In connection with the news yesterday, cruise lines have begun cancelling calls in Cuban ports. A overwhelming majority of those cruises are booking those voyages solely for calls in Havana.
Here are the updated cruise lines statements:
NCL
NCL has begin removing listings of Cuban cruises on their website.
Today, the U.S. government announced new travel restrictions to Cuba. We are closely monitoring these recent developments and any resulting impact to cruise travel to Cuba. We will communicate to our guests and travel partners as additional information becomes available.
NCL will offer compensation for those impacted by the changes until September 2 of this year. After that, they are cancelling all Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun itineraries. They will be redeploying these ships.
Virgin
Virgin started building their brand around Cuban cruises so this probably hits them the hardest. They haven’t released their alternative destination yet. Their ship doesn’t set sail until next year so they have time to figure out a suitable alternative.
Carnival
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.
Carnival has five ships scheduled to call in Havana. Their website lists the alternative destinations they’ve chosen.
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.
MSC
MSC Cruises is currently reviewing and working through the details of the Administration’s Cuba policy announcement to assess the scale and timing of its effect on its cruise sailings from the U.S. to Cuba. We will advise all guests and travel partners when additional information becomes available.