What now?????

[PeaPod1946]

2 hours ago, aimee0715 said:

There's not a lot of cruises to Cuba. I assume this is because they require a passport and a  lot of cruisers cruise with just a birth certificate and DL.  We wound up going on Azamara because the selection of cruises on other lines was not great and most just stopped in Havana.  RCI had a great Cuban itinerary though.  

thank you.  RCI has NOTHING after January 2020 listed which seems odd, and only one cruise January 3.

[Cru-Zin]

Just for ha-ha's, I went to a big "go to vacation" (hint- change the word order) website and plugged in dates from Jan 1 to Dec 31.  I did not sort by 5 day or 45 day, I just wanted to see if any cruises were on sale for the entire 2020 year.  The good news is that there are more than I felt like counting.

 

The cruise lines do not have to stop going to Cuba.  At this point, we don't even know if Americans have to stop -- but people from other countries definitely don't have to stop going.  Maybe they won't be allowed to leave from US ports, but it is all speculation.

 

This is from TravelPulse, paraphrasing the Miami Herald article, "By some accounts, Trump’s new stance could mean the end of cruises that started to operate during the Obama years as part of the expansion of the types of travel allowed, the Miami Herald reported.  The re-tightened restrictions could also impact air travel, reducing the numbers of passengers headed to the island. Travel by Cuban Americans to reunite with relatives on the island will remain unchanged."  (The italicized "could mean" are my addition.)

 

Check your facts before you post.  Thanks

Edited April 18, 2019 by Cru-Zin

[Cru-Zin]

I just looked at the royal carribean blog (with no spaces) dotcom

 

Scroll down to check today's message.

So far, no changes to Royal Caribbean's Cuba sailings

In:

• Cuba

18Apr2019

By: Matt Hochberg

President Trump's administration announced a new set of rules to tighten travel to Cuba, but there is no impact yet on scheduled Royal Caribbean sailings to Cuba.

[pbenjamin]

When the administration announced a policy change in 2017 there was intense speculation, and, of course fear on the part of people planning vacations.  While we waited for an explanation, the cruise lines, airlines, etc. lobbied heavily.  Florida has a lot of cruise line employees and jobs were at stake.  By the time the rules came out there was very little change.  The self-guided person to person option was removed and people started checking "support for the Cuban people" instead.  The cruiselines got a little more heavy-handed in scaring people into taking the ship-sponsored excursions.  That was about it.  I wouldn't worry much if I had a cruise booked in the next couple of months.  Time will tell.

[RJB]

19 hours ago, jmecme said:

We booked this cruise to go to Cuba, but, also due to the inexpensive price it was.  Was honestly no more than any Bahama cruise we have been on and ours is just a 5 nighter.  Always know an itinerary can change for any reason.  I will be disappointed if it changes but understand the administrations reason for doing it.  

 

4 hours ago, aimee0715 said:

There's not a lot of cruises to Cuba. I assume this is because they require a passport and a  lot of cruisers cruise with just a birth certificate and DL.  We wound up going on Azamara because the selection of cruises on other lines was not great and most just stopped in Havana.  RCI had a great Cuban itinerary though.  

+ 1

[NYR Fan]

8 hours ago, Nymich said:

my wayward son...….

... for there'll be peace when you are done

[scpirate]

On 4/17/2019 at 5:44 PM, MrMarc said:

  I have a June 10 cruise that I am assuming will be re-routed or canceled, so I am not happy about this.  I have also been there before and heard the same things.  But remember, that is what they are told to tell you.  It uncanny how so many tour guides express virtually the same words and phrases at some point in almost every tour.  

 

It's the same spiel from any tour guide on any island of the cruise line circuit.I still don't know how you are helping the people when you can only use a currency that the government issued just for visitors.doesnt that money have to go thru the govt to get exchanged for their national currency?

[pbenjamin]

CUCs are easily spent and can be converted to CUPs at any bank. They actually prefer CUCs over USD as they have to wait in line with the tourists to exchange USD and then pay the 10% penalty. 

[mac1_131]

It's the same spiel from any tour guide on any island of the cruise line circuit.I still don't know how you are helping the people when you can only use a currency that the government issued just for visitors.doesnt that money have to go thru the govt to get exchanged for their national currency?

They told us the stores with what they consider luxury items (tv, refrigerators, cell phones) only take CUCs.

They seem to live in a dual world the socialist part uses CUPs and the capitalist part uses CUCs.