Is this ban including already booked cruises?

Timing is everything...good....and bad.

Fortunately, wife talked me into booking Cuba last September. Made it in the "nick of time". Really enjoyed that port and had no idea this was going to happen. Suffice to say, if Cuba had not been included we wouldn't have booked the cruise, which went on to do the canal ending up in Hawaii.

That isn't the first time we nearly missed out on visiting a country due screwy political considerations. We have visited Egypt twice, total of five days there, all by cruise ship. On the second visit we saw stuff we didn't the first time. Three months later, "Arab Spring" hit

KENN...got an email notification of your post re traveling there "from somewhere else". The post is missing...but I think I know where you're heading with it. Can I buy a seat and watch folks who just HAVE to get to Cuba do their thing? (Wait, I have a seat...in front of the toob) or did I leap to the wrong conclusion?...if so, I apologize. There are a couple of posts in here explaining in some detail, admittedly confusing, what it means. Whilst typing this your post appeared..and another email...so I guess you spotted it too...who says older is necessarily slower...heheheh...yes...I think I'll just sit and watch those who simply MUST go to Cuba. Mebbe they'll get to "explain it all down at city hall"..(ours, or theirs..)

Not much question, even if one is booked on a specific cruise, when all ships have canceled there will be no vessel to cruise on.

On other forums there is much discussion over whether or not the new rules will get one in trouble if they travel to Cuba from another country like Canada. I asked this question:

"What I still don't understand is that did these new Trump rules change anything from what they were prior to Obama opening things up? I know a lot of folks who traveled to Cuba through Canada before Obama (prior to Obama it was almost a fad up here to go to Cuba in the winter, through Canada). Since we wanted to go I spent some time checking with some of them to find out what they thought. Not any of them had problems with immigrations or government "gum shoes" looking for them later. Most had researched it out and checked with others who traveled there prior to making the decision to go themselves, no problems. Most said they thought it was completely legal to travel like that then, except, if something happened in Cuba to you one better not expect the US to intervene on your behalf."

However, there is quite a bit of contradiction regarding this, some say the Trump rules are more stringent and you will be in violation of US Codified Regulations to the point you could be fined and lose your Passport. Others say the rules were always tough in this respect but the pertinent US Code hasn't been enforced for decades. Having worked with US Codified Regulations involving the Federal Aviation Regulations I know they can be extremely convoluted and subject to judicial interpretations.

These immigration laws come under the US Treasury and have been amended in various way for ages. Simply reading the CFRs and the enabling Federal Statues doesn't really get it since the preambles published when the rules were promulgated and subject to public review, also kick in, according to many. Gives one a migraine. But suffice to say, unless the current Secretary of Treasury says it is okay to travel via Canada regardless of these codes, then one better pay attention.

This is the official announcement from the RC website: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates

Norwegian has also announced their plans

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/20964-norwegian-sets-cuba-refund-policies.html

Good thought but i do not know of too many cruises that originate from either Canada or Mexico. The few I am aware of from Canada do not usually go to the Caribbean. On the other hand there are a boat load of all inclusive land vacations from Canada to Cuba, just no cruises.

The restriction is not only on vessels originating from the USA but on US citizens (harking back on the way it was under the old embargo). As for Visas in the USA when you can not apply directly at a country's consulate your Visa application goes through the US Dept. of State (even if your TA, cruise line, or 3rs party company facilitates it). Generally under the old embargo, ships that leave from Canada or South America with Cuba as a port of call excludes citizens of any county on the no-go list from booking that cruise to start with. The few USA citizens that hold dual citizenship for a country that is allowed to visit Cuba MAY be able to book under their alternate passport if they apply for the VISA from the country that does allow travel there.

Sound like they are all saying by 6pm. All I know is I'm going somewhere for my vacation, where TBD

I spoke with someone at MSC and was told Cuba destinations are canceled and will be replaced with other destinations. I guess there will be other options. I read the message from Royal Caribbean some of what they're offering are:

BOOKINGS WITHIN FINAL PAYMENT DATE

A refund of 50% per stateroom, credited to your clients' onboard accounts. This amount will be based on their total cruise fare, excluding any taxes and fees.

They'll also receive a refund for any pre-paid shore excursions in Cuba purchased from Royal Caribbean as a credit to their onboard account.

BOOKINGS OUTSIDE FINAL PAYMENT DATE

GUESTS WHO WISH TO CANCEL