Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle

Cruise Lines Awaiting New Cuba Rules, Making No Changes to Current Itineraries

by Daniel McCarthy / April 18, 2019
Cruise Lines Awaiting New Cuba Rules, Making No Changes to Current Itineraries

Norwegian Cruise line is “closely monitoring recent development with respect to U.S.-Cuba travel,” a spokesperson told TMR. Photo: Danilo Marocchi/Shutterstock.com.


Cruise travel to Cuba seemed up in the air on Wednesday after a statement from National Security Advisor John Bolton in Miami seemed to indicate that the U.S. would be cracking down on Americans traveling to Cuba.

“The Department of the Treasury will implement further regulatory changes to restrict non-family travel to Cuba," Bolton said.

While no concrete rule changes came with the statement, indications were that it will at least become much more difficult for Americans wanting to travel to Cuba for reasons other than family visits to do so.

Update

With New Regulations, U.S. Ending Cruise Travel to Cuba
 

That could mean cruise travel to Cuba, which has thrived since the U.S. began thawing restrictions with Cuba in 2014, could be in jeopardy.

But cruise lines talking to Travel Market Report made no indications that plans have changed, despite Wednesday’s news, and they are awaiting further announcements.

“We’re reviewing the recent statements to evaluate their impact on our guests and our company. For now, we are sailing our Cuba itineraries as scheduled and will keep our guests updated if anything changes,” Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Director of corporate reputation Melissa Charbonneau told TMR.

Royal is currently sailing Royal Caribbean International ships, including Majesty of the Seas, Empress of the Seas, to Cuban destinations including Havana, Cienfuegos, and Santiago de Cuba. Silversea, one of Royal’s other brands, launched its program of voyages to Cuba in October 2018 aboard Silver Wind, and Azamara, another Royal brand, has Cuba on its schedule for both 2019 and 2020.

The company made its inaugural visit when Empress of the Seas landed in Havana in April 2017.

Norwegian Cruise line is “closely monitoring recent development with respect to U.S.-Cuba travel,” a spokesperson told TMR. “At this time no new regulations have been issued and accordingly, the Company’s itineraries which include Cuba as a destination will continue as scheduled.”

When Norwegian initially began selling its Cuba cruises in 2017, Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings CEO and president Frank Del Rio said “No new destination has had quite the impact of Cuba” and called the sailings “a home run.”

At the moment, Norwegian sails a number of different itineraries to Cuba, including four-day sailings with an overnight in Havana on both Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun.

Virgin Voyages, which is set to debut in 2020, announced during its rollout that its first ship, Scarlet Lady, will call on Cuba during its inaugural season homeporting in Miami in 2020. At the time, Virgin said the decision is based on customer and travel partner research that it conducted in both North America and the United Kingdom.

A Virgin spokesperson told TMR that while “At this time there are no changes to travel policies for cruises sailing to Cuba” the line will continue to monitor Cuba travel policies and we will update our Sailors if there are any changes.”

Related Articles

U.S. Imposing New, Harsher Restrictions on Americans Traveling to Cuba
 
  2
  1
explora

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
  2. CDC Adds Three Caribbean Destinations to “High-Risk” COVID-19 List
  3. Travel to Italy Is Officially Back to Normal
  4. Viking Drops Onboard & Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing
  5. Three Cruise Lines Bring Masks Back in Alaska
  6. How Travel Advisors Can Cope With Chaos in Air Travel

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. Travel to Italy Is Officially Back to Normal
  2. Report: U.S. to End COVID-19 Air Travel Testing Requirement
  3. A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
  4. Japan Could Boot Tourists Who Disobey COVID-19 Rules
  5. Viking Drops Onboard & Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing
  6. Bahamas Eliminates Travel Health Visa, But COVID Test Requirement Remains
explora
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Carnival Cruise Line to Launch COSTA by Carnival
Carnival Cruise Line to Launch COSTA by Carnival

Carnival Cruise Line is teaming up with Costa Cruises to deliver a new concept for North American cruisers. 

Read...
MSC Cruises Adds Group Booking Incentives
MSC Cruises Adds Group Booking Incentives

U.S.-based advisors can earn additional amenity points and tour conductor credits on new group bookings through the end of August. 

Read...
A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand

The two Crystal Cruises ships will return to service under the Crystal Cruises brand in 2023. 

Read...
Windstar Celebrates 35 Years in Tahiti, Expands Presence in French Polynesia
Windstar Celebrates 35 Years in Tahiti, Expands Presence in French Polynesia

Starting in October, Windstar will sail two ships year-round in the region. 

Read...
Lindblad Adds Early-Season Antarctica Sailings with Free Air
Lindblad Adds Early-Season Antarctica Sailings with Free Air

Four early-season Antarctica region sailings give cruisers a look at the White Continent at a time few ever see it. 

Read...
Carnival Offers Travel Advisors ShoreEx Booking Promotion
Carnival Offers Travel Advisors ShoreEx Booking Promotion

Advisors can earn bonus Loyalty Rocks! Rewards Program points for every excursion they book on behalf of their clients through Aug. 31.

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
CP White Paper
Multi-Gen Outlook
Distribution Outlook (1)
New to Cruise Outlook
Expedition 2020
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/QTPIinGDcIY/0.jpg
Video: Can Booking Bachelor and Bachelorette Party Groups Be Profitable for Advisors?
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2022 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy