Carnival Cruise Line posted on its website “”effective immediately, cruise ship travel is no longer allowed and we are required to cancel our visit to Havana.”

Royal Caribbean (which also owns Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises) sated “We are aware of the new U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba and we are analyzing the details to understand the impact to future sailings. We expect to know more within the next 24 hours and will communicate any changes as soon as we are able. In the meantime, we are adjusting the itineraries of our June 5 and June 6 sailings, which will no longer stop in Cuba. We are communicating with our guests and our trade partners about those changes.”

MSC announced “cruise ships are no longer allowed to call 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 Havana, Cuba.” “We will share MSC Armonia’s updated Caribbean itineraries with our guests and business partners by close of business tomorrow June 6.”

Passengers who have made their final payment (usually 90 – 120 days before sailing), will be treated in a way more akin to changes in itinerary due to a hurricane. Norwegian Cruise Line is the first to post how it will handle the cancellations of its near term cruises.

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. 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.
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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.
We will add additional cruise line information as it becomes available.

BOOKINGS OUTSIDE FINAL PAYMENT If you sail with us on the new itinerary, you will receive:  A 50% reduction of your cruise fare, excluding any taxes and fees. This amount will be discounted off of your current cruise fare and will be reflected on your reservation by Wednesday, June 12th, 2019.  If you paid your reservation in full, you’ll automatically receive a refund for any overpayment. You should see this reflected on your credit card by June 19th, 2019. Please know, times may vary depending on your financial institution.  If you haven’t yet paid in full, your remaining balance will be based on this 50% cruise fare reduction.  Additionally, you’ll receive a refund for any affected pre-paid Royal Caribbean International Cuban shore excursions to your original form of payment. Our Shore Excursions Team will send you an email with the details within the next 3 business days. IF GUESTS WANT TO CANCEL  While we hope you choose to stay, if you decide not to sail with us, we’ll provide you with a full refund of any paid portion of your cruise fare to the original form of payment, including any non-refundable deposits.  Guests must cancel by: o June 7th, 2019 on MJ 6/10/19, NE 6/10/19, MJ 6/15/19, NE 6/15/19 & MJ 6/19/19 sail dates o June 19th, 2019 for MJ & NE sailings departing on or after 6/23/19  Please note, if you choose this option, we will not provide additional compensation. You will receive your refund between 3 – 5 business days from the date you cancel.  We are sorry for this unexpected and sudden change, and we thank you for your understanding.  It’s important to us that every aspect of your vacation is enjoyable, whether you are celebrating a special occasion, or looking to explore, relax, and recharge – we have no doubt your time with us will be amazing. We look forward to welcoming you onboard soon.

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 receive:

• $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 was scheduled to visit Cuba will be offered:

• The possibility to change ship and itinerary. MSC Cruises will waive cancellation fees and transfer already paid funds to the new booking.

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.
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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.

2020 Sailings – Unfortunately Azamara bungled the handling of 2020 cruises. After telling guests they would have new itineraries in a week, instead Azamara cancelled all sailings in the Caribbean for 2020, leaving all of their guests high and dry. It offered a measly credit of $500 for regular stateroom and $1000 for suites if guests rebook another Azamara cruise. Otherwise, guests can cancel with no compensation at all. Not the kind of response we expected from Azamara. It is disappointing.