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Barring evidence of threat to travelers, Cuba cruises continue despite US warning

(Photo: Anne Kalosh)
Cruise ships are still calling at Havana since 'health attacks' have not been reported by regular travelers, only diplomats or government officials living on the island
Major lines are cruising to Cuba despite the Department of State's new warning that US citizens should not travel there. They, and a US-Cuba relations expert, cited the fact there have been no incidents reported involving tourists or cruise ship passengers.

Issued Friday, the warning states that over the past several months, 'numerous US Embassy Havana employees have been targeted in specific attacks,' with these employees suffering 'significant injuries' that include 'ear complaints and hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues and difficulty sleeping.'

Numerous investigations, including by the FBI, have been unable to determine the cause or the perpetrator. Today, an Associated Press report claimed the attacks were made on the United States' spy network in Cuba but gave no indication who's behind them.

Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line all said their Havana sailings are going ahead.

'The safety and security of our guests and crew is always our first priority,' Norwegian said in a statement that added: 'There have been no reported incidents involving tourists or other cruise ship passengers. Reported incidents have been isolated to diplomats and government officials residing on the island. Our shore excursions and tour locations have been thoroughly evaluated and none are military-owned or operated. The visa-issuing process for our guests remains unchanged.'

A Royal Caribbean statement said: 'Since the warning is due to the events that occurred in US diplomatic residences and hotels frequented by US citizens, we do not feel they pose a risk to our cruise passengers. Our guests explore Havana on escorted tours and do not [stay in] hotels. We will continue to monitor the situation and will review any additional information that may be released.'

Carnival took a similar stance, adding: 'None of the more than 475,000 other Americans visiting Cuba this year have reported similar health issues related to their visits. We are closely monitoring and are in touch with US, as well as Cuban authorities, and will act accordingly if anything warrants a change in our plans.'

The so-called 'health attacks' appear aimed at driving a wedge between the US and Cuba, according to an expert on US-Cuba relations who still believes it's safe for Americans to visit the island.

'We have no ideal what is happening, never mind who is doing it or why,' said Collin Laverty, founder and president of Cuba Educational Travel. 'There's a lot of confusion. There's a lot of fear. In a place like Cuba that was involved in the Cold War, it's the perfect combination of confusing and scaring people because of the mystery and the history.'

Laverty said the facts show 'it's very, very clear they're isolated incidents only happening to small numbers of people, US and Canadian diplomats.' Up to 25 incidents were reported over a year and it's not certain everyone had symptoms pointing to a 'health attack,' he added.

Last year more than 4m travelers, including 625,000 Americans, visited Cuba with no reports of issues like those affecting the US officials. Laverty maintained even members of the diplomatic community see 'zero risk' to regular travelers.

'It's pretty clear this travel advisory is political. It's not based on fact,' Laverty said, adding: 'Unfortunately, Cuba things are very political.'

The warning doesn't specify where incidents occurred, however news reports have identified one location as Havana's Hotel Capri.

Since there's an ongoing investigation, Laverty understands why places haven't been specified but noted that tens of thousands of Americans had stayed at that hotel, without problems, in the past year.

Cruise lines indicated they haven't received a substantial number of inquiries from passengers or travel agents about the Cuba warning so far.

Laverty's own company, Cuba Educational Travel, is hearing two types of comments: Some people have 'looked at the facts and realized [the warning] is political ... and have reached out to say they're more excited than ever to go because somebody's trying to mess up relations between the US and Cuba.'

Others seek clarification. With the US Embassy in Havana going to half staffing, some people have asked if their Cuban travel visas will be impacted. They aren't because those, of course, are issued by Cuba.

'Our team has done a good job of communicating,' Laverty said. 'We haven't had any cancellations.'

Laverty, who also consults cruise lines on market assessment, entry and operations, said operators are concerned about the implications of the travel warning though they 'continue to understand Cuba is incredibly safe.'

He predicts enough members of Congress and companies doing business with Cuba will press the administration to rescind the warning, 'hopefully within a matter of weeks or months.'

Laverty thinks it unlikely Cuba is behind the 'health attacks.'

'The Cuban government has publicly and privately been pushing to resolve this matter as soon as possible. We have no idea who's doing this, but there's zero upside for the Cuban people to be involved. Moreover, US officials have stated the technology used for this is beyond the capabilities of Cuba's government,' he said.