Tidalmist

Thank you to all who have given me more information. I have only seen some pictures, and I had no idea there were the more modern hotels and resorts there; I love learning about different places, so that is something to file away. I guess I sounded incredibly stupid and "ugly American" when I certainly didn't mean to.

Hi Pam,

I guess I sounded like an ugly Canadaian last winter when my itinerary on the Oceania Marina was changed to add Havana. I was really uninterested and upset that we were not going to Grand Cayman and Key West. Boy, was I ever happy we went. It is wonderful. Havana was full of tourists from all over the world. It is safe. The people are friendly, the music, dance and food great.

As a Canadian, we have been permitted travel to Cuba since the early seventies but most Canadian tourists tend to visit the modern beach resorts on Veradero Beach, etc.

I actually met a lovely young woman there who has become a very good friend. So go and enjoy. And I do not believe Cuba will ever become a tourist trap as the Cuban people are proud and will not permit their lovely country to be destroyed.

Hi,

Hope that I am not the only one booked on this cruise. It should be fanstastic.

Considering all cruise deposits are nonrefundable in the UK its not that obvious, is it? There is a world outside of the USA too.

Thanks for that, as a Canadian,I am pleased that someone has the guts to point out to Americans that there are many others on the planet than them. We do not always live by American rules!

Sounds good. We don't use our phones when we go ashore in foreign lands, so that wouldn't be an issue for us. However, we also don't buy any merchandise either, so the only money we take ashore is tip money. Hopefully, by next year though, we'll be able to tip in US $$$ rather than giving the Cuban bank a cut of our guide's tip.

Please believe me that there is a thriving underground economy.....just see if your USD tip is refused!

Can anyone on board tell me who the cruise director is for this cruise. I believe that I read that Peter has left the ship on the last cruise.

We board on the 22nd jan and have received the e-mail about the late embarkation. Does any one know weather there is a staggered check in process e.g suites and concierge first followed by regular cabins or is it a free for all ? Can imagine the guests all ready to board at 2.00pm.

Yes, there will be a staggered check in at the pier based on your catagory, then when on board they will announce again by catagory when each level is ready. In November, we had a problem with gastro and all staterooms were deep cleaned, we did not get into our B 4 stateroom until after 5 pm and then our stateroom was not well cleaned. The remote looked like something you would find in a very cheap motel. Was surprised that Oceania did not have higher standards, but I think they were so overworked with the gastro issues. It is a lot of extra work for the staff.

We were so late that we just had 5 minuted to do lifeboat drill and then missed the CC Meet and Greet.

Sounds like the next boarding will be the same.

We were on board the Marina last November during an outbreak of Gastro related illnesses. Seems that O has problems with it. We are hoping it is not too serious this time as we are coming back in April.

Just be careful about going up to a penthouse. You may never want to go back to a Concierge suite.

 

 

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That is my concern, we were booked in a veranda for mid March and were offered a penthouse on the March 31 sailing gratis and we grabbed it. Now our next cruise is on the Azamara Journey in an inside cabin....just imagine the shock! How lucky are we all to be discussing these differences.

Not sure what the "cost" is but I just paid Oceania US$125 per person for the "required" health insurance and travel card re Cuba. It was either pay Oceania or I wouldn't be allowed to board the ship. No other options.

Was this amount added to your final payment amount?

That is the problem with any cruise to Cuba - too many sea days and not enough Cuba. Are you there to cruise or to see Cuba? I did a 15 day land tour of Cuba and I had 13 1/2 days in Cuba. I got to see a fair bit of Cuba. You won't. I got to wander around the towns we stayed in in the evening while you won't since you have to be back on the ship. I got to go to local bars and listen to music. You won't. I got to have dinner in state and privately owned restaurants while you won't.

 

My gain. Your loss.

 

DON

Actually, when I booked this cruise, it was not stopping in Cuba. The itinerary changed and is now visiting Cuba. Not my choice. I never wanted to cruise to Cuba.

If I were a Canadian citizen, I doubt if I would be taking a cruise to Cuba on a an U.S. owned cruise line. After all, Canadian's (as well as most of the world) have been able to travel there with few restrictions for years. When we flew to Cuba from Canada we could go wherever we wanted to go and visit places without restrictions. IMO, there will be far more U.S. citizens visiting Cuba on Oceania than citizens of other countries.

You are correct, however, when we booked the cruise on the Marina, we were not scheduled to visit Cuba. If we canacel the cruise now will will loose 250.00 USD per person.

Is it legal to change the fare after Oceania sends your bill to you? Maybe not. :confused::confused::confused:

I also wonder about this. Oceania may be stepping into unknown territory.

My understanding is it's not O that has the requirement it's a combination of things out of their control. Though I believe the amount of the fee is their choice.

 

I agree with hawkeyetlse. The Cuban authorities... "you are still in Cuba and subject to Cuban immigration regulations". We almost experienced this a few years ago when visiting Istanbul on an O cruise. I made a inquiry at the Destination Services desk and they misunderstood thinking that I did not have my visa for Turkey as the ship was docking. They somewhat panicked wanting me to see the Purser immediately.

 

The other thing is the USA requirements to allow these ships to sail to Cuba at all. It's a blanket policy they are applying to everyone on the ship, even to Canadians and other non-US residents that would otherwise not be required to follow their "people to people" approval conditons.

 

That is my understanding in any case.

 

It seems to me you have few choices: pay the fee and stay on the ship; pay the fee and experience a bit of Havana; or to cancel the cruise and pay the penalty depending on which sailing date you're on. If you are still in the $250 pp Admin fee phase and want to cancel you should speak with your TA right away as they might be able to mitigate that somewhat.

I really enjoy your commen sense views. Helps to keep me grounded....thanks.

Well I have been informed by Oceania that whether or not I get off the ship in Havana, I am obliged to pay the 125 US tourist card and medical insurance fee. Now, I do not understand how they can do this, I know they can change itineraries for whatever reason, but how can they make passengers pay this fee if they do not wish to get off in Havana. Truthfully I have been cruising for more than 30 years and this is the first I have heard of this. I could understand if this was advised at time of booking, but because Oceania is hell bent of getting into Cuba, we have to pay whether it is our preference or not!

"The Cuba-approved health insurance and visas will be made available as a package through Oceania Cruises for not more than USD $125 per guest, the cost of which will be added to your reservation." (bolding and underlining mine). Perhaps it won't be as much as $125. so keep staying positive YoHoHo:)

Does that mean that it is a blanket charge for all passengers? I am not sure that they can do that. I understand that they are in their rights to change itinerary but not charge people who do not wish to visit a port.

Canadian require a visitors card, which normally costs 25 dollars and proof of private insurance unless one prefers to buy a Cuban policy. Oceania will be charging a total of 125 US pp. this seems like a cash grab to me. I think that I read that Aza will be charging 75US pp.

I resent the mark up, but mostly I resent the loss of ports that occurred when Oceania switched the itinerary. On a 10 day cruise we are down 2 ports and up 2 sea days......

Many had already reserved shore excursions in these cancelled ports. I know many people are very happy about being able to visit Cuba, but it is not the cruise I chose.

you are incorrect

We did have to have Visa's/tourist cards they were handed out on the plane before landing the cost was hidden in the airfare/package deal pricing

It has been that way for decades

I completely forgot about the tourist card, but I did not think it the same as a visa. I guess I stand corrected.

You are stuck with the air but you are not "stuck" with the cruise

Cancel the cruise

Spend the time in Florida or find another cruise that sails in the same time frame as your airfare is booked for

 

You have options

Yes, we do. Our agent is looking into it for us, although I did check other sailings from Miami and there is little of interest at that time. I think Oceania could have handlesdit in a more customer friendly way, but it is what it is.

In truth I may be off Oceania due to a not so great Med. Cruise we took in November.

If you haven't made final payment, why not cancel rather than be miserable with the itinerary change? Your only exposure might be the $250. per person administrative fee that may be converted to a Future Cruise Credit (should you reconsider your decision to sail on O in the future).

 

We second Floridiana in thanking those who have taken the time to share credible information and good advice. Obviously this is new territory for some of us and we're anxious to see how it plays out.

 

Bitob - The name Hotel Nacional immediately makes me think of GF2. If we get there we'll be certain to have a toast.:D

Unfortunately since I dislike Oceanias included air, I booked my own air last week, just prior to the itinerary change, so my problem, I am stuck......lesson learned.

Good for you

If I were you, I'd show THEM

and cruise Canadian, in future-

Actually Oceania is not an American company but is owned but an Asian holding company. And I was not suggesting that this change of itinerary has anything negative to do in relation to the USA, just disappointed that as Canadians we have been travelling to Cuba for decades and have never required visas, but if we visit with Oceania we will be required to have them if we wish to visit Cuba.

Should read "Any stops in Cuba the US citizens will have to follow US laws". As a Canadian, we could book private tours, taxi to Veradero for a day on the beach etc.

I also thought as a Canadian we would not be guided by American law, however, I spoke to a supervisor at Oceania today and was advised that since I will be sailing on the Marina sailing from an American port on March 31, the rules for Americans visiting Cuba would be applied to myself as a Canuck, so therefore it will cost us an additional 125 US per person plus applicable shore excursion fees.

I booked this cruise based on a different itinerary which was changed by Oceania after booking. Once again, I am very disappointed with this cruiseline and will no longer sail with them.

We were offered a similar offer, upgrade to a Penthouse Suite on the March 31 Marina instead of March 16 on the Riviera. We were pleased with the itinerary so we accepted only to find out today that Oceania has decided to remove 4 ports and replace them with an overnight in Havana and a day in Nassau. This is not what I signed up for and once again I am very disappointed with Oceania. I have no interest in visiting Cuba and especially since there will be a 125 pp fee to exit the ship in Cuba.

Since I have already booked my own air I am stuck with this cruise, but believe me,it is my last Oceania sailing. It is Azamara for me in future.

The "commotion" as you unnecessarily call it is partially privacy and partially the fact that the information isn't captured on the roll call but on a third party website from a travel professional who asks for a lot more than the usual name and where you're from, specifically hotel information, cruising history, contact information, etc. The last time I checked promoting travel professionals or travel professionals promoting themselves was against forum rules. And if I was Azamara, I wouldn't want a travel professional soliciting my customers' information in such a way either.

 

Anyway, Laura responded a few posts back that she is looking into it and whatever she decides / does, I'm sure it will be the right outcome. Moving on :)

 

Florid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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DK Travel is not in anyway related to a travel agency, it is the name they used for Cruise Critic and was accepted at the time they registered. I have no idea why you are so bothered, we rollcall members only provide information we are comfortable. Are you travelling on this cruise, if so don't provide anything you are not comfortable with and please fact check first.

Can anyone on board update me on the virus. I am boarding on Friday and would really appreciate getting an update.

Can anyone on board provide me an update on the virus. We are scheduled to board in Rome and really concerned.