Update as of 14/11/17
Although there has been concern that, under Trump’s administrations’ new Cuba travel restrictions, cruisers would not be sailing to the destination any time soon, there is finally peace of mind.
“Today there were no surprises; cruise lines are still allowed to bring people” a senior executive has confirmed.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. spokesman Rob Zeiger also commented on the Cuba debate: “We’re still studying it closely but it does not appear there will be any changes for cruise.”
The new rules do forbid most individual visits, including people-to-people non-academic educational travel, and require US citizens again to travel as part of groups licensed by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for specific purposes and be accompanied by a group leader.
They also bar Americans from staying at particular hotels, and from patronizing restaurants and shops the State Department has determined are owned by or benefit members of the Cuban military, intelligence and security services.
This ‘restricted list’ will be maintained by the State Department and periodically updated in the Federal Register, but Trump’s new rules do not appear to impact cruising.
It was reported in June that the beginning of major cruise lines sailing to Cuba may be coming to an end sooner than we thought.
It was expected that President Donald Trump would stem the tide of US tourism to Cuba with his plans to announce a new policy regarding the destination, meaning the travel era was ending before it even had a chance to fully pick up steam.
Carnival Cruises, however, are embracing every moment of cruising to Cuba while they can; Carnival Paradise was the line’s first ship to cruise to Cuba recently, visited Havana on a round trip cruise from Tampa, Florida.
The brand has plans to sail a total of 12 cruises to Cuba and in addition to the opportunity to experience and explore this fascinating and previously off-limits destination, guests sailing aboard these four and five-day voyages are enjoying a wide variety of Cuban-themed activities and entertainment.
These will be highlighted by Amor Cubano: A Caribbean Dance Romance, a dazzling high-energy show that showcases both classic and contemporary Latin hits.
Part of Carnival’s popular Playlist Productions shows feature a sizzling four-piece Cuban band and a talented eight-member cast who have audiences singing and dancing in the aisles as they perform songs by top Latin artists, including Gloria Estefan, Celia Cruz and Pitbull, amid a tropics-inspired backdrop of Cuba and Miami.
The show leads into the Havana Nights Deck Party, a Cuban-themed soiree where Amor Cubano cast members are joined by a DJ to keep guests dancing on Lido Deck into the wee hours.
During Carnival Paradise’s cruises to Havana, guests can also participate in Cuban-themed games and practice their dance moves with salsa lessons led by the Playlist Productions team. There’s also a lecturer on board who discusses the country’s rich history and culture for those passengers wishing to educate themselves on the country.
Carnival Paradise will operate 10 four and five-day cruises to Cuba between now and May 2018. Upcoming four-day cruises include a daytime and overnight visit to Havana and five-day voyages include a daytime and overnight visit to Havana as well as a stop in either Cozumel or Key West.
What are your thoughts? Have you sailed to Cuba yet? Do you fancy indulging in Cuban entertainment onboard a cruise sailing to the destination itself? What other destinations should the cruise lines take on as a theme for a sailing? Leave us your comments!
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