ZandZ

Just now, Wyoming2010 said:

 

I thought no one could visit from the US -- land, cruise, plane or private boat. 

its a grey area - you can still enter Cuba from either Canada or Mexico.  There is paperwork and hassles but that is my plan.  

im sorry:(  yeah i feel very similar - but i am already planning my land vacation to Cuba for next Summer.  Bottom line is - its a much better way to get to know the country anyway.  I traveled to Panama on my own last Summer and really got a view of the country I would never be able to get from shore excursions.  This may be for the best.  

2 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

 

Well said! Not because they have to, but because they care about their passengers. I do hope other lines will do likewise. I have looked a little bit at changing our plans and switching from MSC to RCI, but the itineraries Royal proposes are kinda boring for the same time period. I can't go into it but suffice to say we have to travel the same time period, so for now we're sticking with MSC.

Absolutely - they are not liable for this one bit.  

I got lucky that one of my alternative ports is not one I have ever been to.  Also, aside from Cuba, I don't really cruise for ports - that's what land vacations are for.  Cuba was gonna be an exception for personal reasons.

one more thing - this experience has made me respect RCI in a way I never did before - their reaction, as compared to other companies has been really on point, and their offer - NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO despite what ppl are saying - is superb.  Just as I was getting fed up with them and looking to jump lol.  

Just now, Encapsulated said:

Royal Caribbean Heard and Answered:

 

Updated their FB Post:

 

Cuba Travel Policy Update:

Effective immediately, the U.S. government has implemented new regulations that prohibits travel from the U.S. to Cuba by cruise ship. This change requires us to immediately replace all Cuban ports. For all 2019 sailings on both Majesty of the Seas and Empress of the Seas, we have secured alternative ports and we are in the process of communicating the new itineraries to our guests and travel partners. For these guests, they will have the option of remaining on their sailing with the new itinerary and receiving a 50% refund or they may cancel their cruise and receive a full refund.

For 2020 sailings on both Majesty and Empress of the Seas, we are working to secure alternative itineraries and expect to be able to communicate to our guests and travel partners within the next week.

We are sorry for this unexpected and sudden change to our guests’ upcoming vacations and appreciate their understanding. Read more: 

and that is what i meant when i said it will be a major hit to the industry.  that is a LOT of refunding.... 

1 minute ago, DCGuy64 said:

I assume you mean the cruise industry in particular, but also Cuba generally. It's too bad, having cruises for the last 3 years has, I'm sure, been a boon to their tourism industry. What a blow this is.

Correct, I do mean both.  Cuban people are going to be the ones to suffer.  Also those Americans for whom this was the only opportunity to see Cuba.  For me, I am going to make it there next Summer on my own.  So angry about this whole thing right now!

this is going to hit the industry real hard, and in waves.  

so my TA attempted to do a mock booking for my dates and the pic i posted up is what he got.  Try doing that and see what happens.

Not likely to happen.  I will take free drink package+wifi instead :)

As i stated, in my opinion RCI (or any other cruise line for that matter) owes us nothing and anything they are offering is great and appreciated. 

yes just got the same from my TA

I agree that those of us who 1.have the luxury of time 2. paid in full so have very little choice can sit tight and wait it out for a bit :) 

i posted higher up - my days look a mess on the cruise planner at this point.  I am sure not gonna be too happy about Nassau but even less happy with no ports at all on The Majesty.  I mean, i like her she is super cute but come on now!  At least if we dock someplace, some people are gonna get off!  All those days at sea - me and everyone else is gonna need a drink package and I might have to start smoking *again*.  :)

11 minutes ago, shirleygr said:

My Key West and Havana cruise is now KW and Nassau. I dislike Nassau and would have preferred CocoCay. Hopefully RC will offer some compensation. 

I agree - not a fan of Nassau and have not gotten out there my last few times.  I would think that RCI doesn't HAVE TO, although it would be nice. 

1 minute ago, ForeverAfter said:

Our August cruise has been renamed Key West & Perfect Day Cruise. I assume this means we'll be going to CocoCay. The itinerary has not changed yet.

Im looking at mine right now (also august).  its a mess - i posted an image above.

what a mess.  RCI site still shows my cruise as "havana", the excursions ARE available but the ports are not listed

That would be awesome.  We shall wait and see.....  My TA is not as hopeful.

Just now, travelingtink said:

Captain just made the announcement that we are not docking in Cuba. They have not yet determined alternatives. 😥🤬

I am very sorry!  😞 

My Canadian family travels to Cuba regularly.  I know a lot of people who travel to Cuba via either Canada or Mexico regularly.  Cuban people will for sure suffer from this foolishness but IF there is evil going on, our 'merican dollars wont stop it.  Let us all be real for a second.  

I figure I will go on this regardless - this is my annual Summer cruise where I also need to be down in Florida for another reason.  Had I not paid out in full, I would likely re-book.  I normally say I don't care about the destination and I cruise to cruise so I just have to start thinking this way for this one as well.  

I think for anyone who is not past final payment - if you can live with an alternative port for this, I would stay on and hope for the best once this blows over/there is a change in the WH.  If you would not otherwise find yourself on this cruise,  I say re-book something else.

Yes, this is absolutely a destination cruise.  Don't get me wrong, I love The Majesty but she would not be my first choice for a vacation at this point in my life.  Having said that, I do not expect RCI to foot the bill for this (how do I continue without getting political here? ) *situation*.   My cruise is at the end of August (paid in full) and I am hopeful this is enough time to figure things out.  I would not be happy with a different port obviously, but you know what?  Cuba is a place that has been at the top of my list forever and I will just find another way to get there next Summer - it is what it is. 

Yes, sorry, I should not have been cruise line specific - need more coffee this morning.  Ask Carnival when you book - I would think someone would be able to give you a definitive answer!  

ok not exactly the same and really hearsay but i was traveling with my now ex-husband when he was in the middle of a case (not yet convicted) - we had no issue getting on the ship but as we were getting off at the end his card was flagged and we were taken into a room where they proceeded to search our luggage.  When I asked why we were being singled out like this I was told "ma'am, this is your husband, you should know".  As such, I would assume that RCI does not conduct security checks but there is a way flag passengers - I mean we were literally taken off the ship.....  I am trying to remember where were we went on this cruise, it was years ago, but I think it was Bahamas and Key West...  

I dont see why you dont reach out to both the embassy as someone suggested and RCI.  Imho that would be the safest thing to do.