New Sanctions Put the Future of Cuba Travel in Question
During a speech at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, on Wednesday, National Security Advisor John Bolton said the Trump administration is imposing new sanctions on Cuba.
"We are also announcing that the Department of the Treasury will implement further regulatory changes to restrict nonfamily travel to Cuba," Bolton said. "These new measures will help steer American dollars away from the Cuban regime or its military and security services who control the tourism industry in Cuba."
Additionally, the Trump administration will reverse former President Obama's removal of restrictions on remittances, limiting US citizens to sending $1,000 per quarter to their family members in Cuba. Sanctions are being levied against Venezuela and Nicaragua as well, but the majority of Bolton's speech focused on Cuba.
As of December 2018, Cuba's tourism industry was rebounding after the country was hit by Hurricane Irma and strict travel restrictions. Though many US airlines have been cutting their service to Cuba due to diminished demand, cruises were on the rise.
"Cuba has opened brand-new itineraries for cruise lines and their passengers over the past three years, and more lines than ever before are offering cruises to the country," Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, told The Points Guy. "There's been a steady interest in visiting the country by cruise, as cruising provides a comfortable and convenient way to visit Cuba."
It's unclear at this time how exactly the new sanctions will affect travel to Cuba, but President Trump seems determined to reverse the Obama administration's efforts to make Cuba more accessible to American travelers. In 2017, Trump set new rules in place prohibiting Americans from spending money in any state-run hotels or restaurants connected to the Communist government's military regime. Those rules also required Americans to keep detailed records of any financial transactions made in Cuba, which would be audited by the Treasury Department.
Visitors can still stay in Casa Particulares or Airbnbs, as long as they are run by private citizens and not the government.
The Miami Herald speculated that the new sanctions could, "signal the end of cruises, which started to operate during the Obama years because of an expansion of the categories of travel allowed," adding that the changes could impact air travel as well. The news has travelers who have already booked cruises to Cuba scrambling to figure out what to do.
"Right now, it's a bit too early to say how the cruise lines will be affected by the administration's decision to limit travel to Cuba, and what adjustments will be made to sailings scheduled beyond the implementation date for the new policy. Logistically, cruise lines do have the flexibility to adjust itineraries — adding or removing destinations as needed. The cruise lines we've spoken to have said they plan to proceed with their Cuba itineraries," McDaniel said.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees