Cuba Bound Cruise Ship Forced to Return to Port Following Travel Ban

Passengers aboard the Norwegian Sun cruise ship were forced to return to Port Canaveral after the Trump Administration cancelled American cruise visits to Cuba.

The roughly 2,000 passengers on-board the Cuba bound cruise were rerouted from Havana to Nassau after the President canceled cruises to the country while they were en-route.

The crackdown comes as a result of the Trump Administration’s pressure to end Cuba’s support of the Venezuelan government.

Norwegian issued a statement regarding any future cruises to Cuba, writing, “On June 4, 2019, the United States government announced new and immediate travel restrictions to Cuba. As a result, we have ceased all calls to the country and are modifying previously scheduled sailings as appropriate. We share your disappointment and frustration caused by this unexpected change. Like you, we were surprised by this sudden modification to policy. We thank you for your patience and continued support as we navigate through this recent development. Guests who booked Cuba sailings with us will be contacted very shortly with a detailed communication. Please bear with us as we carefully work through each sailing.”

According to Norwegian, passengers who are booked to go on future Norwegian cruises to Cuba before September 2, 2019 have two options: Sail the revised itinerary and receive a 50% refund of the cruise fare paid as well as a 50% future cruise credit valid through December 31, 2020, or cancel the booking and receive a full refund. If guests choose this option, Norwegian must be notified no later than June 11, 2019, midnight EST.

For guests booked on Cuba bound cruises after September 2, 2019, Norwegian state, “Sailings beyond September 2, 2019 will be automatically cancelled and refunds will be applied to the original form of payment. Guests impacted by these cancellations are offered a 20% discount off current cruise fares on any new voyages booked by August 5, 2019 for sailings no later than December 31, 2020.”