jsinflsunshine

Hey Hawkeye...

That's not what the requirements say exactly...

When you read the entire statement is says...

 

Support for the Cuban people. I am traveling to Cuba to engage with recognized human rights organizations,independent organizations designed to promote a rapid, peaceful transition to democracy, or individuals and non-governmentalorganizations that promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba; AND my schedule of activitiesdoes not include free time or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full-time schedule. (31 C.F.R. § 515.574)

 

The first two don't apply to local tour groups but the third part of the sentence clearly says... individuals (like guides)... who are giving full day tours... (full time schedule)...

 

I wrote the state department today in Havana to clarify/confirm this. I called their number listed on our US gov web site but go figure...it did not go through. I really do think it is ok and also knowing the full intent of the change is to not support military (see the link below as "no no" places to support...

https://www.state.gov/e/eb/tfs/spi/cuba/cubarestrictedlist/275331.htm

 

Here is the verbage of what we can support in Havana....

https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_fact_sheet_11082017.pdf

 

my question is what does "a traveler must engage in additional authorized Support for the Cuban People activities." listed at the bottom of this next paragraph... ??

 

Support for the Cuban People Travel

• In accordance with the NSPM, OFAC is requiring that each traveler under this travel category engage in a full-time schedule of activities that result in meaningful interaction with individuals in Cuba. Such activities must also enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities. Renting a room in a private Cuban residence (casa particular), eating at privately owned Cuban restaurants (paladares), and shopping at privately owned stores run by selfemployed Cubans (cuentapropistas) are examples of authorized activities; however, in order to meet the requirement of a full-time schedule, a traveler must engage in additional authorized Support for the Cuban People activities.
  

What kind of ticks me off is RCC has thousands of folks getting off their ship every day in Cuba and they have not communicated what the deal is with using local tours as according to this documentation... you should be able to select "3" on the sheet for Support of the Cuban People... I have heard two conflicting RCC people saying yes you can and no you can't...

Please post your findings. TY

I have called NCL a number of times, and have been told that private tours are fine and things will remain the same. Of course, I know this not to be true. NCL Needs to update their FAQs with regard to Cuba to reflect the new Regulations. It’s so darn frustrating. We are planning to take one evening ship sponsored walking tour, and an all day educational tour with a Cuban guide. I am,thinking of checking People to People- Educational because of the ships tour, plus checking Support of the Cuban People because of 7 Hour Private Tour and dining in family owned Paladar,

Thoughts, anyone?

Please post info about your tours in Havana, and how they were handled by Norwegian in regard to the Afidavit that you filed before boarding the ship.

Need help, quickly. Leaving on Dec 4th.

Wish that Norwegian would get its act, and communications together.

“Administration officials said the new regulations, which will take effect Thursday, would not affect certain existing transactions. For visitors, that means anyone who has “completed at least one travel-related transaction (such as purchasing a flight or reserving accommodations) prior to” publication of the new regulations in the Federal Register on Thursday.”

I did a 3 hour bus tour, saw some important sites that were far away. Returned to the ship, and we grabbed my wife's wheelchair/scooter and we went out to dinner at a small place, stopped by Floridita, and had one of Hemingway's favorite drinks, listed to music. Than we left, and found another outdoor café, with music, and sat for a while. When they broke for a break, we left, an as we wondered back to the ship, stopped at another café on a square, and enjoyed another drink, and listening to more music. Finally by almost midnight, we went back to the ship.

 

Next day, we took a taxi to the cigar factory. Note the closed one is "closed" as of this week, so we went to another one. Taxi waited for us. It cost $10.00cuc per person, and was good. We also bought some cigars at the place, since I knew they were fresh. We were dropped off by the Capital building, as requested, and we walked old Havana. Many sites to see, in town. We ate lunch at a nice open air café. A little later on, we sat in a café for lunch and watched the activities on a square and talked to two different groups of people form other countries, while enjoying the day. We stopped in stores, looked at artwork, and buildings. Bought some rum. Other words, we just experienced the city, and observed and looked at what it had to offer.

 

Side note, a full time wheelchair is nearly impossible, but you can use scooters, but you must be able to lift up curbs etc. We had no issues, and we knew what to expect.

How far is La Floridita from the cruise port? Is it easy to find? Want to go in the early evening, so it will be dark, when we venture out.

Thanks!

To update this thread:

We just returned from the Sky to Cuba. They are no longer giving out tickets for departure from the ship. You just go down to whatever deck the exit is (5? 6? I forget) once it's announced that you can leave the ship. It took us about a half an hour, maybe a little more, to go through the terminal, show passports and visas, exchange money, use the bathroom, and leave the terminal. The bathroom in the terminal is pretty bad.

For the person above asking about drinks - you don't even sign for them. You just ask for a drink and they hand it to you :)

(and we didn't go to the casino)

Thank you for the great information!

Anything else you’d like to share? :D

No, American born, but my heritage is my grand parents coming to America from Russia in the early 1900's before Communism! I have been to Russia many times in the last 10 years, as my wife's parents, and relatives still live there!:) WE have taken a river cruise on the River Karma, beautiful!:D

Hi Bear, We were on the Divina with you, your wife, Mugsy B, JW and Jerome, and crew.

We had a nice visit with you, in Old San Juan Craft Market Square.

Hope all is Well, with you.

We are booked for Oasis on Dec 6th. Looking forward to it Actually just booked it last week. Good price, so I talked the Hubs into it (:

Cheers, Judy and Jim

From my personal experience the statement is incorrect (I didn't hear, I was there & paid the bill). There is no F/X surcharges as the ship's currency on the Caribbean cruises is US$. You'll be billed exactly the same amount as it appears in the final bill in US$. No F/X surcharges on any US$ denominated CCs. However on the European cruises ship's currency is € and US$ denominated CCs will incur 2.5% F/X charge unless it's waived by the CC issuer.

Thank you for your informative post

My goodness - what is 3%? Drink 3% less and you will be fine. Otherwise do your homework before you set off. Patience running low at the moment.

Re: Your patience running low. If this thread taxes your patience, just don't read it. No need to be snarky. If you can offer something positive and informative, on any subject; have at it. If not.... Well....

This is one of the infrequent questions that I have ever asked, on CC. My mistake. I thought that people who are on CC were helpful.

As my dear Jamaician friends say: Chillax!

I called MSC and they said they now use an American bank, when I asked them which one, they said we'll be right back, a minute later the phone disconnected!

 

So ' MSC' , what's the answer, what bank do you use for the Divina!

Did u ever get resolution to your foreign services charge question, as it pertains to charges incurred on the ship? The (conflicting ) info that I received from MSC, is that they use a US Bank. Wish they'd get their act together with regard to the answer to this question. Doesn't seem like,it would be that hard to find a definitive answer. US Bank, US Citizen, No foreign transaction orNon US Bank, US Citizen= Foreign Transaction Fee. MSC, or anyone please reply with the answer

Your son is a very special young man, and you are all very lucky to have each other! Hope you guys get to experience many more cruises like this one. :)

Oooooooh nooooooooo, say it isn't sooooooooooooo! The End..No. No, it's the beginning! The beginning of many more Mom and Son adventures. Loved seeing the Allure from both of your eyes. Thank you for sharing this special time.

At some point, you should do a personal coffee table book about this trip. I have seen them advertised on some of the photo sites. How fun for both of you to be able to pick it up and reminise.

One quick question, is the supplied hair dryer adequate, or should I bring my own snazzy one (:

Hugs to you...friends! J

Question: Can we order room service breakfast the night before, and specify a time frame? It was so helpful to see the interactive TV. Royal Caribbean or Tavel agents need to post your review. It is the most informative piece of information I have read, since booking the cruise.

Waiting with baited breathe! Love, love, love, your review! Have obsessively been reading it. I think that we were brother and sister in another life. Half the fun of traveling is in the pre-planning! You're the best, for sharing.