FGJones

8 minutes ago, NCTribeFan said:

Next time, I'll do the HOHO bus, Strawberry's Food Tour, and get a ride in a CoCo(nut).  And get over to the castle/fort.  So much more I want to see and do!

I’m signed up for a tour of the fortress. I’ll

do some digging myself but dose anyone know the hours of the HOHO bus? 

59 minutes ago, CruisingFox27 said:

The webcam hasn't updated at all but my tracker app shows her to be in Havana today 😀

Already? It’s only 8 AM in Havana.

28 minutes ago, Cauzneffct said:

 I'm a bit of a researcher/planner, so all of this uncertainty is a bit maddening.

I am the same.  Uncertainty spikes my anxiety.  (And no, telling me not to be anxious doesn't actually help my anxiety... 😂) but I sail in 18 days so hopefully nothing changes that fast. 

6 minutes ago, travelingtink said:

The Armonia was definitely in Havana this weekend, verified by a couple of crew members. What I haven't been able to get a response on was whether or not there were any passenger restrictions. 

That is great news.  Are they someone with a public profile I could follow as well?

1 hour ago, CruisingFox27 said:

It's like for 2 days she was in a black hole tracking wise.

Could it have stayed in Cozumel three days, or spent the two Havana days at sea?  I feel so sad. 

Does anyone know if Armonia docked in Havana yesterday and if things are going as scheduled? 

On 4/11/2019 at 11:14 AM, FGJones said:

 

 

 

Also, for the etickets, do I need to print all the pages, like the ones showing excursions, drink plan, safety information, voyager club, etc?  Or just the embarkation form with the bar code and the luggage tags?

1 minute ago, Beamafar said:

That puzzled me a little, too, but I just filled out 2 forms - one for each of us - and that was sufficient.  Perhaps the 'copy' is so you have one for your own records.

Oh, that does make sense.  It does say at the bottom to retain a copy for five years. 

Thanks

On 2/12/2019 at 5:28 AM, Beamafar said:

With your cruise tickets, you will also receive the following form for each person:

 

Form for Entry to Cuba.pdf 65.43 kB · 34 downloads

 

 

I received my e-tickets and this form on Friday (Yay! Fingers crossed) and the email says "Authorities require all guests to fill out the following form in double copy and present it at embarkation to the MSC Staff" 

Does "double copy" just mean to print two for each person?

12 hours ago, rwdtgb said:

We are heading to Cuba (I think) on the April 29 Armonia sailing. If given the choice and the stop in Cuba was cancelled I would cancel the cruise and book the Seaside for a later date.

I think you might be the guinea pigs.  You're supposed to be in Havana on the 4th and 5th, right?

2 hours ago, CruisingFox27 said:

If Trump wishes to introduce changes such as these, do they not have to be passed and approved by the Government? I admit that I don't know the American process but do the Senate or who ever, need to agree rather than one person deciding on a whim to change foreign policy? 

A lot of policy changes require congress (both the Senate and House of Representatives) to vote on before being signed by the president.  But the president has a huge amount of executive power that does not require Congressional approval.  My understanding is the president can impose the restrictions in questions unilaterally. 

MSC Cruises (USA) twitter posted the same tweet 8 minutes ago so I'm sure it's a scheduled thing across their twitter pages/marketing.  😒

I don't know the in's and out's of Twitter but I believe companies can schedule tweets in advance.  Lets's see if the tweet lasts a few hours without being deleted, then I will clutch straws with you. 😓

22 minutes ago, CruisingFox27 said:

 

The MSC website is still offering the itinerary but there are no sailing dates after June, on my availabilty anyway.

On the US website it still lists the future dates.  I'd be surprised/impressed if they had a handle on things so fast.  Although perhaps allowing people to book during this unknown period is a bad idea.  

7 minutes ago, CruisingFox27 said:

There are a few postings from people on various forums, who have contacted their respective cruiselines and been advised Cuba will still be a POC. How, I've no idea. If that is the response from a Call centre, I'd be skeptical they yet have an actual position.

The situation is disappointing but  I think, if it's allowed, calling Havana and having the Cuban entertainers still board for those of us not able to disembark would be one of my preferred solutions.  Maybe.  At this point I don't know what I want.  Not that I have a say in it.

3 hours ago, CruisingFox27 said:

FG, I did appreciate that but somewhere like that isn't an incentive for most people booking this cruise. 

 

Yes, I've been thinking through the possible outcomes and Nassau is about the worst case I can think of.

Do you think MSC will reach out to people when they know what's happening? 

I suppose if they move embarkation ports and kick those of us holding USA passports off they would have to let us know but perhaps not if they sub in a different port.  When I booked we were scheduled to call Montego Bay, Jamaica and some months ago it was quietly changed to Ocho Rios, Jamaica on my booking.  Hopefully they recognize losing Cuba is a much bigger deal and keep us updated every step of the way. 

6 minutes ago, tymike said:

Really???

I just can't.......

I've been looking forward to Cuba for months.  Sailing in July (maybe)...

Ugh.

Yup. Cuba is the only reason I decided to try a cruise. It will be my first.  And outrageously expensive to have the star of the show canceled.  I’m so bummed. May 27 for me.

11 minutes ago, CruisingFox27 said:

Noooo 😥

 

I didn't see the date in the article in my panic, will keep our fingers crossed it isn't. It's the only reason we booked, certainly do not want to go to Nassau for 2 days. 

To clarify, I made the Nassau part up.  No one has suggested that will be the solution they offer. 

4 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

Cuba may have to be removed from the itinerary, CF.

I’m cynical and assuming it is subbed with two days at Nassau. My sister is optimistic and think we may still dock there but those of us holding US passports will stay in the ship and the entertainment will be brought to us. 

6 minutes ago, CruisingFox27 said:

 

Not before November I hope 🥺

Article lists an effective date of May 2. 

Let this be a cautionary tale about getting excited.

https://www.bing.com/amp/s/amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article229341009.html

No Cuba for me. 

4 hours ago, scpirate said:

i miss my simple land vacations with a 4-5 hour drive instead of 15.

Until now all my travels have been land based but lots of air travel to get to them.  Can you fly to which ever port you use?  A 15 hour drive does sound  agonizing.  We’re sailing out of Miami, FL but flying there from Cleveland, OH.

4 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

If I'm not mistaken, you started the first thread regarding Armonia's Miami-Cuba itinerary "MSC Armonia - Nitty Gritty Questions".  I have an email from CC with that title showing on a list of emails on my iPad that won't delete, LOL.

Yes that was me.  I promise I didn't corrupt the iPad 😂

I also started a thread where I called the ship a boat and fretted that I would be bored to death on board.  I've read so much since then about cruising and SHIPS and MSC and Havana and now rather than being bored I fear that I will miss so much because there's not enough time and I can only eat and drink so much in eight days.  It's also worth noting that I don't really drink in real life so it's going to be a challenge to try all the yummy drinks  I see on the menus.  I guess that's the beauty of the Deluxe plan.  There's not rule that I have to finish the drinks I don't love. 

Armonia on May 27 is my first ever cruise.  

Is it normal to be THIS excited over a month in advance 😂

I want to try every drink and every meal and attend every event and every excursion. 

On this same topic, I’ve never missed a flight, (but I typically don’t ever give up as much control as you need to to board a cruise ship).  What happens if you miss a flight?  Are there big fees to rebook? I assume your original fare counts for something and isn’t a total loss.  I’m fortunate that there are several routes and flights between the port city and my home city.