Havana?

[Smart Arsenal Fan]

I heard the Paradise is going to be going to Cuba, but didn't catch the details. Any news?

[LSauls7537]

John Heald just posted that it is a face that the Carnival Paradise will be sailing out of Tampa for 4 day cruises. He stated that we will have more info on the CCL site tonite as it was just announced.

[LSauls7537]

here is the press release

John Heald

1 hr ·

HAVANA, CUBA, TO BE FEATURED ON SELECT CARNIVAL PARADISE CRUISES FROM TAMPA BEGINNING IN JUNE 2017

Reservations Now Being Accepted for Carnival’s First-Ever Visits to the Historic Cuban Capital

 

MIAMI (February 14, 2017) – Following the history-making launch of cruises from the U.S. to Cuba on Carnival Corporation’s Fathom brand last year, the company’s namesake and largest cruise brand -- Carnival Cruise Line -- has now received approval to sail to Cuba. The Cuban capital of Havana will be added to select Carnival Paradise voyages from Tampa beginning in June 2017.

The overnight visits to Havana will be featured on 12 four- and five-day cruises aboard Carnival Paradise departing from the Port of Tampa starting June 29, 2017, providing vacationers with a rare and exciting opportunity to explore this fascinating and previously off-limits destination.

Four-day cruises will depart June 29, July 13, August 24, September 7 and 21, and October 5 and 19, 2017 as well as May 3, 2018 and include a daytime and overnight visit to Havana. Five-day voyages will depart August 14 and 28, September 25 and October 9, 2017, and include a daytime and overnight visit to Havana as well as a stop in either Cozumel or Key West.

Carnival Paradise guests will be able to choose from a range of exciting shore excursion experiences that showcase Cuba’s vibrant culture and majestic beauty, along with the island’s warm and friendly people and centuries-old architectural landmarks.

“Cuba is an island jewel unique from anywhere else in the Caribbean and we are thrilled to have this rare opportunity to take our guests to this fascinating destination,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “The opportunity to visit Havana, combined with the fun, relaxed ambiance and wide variety of amenities and features offered on Carnival Paradise, will make for a truly one-of-a-kind vacation experience,” she added.

Aboard Carnival Paradise, guests can enjoy an array of amenities and a full schedule of daytime activities and nighttime entertainment. A variety of dining options include two full-service main dining rooms and expansive poolside choices. The ship also features a 12,000-square-foot Spa Carnival health and wellness facility and an exclusive Serenity adults-only retreat. Popular family-friendly programming includes Seuss at Sea in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and featuring the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in the Hat and Friends and fun, supervised activities for kids in three age groups. Four swimming pools and a 115-foot-long water slide are additional features.

The visits to Havana comply with regulations of the U.S. Department of Treasury that permit travel operators to transport approved travelers to Cuba to engage in activities as defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The new voyages can currently be booked via travel agents or by calling 1-800-CARNIVAL. Later today, the cruises will also be available on carnival.com. Please note that a passport is required for cruises that call in Cuba. Additional information on all special requirements for these voyages can be found on carnival.com.

Carnival can also be found on:

 

Carnival Cruise PR (@CarnivalPR) | Twitter

The latest Tweets from Carnival Cruise PR (@CarnivalPR). Official news and updates from @CarnivalCruise’s media relations department. Miami, FL

http://www.twitter.com

[crewsweeper]

Interested, but at what price? Fathom was outrageous for the itinerary.

 

Havana would be interesting but only if they let you see other areas than what the Government allows foreigners to visit. last thing I want to see is some ersatz Latino place loaded with cruisers and tourists. Wondering if overnight would include excursions to other Cuban locales?

[MistyRo76]

Interested, but at what price? Fathom was outrageous for the itinerary.

 

Havana would be interesting but only if they let you see other areas than what the Government allows foreigners to visit. last thing I want to see is some ersatz Latino place loaded with cruisers and tourists. Wondering if overnight would include excursions to other Cuban locales?

 

Itineraries are up on Carnival's website. I priced the May 3, 2018 cruise and interiors (with porthole windows) were going for about $1250 for two people (including all port fees/taxes). This was for a four day itinerary. You get into Havana at 11:30 AM and are there until 6AM the next day.

[kcparrothead]

Interested, but at what price? Fathom was outrageous for the itinerary.

 

Havana would be interesting but only if they let you see other areas than what the Government allows foreigners to visit. last thing I want to see is some ersatz Latino place loaded with cruisers and tourists. Wondering if overnight would include excursions to other Cuban locales?

 

There are a few already posted on their website and prices are VERY reasonable!

[MistyRo76]

There are a few already posted on their website and prices are VERY reasonable!

 

I actually thought the pricing that I found was pretty expensive!

 

For comparison -

My upcoming, 6 night cruise on the Vista (brand new ship) for three of us in a balcony cabin - total $1805

 

Current price for a 4 night cruise on the Paradise to Cuba for two guests in an interior w/ portholes cabin - total $1250

 

Don't get me wrong - I'm still considering possibly booking the Cuba cruise. But I definitely think Carnival is charging a premium. Classic supply vs. demand. They only have a handful of itineraries going to Cuba right now and they are anticipating the demand to be high. Maybe they'll be wrong and pricing will come down. We'll see!

[mamajules]

We're on the Oct 9 sailing and are excited to visit Havana! We have a porthole room, but we booked months ago, so our lower price is locked in thankfully :) The only added expense now is a $75 Cuban Visa, which our understanding is that Carnival will have the paperwork at the terminal to fill out, and the expense will be charged to our on board account.

[Sailor_Sally]

I wonder what happens to people who were booked on the Paradise cruises that have now been changed to Cuba if they do not have passports ?

[GmaCruzer]

According to paperwork we received, you can cancel with full refund or plan a different cruise. There is also a charge for health insurance in Cuba. They don't tell us what that is, only that it will be added to fees and taxes. They act like you don't have to worry but you still have to pay this undisclosed amount.

[GmaCruzer]

We're on the Oct 9 sailing and are excited to visit Havana! We have a porthole room, but we booked months ago, so our lower price is locked in thankfully :) The only added expense now is a $75 Cuban Visa, which our understanding is that Carnival will have the paperwork at the terminal to fill out, and the expense will be charged to our on board account.

We are also on the Oct 9 sailing. There is also an undisclosed amount being added to port fees and taxes for health insurance in Cuba! And our paperwork states you must sign affidavit if you do anything except ship excursions and they must be approved "tours". Doesn't sound like you can just go on our own like we always do. Hmm?

[stobe1]

I wonder what happens to people who were booked on the Paradise cruises that have now been changed to Cuba if they do not have passports ?

There is plenty of time before the first sailing to get one.

 

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[mamajules]

The email we got says we are getting $100 OBC which should cover the Visa and fees. You cannot just go on your own. You would have to find acceptable educational tour to comply or take one of Carnival's excursions. The FAQs do state after completion of a full scheduled approved activity you are free to explore

 

 

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[hannibal54]

My TA sent me an e-mail from Carnival about the itenerary changes for the Paradise. The following dates will go to Cuba: 6-29-17, 7-13-17, 8-24-17, 9-7-17, 9-21-17, 10-5-17, 10-19-17 & 5-3-18

[hannibal54]

We're on the Oct 9 sailing and are excited to visit Havana! We have a porthole room, but we booked months ago, so our lower price is locked in thankfully :) The only added expense now is a $75 Cuban Visa, which our understanding is that Carnival will have the paperwork at the terminal to fill out, and the expense will be charged to our on board account.

 

They will also give us $100.00 OBC.

[hannibal54]

I wonder what happens to people who were booked on the Paradise cruises that have now been changed to Cuba if they do not have passports ?

 

We have until March 7 to confirm our sailing. A valid passport will be needed.

[Micahs Grandad]

We want to go but will wait until we can see a lot more of the island than one stop.

[Florings]

We would love to do this one, but 4 days at $1500 is just too much. I think the prices will come down as this port becomes more visited. We will hold out a bit longer....

[hannibal54]

We are also on the Oct 9 sailing. There is also an undisclosed amount being added to port fees and taxes for health insurance in Cuba! And our paperwork states you must sign affidavit if you do anything except ship excursions and they must be approved "tours". Doesn't sound like you can just go on our own like we always do. Hmm?

 

My GF & I are booked on the 5-1-17 NCL Sky sailing to Cuba. I have not seen anything about health ins. for that cruise. I will have my TA check.

I'm not sure if I really want to go back this quick. The approved tours are all people to people ones. From what I was told, we have to book one of the tours on the NCL ship. Some of the tours take you out a night.

[hannibal54]

We would love to do this one, but 4 days at $1500 is just too much. I think the prices will come down as this port becomes more visited. We will hold out a bit longer....

 

We are already booked at a much lower price, I hope that price holds up.

[mexico8]

My GF & I are booked on the 5-1-17 NCL Sky sailing to Cuba. I have not seen anything about health ins. for that cruise. I will have my TA check.

I'm not sure if I really want to go back this quick. The approved tours are all people to people ones. From what I was told, we have to book one of the tours on the NCL ship. Some of the tours take you out a night.

 

What are "people to people" tours?

[hannibal54]

What are "people to people" tours?

 

My guess is they are what the Cuba government will accept to allow us into their country. On the NCL cruise we are booked on a tour that takes us to revolutionary square, a rum place, Cuban cigar place & other sites.

[crewsweeper]

We're on the Oct 9 sailing and are excited to visit Havana! We have a porthole room, but we booked months ago, so our lower price is locked in thankfully :) The only added expense now is a $75 Cuban Visa, which our understanding is that Carnival will have the paperwork at the terminal to fill out, and the expense will be charged to our on board account.

 

Just curious. How were you able to book months ago at a lower price if these itineraries and press statements were just released last night?

 

From your comment re the cost of the Visa and others comments on getting $100 OBC, seems like some of the expense for the Visa and taxes is ultimately being picked up by Carnival at present. Or they are charging a higher cabin rate then rebating a portion of the true cabin rate back via OBC, thus covering the Visa charges.

[stobe1]

Just curious. How were you able to book months ago at a lower price if these itineraries and press statements were just released last night?

 

From your comment re the cost of the Visa and others comments on getting $100 OBC, seems like some of the expense for the Visa and taxes is ultimately being picked up by Carnival at present. Or they are charging a higher cabin rate then rebating a portion of the true cabin rate back via OBC, thus covering the Visa charges.

They were probably booked on the original sailing that Paradise does from Tampa to Cozumel and The Caymans.

 

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[hannibal54]

Just curious. How were you able to book months ago at a lower price if these itineraries and press statements were just released last night?

 

From your comment re the cost of the Visa and others comments on getting $100 OBC, seems like some of the expense for the Visa and taxes is ultimately being picked up by Carnival at present. Or they are charging a higher cabin rate then rebating a portion of the true cabin rate back via OBC, thus covering the Visa charges.

 

I had this cruise already booked. With the original booking we had $50.00 OBC, then add the $100.00 OBC, this will take care of our Visa fees.

My TA called Carnival, they are not up to speed on the Cuba cruises yet. They told my TA there will no extra charges for the Cuba health ins.. My TA asking about the travel affidavit needed to enter Cuba, Carnival had no idea about this. This affidavit on our NCL Cuba cruise needed to be filled out & e-mail back to them 30 days before sailing. My TA found Carnivals affidavit on their web site. I will look for it & submit it to Carnival. NCL was very confused also with these Cuba sailings.