New: US Govt travel restrictions to Cuba announced

[palakika]

We just got info from O via our TA that our Oct 13 ,2019  visit on Regatta to Havana will now be to Key West.  This is okay with us as we've never been there.  However, we are really disappointed not to visit Havana.  In my view, it is really dumb foreign policy!  Nothing surprises me anymore!

[CTLeeA]

4 minutes ago, palakika said:

We just got info from O via our TA that our Oct 13 ,2019  visit on Regatta to Havana will now be to Key West.  This is okay with us as we've never been there.  However, we are really disappointed not to visit Havana.  In my view, it is really dumb foreign policy!  Nothing surprises me anymore!

 

1 hour ago, Senior Citizen said:

Well, the Caribbean is a well over-traveled destination for many of us.  Not sure what Oceania can do but I know many booked for Cuba and not the Caribbean, Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Mexico, whatever.  For our 11 day cruise—how about the ABC islands?  I’m sure many people have been there, but we haven’t.  Oceania, and the other cruise lines, are really in a dilemma and I’m sure they are working hard to find and book ports that are available.

I'd vote for the panama canal.  The price for that has risen a lot since we no longer have control over the canal so it would be a more equitable swap than just carribean islands..

[cbb]

palakika-

you can totally do Key West DIY.  It is a lovely town and hopefully the danger of hurricanes will be passed by then (although that isn't always the case.)

 

one of the cool things to do for about 10 minutes is to find the cemetery and see the US flag pole area.  Buried there are the men from the USS Maine (Spanish American war) as well as reading a few of the gravestones. 

 

Truman White House, Old Town, & Sloppy Joes must be walked into as it is an institution but just walk around...it is a cool place!  Be sure and wear your sunscreen!!!

 

Edited June 5, 2019 by cbb

[buggins0402]

2 hours ago, Jancruz said:

Anyone have any special requests for the missed Cuba trips?? Would love to hear your wish list!

Jancruz1

Celebrity has a nice ABC itinerary, Cartagena and Cayman with an overnight in Aruba...the Jan and Feb cruises are pretty much sold out.  I would love to see this itinerary on O.

Edited June 5, 2019 by buggins0402

[KS&JW]

Things are so much nicer on this board since Joe is now moderator.   /s

[TexEm]

Our 14 day Dec. 22, 2019–Jan. 5, 2020 Riviera cruise to Caribbean ports only had one Cuban port, Havana, on Dec. 23.  We received an email from Oceania today at 3:30 p.m. that our Havana stop was replaced with Key West, same date, same hours.  No other changes in itinerary.  Our cruise was dropped completely from the Oceania schedule online (it had always been listed under the Cuba cruises), but it still showed in my booking.  I had already scheduled a ship’s excursion in Havana, and it had been completely removed from our excursion list, but it is still being used as two of our 8 free excursions.  I can’t book another two without it listing the price and asking for credit card information for our free excursions.  I’m sure that will get straightened out soon.

 

I guess Key West was an easy substitution for Havana for Oceania, since the change got to us so quickly!  

[LHT28]

3 hours ago, KS&JW said:

Things are so much nicer on this board since Joe is now moderator.   /s

seriously  I  do not see any difference 🙄

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

6 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

That is not a 40% discount.  You pay a premium for a Cuba cruise at least 20% from the same regular Caribbean cruise.  So in actuality Oceania gives you a 20% discount.   Still not bad, but but for a same ole-same ole.

 

My DW was in the car business for more than twenty years and her mantra was  "do you think you got a good deal?"  Discounts, buy backs, sale prices, etc don't really matter if you think you got a good deal then you did.   

[1985rz1]

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

seriously  I  do not see any difference 🙄

I think that was the sarcastic point.

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

Once again can we get back to the topic at hand?  Posters bashed the Cuban government when were visiting Cuba and now that we aren't we have to bash each other.  Please, stop!  Let's talk cruising that's why I read Cruise Critic.  Your politics really doesn't concern me.  If I want to argue politics I will invite my brother over for Sunday dinner.      

[palakika]

Cbb...Thanks for the info.  We are doing the next cruise Miami to SFO so get to visit Key West again after a day in Miami in between.  So from never having been to Key West, we now get 2 visits.  Looking forward to it.  Yes, hope hurricanes stay away this year.

 

We're back on SFO to Rio Jan 2020 on Insignia.  Looking forward to seeing you:)

[comcox]

Just talked to my TA and she was told by Oceania that alternative itineraries will be finalized by June 10th.

[Hawaiidan]

On 6/4/2019 at 4:15 PM, rallydave said:

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 

I think you read that wrong..... its a ban on ANY and ALL cruises that depart from the USA. 

It is not just for US flagged vessels....  its ALL........ You can also consider that US citizens on cruises and flights to Cuba will not get visas if traveling on other routes  or be able to enter Cuba  even if all the other foreign nationals could......  its pretty tight.

As Long as Cuba military  is active in Venezuela  and other countries in the region  you can expect this to stay..  Cuba is using  travel dollars, the majority coming from US citizens  to finance it's oppression of its own people and millions of others.      Sadly that dosen't bother some  but it does bother others

[bigmjh]

13 hours ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said:

"... Let's talk cruising that's why I read Cruise Critic.  Your politics really doesn't concern me.  If I want to argue politics I will invite my brother over for Sunday dinner."    

👍👍👍

[kendon]

Anyone else check the Oceania website for their cruise?  The name of mine for July 11th is now "Mayan Mosaic".

Sounds like a Central American itinerary in the works to me.

 

[CTLeeA]

14 hours ago, palakika said:

Cbb...Thanks for the info.  We are doing the next cruise Miami to SFO so get to visit Key West again after a day in Miami in between.  So from never having been to Key West, we now get 2 visits.  Looking forward to it.  Yes, hope hurricanes stay away this year.

 

We're back on SFO to Rio Jan 2020 on Insignia.  Looking forward to seeing you:)

You will love Key West..

[pauon]

Just in from TA, but no word on what the newpriing will be:

Important Update Concerning Cruises to Cuba We would like to inform you of a change to your clients’ upcoming voyage to Cuba and the Caribbean. As you may be aware, the U.S. government enacted new restrictions on travel to Cuba and as a result, we must adjust our itineraries to immediately remove all Cuban ports of call. Due to this change, we would like to present you and your clients with a new itinerary for their planned voyage along with significant savings off the original cruise fare. Additionally, the price of Cuban Visas that you have purchased through Oceania Cruises, will be refunded. To show our appreciation and thanks for working with your clients, your original commission will be protected at the original cruise fare regardless of the choice that your client will decide on. Your revised itinerary is provided below and are also available on our website. INS190711 Previous Itinerary   *NEW Itinerary* Date Day Port Country Arrival Departure   Port Country Arrival Departure 11-Jul-19 Thu Miami FL USA 6:00 AM 5:00 PM   Miami FL USA 6:00 AM 5:00 PM 12-Jul-19 Fri Havana Cuba 8:00 AM 11:59 PM   Key West USA 8:00 AM 5:00 PM 13-Jul-19 Sat Havana Cuba 12:00 AM 7:00 PM   At Sea At sea     14-Jul-19 Sun At Sea At sea -- --   Harvest Cay Belize 8:00 AM 6:00 PM 15-Jul-19 Mon Cienfuegos Cuba 7:00 AM 3:00 PM   Roatan Island Honduras 8:00 AM 6:00 PM 16-Jul-19 Tue Santiago de Cuba Cuba 11:00 AM 6:00 PM   Costa Maya Mexico 8:00 AM 5:00 PM 17-Jul-19 Wed At Sea At sea -- --   At Sea At sea -- -- 18-Jul-19 Thu Miami FL USA 7:00 AM 5:00 PM   Miami FL USA 7:00 AM 5:00 PM We hope your clients find this new Caribbean itinerary and special pricing compelling. However, if the new itinerary is not to their liking and they prefer to select another voyage, our cruise specialists are ready to assist you. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your assistance in facilitating this change to your clients’ voyage. Sincerely, Carlos Ortega Vice President, Passenger Services   This email was sent by: Oceania Cruises

 

 

[oceanbill457]

Very disappointing! We are on the July 11 sailing. We have been to Belize once, Roatan twice, Costa Maya twice. Not too many good options since we can't cancel without a large penalty. I can't blame Oceania,. I doubt Frank Del Rio, the founder of Oceania and now head of NCL will be visiting the White House anytime soon.

[CTLeeA]

2 minutes ago, oceanbill457 said:

Very disappointing! We are on the July 11 sailing. We have been to Belize once, Roatan twice, Costa Maya twice. Not too many good options since we can't cancel without a large penalty. I can't blame Oceania,. I doubt Frank Del Rio, the founder of Oceania and now head of NCL will be visiting the White House anytime soon.

Apparently people are being told they can cancel without penelty.  Others are being told O will not waive the cancellation deadlines in effect...but...one person did post an email his TA got in which O said there would be no penalty and the $75 pp Visa expense would also be refunded.  As far as the air goes or trip cancellation insurance, check with the insurance company or cc company sponsoring the trip insurance.  I was told today by Citi bank that they have already received serveral claims and they might waive the exclusions on a case by case basis.  In our situation, it was to have been an 11 day cruise with 6 days in Cuba.

[kendon]

18 minutes ago, oceanbill457 said:

Very disappointing! We are on the July 11 sailing. We have been to Belize once, Roatan twice, Costa Maya twice. Not too many good options since we can't cancel without a large penalty. I can't blame Oceania,. I doubt Frank Del Rio, the founder of Oceania and now head of NCL will be visiting the White House anytime soon.

Agree...we are on the same cruise and DO NOT like this itinerary.  Been to all of these ports multiple times.  I was looking forward to the new itinerary as I was flexible under the circumstances, but I think they could do better.  I'll live with it and enjoy all the Insignia has to offer. 

 

Edited June 6, 2019 by kendon

[Silver Sweethearts]

On 6/4/2019 at 1:15 PM, rallydave said:

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.  

 

Not that it probably makes any difference here, but to be accurate the ship in question is the Pride of America and not the Pride of Hawaii.

[cbb]

  Mr. Del Rio  came to the US from Cuba as a child and said that his dream in life was to sail into Havana harbor standing in the bridge of one of his cruise ships. 

 

He did it.

 

http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/frank-del-rio-s-dream-comes-true.html

 

 

[RJB]

2 minutes ago, cbb said:

  Mr. Del Rio  came to the US from Cuba as a child and said that his dream in life was to sail into Havana harbor standing in the bridge of one of his cruise ships. 

 

He did it.

 

http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/frank-del-rio-s-dream-comes-true.html

 

 

And it was quite a sight to see.   Really great.  Probably the best cruise exc. in the last 10 years or so.  Understands the market so well.  

[LHT28]

2 hours ago, kendon said:

Agree...we are on the same cruise and DO NOT like this itinerary.  Been to all of these ports multiple times.  I was looking forward to the new itinerary as I was flexible under the circumstances, but I think they could do better.  I'll live with it and enjoy all the Insignia has to offer. 

 

it is   a bad situation  for those already paid in ful

but I bet no matter what ports they choose  some people would be unhappy

 

Have you asked your  TA if it is possible to transfer to another sailing ? or get  a refund?

Maybe Oceania would be willing to work with people on a case by case basis

other lines seem to offer more options

[Cruise Junky]

1 hour ago, RJB said:

I would not be so sure.  One of the movers and shakers in the cruise industry.  And we do not know what his relationship  is with Marco Rubio who I would think Trump needs on board for his re election run next time. 

Frank was born in Cuba, I'm sure he's not pleased.