Cuba Travel Ban

USPA NEWS - UPDATED June,5 2019
As reported yesterday, the Trump Administration is implementing  a new ban on travel to Cuba, but few other details were released at that time. The travel ban is  to take effect today, Wednesday June 5th, however it was not clear if existing paid for reservations would be honored.
Updates were released late Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning.

The United States Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said, “this administration has made a strategic decision to reverse the loosening of sanctions and other restrictions on the Cuban regime. These actions will help keep US dollars out of the hands of the Cuban military, intelligence and security services.“
A representative from the Commerce Department followed up by saying, “As a result of the rule“¦ cruise ships, as well as recreational and pleasure vessels, are prohibited from departing the U.S. on temporary sojourn to Cuba effective [Wednesday].“

Carnival Cruise line released the following statement on it's website to update passengers,
Cuba Update - 06/05/19 ““ 8:00 AM (EDT)

"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 our other guests of their 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. Guests will have 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.

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. In the meantime, please check back on our website for further updates. We sincerely apologize to our guests for this unexpected change and thank them for their understanding. We look forward to welcoming them on board a Carnival cruise in the near future.".

 Norwegian Cruise Line released the following statement: “On June 4, 2019, the U.S. government announced new travel restrictions to Cuba. As a result, we have ceased all calls to the country and are modifying previously scheduled sailings as appropriate. We thank our guests and travel partners for their patience as we navigate this unexpected, last-minute change, and we will of course continue to share information“¦ as soon as additional details become available."

MSC Cruise Line released the following communication: “In connection with the policy change, effective June 5, 2019, cruise ships are no longer allowed to call on Cuba after departing a U.S. port. As a result of these substantial changes in U.S. law and regulation, Miami-based MSC Armonia is no longer authorized to call on Havana, Cuba. We will share MSC Armonia´s updated Caribbean itineraries with our guests and business partners by end of business day tomorrow, June 6.“

For passengers on other cruise lines please monitor their websites and social media for updates and further instruction.
We will continue to follow this story and update as new information becomes available.