CUBA IN THE NEWS AGAIN, IN A BIG WAY…

What’s this all mean, the latest from our current administration regarding Cuba? 

As this is a travel blog I will focus on the effect that the latest announcement has on travel into Cuba for U.S. citizens and stay away from politics, comparisons to policies with other countries, assertions of human rights violations, etc. 

Will this impact travel drastically?

Not too much legally / officially, and thankfully not immediately although the President did state “effective immediately”.   His new regulations are effective immediately, however he is giving the administration time to analyze his decree and implement new policies and procedures (perhaps after a lesson learned after a chaotic “effective immediately” travel ban not long ago).   I have seen reports stating “months” from now, also 90 days as to timeframe expected to make and implement any changes.  

~The biggie with the “effective immediately” is that all travel purchased prior to June 16^th 2017 will be permissible and acceptable based on the regulations that existed prior to June 16^th at the time you made your purchase.  So, if you are already set to travel to Cuba in the future with a purchase made prior to June 16^th 2017 such as air / cruise, no worries.~

My anticipation is that the reaction by travel vendors and consumers being a bit anxious (understandably) is that demand will cool off and vendors such as airlines and cruise lines will react with less service into Cuba.  It’s unfortunate that politics plays a part in restriction of travel, and that with less demand and less product available prices may go up accordingly.  This has already happened once this year, with our new administration creating a concern which softened demand and led to air and cruise lines downsizing their Cuban product.

A Presidential statement advised that he wishes to stem the flow of money into the military / governmental agencies who tightly control or own the majority of the travel infrastructure within Cuba such as motor coaches, tourism bureaus, excursion providers, etc.  Our government is looking very closely at the current 12 approved / acceptable reasons for U.S. citizens to travel into Cuba and are focusing greatly on the individual people-to-people category. 

Reports suggest that our President is favoring group travel into Cuba for the people-to-people category as opposed to individuals getting grouped together through the Cuban infrastructure that he feels benefits their military and funds activities that are unfavorable towards human rights.  

Not sure why, perhaps fraternal groups can be more helpful to Cubans, and can make arrangements without engaging those standard channels?  I haven’t found any news reports explaining the reasoning in full…

~Here below are a few links to some official U.S. Government websites with the latest, which are updated regularly which is why I like to use links.   Some of what I have written may unfortunately become obsolete if you are reading this well after publication, however you can count on clicking the links provided here to get to the latest official info quickly and easily.~

Link to the U.S. Embassy within Cuba:

https://cu.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/traveling-to-cuba/

Link to the official U.S. Department of State page with official information on U.S. relations with Cuba:

https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2886.htm

On June 17^th the message simply stated   “The U.S.-Cuba Bilateral Relations Fact Sheet is currently being updated.”

Link here is to a well written document from the U.S. Treasury Department which answers questions about the new Presidential Decree from June 16^th:

https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_20170616.pdf

Here below are 3 of the primary points as they relate to travel:

4. How do the changes announced by the President on June 16, 2017 affect individual people-to-people travelers who have already begun making their travel arrangements (such as purchasing flights, hotels, or rental cars)? The announced changes do not take effect until OFAC issues new regulations. Provided that the traveler has already completed at least one travel-related transaction (such as purchasing a flight or reserving accommodation) prior to the President’s announcement on June 16, 2017, all additional travel-related transactions for that trip, whether the trip occurs before or after OFAC’s new regulations are issued, would also be authorized, provided the travel-related transactions are consistent with OFAC’s regulations as of June 16, 2017

7. Does the new policy affect how persons subject to U.S jurisdiction may purchase airline tickets for authorized travel to Cuba? No. The new policy will not change how persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction traveling to Cuba pursuant to the 12 categories of authorized travel may purchase their airline tickets.

12. Is authorized travel by cruise ship or passenger vessel to Cuba impacted by the new Cuba policy? Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction will still be able to engage in authorized travel to Cuba by cruise ship or passenger vessel.

So my advice, what should you do now if you plan to travel to Cuba?  If you do decide to buy air tickets and get a hotel reservation on an individual basis, and sign off on paperwork that you are there on a people-to-people cultural exchange, it may be just fine.  The great news is that airlines will provide a full refund or exchange on tickets to Cuba if it suddenly becomes illegal to fly there for U.S. Individuals.  If you reserve a hotel with no cancel penalties (or wait until it gets very close to departure if you are not traveling during peak season) you won’t be out of pocket if the U.S. Government interferes with your Cuban travel plans. 

~However, it was mentioned that the U.S. Treasury will be enforcing Cuba travel paperwork, after travel.  Hmmm, looks like we may need to keep our eye on whatever their possible fine or reprimand will be.  They have already established that any future travel by U.S. Citizens into Cuba which is purchased after June 16^th will be subject to future regulations.~

Raul Castro and the Cuban regime have replied that they feel his comments were hostile rhetoric, however they did leave a bit of an open door to work with the U.S. on various issues in order to maintain the flow of tourism from the U.S. into Cuba.

Unfortunately, all very murky currently.   If you have been eager to get into Cuba, perhaps try to do so soon before more restrictions apply.   Another option; go with the direction regulations are heading and get together with a fraternal group you may be a part of our have access to and try to put together a group trip.  Institutions relating to Religion, Education and Brotherhood (such as the Free Mason Society which flourishes in Cuba) have intricate networking connections and can negotiate the regulations involved in travel into Cuba for Americans who are looking to comply with the People-to-People religious / educational / humanitarian categories of approved group travel.

Another suggestion; there are many cruise lines that have a stopover in Havana for a day or two with an overnight, departing from Florida or Jamaica.  With no worries about flying in & out of Cuba, if anything changes drastically with our relationship that negatively impacts our freedom to travel to Cuba, the cruise line will simply replace the Cuban port of call(s) with others (such as Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Turks & Caicos, Key West, Bahama’s, etc.).  Certainly would be a bit of disappointment that you aren’t stopping in Cuba, but no possibility of out of pocket loss or worries about not being able to get into Cuba.

If we can help you get to Cuba, please let us know!  This fascinating and charming island country so close to us has a unique history unlike any other Caribbean Island and a delightful collection of colorful and interesting people who make Cuba what it is today.  Visit soon!!!!     Happy Travels...