Travel

Flight options

Depending on your travel dates, it may be possible to take a direct flight to Havana from the UK with Virgin. If not, there are various stopping services. If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to South Africa, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.

Stopovers

If you are on a stopping flight schedule, you can have a stop over in Amsterdam.

Arrange before you go

Visa requirements

UK passport holders must have a Cuba Tourist card prior to departure. You can obtain this from the Cuban embassy in London (167 High Holborn WC1V 6PA - 020 7240 2488). Alternatively you can use a 3rd party visa specialist. Scuba Travel is not able to arrange the Tourist Card on your behalf. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here

Insurance

Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation. Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here

Immunisations

Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on travel immunisations: click here

Preparing to fly

Seating

You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.

Check in

As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.

Lounge

An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here

Parking

Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here

What happens when I arrive?

On arrival please make your way through baggage claim and immigration. There will be a rep to meet you - please ensure you have advised us of your travel plans prior to travel if making your own flight arrangements. If you have any issues on arrival, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.

Transfers

Transfers are included in your holiday. You be advised in your travel documentation of how to find your transfer.

Departures

At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. There is no departure tax.

Info

Included in your holiday

This is a boat only holiday with 2 nights in Havana and 7 nights on board JA1. In Havana you stay at the 5 star Iberostar Parque Central & tours: ocean conservation research talks, El Morro Fortress, Habana Vieja, local Cuban restaurant meals. You have 7 nights on board JA1 in a deluxe cabin, with all meals, snacks, fruit juice, soft drinks, tea, coffee. A limited selection of local beer and wine are complimentary. All diving is included on 12lt INTERNATIONAL air tank and weights. Havana airport transfers, port fees $190 and $100 marine conservation fee are all included.

Excluded

Excluded from your holiday are international flights to Havana. Please ask for a competitive quote to add these to your booking. You must have a Cuban visa prior to landing in Havana. These can be obtained directly from the Cuban embassy. Any meals, kit hire and souvenirs not included in your package, are paid for on board.

Tipping

Crew gratuities are not included in the charter. Aggressor believe gratuities should be voluntary and based upon the quality of service the crew has provided. When settling your account Friday morning, the Captain will have an envelope for gratuities that will be divided equally among the crew. Payment can be made by cash, traveller’s cheques or credit card.

Currency

Payment can be made by cash only in Cuba. USD can be freely exchanged for Cuban pesos locally. The best rate will be at banks. The next best exchange rate is at any Cadeca

Phone coverage

There is no email or internet available onboard the yacht.

Plugs and electricity

US 2 pin plugs on board

Extras

Hire equipment

A full line of Aqualung rental gear is available aboard including regulators, BCs, dive computers, and night- lights but must be pre-paid.

Extras

Courses are not available on board.

Souvenirs

Guests may purchase boutique items by going to: http://www.liveaboardboutique.com.

Nitrox/Gas

Nitrox Unlimited: $100

Payments

Deposits and Balances

Normally £1000 deposit with full balance paid 90 days before departure. Your deposit may be higher if we are adding international flights to your holiday package.

Ways to pay

We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 2% surcharge. Overseas bank transfers must add £6 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions.

Group Payments

If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation

Discounts

Repeat Guests

Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers?
Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.

And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our loyalty discount is all about! If you have booked directly with Scuba Travel, on your 3rd full price holiday you will automatically be eligible for a loyalty discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction. We are always happy to offer discounts as described below but these are not cumulative and we do not offer further discounts on special offer prices.

5% off for loyalty customers Plus travel on a second trip in 12mths for an extra $100 discount or $200 on your third trip in 12 mths. Dive the World travellers get an extra 10% discount all yachts for rental gear, nitrox, boutique, photography equipment rentals, videos and courses and a special birthday discount to spend at the online boutique.