New rules for non-family travel to Cuba are scrambling assumptions in the travel industry even though no one yet knows what the rules will be. U.S. National Security Advisor announced last week that there would be new restrictions, but no details have even been hinted at.
Individual travel to Cuba by U.S. residents is highly restricted and allows for 12 categories of permitted travel, mostly involving cultural and humanitarian travel, business or journalism. Practically, for almost everyone who is not visiting Cuban relatives, that means travel only as part of group tours or cruises.
Since much of the tourism infrastructure in Cuba is owned by central government and military agencies, it’s likely that restrictions will focus on that. For cruise companies, that might scramble their ability to arrange guided tours or even hire buses for them, since there are no alternate vendors.
Most cruise lines with Cuba itineraries—and it’s been a rapidly growing route—are assuring customers that any new restrictions will not involve already-booked cruises, or cruises booked between now and when the actual rules are decided on. At least that’s what they hope—but anyone booked or booking should be sure to see what travel insurance coverage might cover the situation.
