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Oceania and Visa for Havana


DarwinMaya
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We are booked on an Oceania cruise on Sirena that visits Havana for two nights in early June. We arrive at1:00 in the afternoon the first day there. We have booked an Oceania tour for the morning of the second day. Oceania is providing the Cuba visas at a cost of $75 per person.

 

We asked our Oceania phone rep when we would get the visas. We wanted them as we arrived in port so we could go out to explore the Old City on our own that first afternoon. The rep told us we would not get the visas until our group tour left, that we could not leave the ship except with our group due to new US sanctions.

 

I contacted Oceania's Special Services to ask about this and they sent the following response: (sorry this is long but I think it's important for travelers other than ourselves,too.)

"

Thank You for contacting the Special Services Department, Oceania Cruises will offer a variety of shore excursions in Cuba. Guests are not required to participate in these excursions to meet their group people-to-people travel requirements so long as they use another U.S. sponsoring organization to meet those requirements and are, otherwise, free to move about Cuba as long as their activities comply with the general license they are travelling under. Entry to some government buildings may be restricted; it's best to ask your guide about the building’s specific entry protocol before trying to enter on your own. What is a group people-to-people exchange? This general license authorizes persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to engage in certain educational exchanges in Cuba under the auspices of an organization that is a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction and sponsors such exchanges to promote people-to-people contact. Guests using this general license must ensure they maintain a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities intended to enhance contact with the Cuban people and that will result in meaningful interaction between the passenger and individuals in Cuba. What if I booked my voyage on or after June 16, 2017? Guests who booked their voyage on or after June 16, 2017 can travel to Cuba under the group people-to-people general license and participate in OFAC-compliant people-to-people exchanges through Oceania or a third party U.S. sponsoring organization accompanied by a U.S. individual of the sponsoring organization to ensure a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities intended to enhance contact with the Cuban people and that will result in meaningful interaction between the passenger and individuals in Cuba."

 

This is a lot of hooey. We know that group people to people criteria are not the only criteria with which one can get a visa. We are told by other reliable soruces that all we have to check on the application is "Support for the Cuban People" and we can come and go as we please. Anyone have advice or other input. We have told Oceania we are upset about this and are awaiting another reply.:mad:

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As of December 8th, when we sailed to Cuba aboard Insignia on a booking made after June 2017 and with no plans to participate in ship's tours, the procedure was as follows:

 

A couple of months before departure, our TA forwarded an Oceania Cruises Travel Affidavit form for us to complete, indicating name, address, phone and our purpose for visiting Cuba. Multiple options were offered: select one. Our TA indicated that the proper selection would be "515.565(b) Educational exchanges -- group people-to-people through Oceania Cruises and/or other organization." This was also the designated choice to be made on our previous Cuba cruise with Regent. Therefore, you should be careful about checking "515.574 Support for the Cuban people" without making absolutely certain that that's the correct choice.

 

At the bottom of the form was a caveat that direct financial transactions with entities designated by the US Government appearing on the Cuba Restricted List are prohibited. By signing the form, we were therefore acknowledging our awareness of this prohibition. The completed form was then faxed to Oceania with a copy to our TA.

 

At the check-in desk for the cruise on embarkation day, we were handed a copy of this Affidavit with the information already filled in by machine, and required to sign again. Upon doing so, we were handed our Cuban visas which had already been completed with our information -- whether by Oceania or by Cuban authorities, I don't know.

 

When the ship docked in Havana, we simply disembarked on our own after the "Ship is cleared" announcement was made; passed through Cuban immigration; changed Euros into CUCs at the banking counters in the terminal; walked down the stairs, across the street into the square and disappeared into that fantastic city. We explored neighborhoods; we visited museums; we ate; we drank (but not in big hotels that are mostly government-owned); we bought souvenirs. No one followed us to keep tabs on our behavior.

 

Clearly, Oceania needs to toe the line with US authorities and encourage cruisers to take advantage of the officially-sanctioned tours they offer. But there is no prohibition against you going ashore on your own and doing whatever you want as long as you don't spend money in any restricted (i.e., Cuban government-owned) businesses, a list of which can be found on the link thoughtfully included on the bottom of your affidavit. After perusing the list, it's up to you as a responsible adult to make your own decisions and enjoy your own trip.

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True, and I was one of the discussers. But I don't remember from that thread any mention of exactly when a cruiser would receive his/her Cuban visa; therefore my reply above.

 

I was also concerned for our fellow cruiser that the "reliable sources" might be incorrect in recommending a stated purpose for the visit differing from that of my very experienced TA, and that that misinformation could lead to unnecessary hassles.

 

Based on experience, the representative at Oceania who told the TS that the visa would not be handed over until they disembarked for an O-sponsored shore excursion was seriously misinformed.

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As of December 8th, when we sailed to Cuba aboard Insignia on a booking made after June 2017 and with no plans to participate in ship's tours, the procedure was as follows:

 

A couple of months before departure, our TA forwarded an Oceania Cruises Travel Affidavit form for us to complete, indicating name, address, phone and our purpose for visiting Cuba. Multiple options were offered: select one. Our TA indicated that the proper selection would be "515.565(b) Educational exchanges -- group people-to-people through Oceania Cruises and/or other organization." This was also the designated choice to be made on our previous Cuba cruise with Regent. Therefore, you should be careful about checking "515.574 Support for the Cuban people" without making absolutely certain that that's the correct choice.

 

At the bottom of the form was a caveat that direct financial transactions with entities designated by the US Government appearing on the Cuba Restricted List are prohibited. By signing the form, we were therefore acknowledging our awareness of this prohibition. The completed form was then faxed to Oceania with a copy to our TA.

 

At the check-in desk for the cruise on embarkation day, we were handed a copy of this Affidavit with the information already filled in by machine, and required to sign again. Upon doing so, we were handed our Cuban visas which had already been completed with our information -- whether by Oceania or by Cuban authorities, I don't know.

 

When the ship docked in Havana, we simply disembarked on our own after the "Ship is cleared" announcement was made; passed through Cuban immigration; changed Euros into CUCs at the banking counters in the terminal; walked down the stairs, across the street into the square and disappeared into that fantastic city. We explored neighborhoods; we visited museums; we ate; we drank (but not in big hotels that are mostly government-owned); we bought souvenirs. No one followed us to keep tabs on our behavior.

 

Clearly, Oceania needs to toe the line with US authorities and encourage cruisers to take advantage of the officially-sanctioned tours they offer. But there is no prohibition against you going ashore on your own and doing whatever you want as long as you don't spend money in any restricted (i.e., Cuban government-owned) businesses, a list of which can be found on the link thoughtfully included on the bottom of your affidavit. After perusing the list, it's up to you as a responsible adult to make your own decisions and enjoy your own trip.

I was on the same cruise and my experience is identical. Luckily Oceania didn't try to strong arm us into booking their tours like Royal Caribbean, NCL and Azamara do to their passengers!

 

 

Many people are confused about Cuba cruising because they don't realize that the visa is a Cuban government rule and O purchases it from Cuba for you. The affidavit is an American government rule where you promise to avoid places listed on the "forbidden place list" and you indicate why you're going there. We all used "people-to-people", but many passengers are now

using "support for Cuban people."

Have a great time!!

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Thanks so much for all the info. It's extremely helpful and encouraging! I have one question: You mention changing Euros to CUCs on arrival in Havana. Are you US citizens or from Europe? If you travel on a European passport, the rules might differ? Thanks again.

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My belief is the 10 percent tax is on US dollar conversions. It doesn't matter to Cuba where you are from. On my forthcoming cruise, I will exchange Canadian dollars, which I have. My private, independent tour is quoted in Euros, which I also have. BTW, a US exchange of funds would cost about the same as the tax.

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sitraveler above is correct. The money exchange booths in Cuba don't care where you're from; only what you're exchanging. We're US citizens but always have Euros on hand left over from past European travels and in anticipation of more, so it's convenient for us to use them for exchange in Cuba.

 

One thing I don't remember seeing in all our wanderings through Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba is cambios (exchange booths) within the city, unlike what you find in Mexico and other Latin American countries. Booths seem to be located only at the points of entry/exit such as the cruise ship pier and airport, possibly on the presumption that only foreigners need them. Maybe hotels will exchange money, although that would be of limited use to cruise ship passengers. (Perhaps someone with greater knowledge can confirm or correct me on that.) Point being that you should change money before leaving the pier; don't expect to be able to do so once you're in town. It's easy to change back again at the pier when you leave Cuba, whether in Havana or Santiago de Cuba.

Edited by DrHemlock
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DrHemlock,

 

If I have no intention of leaving the ship when in port (I know, you can't imagine anyone saying that), do I still need the $75 (per person, or family?) visa transaction?

 

No idea. Logically, you would not need it since even if you walked off the ship, you would be unable to pass the immigration officers who check your passport carefully and ensure your visa is contained therein. You would be escorted back aboard forthwith.

 

But logic might not enter into the equation. It's entirely possible that Oceania makes it a matter of policy that everyone sailing with them to Cuba must obtain a Cuban visa regardless of their intentions upon arrival. Your TA, if you have one, would be a better source of information than I am -- and quite possibly better than an Oceania phone rep, as we've already discovered in this thread.

 

The $75 visa fee is per person.

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DrHemlock,

 

If I have no intention of leaving the ship when in port (I know, you can't imagine anyone saying that), do I still need the $75 (per person, or family?) visa transaction?

I realize you addressed your question to a specific poster so forgive me for this response but others might find it useful and chime in to correct my understanding.

 

Wow, that is a difficult question to answer. And one of the problems is that the answers you get may not be correct and then you could have all bunch of unexpected trouble. And even if they are correct the cruise line nad the Cuban government rules are involved and either one of them could change.

 

Plus there is another issue that I think you did not consider with purchasing the visa

 

Visas in general not specific to Cuba:

Visas are tricky because the requirements can change at any time, can be specific to the country the passport is issued.

 

*Normally* , and I stress that, any required visas must be obtained by the traveller in advance of boarding and cruise lines do not allow passengers the board without visas as the cruise line deems required.

 

And some countries, at some of their entry points a visitor might not need a visa yet if they were to arrive at a different entry point they would. I've seen this with some allowances for cruise ships for example. Or in Turkey, at one time at least, if you were transiting and not disembarking in Istanbul you did not need a visa but you did require one if disembarking. And this rule applied to the previous stop to Istanbul where everyone is just passing through so at that stop it appears no visa is required but that's because the next stop does require one when they disembark.

 

Bottom line is it can be confusing and just because a person says they were allowed to board without a visa does not mean it applies in all circumstances.

 

The reason why they require the visa is because it's generally considered when you are important you are already in that country and therefore you should have the visa already. Doesn't matter if you're on ship or you're on land you are already in the country.

 

And even if true that the visa you a purchased through O is not handed out until that first excursion, O will of course have a record that you have one and would allow you on the ship based on that. I believe that if you did not purchase a visa through O but went through the hassle of purchasing your own, O would require you to show it at embarkation.

 

That is just speculation but it seems reasonable to me so I do believe you will need to have a visa and it is far simpler to just purchase the one through O.

 

 

Medical insurance:

But the second issue I was mentioning at the top. Again assuming that Cuba would consider you to already be "a visitor in the country". They require that all visitors have medical insurance. They sell it at the airports but I do not recall seeing it at the port in Havana. Their medical care is very good and the insurance is extremely cheap but they require proof of insurance. At the port we did not have to show this only our visa and perhaps that's because they know that if you buy your visa through O the required insurance is included in that purchase.

 

I am assuming they are still providing the insurance requirement with the visa purchase

 

And because of trade restrictions no US insurance company can sell such insurance to USA residents, no citizens of other countries can buy it locally, so the insurance from O along with the visa might be the only choice you have.

 

I really don't know the mechanics of the medical insurance or the visa but for me there would be too many variables and potential pitfalls to possibly ruin an entire vacation.

 

 

I suggest your research and not relay on my post for you decision.

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was on O's website to check a booking and saw in FAQs:

 

There are Visa's required for my sailing. May I elect to stay onboard while we are in port and not purchase the Visas?

If Visas are required for the sailing you will need to obtain them either independently or though Oceania Cruises. You may be denied boarding if you do not obtain the proper Visas required for the sailing

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was on O's website to check a booking and saw in FAQs:

 

There are Visa's required for my sailing. May I elect to stay onboard while we are in port and not purchase the Visas?

If Visas are required for the sailing you will need to obtain them either independently or though Oceania Cruises. You may be denied boarding if you do not obtain the proper Visas required for the sailing

Following

 

 

Sent from my SHIELD Tablet K1 using Tapatalk

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To correct and clarify my original post, Oceania has finally sent us the online affidavit we needed to complete to obtain a Cuba visa from them. Their $75 pp charge also includes the medical insurance Cuba requires, so this is a plus. They now also tell us they will give us our visas when we check onto the ship, not just before we leave on our Oceania tour.

 

Oceania gave us no instructions with the affidavit form as to which reason or category of visit we should check. There was a box one could check for Group People to People travel specifically with Oceania but this box was not pre-checked by Oceania and we were not required to, or even instructed to, check it. There was a box for Support for the Cuban People, so we both checked that. The affidavit form was a non-changeable .pdf that we could not fill out online, so we completed our forms by hand, scanned them, and emailed them off to Oceania yesterday afternoon.

 

We will be interested to see whether Oceania gets back to us asking for a correction, if they issue the visas with Support for the Cuban People we have checked, or issue the visas with Group People to People with Oceania. Unless they get back to us indicating a problem, I guess we won't really know until we check in for the cruise and receive our visas.

 

We sincerely appreciate knowing from others that Oceania should allow us to walk off the ship without a designated group and that Cuba should have no problem with our walking around Old Town on our own. Also, that the US won't care unless we visit one or more of the prohibited government-owned sites, which we will not.

 

Thanks to all. Hope this is helpful to someone else.

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To correct and clarify my original post, Oceania has finally sent us the online affidavit we needed to complete to obtain a Cuba visa from them. Their $75 pp charge also includes the medical insurance Cuba requires, so this is a plus. They now also tell us they will give us our visas when we check onto the ship, not just before we leave on our Oceania tour.

 

Oceania gave us no instructions with the affidavit form as to which reason or category of visit we should check. There was a box one could check for Group People to People travel specifically with Oceania but this box was not pre-checked by Oceania and we were not required to, or even instructed to, check it. There was a box for Support for the Cuban People, so we both checked that. The affidavit form was a non-changeable .pdf that we could not fill out online, so we completed our forms by hand, scanned them, and emailed them off to Oceania yesterday afternoon.

 

We will be interested to see whether Oceania gets back to us asking for a correction, if they issue the visas with Support for the Cuban People we have checked, or issue the visas with Group People to People with Oceania. Unless they get back to us indicating a problem, I guess we won't really know until we check in for the cruise and receive our visas.

 

We sincerely appreciate knowing from others that Oceania should allow us to walk off the ship without a designated group and that Cuba should have no problem with our walking around Old Town on our own. Also, that the US won't care unless we visit one or more of the prohibited government-owned sites, which we will not.

 

Thanks to all. Hope this is helpful to someone else.

As I said in my previous post, the visa and affidavit are separate issues and don't have anything to do with each other. Many people are getting them confused.

 

The Cuban government requires Americans (and many other nationalities) acquire a visa to enter their country. You can go through the hassle of going to a Cuban embassy yourself to get it or you can allow Oceania to get it for you. O's $75 fee is added to your final payment. That also includes the Cuban medical insurance. You will receive the visa when you check in at embarkation. This has nothing to do with the affidavit.

 

The affidavit is a rule of the American government. O sends this to passengers to check off which license you decide is your reason for visiting Cuba, then send back to O. I'm not sure why they send this in advance since you have to sign another one at embarkation. At embarkation, ours had 3 choices highlighted.....one was 1) people to people on our own, next was 2) people to people with private tour, then 3) people to people on ship tour. We checked all 3 since we planned to do all 3. They give you a copy for your records and they keep a copy. You'll never hear or see anything about it again. Some posters have said that they are checking the Support for Cuban People license now instead of P-T-P. Cuba doesn't care about this affidavit because it's an American rule.

 

You just walk off the ship, show your visa and passport to immigration (take off hat and glasses and don't smile), exchange your money and go outside to enjoy Cuba! :D

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You just walk off the ship, show your visa and passport to immigration (take off hat and glasses and don't smile), exchange your money and go outside to enjoy Cuba! :D

 

A tiny correction on the smiling part. It's perfectly okay to smile at the immigration officer when you first arrive in front of him/her, even to say "Buenos días" with a smile. We recommend it. Most of them are reasonably friendly, if slightly bored with the repetitiveness of their job.

 

However, when they point their little camera at you after checking your documentation, that's when you wipe the silly grin off your face (along with your shades and your hat) for your official photo.

 

We find that another smile and a "Gracias" after receiving our passports back is also an appreciated gesture.

 

Go-Bucks! knows this, of course, and I am not contradicting; merely clarifying for first-timers who might have deduced they were required to be deadly serious about the entire procedure.

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A tiny correction on the smiling part. It's perfectly okay to smile at the immigration officer when you first arrive in front of him/her, even to say "Buenos días" with a smile. We recommend it. Most of them are reasonably friendly, if slightly bored with the repetitiveness of their job.

 

However, when they point their little camera at you after checking your documentation, that's when you wipe the silly grin off your face (along with your shades and your hat) for your official photo.

 

We find that another smile and a "Gracias" after receiving our passports back is also an appreciated gesture.

 

Go-Bucks! knows this, of course, and I am not contradicting; merely clarifying for first-timers who might have deduced they were required to be deadly serious about the entire procedure.

I was requested to not smile 3 times in Havana, not just for the picture. I did say "Gracias" though, but with a straight face. No one in Cienfuegos or Santiago de Cuba said anything about smiling. It was hard to remember not to smile cuz I was having a good time. ;)

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I was requested to not smile 3 times in Havana, not just for the picture. I did say "Gracias" though, but with a straight face. No one in Cienfuegos or Santiago de Cuba said anything about smiling. It was hard to remember not to smile cuz I was having a good time. ;)

Well, then, I stand corrected. I therefore plead guilty to having broken the taboo ... of which I was blissfully unaware. FWIW, I did manage in my innocence to extract a few quick smiles in return.

 

As you say, it is really difficult not to smile when in Cuba, talking with Cuban people. They may not have much in material terms -- except for the kleptocrats at the top -- but they are accomplished in the pursuit of happiness and ready to share it with visitors like us.

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Well, then, I stand corrected. I therefore plead guilty to having broken the taboo ... of which I was blissfully unaware. FWIW, I did manage in my innocence to extract a few quick smiles in return.

 

As you say, it is really difficult not to smile when in Cuba, talking with Cuban people. They may not have much in material terms -- except for the kleptocrats at the top -- but they are accomplished in the pursuit of happiness and ready to share it with visitors like us.

Most of the people we met were well dressed, well groomed, and had cell phones. One of our guides said most people have internet and she's on Facebook! And, as you said, most seem happy and went out of their way to talk to us.

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Darwin Maya. Thanks so much for the clarification of how the Cuban insurance is done. I kept reading on Oceania website that required Cuban insurance is included nothing I got from TA stated anything but Cuban insurance is required. We don't normally buy cruise insurance but self insurance so glad to see we don't need to buy anything else unless we want typical cruise insurance.

 

Cherie Ganesh

Memphis, TN

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The picture is a little different for Canadians and probably all non-US passport holders. I get annual out-of-country health insurance and evidently proof of that is good enough.

 

The Canadian government site https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/cuba says:

Upon arrival, you must also present proof of health insurance that is valid for the period of your stay in Cuba; such proof includes an insurance policy, insurance certificate or medical assistance card (photocopies are accepted). All health insurance policies are recognized, except those issued by U.S. insurance companies, as U.S. firms cannot provide coverage in Cuba. If you do not have proof of insurance coverage, you may be required to obtain health insurance from a Cuban insurance company upon arrival.

 

Supplemental health insurance

 

Cuban authorities will not allow anyone with outstanding medical bills to leave the country.

 

Although proof of Canadian provincial health insurance is sufficient for visitors to enter Cuba, your provincial plan may cover only part of any medical costs incurred in Cuba and it will not pay the bill up-front, which is required at most hospitals. It is highly recommended that you purchase supplemental health insurance. For additional details, please consult the Embassy of Cuba in Canada.

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