Drivers of classic cars, restaurateurs, tour guides and owners of bed-and-breakfasts are all saying the Trump administration's new restrictions on U.S travel to Cuba will be a severe blow to their businesses.
The restrictions announced Tuesday eliminate U.S. cruise travel to Cuba. They also wipe out the most popular category of legal travel to the island, the group educational trips known as people-to-people travel.
An expert on Cuban tourism says the Cuban state stands to lose USD 130 million per peak cruising season, which runs from November to June. No figures were available on the expected losses to private businesses, which serve many people-to-people groups. But Cuban entrepreneurs say they expected major damage.
"We're about to enter a terrible period," said Enrique Nuez, owner of La Guarida, one of the Havana's best-known private restaurants.
Just before 5 p.m. Wednesday, Royal Caribbean's Empress of the Seas pulled out of Havana harbour, blowing its horn in farewell as it became what could be the last U.S. cruise ship to visit Havana during the Trump administration.
"I wasn't aware this would be the last cruise," passenger Garry Lemar said before boarding.
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In Nassau in the Bahamas, hundreds of angry passengers disembarked from Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sun after it was rerouted from its path to Cuba.
Cruise ships were offering discounts and refunds to passengers diverted from Cuba, but many weren't placated.
"I have been to the Bahamas several times and I'm not very happy," said Gigi Starks, a teacher and realtor from Atlanta. "I really wanted to go to Cuba."
"It won't just be classic convertibles but hotels and people in general. It's going to affect everyone."