Hmmm... Current Rumors.. T or F?

[Pluto4President]

Just booked myself on a 4 night wonder and I asked the TA about the "supposed" med cruise. Was told that DCL is in negotiations for a new ship and probably Cuba would be somewhere on that itinerary??

I haven't heard that before - anyone?

 

[prymsu]

i hadn't heard that, and until U.S. trade restrictions are lifted, i would think it highly doubtful that DCL would make that a stop...

on the 10/17/02 cruise, captain harry made mention that DCL is thinking about a med cruise starting in 2004, but no final decisions had been made, just talks about the possibility...

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Hey Pluto4President,

That sounds like just the thing to get the Rumors & News Forum off to a great debate. You might want to post it there as well and see what sort of response you get.

Deb

 

[Hopkins]

Cuba? Now that's a new one. Since the DCL cruise ships are registered in Nassau, I guess Cuba can be travelled to. Is that right? Do any of the big cruise lines travel to Cuba that aren't US registered? or are of US registry? Doesn't it fall under the embargo?

Tina

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

There are a handful of cruise ships that sail to Cuba, but they are not allowed to include the United States on their itineraries. These cruises are marketed exclusively to European passengers since U.S. citizens are not allowed to visit Cuba except for specific purposes when licensed for that visit by the U.S. State Department.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Hopkins
Cuba? Now that's a new one. Since the DCL cruise ships are registered in Nassau, I guess Cuba can be travelled to. Is that right? Do any of the big cruise lines travel to Cuba that aren't US registered? or are of US registry? Doesn't it fall under the embargo?

The cruise lines that serve American passengers would love to be able to call on Havana, Cuba. Havana is close to the ships' home ports in Florida. Havana would be a fascinating port to visit. Cuba is opening a second cruise ship terminal in Havana to handle an expected increase in ship calls.

Cruise ships call on Havana today. Take a look at the slick CruiseHavana website at http://cruisehavana.com/

But cruise lines can't take American passengers to Cuba. I don't want to start a political debate about whether the US Government should or should not prevent Americans from visiting Cuba, but as it now stands, there are severe restrictions.

The Bahamian registry of DCL's ships does not give them the right to carry Americans to Cuba. There are no US-registered cruise ships serving the Caribbean. "American" cruise lines such as Carnival, Celebrity, RCCL, NCL, Princess, and Holland America all operate foreign-built, foreign-registered ships. None of them serve Cuba.

When the restrictions are eventually lifted, the cruise lines will jump at the chance to call on Cuba.

 

[Lisa7mike]

I remember recently on 60 Minutes or some news program like it talking about the possibility of Cuba opening up for Americans to travel there. Wouldn’t that be interesting port of call!?!

 

[northernmouse]

Havana is a very interesting port of call, and the Cubans are wonderful people. Cuba has been a very popular winter destination for Canadians since Cuba began building its tourism industry about 20 years ago. I've been to Varadero and it's on my 'definitely visit again' list. I'd be very tempted to catch a flight to Cuba (direct and cheaper for me than Florida) and board a European cruise ship (better exchange on our dollor than the US$) . . . BUT, I'm not at all convinced they'd measure up to the 'wonder' or 'magic' of a Disney cruise!

Given the volatile feelings of some, and the history of the US relationship with Cuba, it may still be some time before the American embargo against Cuba is lifted. Some day, though . . . .

 

[Hopkins]

It looks like they have plenty of interesting sites to see and do. Maybe, things will change within our lifetime. They are so close, too. We sail all around them.

Tina

 

[blarsenut]

Ok...Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

As I understand it...Americans are not allowed to spend money in cuba or fly to cuba from the US.

According to cruisehavana.com, it seems like a cruise to cuba would be perfectly legal for Americans (as long as they did it on a non-US ship).

As far as I know...since you would be sleeping on the cruise ship and eating on the cruise ship, we should be able to visit Cuba. We just wouldn't be able to spend ANY money there.

Somebody please correct me...I would LOVE to travel to Cuba!!!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by blarsenut
Ok...Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

As I understand it...Americans are not allowed to spend money in cuba or fly to cuba from the US.

According to cruisehavana.com, it seems like a cruise to cuba would be perfectly legal for Americans (as long as they did it on a non-US ship).

According to the US Dept. of State at http://travel.state.gov/cuba.html (which explains the rules by which American may be be licensed to travel to Cuba):
<blockquote>ENTRY REQUIREMENTS/TRAVEL TRANSACTION LIMITATIONS: The Cuban Assets Control Regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed to engage in any transaction related to travel to, from and within Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable. This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada.</blockquote>
So, nope -- no US tourist travel to Cuba for time being, whether on a cruise ship or by air through another country.

That doesn't mean that there aren't any Americans who visit Cuba through Mexico or Canada, but, officially, it's not allowed.