Cuba Checklist

In preparation for your amazing adventure to historic Havana, we have prepared a checklist with items relevant to Cuba to review before the big day arrives:

FF Passport – All guests require a passport to travel to Cuba, valid for at least six months from your scheduled return date. Birth certificates and passport cards are not acceptable. If you are a U.S. citizen/ resident traveling with a valid Cuban passport, you will need to bring your American passport or Resident Alien Card to re-enter the U.S.

FF People-To-People Program – As of November 9, 2017, the U.S. Government revised the regulations applicable to travel to Cuba. Please visit hollandamerica.com to view the wide variety of qualified people-to-people tours and secure your preferred excursions today.

FF Restricted Business – You should also be aware that the revised regulations prohibit all visitors from engaging in direct financial transactions with certain entities in Cuba. We encourage you to review the Cuba Restricted List released by the U.S. State Department before you cruise. The list is located at https://www.state.gov/e/eb/tfs/spi/cuba/cubarestrictedlist/.

FF Travel Affidavit – According to U.S. travel requirements, all guests traveling to Cuba must complete a travel affidavit that identifies one of twelve categories approved for travel to Cuba. Please print your affidavit when completing your Online Check-in and present a copy at embarkation. Guests will be responsible for retaining a copy of their affidavit for their records for five years.

FF Cuba Issued Visa – For most guests a tourist visa will be required which Holland America will facilitate at a cost of $75 (this will be added to your onboard account). You will receive your visa at embarkation. Cuban-born guests and guests traveling to Cuba for other specific reasons such as journalistic activities or business meetings must present a Cuban passport and/or special visa at embarkation.

FF Currency Exchange – The Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) is the currency used by tourists. Guests can exchange money at the terminals in Havana and Cienfuegos as well as hotels, banks and exchange offices for a fee. To expedite the currency exchange process, it is recommended you be prepared to exchange in multiples of $50. Guests are highly encouraged to carry enough cash for the day since U.S. debit and credit cards are not accepted in Cuba.

FF Packing – We suggest for Cuba you pack light weight clothing and plenty of sunscreen. Additionally, please limit gifts for the Cuban people to a handful of items (e.g. toiletries, pencils, candies, toys) that will fit within the personal items you plan on bringing off the ship. Donations are generally discouraged by Cuban officials and may delay your debarkation process For additional information, we encourage you to visit Cuba Q&A. Thank you for choosing Holland America Line!