Cuba?

[WB1971]

Sorry if I've missed the thread, any chance or rumors of Disney adding a Cuba itinerary anytime soon? Love love love to go there, but less than thrilled with older ship options on NCL, RCCL and Carnie.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Almost no chance in the current political climate.

 

[Dug720]

No. They are pretty locked into their routes as they are. Possibly when the new ships come out they might put the Magic or Wonder going. (Well, assuming we haven't been forbidden to go again.)

BUT... I would not even consider if if Havana was the only place it went. I did the Cuba cruise on fathom over Christmas last year and absolutely fell in love with Cuba and the Cuban people but especially Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos and found them so much better than Havana. So much more "Cuba". The ship fathom used was tiny (704 passengers max) and didn't have bells and whistles, but honestly if you're truly cruising to Cuba for Cuba, the ship is only the means of getting there. I would have no qualms about going on an older ship.

 

[MUN]

DCL will never go to Cuba.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Iger is on his way out.

Cuba is still legally a prohibited tourist destination per US rule. Disney is unlikely to try to take one of their large, family-marketed ships there while this is still the case.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/cuba.html

 

[phinz]

Unfortunately this is probably about as close as you're going to get to Cuba on a Disney cruise in our lifetime. This was taken during our mixology class last November. We were mixing mojitos as Havana slid by about 4-5 miles off the port side.

 

[Pens Fan]

Sorry if I've missed the thread, any chance or rumors of Disney adding a Cuba itinerary anytime soon? Love love love to go there, but less than thrilled with older ship options on NCL, RCCL and Carnie.

I have no clue about Disney going to Cuba, but in regards to the other lines you mentioned, I believe that NCL is moving the Sun to Cuba next summer. Yes, she's an older, smaller ship but we sailed her to Alaska last summer and loved her. Older yes, but the ship had been very well maintained and we loved the small size, flow and especially the wonderful crew! I would not rule them out based on the ship alone. The entertainment wasn't as good as Disney, but the food was better (far better in our opinion) and the service was fantastic - every bit as good as Disney.

I do think they are offering those Cuban cruises as all inclusive, meaning alcoholic drinks are included for everyone. That could be a plus or a minus, depending on your perspective and something to keep in mind though. I'd love a Cuban cruise. Heck, our son wants to go just to see the cars!!

 

[Dug720]

Iger is on his way out.

Cuba is still legally a prohibited tourist destination per US rule. Disney is unlikely to try to take one of their large, family-marketed ships there while this is still the case.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/cuba.html

While it is true you cannot go on your own - EVEN on the lines that are going - there are categories that do enable US citizens to go. The one cruise ships fall into is People to People Exchange where you are doing things to interact with the people and learn about the culture and the people. There will not be “just hang on the beach” excursions, and you could not do that on your own as that does not meet P2P regulations. The easiest thing is to go with the cruise-based excursions (I know, anathema to many on here who are allergic to those) because they have been vetted and meet the requirements. You *can* hire a car and tour on your own, but you must keep careful notes and receipts and hold onto them for 5 years.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Yeah. I just don't know that it is a good fit for Disney even with new ships, especially with a lame duck CEO. This is the kind of thing that goes all the way up.

 

[Pens Fan]

While it is true you cannot go on your own - EVEN on the lines that are going - there are categories that do enable US citizens to go. The one cruise ships fall into is People to People Exchange where you are doing things to interact with the people and learn about the culture and the people. There will not be “just hang on the beach” excursions, and you could not do that on your own as that does not meet P2P regulations. The easiest thing is to go with the cruise-based excursions (I know, anathema to many on here who are allergic to those) because they have been vetted and meet the requirements. You *can* hire a car and tour on your own, but you must keep careful notes and receipts and hold onto them for 5 years.

We definitely fall into the category of not favoring cruise ship excursions, much preferring to go our own way. That being said, if we did take a Cuban cruise, we would most likely go the cruise ship tour route. Honestly, I think if someone really, really wants to go to Cuba right now a cruise ship is probably the simplest and safest way to go.

 

[Dug720]

I’m not saying it is a fit at this point. I’m just saying that there are restrictions but US citizens CAN go to Cuba if they fall into certain categories. General tourism like you would just go to Canada or Europe? Correct, that is a no-go. But touring for a specific purpose or in a certain category of travel? Allowed as of this typing.

 

[Momee]

Unfortunately this is probably about as close as you're going to get to Cuba on a Disney cruise in our lifetime. This was taken during our mixology class last November. We were mixing mojitos as Havana slid by about 4-5 miles off the port side.

View attachment 278604

Last year, we were cruising during Matthew and had to "hug" the Cuban coastline. We were even closer to Cuba than your picture! I have pictures of cars on the streets and could even see people! (I don't have a high powered zoom lens on my camera.)
It was so cool to get the pictures and show our Cuban friends here at home- even though they are from the southern Cuban island Isla de la Juventud.

 

[WB1971]

I have no clue about Disney going to Cuba, but in regards to the other lines you mentioned, I believe that NCL is moving the Sun to Cuba next summer. Yes, she's an older, smaller ship but we sailed her to Alaska last summer and loved her. Older yes, but the ship had been very well maintained and we loved the small size, flow and especially the wonderful crew! I would not rule them out based on the ship alone. The entertainment wasn't as good as Disney, but the food was better (far better in our opinion) and the service was fantastic - every bit as good as Disney.

I do think they are offering those Cuban cruises as all inclusive, meaning alcoholic drinks are included for everyone. That could be a plus or a minus, depending on your perspective and something to keep in mind though. I'd love a Cuban cruise. Heck, our son wants to go just to see the cars!!

Thanks for the great insight!

 

[tee11]

I have no clue about Disney going to Cuba, but in regards to the other lines you mentioned, I believe that NCL is moving the Sun to Cuba next summer. Yes, she's an older, smaller ship but we sailed her to Alaska last summer and loved her. Older yes, but the ship had been very well maintained and we loved the small size, flow and especially the wonderful crew! I would not rule them out based on the ship alone. The entertainment wasn't as good as Disney, but the food was better (far better in our opinion) and the service was fantastic - every bit as good as Disney.

I do think they are offering those Cuban cruises as all inclusive, meaning alcoholic drinks are included for everyone. That could be a plus or a minus, depending on your perspective and something to keep in mind though. I'd love a Cuban cruise. Heck, our son wants to go just to see the cars!!

The cars are amazing. It’s like stepping into a 1950s movie.
I hope travel will fully open up.