Cruises to Cuba Will Continue

Signs were previously pointing toward Cuban cruises being prohibited following policy changes from the Trump administration.

Thus, it comes as a pleasant surprise that roundtrip sailings to the Caribbean nation from the U.S. will be allowed to continue.

Even before President Donald Trump officially revealed his latest international plans last Friday, Carnival Corporation released the following statement on June 15, 2017:

“Carnival Corporation is pleased that the policy changes announced by the Trump administration will allow our ships to continue to sail to Cuba. We will review the extent of the tightening of the travel rules, but our guests have already been traveling under the 12 approved forms of travel to Cuba since we undertook our historic first cruise to Cuba more than a year ago.

“Our experience in Cuba this past year has been extremely positive. We look forward to the new cruises being planned for Cuba with Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line. We also have requested approval for our other brands to travel to Cuba. Travel brings people and cultures together, so we are excited about the upcoming cruises to Cuba for our guests.”

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The historic cruise mentioned was sailed by the company’s Fathom line. While that brand did not renew its program this past May, Carnival Cruise Line will next set sail for Cuba on June 29, 2017, followed by Holland America Line on December 22, 2017. It’s also known that the corporation is seeking approval for its additional lines as well.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited provided the following statement regarding the President’s announcement on Cuba:

“Based on the information shared on June 16, we are very pleased to learn the news that cruises to Cuba will continue under the new guidelines laid out by the Administration. All of our cruises to, and shore excursions in, Cuba are in full compliance with regulations set forth by the US Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC"), and we will work with the Administration to comply with any changes to those and any other regulations that will result from its decision. 

"We are also pleased that education travel and travel that supports the Cuban people will continue. We were very concerned about any potential changes, given how popular Cuba itineraries have proven to be with our guests, and we view this as a win for the cruise industry, our valued guests and travel partners. Across our three brands, there are 70,000 guests booked to sail to Cuba who would have been very disappointed if they were unable to experience this spectacular destination.

"We are delighted our guests will continue to have the opportunity to experience the wonderful culture and incredible history of Cuba along with the warmth and friendliness of the Cuban people through OFAC-compliant shore excursions that support private businesses and the Cuban people, an opportunity that was restricted for over fifty years.”

Norwegian’s Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands have both been to Cuba recently, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky is currently visiting the country roundtrip from Miami, Florida on a regular basis.

As for Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited, the company’s US Cuba Policy Changes Media Statement June 16, 2017 reads as follows:

“Royal Caribbean is pleased there is no impact to any of our cruises to Cuba as announced in the new U.S. policy toward Cuba today. Our guests are already enjoying curated people-to-people experiences under the approved categories of travel. We will continue to review the full and exact scope of the policy changes and any updated regulations during the implementation period which may take several months.

“Our cruises will continue to be delivered in accordance with U.S. to Cuba travel regulations and we will keep our guests and travel partners informed as we get any additional information. Cruises to Cuba have been very popular with our guests and we look forward to continue sailing to this destination.”

READ MORE: Cuba Continues to Grow As a Cruise Destination 

Within the company, Azamara Club Cruises and Royal Caribbean International have headed there, and Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas continues to Havana now through 2019.

Of course, the takeaway from all of these statements is a degree of uncertainty on exactly what is to be expected from any stricter travel regulations. All cruise lines have been compliant and presumably will continue to be, but more may be expected of crew and passengers in the future to maintain existing permissions and perhaps follow new ones as well.

Either way, at least roundtrip cruise travel from the U.S. is still allowed to Cuba.

That is indeed a victory for cruisers and the industry alike.

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