Rare BirdTravels Posted September 29, 2017 #1 Share Posted September 29, 2017 US Department of State Advises: On September 29, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Havana, as well as all family members. Until the Government of Cuba can ensure the safety of our diplomats in Cuba, our Embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel in order to minimize the number of diplomats at risk of exposure to harm. In conjunction with the ordered departure of our diplomatic personnel, the Department has issued a Travel Warning advising U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Cuba and informing them of our decision to draw down our diplomatic staff. We have no reports that private U.S. citizens have been affected, but the attacks are known to have occurred in U.S. diplomatic residences and hotels frequented by U.S. citizens. The Department does not have definitive answers on the cause or source of the attacks and is unable to recommend a means to mitigate exposure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted September 29, 2017 #2 Share Posted September 29, 2017 I wonder how many cruisers will take any notice of that!! I bet there will a "she'll be right" or "it will never happen to us" attitude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycarla Posted September 29, 2017 #3 Share Posted September 29, 2017 US Department of State Advises:.... We have no reports that private U.S. citizens have been affected, but the attacks are known to have occurred in U.S. diplomatic residences and hotels frequented by U.S. citizens. T.... As said, nothing of private citizens at this point. And the attacks are rather unique. Something about sonic/sound waves or something like that which recent news reports indicate they can not figure out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delaware32 Posted September 29, 2017 #4 Share Posted September 29, 2017 NCL has posted a statement on the website with regard to Cuba. It appears things will remain status quo with regard to their cruises to Cuba. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regguy Posted September 29, 2017 #5 Share Posted September 29, 2017 NCL has posted a statement on the website with regard to Cuba. It appears things will remain status quo with regard to their cruises to Cuba. Given how every earnings call has trumpeted the revenue that the Cuba cruises are generating this doesn't seem to be a surprise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscobeans Posted September 29, 2017 #6 Share Posted September 29, 2017 As said, nothing of private citizens at this point. And the attacks are rather unique. Something about sonic/sound waves or something like that which recent news reports indicate they can not figure out. We have had US staff members in that same building for more than 30 years, before they named it the Embassy and raised the flag. Who knows what has been going on by the Russians, the Cubans, any other government's group in Havana or even the United States? Sounds more like politics. bosco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfaaa Posted September 29, 2017 #7 Share Posted September 29, 2017 We have had US staff members in that same building for more than 30 years, before they named it the Embassy and raised the flag. Who knows what has been going on by the Russians, the Cubans, any other government's group in Havana or even the United States? Sounds more like politics. bosco More than just politics. This is a highly sophisticated and targeted attack that requires specialized weapon grade equipment and careful planning to carry out. And like any communist state, secret police and government agents are everywhere to monitor what's going on 24/7. Doubt an average Cuban can carry this out and escape state detection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sauer-kraut Posted September 29, 2017 #8 Share Posted September 29, 2017 Safer on the ship at this point at least its not a hotel that has been 'wired' or whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted September 29, 2017 Author #9 Share Posted September 29, 2017 NCL Rebuttal: Norwegian Cruise Line’s cruises to Havana continue to operate as scheduled. The safety and security of our guests and crew is always our first priority and we continue to maintain the highest security standards as we do in all ports of call. There have been no reported incidents involving tourists or other cruise ship passengers. Reported incidents have been isolated to diplomats and government officials residing on the island. Our shore excursions and tour locations have been thoroughly evaluated and none are military owned or operated. The visa issuing process for our guests remains unchanged. We continue to believe that the best way to travel to Cuba is via cruise ship and look forward to continuing to offer our guests the opportunity to explore Cuba’s beauty, culture and friendly people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscobeans Posted September 29, 2017 #10 Share Posted September 29, 2017 More than just politics. This is a highly sophisticated and targeted attack that requires specialized weapon grade equipment and careful planning to carry out. And like any communist state, secret police and government agents are everywhere to monitor what's going on 24/7. Doubt an average Cuban can carry this out and escape state detection. Currently there are 110 foreign embassies in HAVANA. Algeria Angola Argentina Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Brazil Bulgaria Burkina Faso Cambodia Canada Chile China Cape Verde Colombia Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Cyprus Czech Republic Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia France Gambia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Holy See Honduras Hungary India Indonesia Iran Italy Jamaica Japan Kenya North Korea Laos Lebanon Libya Malaysia Mali Mexico Mongolia Mozambique Namibia Netherlands Nicaragua Nigeria Norway Pakistan Palestine Panama Paraguay Peru Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saudi Arabia Serbia Seychelles Slovakia Solomon Islands South Africa Sovereign Military Order of Malta Spain Sri Lanka Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria Timor-Leste Trinidad and Tobago Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zimbabwe bosco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sauer-kraut Posted September 29, 2017 #11 Share Posted September 29, 2017 The Canadian Consular employees have also been experiencing the same symptoms as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscobeans Posted September 29, 2017 #12 Share Posted September 29, 2017 The Canadian Consular employees have also been experiencing the same symptoms as well. Too many Cohiba Behike 56's.. bosco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted September 29, 2017 #13 Share Posted September 29, 2017 Don't know why any American would WANT to go to a country that holds us in distain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscobeans Posted September 30, 2017 #14 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Don't know why any American would WANT to go to a country that holds us in distain. Country or people? If it is countries that disdain us hard to find a place to our North, South or across either ocean that don't and haven't for many years.. If it is people that disdain us it is a toss up and I know for a fact the people of Cuba do NOT hold us in disdain... bosco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HokiePoq Posted September 30, 2017 #15 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Young man who is the pianist at our church recently returned from Cuba...traveling on his own alone and had a wonderful time. He went into bars/pubs, etc. and played and was warmly received. Whatever is going on is not about cruise passengers who spend the night on their ships or the Cuban people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terry&mike Posted September 30, 2017 #16 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Young man who is the pianist at our church recently returned from Cuba...traveling on his own alone and had a wonderful time. He went into bars/pubs, etc. and played and was warmly received. Whatever is going on is not about cruise passengers who spend the night on their ships or the Cuban people. Just did the same. Took my 77 year old Mom for 4 days and stayed in an Airbnb with a local family in a residential area just outside Havana. Had a wonderful time. Everyone I met was very welcoming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycarla Posted September 30, 2017 #17 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Don't know why any American would WANT to go to a country that holds us in distain. Without getting into either side - about half of Americans currently have distain for the other half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseagal Posted September 30, 2017 #18 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Sky bound on Monday going People to People. Politics, espionage, and sonar attacks are above my pay scale. I am going to enjoy my visit.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynneL Posted September 30, 2017 #19 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Just did the same. Took my 77 year old Mom for 4 days and stayed in an Airbnb with a local family in a residential area just outside Havana. Had a wonderful time. Everyone I met was very welcoming. My daughter & a friend cruised there last month and like you found the people to be so very nice. They did a walking tour with a local woman. My daughter remembered she didn't buy the cigars my son requested. The woman offered to buy them for her & meet her by the ship the next day to give them to her. My daughter handed her the money with trust that she would return the next day as promised & the woman did as promised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseagal Posted September 30, 2017 #20 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Don't know why any American would WANT to go to a country that holds us in distain. My answer is: to keep traveling, to make friends around the world, and to be a thoughtful representative of our country. The whole concept behind People to People. I will post my thoughts on the experience when I return next Friday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviek49 Posted September 30, 2017 #21 Share Posted September 30, 2017 :confused: Considering there is a travel warning, will NCL waive cancellation penalty for those who wish to cancel their cruise based on the United Staes travel warning? NCL Rebuttal: Norwegian Cruise Line’s cruises to Havana continue to operate as scheduled. The safety and security of our guests and crew is always our first priority and we continue to maintain the highest security standards as we do in all ports of call. There have been no reported incidents involving tourists or other cruise ship passengers. Reported incidents have been isolated to diplomats and government officials residing on the island. Our shore excursions and tour locations have been thoroughly evaluated and none are military owned or operated. The visa issuing process for our guests remains unchanged. We continue to believe that the best way to travel to Cuba is via cruise ship and look forward to continuing to offer our guests the opportunity to explore Cuba’s beauty, culture and friendly people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mugtech Posted September 30, 2017 #22 Share Posted September 30, 2017 :confused: Considering there is a travel warning, will NCL waive cancellation penalty for those who wish to cancel their cruise based on the United Staes travel warning? OR Based on the travel warning, what if NCL would change the itineraries, because the safety of their passengers is their prime concern, and replace Havana with a Bahamas stop. Contract says they can do that and owe you nothing. Might be a few angry people posting on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davesgirl51 Posted October 1, 2017 #23 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Without getting into either side - about half of Americans currently have distain for the other half. Only half ?;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted October 1, 2017 #24 Share Posted October 1, 2017 :confused: Considering there is a travel warning, will NCL waive cancellation penalty for those who wish to cancel their cruise based on the United Staes travel warning? No, I called my TA and NCL stance is the cruise is on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlelulu01 Posted October 1, 2017 #25 Share Posted October 1, 2017 NCL and DCL were very proactive with the situation in Turkey last year and travel warnings. They were first to drop Turkey and NCL was able to procure good replacement ports. Other lines including Celebrity, Carnival and HAL waited a considerable amount of time and if I recall at least Carnival ended up just having sea days instead. At the time people were up in arms about flying all that way for sea days when they could have jumped on a boat in Florida for a fraction of costs.... but there's not much you can do when things like this happen. There was direct warnings of targeted areas including cruise ports, tourist areas.. with the Turkey situation and I found it alarming that Celibrity and HAL hadn't reworked their itineraries. I would find some solace in the fact that if past behavior and reputation is any indication of future success, NCL has a great reputation when it comes to working on port procurement and risk assessment. I'm sure they will be delivering the best possible itineraries. In this case, I'd trust that NCL is doing what is in passengers best interest and go with the flow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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