Here are the cruise companies' current policies—verbatim—on what to do if you have booked a Cuba-bound cruise with them.
Norwegian Cruise Line
As you know, yesterday the United States government announced new and immediate travel restrictions to Cuba. Effective today, June 5, 2019, we are no longer permitted to call to the country and will begin modifying the itineraries for all previously scheduled Cuba sailings. Amended itineraries will be communicated in the coming days.
Sailings through and including September 2, 2019
Those guests currently sailing on Norwegian Sun who departed on June 3 as well as all guests booked on Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun cruises to Cuba through and including the September 2, 2019 departure will receive a 50% refund of the cruise fare paid as well as a 50% future cruise credit valid for sailings through December 31, 2021. Refunds for June 2019 and July 2019 sailings will be processed by June 30, 2019 while refunds for August 2019 sailings will be processed by July 31, 2019.
Refunds will be applied to the original form of payment. This process will be automatic and requires no action from you.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen change and are protecting full commission for reservations that continue to sail on amended Norwegian Sky and Sun former Cuba sailings. Standard cancellation policies apply for those guests who choose not to sail. Visa fees arranged through Norwegian Cruise Line will be refunded and government taxes and fees will be adjusted accordingly. Any shore excursions purchased through Norwegian Cruise Line for Cuba will be automatically refunded and posted to your clients’ onboard account for June 3 departure or refunded to original form of payment for other sailings. Future Cruise Credits will be attached to your clients’ Latitudes profile and are fully commissionable at time of redemption as per our Company’s standard policy.
Sailings beyond September 2, 2019
Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun Cuba sailings beyond September 2, 2019 will be automatically cancelled. New itineraries will be announced in the coming weeks. Refunds will be applied to the original form of payment. Travel Partner commissions will be protected on all deposited bookings and will be distributed by June 30, 2019. For those guests impacted by these auto-cancellations, we are offering a 20% discount (off current cruise fare) on any new bookings on future sailings booked by August 5, 2019 and sailing no later than December 31, 2020. The discount will reside on guests’ Latitudes profile and can be applied by calling reservations at 1(800) 327-7030.
Our dedicated Support Services team is available to assist with any questions at 1 (877) 461-1160, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. For any guests booked outside of the U.S. and Canada, please visit www.ncl.com for our local contact information.
We understand the disappointment and frustration this unexpected and last-minute change has caused you and your clients. Like you, we were surprised by this sudden modification to policy. We thank you for your patience and continued support as we navigate through this recent development.
We do look forward to welcoming you and your clients on board again soon and providing an exceptional vacation experience. With our world-class team, our innovative fleet and over 300 destinations to visit, we know you and your clients will have the vacation of a lifetime no matter the destination.
Carnival Cruise Line
The U.S. government has imposed a series of new sanctions on Cuba prohibiting travel via cruise ship and rescinding certain categories of authorized travel, which previously allowed U.S. citizens to visit Cuba under the People-to-People program. Effective immediately, cruise ship travel is no longer allowed and we are required to cancel our visit to Havana. We have replaced our call to Havana with a replacement port to provide our guests with the best experience ashore.
Guests currently aboard Carnival Sensation's June 3rd sailing will be calling on Cozumel this Thursday instead of Havana. We recognize Havana is a unique destination and may have been the reason for the selection of this itinerary. Along with our apologies, guests will receive a $100 onboard credit posted to their Sail & Sign® Account.
We are in the process of notifying guests and Travel Advisors on other sailings of the new itineraries and their options, in the order of sailing date proximity. Mailings for sailings through the end of July 2019 are now in progress and include the following options:
Remain on the sailing and receive a US$100.00, per person, onboard credit (no need to call us if you are continuing with your plans to sail with us).
Move to another itinerary and receive a US$50.00, per person, onboard credit.
Cancel and receive a full refund.
Travel Advisor commissions will be protected on any paid in full booking that cancels.
We are working as quickly as possible to secure alternative itineraries for the remainder of our Cuba voyages and expect to have information for sailings further out in the next 2-3 days. You will receive our mailings at the email address where you receive booking confirmations. In the meantime, please check back on GoCCL.com for further updates.
We sincerely apologize to our travel advisors and guests for this unexpected change and thank you for your understanding and assistance. We look forward to welcoming your guests on board a Carnival cruise in the near future.
Royal Caribbean
Effective immediately, the U.S. government has implemented new regulations that prohibits travel from the U.S. to Cuba by cruise ship. This change requires us to immediately replace all Cuban ports. For all 2019 sailings on both Majesty of the Seas and Empress of the Seas, we have secured alternative ports and we are in the process of communicating the new itineraries to our guests and travel partners. For these guests, they will have the option of remaining on their sailing with the new itinerary and receiving a 50% refund or they may cancel their cruise and receive a full refund.
For 2020 sailings on both Majesty and Empress of the Seas, we are working to secure alternative itineraries and expect to be able to communicate to our guests and travel partners within the next week.
We are sorry for this unexpected and sudden change to our guests’ upcoming vacations and appreciate their understanding.
MSC Cruises
Holland America Line and Seabourn
Carnival Corporation confirmed today that due to changes in U.S. policy, the company will no longer be permitted to sail to Cuba effective immediately. Currently, Carnival Corporation is sailing to Cuba on Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line, and Seabourn has been scheduled to begin sailing in November to Cuba. We appreciate guest patience while we work to confirm new special pricing and replacement ports of call. Finalized details will be provided on or before June 15.
We are sorry that our guests’ vacation plans have been altered by this unexpected change but hope that they will still join us for a memorable cruise in the Caribbean.
Our reservations and sales teams have no additional information, however the following number may be used should you have general questions regarding the recent announcement 1-800-577-1728 or 206-626-7395.
MSC Cruises
Update: June 6, 2019 at 2:00pm:
In connection with the U.S. Administration changes to regulations regarding travel to Cuba announced June 4, which eliminate as of June 5, the prior authorization permitting cruise ships to travel from the U.S. to Cuba, MSC Cruises will modify effective immediately all its cruise itineraries previously scheduled to call that country.
Due to these substantial changes in U.S. law and regulation, MSC Armonia is no longer authorized to call the port of Havana, Cuba, as part of her current Caribbean sailings. The alternative ports of either Key West, Florida; Costa Maya, Mexico; George Town, Cayman Islands; or Cozumel, Mexico will replace Havana, Cuba. The remainder of MSC Armonia’s itinerary will remain as originally planned.
Guests currently on board MSC Armonia and their travel agents have already been informed and will be given:
$400 USD per stateroom as onboard credit. If this credit is not fully used during the cruise, MSC Cruises will refund the difference upon check-out from the ship. Any shore excursions in Havana that were pre-purchased before the cruise, or which are included in the ticket, will be automatically refunded to the Guest’s onboard account.
Guests on future MSC Armonia sailings that were scheduled to visit Cuba will be offered one of the following:
The possibility to change ship and itinerary. MSC Cruises will waive fees and transfer already paid funds to the new booking*
If the guest chooses to cancel the cruise completely, normal cancellation penalties will apply
$400 USD per stateroom as onboard credit if they choose to remain on their currently booked sailing on MSC Armonia. If this credit is not fully used during the cruise, MSC Cruises will refund the difference upon check-out from the ship. Any shore excursions in Havana that were pre-purchased before the cruise, or which are included in the ticket, will be automatically refunded to the Guest’s onboard account.
For guests who are scheduled to sail on June 10, the new itinerary is listed below:
June 10 - Depart Miami - 6pm
June 11 - At Sea
June 12 - Ocho Rios, Jamaica - 10:30am - 5pm
June 13 - George Town, Cayman Islands - 8am - 3pm
June 14 - Cozumel, Mexico - 10am - 8pm
June 15 - Costa Maya, Mexico - 7am - 4pm (replacing Havana, Cuba)
June 16 - At Sea
June 17 - Arrrive in Miami - 7am
For guests who are scheduled to sail on June 17, the new itinerary is listed below:
June 17 - Depart Miami - 6pm
June 18 - At Sea
June 19 - Isla de Roatan, Honduras - 12pm - 6pm
June 20 - Costa Maya, Mexico - 8am - 6pm
June 21 - Cozumel, Mexico - 7am - 5pm
June 22 - At sea
June 23 - Key West, Florida (USA) - 7am - 6pm (replacing Havana, Cuba)
June 24 - Arrive in Miami - 7am
Please give us a few days as we process updates to all future itineraries.
Azamara Club Cruises
We are very disappointed to share that effective immediately the U.S. government has implemented new regulations that prohibits travel from the U.S. to Cuba by cruise ship. While this decision is completely outside of our control, we are immediately replacing all Cuban ports. For all 2019 sailings on the Azamara Journey, we have secured alternative ports and we are in the process of communicating the new itineraries to our booked guests and travel partners.
Guests will have the option to re-book on any other Azamara voyage, in the same category, for the cruise fare paid or prevailing rate, whichever is more favorable to our guest. If the guests choose to book another sailing, other benefits and incentives will apply. If a guest chooses to cancel instead, a full refund for the amount paid will be processed to the original form of payment and compensation for travel changes will also be provided.
We are currently working on alternative itineraries for 2020 sailings and will share those details with guests and travel partners as they become available.
All booked guests and travel partners are being contacted personally to ensure the best possible solution is reached. If you have questions or concerns that need to be addressed before we contact you or if you don’t receive a phone call by June 12, 2019 you are more than welcome to call our special help desk at 1-855-AZAMARA (292-6272), option 3. The desk is now open and will remain open through July 12, 2019.
We are sorry for this unexpected and sudden change imposed on all of us and appreciate our guests’ patience and flexibility as we adjust to accommodate the new regulation. Our goal remains the same - to ensure that your Azamara vacation will deliver the highest standards of service and quality for which we are known.
