  were also mentioned as banned.   So  good by airlines  from the US

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I'm thinking most cruise lines will just rearrange their itineraries and avoid Cuba altogether.  Partly because most cruises won't be sold out as of Wednesday, will they?  And it wouldn't be great if some pax could go ashore and others could not.

[cbb]

my TA's response-- when i asked him about this (not everybody has paid all $ for ATW20, but all have paid our deposits!)  was "it's a mess"  which i thought was an excellent and succinct summarization

 

[HokiePoq]

Yes cbb, a mess.

I imagine the cruise lines will just switch itineraries like they did with the hurricane two years ago.  

Very unhappy with this as we've bought nonrefundable air and although could get cruise deposit back, the rest will be a loss if we cancel.   

[Granny DI]

Daily Mail is reporting all cruise lines sailing from a US port are banned from visiting Cuba effective tomorrow. Lawyers for the Cruiselines in Miami have confirmed sailing to Cuba is prohibited effective tomorrow. The lawyers are searching for a loophole.

[Kingofcool1947]

If cruise lines currently replace Cuba with Haiti or Dominican Republic, would you still accept the change in itinerary? Or cancel your booking?

I hear Haiti and Dominican Republic are beautiful, and safe to visit.

Good luck and happy sailing.

Edited June 4, 2019 by Kingofcool1947

[kendon]

Haiti?  NO!  The Dominican Republic?  Maybe.         These are NOT great options.   

 

It's been said that if the trip is already paid for, they would be allowed to go.  But honestly the feeling in Cuba will not be a friendly one and may be very uncomfortable (and possible unsafe) for US citizens.  Better off to change the intinerary altogether.  Maybe Bermuda?

 

 

Edited June 4, 2019 by kendon

[FlyerTalker]

1 hour ago, HokiePoq said:

Very unhappy with this as we've bought nonrefundable air and although could get cruise deposit back, the rest will be a loss if we cancel.   

 

So, if the cruiseline rearranges the ports so that you leave and return from the same ports on the same days, you would cancel the cruise just because you miss out on Cuba?  And thus eat your airfare costs.

 

Where I come from, that's called cutting off your nose....

[kendon]

I would not want to be in Oceania's shoes.  Most people won't be happy about the change in itinerary.  If we don't go to Cuba it will be a disappointment, but it's out of our control and we should just enjoy the week whatever comes our way. 

[kendon]

I've got a double whammy.  Booked on a Boeing Max 8, and a cruise to Cuba.  Hmmm

 

[Bxianesq]

Still confused about the potential exception. Our July 11th cruise to Cuba is completely sold out. Final payment date has passed. 

[floridatravelersforlife]

Here is the Dept of Commerce Announcement

 

https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2019/06/commerce-and-treasury-departments-implement-changes-cuba-sanctions

 

The Grandfather clause is quite specific.  In reality,  the longer out is your reservation, the chances are higher some part of the itinerary will cancel out.

 

My daughter is flying out to Havana from Orlando next week on Southwest Air for a land trip.  I am sure they will fly next week, but if scheduled in 6 months, probably not.  It won't be commercially viable.

[galveston gal]

Our trip next Feb 1 on Sirena is basically all Cuba with 3 overnights there.  Last stop is in Nassau.  It has been sold out for several months.  

 

Guess time will tell.

[Hawaiidan]

3 hours ago, HokiePoq said:

Yes cbb, a mess.

I imagine the cruise lines will just switch itineraries like they did with the hurricane two years ago.  

Very unhappy with this as we've bought nonrefundable air and although could get cruise deposit back, the rest will be a loss if we cancel.   

No....    you will not loose all.      You will pay a cancel fee depending on your status with the airline from 0 to $200.

You will then have the remaining money/value   credit to book another air trip on that airline with the balance  IF used in the nest 12 months from date of purchase.    I good reason to be loyal to an airline you save $$$ if you have to cancel or re credit FF miles or $$      

[Hawaiidan]

1 hour ago, floridatravelersforlife said:

Here is the Dept of Commerce Announcement

 

https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2019/06/commerce-and-treasury-departments-implement-changes-cuba-sanctions

 

The Grandfather clause is quite specific.  In reality,  the longer out is your reservation, the chances are higher some part of the itinerary will cancel out.

 

My daughter is flying out to Havana from Orlando next week on Southwest Air for a land trip.  I am sure they will fly next week, but if scheduled in 6 months, probably not.  It won't be commercially viable.

I think your being too optimistic.   the ban on travel sea and air starts tomorrow June 5....

[kendon]

I've got a flight booked on a Boeing Max 8...and a cruise to Cuba.  The cruise will be happening, not sure to where though but that's okay.   As for my flight, American says they may cancel it or rebook on another aircraft.  They don't know yet.  What a vacation.  What ever happens, happens.  😉

 

 

 

 

[ICT lineman]

There are two distinctly different rulings here.

 

One by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the other by the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).

 

American citizens were allowed to travel to Cuba on a 'people-to-people' OFAC. They will now have to travel on the 'support of the Cuba people' OFAC. They would still be able to take independent tours or roam around unescorted.

 

The major change is that the Commerce Department will no longer allow a US flagged aircraft or vessel to go to Cuba and perhaps not allow a foreign flagged aircraft or vessel to use a US airport or ship port if it has been to or was going to Cuba.

 

Oceania vessels are flagged in the Marshall Islands which is a United States 'associate state'.

 

Lawyers will have to sort out all the existing booked and/or paid issues but suffice it to say that there will no more new cruises to Cuba from a US port by a US flagged vessel.

[rallydave]

13 minutes ago, ICT lineman said:

 

 

15 minutes ago, ICT lineman said:

Oceania vessels are flagged in the Marshall Islands which is a United States 'associate state'.

Lawyers will have to sort out all the existing booked and/or paid issues but suffice it to say that there will no more new cruises to Cuba from a US port by a US flagged vessel.

You are correct about no more new cruises to Cuba by a US flagged vessel because there is only one single US Flagged Cruise ship in the world and that is the Pride of Hawaii and that ship strictly does cruises around Hawaii and almost impossible for them to do a cruise to Cuba.  So there never have been nor will be any cruises to anywhere including Cuba on a US Flagged Ship.

 

Not sure what a US associate state is but, sure it doesn't count as a US Flagged Ship 

[PaulMCO]

Definitely Marshall Is has no US flag jurisdiction.   That is why ships get registered there.

The ban starts tomorrow. 

RCL has cancelled stops already.

 

I bet they are working late in Miami tonight

[HokiePoq]

4 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

So, if the cruiseline rearranges the ports so that you leave and return from the same ports on the same days, you would cancel the cruise just because you miss out on Cuba?  And thus eat your airfare costs.

 

Where I come from, that's called cutting off your nose....

Our itinerary is 100% Cuba.  Thus a replacement itinerary is none of what I booked.  We have been to most Caribbean ports multiple times.  NO I am not cutting off my nose to spite my face.  We will be forced (again as with the hurricane with another line) to go on a cruise we did not book and pay for a trip we did not want.  Not sure why you felt you must make an insulting comment.   We will either go on and pay way more for a cruise with ports we did not want or take the loss whatever that is for cancelling the air.   This is not O's fault.   However there was a clarification that came out today that MAY exempt those who made deposits before today.   I am not sure if our cruise deposit will qualify but that all remains to be seen.  Our TA has not yet heard anything.  I am hopeful that previously booked cruises/land tours will be honored and that the ban will only affect future bookings.

[PaulMCO]

4 minutes ago, HokiePoq said:

Our itinerary is 100% Cuba.  Thus a replacement itinerary is none of what I booked.  We have been to most Caribbean ports multiple times.  NO I am not cutting off my nose to spite my face.  We will be forced (again as with the hurricane with another line) to go on a cruise we did not book and pay for a trip we did not want.  Not sure why you felt you must make an insulting comment.   We will either go on and pay way more for a cruise with ports we did not want or take the loss whatever that is for cancelling the air.   This is not O's fault.   However there was a clarification that came out today that MAY exempt those who made deposits before today.   I am not sure if our cruise deposit will qualify but that all remains to be seen.  Our TA has not yet heard anything.  I am hopeful that previously booked cruises/land tours will be honored and that the ban will only affect future bookings.

That is true, but many 2020 and 2021 cruises are not fully booked and thus likely will be cancelled.

The issue and I am sure Oceania lawyers are working late, is the General License that allows them to stop at a Cuban port (to import the ship temporary into Cuba and re-export the ship).  The way I read it, it will now required to be reissued which the way it is worded denies exceptions for vessels and aircraft.   So if you are on a cruise -- no stopping...