New Travel Restrictions to Cuba

[Pratique]

Yes, read that, but my concern is if Royal doesn't let us get off the ship without having a tour booked.

 

It looks like you'll need a U.S. tour guide to get the visa (unless you've already booked a tour and don't make any more changes to the trip).

Edited November 9, 2017 by Pratique

[perrero1]

We just got back from a Havana cruise left Tampa then Key west, two days in havana goy back 11/04/17. People were getting off the ship and walking into town from the port. Better check and I wouldn't put to much stock into what RCL says because the information flo is at best. They told us we couldn't use Mex Pesos at the currency change in port. Well yes you can and you get the best exchange. I bought a beautiful shirt in the arts and crafts center and the lady took Dollars. not everybody, but If your real nice and they think they'll loose a sale they will take dollars.

[beej]

Just got this last night from Royal

 

related to Cuba travel. We are pleased to inform you that we do not anticipate any changes to our Cuba itineraries, and we look forward to taking you there. One change that does impact travelers is that self-guided “people-to-people” travel will no longer be allowed. This means that in order to enjoy Cuba, you must be participating in a group tour or qualify for the other categories of authorized travel, which are listed in our Cuba Travel Requirements FAQs: www.royalcaribbean.com/cuba/faq/.

All of our Royal Caribbean shore excursions are designed to meet the necessary qualifications for authorized group “people-to-people” travel. We offer a wide variety of tours to select from. If you have not yet booked your shore excursions, please visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/CruisePlanner for a list of exciting excursions to participate in. While onboard, you may also visit our Shore Excursions Desk, located on Deck 5.

You can expect to enjoy the same immersive, unforgettable experience you’ve been looking forward to as we visit the historical and beautiful port of Havana, Cuba on your upcoming cruise onboard Empress of the Seas.

As a reminder, please visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/Cuba for useful tips to help you prepare for your trip and to gather all the necessary travel documentation. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call us at 800-562-7625 or visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/UpdatesOnCuba for the most up to date information.

Thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean for your upcoming vacation. We are excited to welcome you on your upcoming adventure.

Sincerely,

Royal Caribbean International

©2017 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships' registry: The Bahamas.

 

Royal Caribbean International

1050 Caribbean Way

Miami, FL 33132 USA

 

 

 

 

 

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[tx121]

Ohh to be an American these days....so many restrictions! :rolleyes:

[PTravel]

We received the same info from RCCL. We are on Dec. 4 trip and have already booked a private car tour and a private walking tour. Much cheaper than RCCL. Does anyone know yet whether we can still take our private tours or if we have to book a much more expensive tour thru RCCL? Since we have already booked, are we exempt from these new rules? Or, is RCCL going to take advantage of us by forcing us to book tours thru them? It appears we are using the same company they are for our car tour.

[beej]

I think that if you booked before June 16th you are all good. After that, all bets are off. We booked on June 16th, and explicity says before so we fall under the restrictions. We wanted to go to the Buena Vista Social Club show, but by having to book with a tour it says you have to walk about 2 miles over cobblestones, at night (part of the tour) before the show. Who wants to walk all over just to go to a club? It's a big no for us. Have to decide whether to cancel our overnight Havana cruise in March or not.

[Biker19]

Good thing RCI is delaying the 2019-2020 itineraries for Empress till next spring - given enough restrictions and customer revolt by then, future Empress itineraries to Cuba may be affected.It may also affect any decision about switching Majesty for the Cuba runs.

[Knighton]

We received the same info from RCCL. We are on Dec. 4 trip and have already booked a private car tour and a private walking tour. Much cheaper than RCCL. Does anyone know yet whether we can still take our private tours or if we have to book a much more expensive tour thru RCCL? Since we have already booked, are we exempt from these new rules? Or, is RCCL going to take advantage of us by forcing us to book tours thru them? It appears we are using the same company they are for our car tour.

 

If you booked after June 16, here's the deal. On the new Cuba FAQ page on the RCCL site, there is a certification form you need to fill out. Here's a link:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cuba/content/uploads/2017/04/Cuba.Guest_.Cert_.Final_.pdf

It looks like box 3 will do nicely for private tours. The other thing they mention is you need to have a copy of whatever confirmation you got from whoever you booked the tour through to show them. So, I figure, in order to get off, you need to have the proof of a private tour, but there's no rule that says you are going to be forced to get right back on the ship after the tour. Just be prepared to have to go wherever else you want to go that night without getting back on the ship. Unfortunately that means no freshening up and also having to find dinner elsewhere.

[gregski]

Will be in Cuba on Nov 24th with Royal Caribbean and I was also planning on doing a local guide for the day and canceling our current scheduled royal caribbean tour but now feel i need to cancel the local tour :(

 

I talked to royal caribbean and they confirmed this but what is totally messed up is that the 3 hour overview group tour we take through the cruise line is "ok" and covers us for our educational people to people tour requirement, but the 6 hour local tour with a local tour guide who we would get SO MUCH MORE out of and also dump more money in the the hands of the cuban people, is not ok'd.

 

We are supposed to be done around 12:30pm and the cruise doesn't leave until 8pm so i can try to arrange some other local tours i guess.

 

What is more ironic... is click on the following document from Carnival that talks about a full time or half day schedule as the local guided tour we were going to take would meet the full time guidelines much more than our 3 hour royal caribbean tour.

https://help.carnival.com/ci/fattach/get/1553089/1497626123/redirect/1/filename/guest-affidavit-final%20(13.Apr.17)-%2

 

The local company i was booked with for a full day tour for 4 people said their company is not listed among those that were listed by the OFAC and would truly be supporting Cuban people.

 

Anyway... glad we get to see Havana and sure we will have a good time but very sad with the decisions of our current administration that just hurts the people of Cuba and the US visitors to Cuba.

[Knighton]

Will be in Cuba on Nov 24th with Royal Caribbean and I was also planning on doing a local guide for the day and canceling our current scheduled royal caribbean tour but now feel i need to cancel the local tour :(

 

I talked to royal caribbean and they confirmed this but what is totally messed up is that the 3 hour overview group tour we take through the cruise line is "ok" and covers us for our educational people to people tour requirement, but the 6 hour local tour with a local tour guide who we would get SO MUCH MORE out of and also dump more money in the the hands of the cuban people, is not ok'd.

 

We are supposed to be done around 12:30pm and the cruise doesn't leave until 8pm so i can try to arrange some other local tours i guess.

 

What is more ironic... is click on the following document from Carnival that talks about a full time or half day schedule as the local guided tour we were going to take would meet the full time guidelines much more than our 3 hour royal caribbean tour.

https://help.carnival.com/ci/fattach/get/1553089/1497626123/redirect/1/filename/guest-affidavit-final%20(13.Apr.17)-%2

 

The local company i was booked with for a full day tour for 4 people said their company is not listed among those that were listed by the OFAC and would truly be supporting Cuban people.

 

Anyway... glad we get to see Havana and sure we will have a good time but very sad with the decisions of our current administration that just hurts the people of Cuba and the US visitors to Cuba.

 

Dumb question, who told you the local tour doesn't qualify? From what I'm reading on these threads it seems like if you call multiple cruise line agents, you'll get a dozen different answers as to what they say qualifies. If you check box 3 on their new form, that will do. There are directions for this form in a separate file on the same page on their website. The directions spell out each reason in the box 3 list. Here's what qualifies your locally booked tour (verbatim from the RCCL directions sheet):

 

• Support for the Cuban people. I am traveling to Cuba to engage with recognized human rights organizations,independent organizations designed to promote a rapid, peaceful transition to democracy, or individuals and non-governmentalorganizations that promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba; AND my schedule of activities does not include free time or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full-time schedule. (31 C.F.R. § 515.574)

 

The part I made red and underlined is what makes most sense as an explanation for having a private tour. If they want proof you booked a private tour, have a printed copy of the confirmation to show whoever feels the need to ask. There's nothing on the RCCL cuba FAQs that says you need this as proof, but better safe than sorry. And, there's no list in the FAQ's of approved/not approved tour guides, either, so unless they come up with some kind of exact list of who they like and don't like, all they are doing is trying to scare you into spending way too much $ on a crowded bus tour that doesn't get you to half the places you could go otherwise. There is a list on the state department website of businesses and tour operators that are not approved, so if you're scared, look there. As long as your tour provider isn't on the list, you're fine.

[gregski]

Wow.. very good point.Knighton..

 

I talked to RC and said could we try to do local travel on the 24th as were leaving the ship and if it was ok would we be credited for the group tour that we would not be taking. She said it would be to late at that point and the group tour (3 hour overview) is currently sold out so we couldn't just jump on it if we didn't get the ok to do the local tour.

 

If it was just me and friend i would say lets risk it... but as there are 4 in my group i think (unless we get some good confirmation in the next couple days)... we will just do the RC tour and then see if we can do some local tour stuff after.

 

good info to know....

thanks,

Greg

[ranchette]

Ugh. We are scheduled on Empress in May for our honeymoon cruise and have already coordinated with a local guide in Cuba to take us around for two days. Am I reading this correctly that we can't do this? Could the ship still offer an excursion?

 

 

Should we just cancel our cruise now and book something else?

If you booked the cruise before June 16th. I think you can still do private tours

[Knighton]

If you booked the cruise before June 16th. I think you can still do private tours

You can do them either way. Before 6/16 off the hook. Booked after 6/16, still no problem, just a different box on the same form and a more specific reason that still covers private tours. Check out what I posted in post 35.

 

For what it's worth, it's way too early to get scared into submission by the cruise lines as far as whether or not private tours are allowed. I would not trust any cruise line agent's answers at this point. Treasury literally just released the rules November 9th, so there's no way any cruise line has informed their customer service agents as a group as to the exact impact and requirements. On the various threads, people are getting different answers to the same questions from different agents.

 

Gregski, there's not really anyone to ask for approval as far as I know, it's just fill out the new form. I know it's a tough decision since you're going there so soon that there won't be definitive answers from the latest batch to have gone there. I really think you'll be ok with the local tour, but if you do the ship's tour, hopefully once that tour is over, they won't be sticklers about making sure you go straight into the cruise terminal when the bus lets you off afterwards. If they don't seem to care if you walk off, that would be your opportunity to walk around, maybe hire a cab and see some other stuff shown to you by a local without even booking ahead. Believe me, there are loads of people right there offering their cabs. Oh, and BTW, the Carnival information is out of date. It's all from before the new stuff was put in place Nov 9th. I guess they haven't updated their website yet. Hope you have a great time.

Edited November 11, 2017 by Knighton

[gregski]

Interesting... i am liking the idea :)... but...

 

See the RCCL link and #3 listings for what #3 box is for. Of all the listings i don't see anything that really supports using a local guide for educational purposes. (maybe i am missing something??)...

 

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cuba/content/uploads/2017/11/Cuba.Guest_.Instructions.Final_.REV_.pdf

 

• Educational activities. I am a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction, which may include faculty, staff, and students of U.S.academic institutions, and I am engaged in one of the following activities: (1) I am participating in a structured educationalprogram in Cuba as part of a course offered for credit by a U.S. graduate or undergraduate degree-granting academic institutionthat is sponsoring the program; (2) I am conducting non-commercial academic research in Cuba specifically related to Cuba andfor the purpose of obtaining my undergraduate or graduate degree; (3) I am participating in a formal course of study at a Cubanacademic institution and my formal course of study in Cuba will be accepted for credit toward my graduate or undergraduatedegree; (4) I am teaching at a Cuban academic institution related to an academic program at the Cuban institution, and I amregularly employed by a U.S. or other non-Cuban academic institution; (5) I am sponsoring a Cuban scholar to teach or engagein other scholarly activity at the sponsoring U.S. academic institution; (6) I am participating in an educational exchangesponsored by Cuban or U.S. secondary schools that involves my secondary schools' participation in a formal course of study orin a structured educational program offered by a secondary school or other academic institution and led by a teacher or othersecondary school official; (7) I am participating in a sponsorship or co-sponsorship of non-commercial academic seminar,conference, symposia, or workshop related to Cuba or global issues involving Cuba and I am attending as faculty, staff, or astudent of a participating U.S. academic institution; (8) I am engaging in the establishment of an academic exchange or jointnon-commercial academic research projects with universities or academic institutions in Cuba; (9) I am engaging in theprovisioning of standardized testing services, which may include professional certificate examinations, university entranceexaminations, and language examinations, and related preparatory services for such exams, to Cuban nationals, whereverlocated; (10) I am engaging in the provisioning of internet-based courses, including distance learning and Massive Open OnlineCourses, to Cuban nationals, wherever located, provided that the course content is at the undergraduate level or below; (11) Iam an employee or contractor of the sponsoring organization that is involved with the organization of, and preparation for,activities described in paragraphs (1) through (10); or (12) I am a member of an organization that is a person subject to U.S.jurisdiction that engages in the facilitation of licensed educational activities in Cuba on behalf of U.S. academic institutions orsecondary schools and the organization is directly affiliated with one or more U.S. academic institutions or secondary schools, 3and the organization facilitates educational activities that meet the requirements of one or more of the general licenses set forthin §515.565(a)(1), (2), (3), and (6). (31 C.F.R. § 515.565)

[melissd24]

We are heading to Cuba on RCC March 26 and have two excursions booked thru third party vendors. I spoke to Emilio at RCC and he stated as long as you have a print out of the tour and it doesn’t include any restricted tour operators we are fine. I plan on checking box 3 with support of the Cuban people as our reason. We are traveling as a family of 4 with two kids and maybe I’m naive but I’m less than concerned.

 

 

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[melissd24]

RCC cannot force you to take a RCC excursion to get off the boat without disclosing this in some way shape or form. We never cruised RCC before, as we are loyal Disney cruisers but people say amazing thing about them and their service. I can’t imagine they would let this fall in between the cracks and not let people get off th ship.

 

 

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[Biker19]

RCC cannot force you to take a RCC excursion to get off the boat without disclosing this in some way shape or form.

Of course they'll tell you - it might be at the pier as you try to exit the ship, but they'll tell you.

[gregski]

You made a very good point in choosing #3 on the form....

 

Here is the description..... Support for the Cuban people. I am traveling to Cuba to engage with recognized human rights organizations,independent organizations designed to promote a rapid, peaceful transition to democracy, or individuals and non-governmentalorganizations that promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba; AND my schedule of activitiesdoes not include free time or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full-time schedule. (31 C.F.R. § 51

[dwgreenlee]

RCC cannot force you to take a RCC excursion to get off the boat without disclosing this in some way shape or form. We never cruised RCC before, as we are loyal Disney cruisers but people say amazing thing about them and their service. I can’t imagine they would let this fall in between the cracks and not let people get off th ship.

 

 

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It looks like enforcement is going to be as you board the ship in Miami. Check out the new forms at: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cuba/faq/

Be sure to examine the actual passenger certification form - not just read the narrative. It appears they are not going to let you get on the ship if you are not in compliance with the new rules. It is not clear that they will even let you remain on the ship in Cuba without taking the approved people-to-people program - or have some other acceptable circumstances under the embargo rules.

 

Hopefully we will get some actual reports from passengers.

[rosie#1]

I received the email below from Royal. We booked before June 16th.

 

About your upcoming travels

Dear Guest,

On November 8th, the U. S. government issued new regulations for traveler. to Cuba. One change that impacts travelers is that self-guided “people-to-people” travel will no longer be allowed. This means that in order to enjoy Cuba, you must be participating in a group tour or qualify for the other categories of authorized travel, which are listed under our Cuba Travel Requirements FAQs: www.RoyalCaribbean.com/Cuba/FAQ/

Since your booking was created prior to June 16, 2017, you have been granted an exemption from this regulation for your sailing, and there will be no changes to your booking. You can expect to enjoy the same immersive, unforgettable experience you’ve been looking forward to as we visit the historical and beautiful port of Havana, Cuba on your upcoming cruise.

As a reminder, please visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/Cuba for useful tips to help you prepare for your trip and to gather all the necessary travel documentation. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call us at 800-562-7625.

Thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean for your upcoming vacation. We are excited to welcome you on your upcoming adventure.

Sincerely,

Royal Caribbean International

[mugtech]

Was just thinking the same thing. We have a cruise scheduled for the end of March. What do you all think; will Royal cancel cruises or should we if we get limited to what we can do or see. Look forward to everyone's ideas.

They won't cancel, will just go to an additional Bahamas island instead.

[Knighton]

It looks like enforcement is going to be as you board the ship in Miami. Check out the new forms at: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cuba/faq/

Be sure to examine the actual passenger certification form - not just read the narrative. It appears they are not going to let you get on the ship if you are not in compliance with the new rules. It is not clear that they will even let you remain on the ship in Cuba without taking the approved people-to-people program - or have some other acceptable circumstances under the embargo rules.

 

Hopefully we will get some actual reports from passengers.

Guess I have to do it again here. (There are 2 threads in 2 different places.) Anyway, yes please do read the actual form as well as the direction sheet that is a separate download. There is no requirement that you take only rcl excursions. The form has 4 choices. Box 1 is for those that are fine with royals offerings. Also there will see that box 2 is what you check if you booked before June 16. That's your key to doing private tours. Booked after June 16 box 3 is what you want. Specifically in the directions it would be "support for the Cuban people" and what applies there is "I am traveling to Cuba to engage with individuals that promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society.". (abridged to only include what applies). If I hire a local citizen to show me important historical sites then I am strengthening civil society by keeping him employed and not on the streets doing anti government activities.

 

And again, it clearly states in the rcl FAQs that if you wish to stay on the ship that's fine and they won't charge you the visa fee. However that's a 1 way decision. You can't change your mind once you get on the ship I would imagine, since the notation on the manifest would probably be set in stone at sailing. Although I really don't know why anyone would go on the cruise at all if not to see Cuba. It's the oldest smallest ship and it's not exactly inexpensive as far as using it for a quick getaway.

[Sailor_Sally]

Does this mean no cigar shopping in Cuba since they are state run ?

[Knighton]

Does this mean no cigar shopping in Cuba since they are state run ?

Hard to say. Most of those shops are government run so the official tours will have to stop going there. There was a place selling rum and cigars in the artisans market (great place for souvenirs) but I don't know if it was government run.

[bluegirlum]

Just got this last night from Royal

 

related to Cuba travel. We are pleased to inform you that we do not anticipate any changes to our Cuba itineraries, and we look forward to taking you there. One change that does impact travelers is that self-guided “people-to-people” travel will no longer be allowed. This means that in order to enjoy Cuba, you must be participating in a group tour or qualify for the other categories of authorized travel, which are listed in our Cuba Travel Requirements FAQs: www.royalcaribbean.com/cuba/faq/.

All of our Royal Caribbean shore excursions are designed to meet the necessary qualifications for authorized group “people-to-people” travel. We offer a wide variety of tours to select from. If you have not yet booked your shore excursions, please visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/CruisePlanner for a list of exciting excursions to participate in. While onboard, you may also visit our Shore Excursions Desk, located on Deck 5.

You can expect to enjoy the same immersive, unforgettable experience you’ve been looking forward to as we visit the historical and beautiful port of Havana, Cuba on your upcoming cruise onboard Empress of the Seas.

As a reminder, please visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/Cuba for useful tips to help you prepare for your trip and to gather all the necessary travel documentation. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call us at 800-562-7625 or visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/UpdatesOnCuba for the most up to date information.

Thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean for your upcoming vacation. We are excited to welcome you on your upcoming adventure.

Sincerely,

Royal Caribbean International

 

©2017 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships' registry: The Bahamas.

 

Royal Caribbean International

1050 Caribbean Way

Miami, FL 33132 USA

 

 

 

 

 

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Got the same letter on Friday night. We're going to cancel our cruise. It's very interesting that RCCI added a lot of Havana excursions to our cruise in the last week or so---there weren't that many options when I booked the cruise about a month ago. We would probably be fine with the private tour we've booked, but I'm not willing to risk it, especially since it's our honeymoon and I don't want to have to worry about it.