5.jún 2019 - V dôsledku vládnych zmien podmienok cestovania na Kubu, plavby z US prístavov so zastávkami v Havane a iných kubánskych prístavoch odteraz nebudú možné.
Vláda US ohlásila nové cestovné obmedzenia, s okamžitou platnosťou, ktoré majú za následok ukončenie plavieb na Kubu. Ministerstvo financií ukončilo autorizáciu edukačných ciest People-to-people, ktoréboli zavedené vládou prezidenta Obamu a ktoré umožňovali návštevu tejto ostrovnej krajiny aj počas okružných plavieb; za podmienky, že návštevníci sa účastnili na kultúrnych a vzdelávacich programoch, vrátane poznávacích exkurzií.
V rámci tohto programu, od 2017 až do dnešného dňa, väčšina veľkých plavebných spoločností zahrnula plavby so zastávkou v Havane do svojich programov.
Prinášame Vám oficiálnu komunikáciu týchto plavebných spoločností:
MSC Cruises
A statement posted to MSC Cruises' website today reads: "Yesterday, the U.S. Administration announced changes to regulations regarding travel to Cuba. Specifically, these changes eliminate the prior authorization permitting cruise ships and their guests to travel from the U.S. to Cuba. In connection with this, effective, June 5, 2019, 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 end of business day, tomorrow, June 6, 2019."
Carnival Corporation (spoločnosti Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line a 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. Additional details will be provided for currently booked cruises by the cruise lines."
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (spoločnosť zahrňujúca Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara a Silversea)
"In response to the U.S. government's policy change imposing immediate restrictions on cruise ship travel between the U.S. and Cuba, we are informing our guests of revised itineraries for a limited number of sailings with Cuban port calls.
"All 2019 sailings on the Majesty of the Seas and Empress of the Seas will have alternative ports in the Caribbean. Guests will have the option to cancel their current booking for a full refund, or to keep their sailing date with a new itinerary and receive a 50 percent refund.
"We are working on alternate itineraries for 2020 sailings and will share those details with guests and travel partners as they become available. We appreciate our guests’ patience and flexibility as we adjust to accommodate the new regulation."
In lieu of Havana, Majesty of the Seas' June 5 cruise will now visit Costa Maya and Empress of the Seas' June 6 cruise will call on the line's private Bahamian island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Norwegian Cruise Line
A statement from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. -- which includes Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania -- said: "Yesterday, 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."
Viking Ocean Cruises
The following statement has been posted to Viking Ocean Cruises' website: "The U.S. Treasury Department and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security have issued restrictions for travel to Cuba effective June 5, 2019. Viking has one remaining call in late December 2019 and is currently reviewing our options for it and early 2020 sailings. Once confirmed, guests and travel partners will be notified directly.
Virgin Voyages
Richard Branson's new cruise line, which revealed earlier this year that Cuba was among the destinations it would sail during its maiden season, released the following statement:
"The U.S. government has implemented new travel restrictions that eliminate the ability of cruise ships to travel to Cuba. While we are disappointed, the beauty of sea travel means that we have the flexibility to take our ships to many wonderful destinations.
"The Virgin Voyages crew is hard at work making necessary adjustments to any affected sailings that feature a stop in Cuba next year. Virgin Voyages will be announcing and opening sales on adjusted voyages featuring a new destination early next week.
Virgin Voyages' existing booking policies allow all Sailors the flexibility to move to another voyage date without penalty. When we announce a new port-of-call next week, we will implement a special policy for affected Cuba bookings. Virgin Voyages’ existing five-night Mayan Sol and Dominican Daze sailings remain available for Sailors and First Mates to purchase."
Vyjadrenie asociácie Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) - svetovo najväčšej asociácie v plavebnom priemysle:
"Today, the United States Government announced the immediate implementation of new regulations prohibiting previously approved cruise line travel to Cuba from the United States. Without warning, CLIA Cruise Line Members are forced to eliminate all Cuba destinations from itineraries effective immediately. This affects nearly 800,000 passenger bookings that are currently scheduled or already underway.
"Passenger bookings had been made under a general license previously issued by the United States Government that authorized “people to people” travel to Cuba. These travel restrictions effectively make it illegal to cruise to Cuba from the United States. While this situation is completely beyond our control, we are genuinely sorry for all cruise line guests who were looking forward to their previously booked itineraries to Cuba.
"'We are disappointed that cruises will no longer be operating to Cuba,' said CLIA's chairman, Adam Goldstein. 'While out of our control, we are genuinely sorry for all cruise line guests who were looking forward to their previously booked itineraries to Cuba.'"