A: Yes. ATOURIST VISA IS REQUIRED: Tourist travel to Cuba remains prohibited. You must obtain a license from the Department of Treasury or your travel must fall into one of 12 categories of authorized travel. See: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html
Q: Do I really need insurance?
A: Yes. Cuba requires visitors to have non-U.S. medical insurance, which can normally be purchased at the airport upon arrival to Cuba.
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MANDATORY TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION: Make sure you have everything you need before your cruise
What do I need to know to Travel to Cuba?
Under regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), cruise lines may offer carrier services by vessel to authorized travelers, directly or indirectly, between the United States and Cuba ( OFAC FAQ # 24 and 31 CFR § 515.572).
How does a Cuba cruise differ from other cruises offered by a cruise line? A cruise line is offering cruises to Cuba that comply with OFAC regulations for people to people exchanges . However, all of the freedom and flexibility components that A cruise line is known for will still be included.
What is a people-to-people exchange? An individual traveler may travel to Cuba under the people-to-people authorized travel category, as a self-certified traveler, so long as he/she maintains a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities intended to enhance contact with the Cuban people and that will result in meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba.
When will cruise lines sail to Cuba? Cruise lines will offer sailings starting in May of 2017.
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS WHILE IN CUBA
Are there restrictions on what I can bring into Cuba? There are both U.S. and Cuba import regulations that travelers must comply with when travelling and bringing items into Cuba.
For information on Cuba import regulations, please click on the following link for the General Customs of the Republic of Cuba http://www.aduana.co.cu/.
CURRENCY Cuba operates as a dual currency system. Cuban convertible peso (CUC$) is the currency which you will exchange and use in Cuba. CUC$ come in the following denominations: 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. Please note that CUC$ 1 comes in both a coin and paper money configuration. There is a second currency, the Cuban peso, also called moneda nacional or CUP which is used only by Cuban citizens.
Can I exchange money in Cuba? Yes. Once in Cuba, the port, tourist hotels, banks, and CADECA bureaus (Cuban government exchange bureaus) can exchange currency (U.S. and Canadian dollars, Euros, British pounds, etc.) for a fee. Non-U.S. currencies such as Euros and Canadian dollars usually have a more favorable exchange rate than the U.S. dollar. Be sure to have proper ID (passport) on hand. Do not accept offers to exchange currency with anyone who approaches you on the street. This is particularly applicable due to the dual currency system used in Cuba. è The U.S. State Department advises that the export of CUCs is strictly prohibited, regardless of the amount.
Can I use my credit cards in Cuba? è While U.S. citizens are allowed to use debit and credit cards in Cuba, the vast majority of U.S. banks are still considering whether to allow for these transactions to take place. Thus, it is advisable to assume that all transactions in Cuba will be done using cash.
Will there be Wi-Fi while in Cuba? All vessels docked in Cuba will provide Wi-Fi service; however, service may not be guaranteed at all times. Cuba has limited Wi-Fi services, although certain hotels and internet cafes may provide service for a fee.
Will I have cellular service while in Cuba? Several carriers in the U.S. and abroad have signed roaming agreements with Cuban telecommunications firm ETECSA, which allows for voice, data and text services while in Cuba. Please check with your cellular provider for details.
What am I allowed to bring back from Cuba? Can I bring back cigars, rum and other items from Cuba? U.S. persons are allowed to return with certain Cuban-origin items, including cigars and rum, for personal use only and pursuant to OFAC regulations. These items remain subject to the normal limits on duty and tax exemptions for merchandise imported as accompanied baggage and for personal use. We refer you to the link in the FAQ "Is it legal for U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba?" above which provides guidance on items that can be imported from Cuba.
How much can I spend while in Cuba? There are no per diem limits on authorized expenses.
Are excursions included in the cruise fare? While many excursions are included in the cruise fare, to assist guests in meeting the requirements of people to people exchanges, a variety of other excursions may not.
YOUR EXPERIENCE
What ports will the cruise be visiting? We will call on the following ports: Havana, Cuba * Cienfuegos, Cuba * Montego Bay, Jamaica * Santiago de Cuba, Cuba * Havana, Cuba
What types of excursions will be offered? A variety of excursions will be offered focusing on the unique attractions and characteristics of Havana and its environs.
How much free time is there? OFAC requires that individuals travelling under a people-to-people license participate in a full-time schedule of people-to-people exchange activities that result in meaningful interaction between the travelers and individuals in Cuba. As all guests will be self-certifying that their travel complies with the people-to-people license (or one of the other eleven travel categories authorized under general licenses), guests are free to create their own itinerary and to determine what full time constitutes, which may or may not include excursions offered by the Cruise Line. After completion of people-to- people activities, guests are free to explore as they wish.
Will I be able to move about Cuba freely? The cruise line will offer a variety of shore excursions at each of our ports of call. Guests are not required to participate in these excursions and are free to move about Cuba as long as their activities comply with the general license they are travelling under. Entry to some government buildings may be restricted; it's best to ask your guide about the building's specific entry protocol before trying to enter on your own.
What will the onboard experience be like? A cruise line will offer guests a range of entertainment, dining options and bars and lounges to enjoy throughout their cruise in addition to customized Cuban dining and experiences.
HEALTH & SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
è Is medical insurance required?
All travelers to Cuba must show proof of Cuba approved medical insurance.
è Does my insurance cover medical expenses while in Cuba? The provision of health insurance, life insurance and travel insurance related services to authorized U.S. travelers, as well as the receipt of emergency medical services and the making of payments related thereto are authorized by OFAC. However, insurance providers may decide whether or not to participate and provide such coverage in connection with Cuba. It is advisable to check with your insurance provider prior to departure to ensure that you are covered while travelling in Cuba.
è Does Medicare cover medical expenses while in Cuba? It is advisable to check with your Medicare provider prior to departure to ensure that you are covered while travelling in Cuba.
Is there additional medical and/or travel insurance that I can buy through the cruise line? Yes. A cruise line will offer additional medical and/or travel insurance to guests at an additional fee.
Is it safe to travel in Cuba? Cuba is a safe country where violent crime is rare. As when travelling in any urban area, keep your valuables in sight at all times and be aware of the possibility of petty crime.
What about special dietary needs? If you have any food allergy or a dietary requirement that requires Kosher meals or gluten-free food product, please advise the cruise line or your Travel Agent at the time of booking. Obtaining the product for many of these requests requires 30-days notice prior to sailing, and we want to ensure that we are able to fulfill your request. We cannot guarantee Kosher Meal requests made within 30 days of sail date. For the protection of all of our guests, it is not permissible to bring aboard any food items that would require preparation by the ship's staff, or food items that would require cold storage in our kitchen facilities.
What Should I Pack? When it comes to what to wear, you can go resort casual or get decked-out and look your best - it's your call. That's the freedom of Freestyle Cruising. We even have special "Dress-Up or Not Night." It's the perfect opportunity to get your portrait taken with your family, that special someone or even with the ship's Captain. Dress cruise casual anytime during the day, in the buffet and in most specialty restaurants. For women, it includes summer and casual dresses, skirts, regular or capri pants, shorts, jeans and tops. Khakis, jeans, shorts and casual shirts are fine for men. Swimwear is acceptable at the buffet and outdoor restaurant, but a shirt or a cover-up and footwear are required. Cruise casual is also allowed day and night on embarkation day. Wear smart casual if you are eating dinner in the aft main dining room (our more formal dining room) and in Le Bistro on cruises longer than five days. For women, it includes slacks or jeans, dresses, skirts and tops. For men, it's jeans or slacks with a collared shirt and closed-toed shoes. Traditional Bermuda shorts along with long socks, loafers and a blazer are all acceptable on a Bermuda cruise. We want you to be comfortable, but tank tops for men, thongs, baseball caps, visors and jeans that are overly faded, with holes or tears and worn below the hips are not permitted in main dining rooms or specialty restaurants. Kids 12 and under are welcome to wear nice shorts in all our restaurants. You may want to pack a sweater too-air conditioning can be chilly. Since your suitcases are collected the night before we return home, don't forget an overnight bag for prescriptions and need-to-have items.
Do I need a passport to travel to Cuba? Yes. A valid passport is required for all guests to travel to Cuba. We recommend guests review the passport requirements of travel to Cuba from their home country and that the expiration of your passport be greater than six months from the date of your voyage.
How do I certify that I am travelling under one of the OFAC-approved categories of travel? All guests must complete a certification form which sets forth and confirms that they will be participating in OFAC-compliant activities.
Certification must be received no later than 30 days prior to the departure date. Please be advised that guests will not be able to board the vessel without having first completed the form.
All guests will be self-certifying which means that they are solely responsible for arranging a full-time schedule of OFAC-compliant activities, as explained above. These activities may include excursions provided by the cruise line or activities arranged by guests themselves.
How do I prove compliance with OFAC requirements during my cruise? All travellers to Cuba must be able to prove that their trip was comprised of OFAC-compliant activities. Guests should keep a log of their activities and keep the log for 5 years.
Will non-U.S. guests be allowed to travel on these sailings? Yes. As with travellers from the United States, non-U.S. guests will need to certify that they are travelling under one of the approved OFAC categories, keep records of their activities and sign affidavits confirming they are doing so.
Visa Considerations for Guests Cruising to Cuba
Do I need a visa to travel to Cuba? YES. The Cuban government requires anyone who is travelling to Cuba on a passport other than a valid Cuban passport to obtain a visa prior to their arrival into Cuba. For all visitors who were not born in Cuba, this visa, also known as a "tourist card" (or "rosada" which must have a pink and blue background irrespective of your country of residency), is required to enter (and depart from) Cuba for non-business purposes. The Cuban visa is valid for a single entry and allows the holder to stay in Cuba for 30 days. You may obtain this visa for a separate processing and procurement fee on your own. Please note that you will not be allowed to board the vessel without proof of acquiring this visa.
The Cuban visa is a two-part card. Cuban immigration officials will take one half upon arrival in Cuba, and guests will surrender the other half to Cuban immigration officials upon departure. Guests should be sure to keep the Cuban visa in a safe place during the trip so they have it at the time of departure from Cuba.