Canada is warning travellers to avoid visiting western Cuba in the wake of a second powerful hurricane in weeks.
Over two-thirds of flights to Havana were cancelled on Wednesday, Nov. 6, after Hurricane Rafael made landfall on the country's west coast.
Rafael reached Cuba as a Category 3 Hurricane with powerful winds that knocked out the Caribbean island's entire power grid.
Classes and public transport were suspended on parts of the island and authorities cancelled flights in and out of Havana (HAV) and Varadero (VRA). Meanwhile, thousands of people in the west of the island were evacuated as a prevention measure.
The U.S. State Department issued an advisory for Cuba on Tuesday afternoon, offering departure flights to non-essential staff and American citizens, and advising others to “reconsider travel to Cuba due to the potential impact of Tropical Storm Rafael.”
Canada changes its Cuba travel advisory
The Canadian government has upgraded its Cuban travel advisory, advising travellers to exercise a high degree of caution due to "shortages of basic necessities including food, medicine and fuel."
Canada also updated the advisory on Thursday to reflect the impacts of Hurricane Rafael, warning travellers to avoid all non-essential travel to several provinces in Western Cuba, including:
- Pinar del Rio
- Artemisa
- La Habana
- Mayabeque
- Matanzas
- the Isle of Youth
The government also continues to advise against non-essential travel to the province of Guantanamo due to Hurricane Oscar's impacts.
According to the advisory, travellers may continue to take normal security precautions in the Archipelago of Jardines del Rey, including the areas of Cayo Coco; Cayo Guillermo; Cayo Paredon Grande; and Cayo Santa Maria.
Tourists may also continue to follow normal safety guidelines in the Cuban resort areas of Marea del Portillo; Playa Ancon; Playa Santa Lucia; and Guardalavaca
Canada continues to highlight Cuba's country-wide power outage from Oct. 18 to 22, noting that the island's "electrical system is still vulnerable."
While some resorts have generators, travelling outside of these places will likely prove challenging. Further, the resorts could lose power again. Airlines may also unexpectedly cancel flights, making it impossible to leave the country.
What should Meto Vancouver consider if they plan to travel to Cuba?
Canadians travelling to any part of Cuba should monitor local media for updates.
Visitors should also try to keep phones charged as the island may lose power unexpectedly; they should also take extra battery packs, according to the Canadian advisory.
Travellers departing from Vancouver on connecting flights to Cuban cities such as Varadero, Havana, Holguin, or Santiago de Cuba International Airport should check the weather at their destination and their connecting city.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) does not currently show cancelled flights to Cuba but most flights from Vancouver to Cuban airports involve one or two connections and YVR's information would not show those delays or cancellations.
Flights from Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL) to Havana were cancelled on Wednesday, although most flights are continuing as normal on Thursday.
Air Canada's hurricane policies
Air Canada has revised its ticketing policy enabling customers travelling on flights to Varadero all day on Thursday to make changes to their booking without penalty, space permitting.
The airline will continue to monitor the storm and update its policies.
Travellers with affected flights can retrieve and change their bookings for free. If you purchased a holiday with Air Canada Vacations, contact them directly at 1-800-296-3408.
Air Canada guests are automatically signed up to receive flight notifications to their mobile devices or by email. You can update your preferences online.
WestJet's hurricane policies
WestJet is offering a one-time waiver for changes or cancellations for travellers with flights to Varadero from Wednesday through Friday.
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If you change your destination, the difference in fare applies. Any residual funds are refunded.
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If you change to a different cabin, the difference in fare applies. Any residual funds are refunded.
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Travel must be completed within 60 days of the original departure date.
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If you cancel your booking, the funds will be refunded or credited based on the fare class booked; Basic will receive travel credit.
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If you cancel your booking, any portion paid with WestJet dollars, Travel Bank credit or a WestJet rewards companion voucher will be returned to your account and the original expiration date (if applicable) will apply.
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If you cancel your booking, any portion paid with WestJet dollars or a WestJet rewards companion voucher that has expired or is expiring within 60 days will be reinstated with a new expiry date of 60 days from the date of reinstatement.
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Any portion paid with WestJet dollars or Travel Bank credit will be returned to your account and the original expiration date (if applicable) will apply.
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A change or cancellation must be requested more than two hours before departure.
Customers with WestJet Vacations packages booked to either destination on the applicable dates can also enjoy a one-time waiver for changes and cancellations.
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If you change your booking, the difference in package price applies and is subject to availability.
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If you cancel your booking, the amount paid will be placed into a WestJet Vacations Future Travel Credit that is valid for two years. A $200 hotel penalty per person will be deducted from the total.
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To make changes to an existing WestJet Vacations booking, customers should contact the airline directly.
Sunwing hurricane policies
Sunwing is extending its flexible booking options for travellers with flights and vacation packages to Varadero and Holguin on Thursday and Friday. The carrier states that these areas suffered power outages after Hurricane Rafael and hotels are running on backup generators "but efforts are already underway to restore power as soon as possible."
Customers with flights to these areas have the following options:
- Option 1: Guests with travel dates during the affected period can choose to travel on a rescheduled Sunwing flight
- Option 2: Guests can change their departure date to commence travel on or before Dec. 14. However, if the new ticket's price is higher, they must pay the difference. Lower-priced tickets will not include a cash refund but the guest will get a travel voucher valid for a year.
- Option 3: Guests can change their destination to another destination Sunwing flies to on or before Dec. 15. If the new ticket's price is higher, they must pay the difference. Lower-priced tickets will not include a cash refund but the guest will get a travel voucher valid for a year.
- Option 4: Guests can cancel their trip with a full refund "in the form of a travel voucher with a one-year validity."
Customers travelling to Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria should not expect flight impacts but should monitor flight alerts and check their flight status for the most up-to-date information.
With files from The Associated Press
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