Wideross

5 minutes ago, IAO said:

Here are resources from the Office of Foreign Assets Control which may answer some questions (but leave you with more questions):

https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_new.pdf

 

https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_fact_sheet_20190604.pdf

It should be interesting to know if the " support to cuban people" ofac category will still be valid because it is actually the one principally used ( especially from people flying to Cuba on their own) and it seems no bans are specified on commercial flights to Cuba.

It is just my personal opinion but if they will not ban the "support to cuban people" category the cruise lines could still decide to go to Cuba to offer that port of call to their clients even if they cannot sell their tours under the "people to people" program.

That's why a proper answer can be only provided by the cruise lines....

16 minutes ago, wdrl said:

 

Or does it mean all tours, even those arranged through the ship.  It really sounds like Trump wants to restrict any American money going into the Cuban economy. 

Actually the tours offered by the cruise lines are the ones which they are trying to ban.

Cruise lines use public tour operators which belongs to the government.

So as the "reason" for these restrictions is trying to keep US money away from cuban government, US citizens should not purchase tours from cruises but only private tours offered by locals.

Of course Cuba government did not like Tourists purchasing tours from private companies and they started to block drivers and guides to pick up their clients at the cruise terminal exit ( That's why they had to choose different meeting points).

So..it is hard to say what is going to happen.

It all depends if cruise ships will still docking into Cuba or not.

If they do...I don't see any issue about getting off the ship. 

They won't prohibit the passengers to get off otherwise they should simply avoid docking there and choosing a different Port.

Also as passports are not stamped ( Cuba immigration will just stamp the touristic card at the entry and take it back when leaving) and only cash can be used as US credit or debit cards don't work...for USA treasury department.. you have actually not been in Cuba.

Thousands of Americans used to go to Cuba in the past flying from Mexico,Bahamas or Cayman and they were perfectly fine.

If Cruise lines decide to stop going to Cuba ( and I don't think it would be an immediate decision) then...yes... cruise travel to Cuba is temporary end....😪

We had a tour with Havanacar and it was absolutely fantastic!

Their website is www.havanacar.net

I suggest to contact directly their manager Stefano at havanacarcuba@gmail.com rather than using the form on the website.

He is based in Usa and will reply you almost immediately with all tbe info you may need.

You won't be disappointed 😉

I totally agree! I am so glad we booked a tour with them 🙏

We got on and off at least 4 times during our 36 hours in Havana and we did not have any problem at all 

On 4/25/2019 at 6:19 PM, PC Skier said:

We are just wondering if we can walk around Havana on our own or do we need to  do a tour?  

     Thanks in advance for any help.

You can definitely walk around on your own and get off/on the ship as many time as you want.

19 hours ago, lovacruz said:

I also booked Stafano from HC tours. I did not put  support cuban people category on paper work. I will be cruising on the NCL Sun. Will this be a problem?

I don't think is a problem as for cuban immigration officers it doesn't make any difference. You should keep the invoice they provide you for the next 5 years for your affidavit records.

I recommend you to contact Stefano from HC Tours ( Havana Car) at www.havanacar.net.

He replied me immediately and provided me all the required info to set up the tour in less than 30 minutes. We ended up booking a 6 hours combo tour, which was divided into a 3 hours ride in a classic convertible car around the modern part of the City and a 3 hours walking tour in the Heritage center and it was truly amazing.

Stefano provided me an invoice with the tour details and explained me I had to choose the support to cuban people category to get off easier from the ship.

We did not even have to show the invoice.

The price we paid was a fraction of the price the cruise was asking for 4 persons and we could experience our day in Havana the way we wanted without being in a rush or follow a standard itinerary.

We did the combo tour and it might be the best money I ever spent!  Our tour was fantastic with Jose driving and Jessie translating and pointing out places of interest. We also liked Hugo but we were a bit tired and hot by the time we met up with him after driving all around Havana, so he had more energy than we did but he showed us the things we wanted to see and took us places we did not know existed. We really enjoyed both parts immensely.
We really enjoyed the car the most, as I guess most people do. We plan, or at least I do, to go again as soon as possible and will be sure to contact the Havanacar again when the time comes.

On 7/31/2018 at 11:43 AM, IsaSweden69 said:

 

 

We also paid a deposit and then the balance at the beginning of our tour.

Everything was ok.

How could you send a deposit to Cuba?