Travel to Cuba via Oceania

[roothy123]

I personally think that quite a few posters are being a little rude to the OP.

 

However, I do agree that when you visit Cuba, it's hard to NOT benefit the government. Our excursions through Viking Ocean were arranged by a Cuban travel company, using government tour guides and (yes), buses owned by the government. IF the idea is to not to funnel money to any Cuban government agency (which I don't think it IS, but I could be wrong) then the cruise lines have really got things wrong.

[ccpuff04]

As long as we're on Cuba . . . if not Oceania tours, what Cuban companies are you signing up for? We'd like the names of a few that Cruise Critic cruiser have used before and recommend. And it looks like our time there has been shortened by Oceania by about 3 hours for no apparent reason . . . Thanks.

[sitraveler]

I'll be in Havana in May. Made arrangements with a local guide after reading comments in the Cuba board of CC.

[Go-Bucks!]

As long as we're on Cuba . . . if not Oceania tours, what Cuban companies are you signing up for? We'd like the names of a few that Cruise Critic cruiser have used before and recommend. And it looks like our time there has been shortened by Oceania by about 3 hours for no apparent reason . . . Thanks.

I used cubaguider.com and Fernando Mora. Go to the Cuba board for LOTS more info!

[travsol]

Just got back from Cuba on HAL. We took 2 tours, both less than the than 8 hrs? to be able to go on or own. We took the tours and were allowed to "find our way back" to the ship if we wanted to go on our own. The staff on board let everyone know that they are not the police and you do whatever you like. Unless you're being followed by the Gov't. there is no way they could find out where you purchased things and where you visited. When we got back to Ft. L., Customs doesn't even ask what you brought back and they don't care where you've been. One thing I would recommend is if you do take a tour on shore, keep the information for the 5 years. It'll be a good souvenir.

[PaulMCO]

So do all of you people going on non-US sponsored private tours enjoy violating US Export laws. Touring does not meet the "support for Cuban people" classification. Eventually the government will crack down and revoke Oceania's license or strict regulation of who can go off the ship. I would hate this to happen and lose the ability to travel to Cuba.

Edited February 9, 2018 by PaulMCO

[Go-Bucks!]

So do all of you people going on non-US sponsored private tours enjoy violating US Export laws. Touring does not meet the "support for Cuban people" classification. Eventually the government will crack down and revoke Oceania's license or strict regulation of who can go off the ship. I would hate this to happen and lose the ability to travel to Cuba.

You can go "tour" on your own by flying down - don't need to cruise. Southwest goes from Tampa and Ft Lauderdale. You buy the visa at the gate. US govt isn't stopping anyone, so why would they suddenly "crack down?"

[SedonaJoel]

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

 

This shows O is compliant, but just to verify, I also verified with my Congressman’s rep, and cruises with Educational/ representative sponsored tours are allowed. From the four cruise lines I checked, all provide the same tours now, and per my conversation, they comply. No individual person to person allowed, but sponsored by US compliant / Registered company is allowed. There is a grouping for many business that cannot be toured or promoted, and those are off limits. Please ensure that you do your homework prior to travel, and yes, cigars and liquor are allowed to bring back, but check with the state dept on your limits.

 

Thank you!

[roothy123]

You can go "tour" on your own by flying down - don't need to cruise. Southwest goes from Tampa and Ft Lauderdale. You buy the visa at the gate. US govt isn't stopping anyone, so why would they suddenly "crack down?"

I think the "visa" is a visa required by Cuba. I may be wrong, but I don't think it has anything to do with the certification under which you're traveling. I haven't flown to Cuba, but I'm guessing that at most, you're given a piece of paper to certify what type of travel you're doing. If so, it's not the U.S. government, or even the airlines, that are policing U.S. citizens who want to fly to Cuba. We're supposed to know the regs and comply with them, which in my opinion given what I know is mostly just checking the list that Joel referenced and not spending our money at those places.

 

As for my visit on Viking, all the pre-cruise hysteria evaporated once I boarded the cruise ship and realized that people were being way, way too concerned with the recent changes. It was much ado about nothing.

[PaulMCO]

Thank you!

 

Exactly -- O tours comply. All cruise lines tours comply -- otherwise they risk their license.

 

 

Flying on your own does not comply for private touring. It is against the law. I can fly there on business if I want (since my work line is allowed). Nor does taking a private tour unless it meets all the required US sponsored requirements including not going to specified forbidden markets, and hotels sponsored by the military or Ministry of Interior (ie the Police)

 

 

You will never know when a CBP persons will meet you at the aircraft door and give you the third degree before boarding the plane. Happened to me in the past (Fortunately I had proper export paper work with me).

[Paulchili]

You will never know when a CBP persons will meet you at the aircraft door and give you the third degree before boarding the plane. Happened to me in the past (Fortunately I had proper export paper work with me).

 

Exactly.

On our exchange visit to Cuba a couple of years ago we watched a person being de-planed as we were getting ready to leave. He was escorted off the plane. Obviously, we don’t know the reason but it sure scared the young fellow seated next to us as he thought he might be next.

He gave me his passport number and phone number of his parents in US in case that would happen.

He was a young Cuban refugee now in US military attending a cousin’s wedding but was scared untill we were up in the air.

[roothy123]

Thank you!

Just curious, Sedona Joel - which cruise lines did you check besides Oceania, and do you know which company they used? We were on Viking Ocean, and they used Cuba Travel Services. It's a Cuban government owned company that appears to arrange and provide a lot of people to people educational tours. It sounds like Pearl Cruises uses them too from the excursion descriptions I've seen, but I was just curious if other cruise lines are using another company.

 

Someone implied there are U.S. approved companies, but I don't think that's true, is it? I'm sure, however, that all big companies are aware of the requirements for U.S. citizens - even with the small modification that trump made.

 

Personally, I don't think many of us are flying to Cuba on our own right now. Cruising is the way to go, or else signing up with one of the educational companies. Luckily, either offers a lot of flexibility as long as travelers are aware there's a small list of entities to avoid.

[Go-Bucks!]

I think the "visa" is a visa required by Cuba. I may be wrong, but I don't think it has anything to do with the certification under which you're traveling. I haven't flown to Cuba, but I'm guessing that at most, you're given a piece of paper to certify what type of travel you're doing. If so, it's not the U.S. government, or even the airlines, that are policing U.S. citizens who want to fly to Cuba. We're supposed to know the regs and comply with them, which in my opinion given what I know is mostly just checking the list that Joel referenced and not spending our money at those places.

 

As for my visit on Viking, all the pre-cruise hysteria evaporated once I boarded the cruise ship and realized that people were being way, way too concerned with the recent changes. It was much ado about nothing.

You're right....the visa is a Cuban requirement to enter their country. The cuiselines obtain them for passengers but if you fly to Cuba then the airline sells it to you. I've seen the instructions for getting it at the gate when I was in the Ft Lauderdale airport.

 

And you're also right that many people who havent been to Cuba are anywhere from fearful to near hysterical about what to expect. When we were there it was easy-peasy with no one caring what you do. Just go and have fun! It's a wonderful place.

[samandtom]

Isn't this like yelling Fire (when there isn't one) in a theater? Your ONLY purpose is to inflame people and spread LIES about a wonderful country. The people are AMAZING. I am SO happy that I travelled there in May 2017 and I ONLY used private tours. I would NEVER pay for a cruiseline tour. The history and people and the old cars ... it was an amazing experience.

 

Can you recommend some private tours? Did you book these in advance?

[Go-Bucks!]

Can you recommend some private tours? Did you book these in advance?

We used cubaguider.com and Fernando Mora. Yes, you need to book in advance.

Go over to the Cuba board....lots of info.

[Ken the cruiser]

Thanks for your positive thoughts Go-Bucks and both Pauls! We're scheduled to go on b2b Cuban cruises with Oceania in May and got such a great deal on their unlimited excursion package we took the low stress option and booked all of our excursions with them.

 

I can't believe, and from what I'm reading on this thread, O's excusions wouldn't be OFAC certified. If they weren't, I'm sure we would be hearing from those affected O cruisers that encountered US Customs issues on their return in this and other similar threads.

[SeaBands]

Maybe the current government will use your trip to Cuba to get ICE to take you away even if you were born in the USA and voted against Trump.

[nednrom]

OP - there are a couple of other regular posters who are also easily frightened and generally misinformed. You should consider forming a travel club and booking some nice charter cruises to safe, sanitized destinations.

 

This made me laugh -- a picture of a plane spraying sanitizing lotion over a country ...LOL