Cruise to Cuba in the future?

[teltrainer]

Wow! Independence Day reminder is needed. We have freedoms thousands dream of in countries run by Dictators.

 

I'm done.

[jtdlmc]

I would love to go. Was there as a kid but I don't remember anything. I wonder how safe it would be though.

 

Cuba is one of the safest of the Caribbean islands - there is a very low crime rate. I have been there several times and have never had a problem of any kind, on or off the resorts. The people are some of the nicest I have ever met. They are also educated people - they are sent off shore for postsecondary education and if they choose not to carry on with their education, they are enlisted in the army (as per our tour guide on one of the excursions we took).

 

In fact tourism is the number one industry in Cuba, with 2,5 million Europeans and Canadians visiting every year. Because the health care system is so good and so cheap, thousands go to Cuba for medical treatments too.

 

Last year on our vacation in Cuba we were shown a beautiful, huge building that they were in the process of opening up as a Cancer Hospital for foreign clients. The health care system in Cuba is very modern - they are sent to England or Canada for their medical schooling. They have one doctor for every 20 residents (or something like that) in a village - much more than I can say for many other countries!

[CruisingAmazona]

i am pretty sure that panel was to discuss the travel to cuba for people who are of cuban decent and have relatives still living there

 

If you are of Cuban descent and have relatives in Cuba you are already allowed to travel. Those of us who have no relatives or any other reason to go are the ones that cannot!

[CruisingAmazona]

The cruise to Cuba rumor has surfaced about 30 times in the last 60 years. Just about every 2 years, "Its right around the corner!" And EVERY TIME, "This time its for real!"

 

Some day it will happen, but there is nothing different going on to make it NOW!

 

Sure there is....60 years ago, the Castro brothers were 30 year old men! THEY HAVE TO DIE SOMETIME!

[mafig]

Cuba is one of the safest of the Caribbean islands - there is a very low crime rate. I have been there several times and have never had a problem of any kind, on or off the resorts. The people are some of the nicest I have ever met. They are also educated people - they are sent off shore for postsecondary education and if they choose not to carry on with their education, they are enlisted in the army (as per our tour guide on one of the excursions we took).

 

 

 

Last year on our vacation in Cuba we were shown a beautiful, huge building that they were in the process of opening up as a Cancer Hospital for foreign clients. The health care system in Cuba is very modern - they are sent to England or Canada for their medical schooling. They have one doctor for every 20 residents (or something like that) in a village - much more than I can say for many other countries!

 

 

Sounds wonderful. Wonder why they risk their lives in makeshift boats to come to Florida.

[dan40]

Sure there is....60 years ago, the Castro brothers were 30 year old men! THEY HAVE TO DIE SOMETIME!

 

 

And that IS the answer. No matter what the US Congress decides to do. Castro will not allow Americans into Cuba. When the Castro are dead, things MAY change.

[gtalum]

Castro will not allow Americans into Cuba.

 

The prohibition is purely from the American government. Americans already go to Cuba, and I can assure you our money is welcomed with open arms. :D

[Sargent_Schultz]

Underwhelming that our country denies us the freedom to travel where we please while being critical of other countries for doing the same.

[Harrier1961]

Cuba is one of the safest of the Caribbean islands - there is a very low crime rate. I have been there several times and have never had a problem of any kind, on or off the resorts. The people are some of the nicest I have ever met. They are also educated people - they are sent off shore for postsecondary education and if they choose not to carry on with their education, they are enlisted in the army (as per our tour guide on one of the excursions we took).

 

 

 

Last year on our vacation in Cuba we were shown a beautiful, huge building that they were in the process of opening up as a Cancer Hospital for foreign clients. The health care system in Cuba is very modern - they are sent to England or Canada for their medical schooling. They have one doctor for every 20 residents (or something like that) in a village - much more than I can say for many other countries!

 

You know why it is safe on the island? Because it is a dictatorship. The Soviet Union was pretty safe for tourists too.

 

I'm just saying...

[Fairhope]

Sounds wonderful. Wonder why they risk their lives in makeshift boats to come to Florida.

 

Five Guys Burgers

[Traveler353]

Five Guys Burgers

 

It's not the burgers - it's the Five Guys fresh cut, cooked in peanut oil fries.;)

[Fairhope]

It's not the burgers - it's the Five Guys fresh cut, cooked in peanut oil fries.;)

They find that out after they get here. :p

[Traveler353]

Castro will not allow Americans into Cuba. quote]

 

I have run into a lot of very happy to be there Americans everytime I have been to Cuba. There is no law either Cuban or American that says that Americans can not go to Cuba. It is a US trade embargo only. American citizens are just not allowed to spend US green backs in country. Loop hole in the law is that we can go thru pre paid hosted trips and many Americans do every year.

[dan40]

Castro will not allow Americans into Cuba. quote]

 

I have run into a lot of very happy to be there Americans everytime I have been to Cuba. There is no law either Cuban or American that says that Americans can not go to Cuba. It is a US trade embargo only. American citizens are just not allowed to spend US green backs in country. Loop hole in the law is that we can go thru pre paid hosted trips and many Americans do every year.

 

 

Cuba IS a sovereign country. ALL sovereign countries, with the single exception of the US, decide who enters their country and who does not.

Castro has publicly stated that he does not care what the US decides, HE will not allow American tourism in Cuba. He made that announcement at the beginning of BO's time in office, which was the last time the "open Cuba," rumor cranked up. BO had made some friendly overtures to Cuba and Castro told BO to go wash his socks!

[Traveler353]

 

 

Cuba IS a sovereign country. ALL sovereign countries, with the single exception of the US, decide who enters their country and who does not.

Castro has publicly stated that he does not care what the US decides, HE will not allow American tourism in Cuba. He made that announcement at the beginning of BO's time in office, which was the last time the "open Cuba," rumor cranked up. BO had made some friendly overtures to Cuba and Castro told BO to go wash his socks!

 

Taking something out of context and repeating the same misinformation over and over does not make it fact. Americans go to Cuba all the time and are warmely welcomed. I and a number of others here have posted that we have been and never had a problem getting in or out. Your personal opinions aside those are the facts.

[CrusinCyndi]

Ok, so I've cruised in China and also in Russia, both communist countries...I would love the opportunity to cruise to Cuba...bring on the ships!

[glrounds]

The sooner the better. Some people live in the past and cannot get past the politics of 40 years ago. It is time to move on and stop this senseless embargo that accomplishes nothing and serves no purpose.

 

especially political dictators that lead the revolution deposing the government and established one-party dictatorial rule and which has fostered human rights violations, suppression of the sort of rights we are granted by our constitution, and responsible for maintaining extreme poverty in the country, even going so far as refusing humanitarian aid from the US after the fall of the soviet union, and their major ally (they picked the wrong side) - all under the rule of one man for 39 years, and his brother for the 2 since...

 

and courting the likes of hugo chavez also won't score many points with the us government... it's somewhat of a self-imposed embargo (as far as US relations are concerned), due to a failed government and a very old grudge.

 

Excellent answer, falcor.

The biggest enemy of tyrants is INFORMATION, and opening up Cuba to hordes of tourists from the United States relating how we live as compared to how Cubans live, would weaken the stranglehold these scumbags have on the people of Cuba.

 

I'm sure the Socialists would welcome our money, food, medicine, etc. (what Socialist doesn't), but would not relish the thought of having to answer for the incredible disparity between out citizens and their "loyal" citizens.

 

"Socialism works, until it runs out of other people's money"

[Raven Days]

I would love to travel to Cuba ...actually I will eventully...even if I have to fly to Mexico and then to Cuba.

[CRZCRAZY]

I don't know about cruises (I'm sure they'll come) but I'll be on a plane to Havana with cash to buy '57 Chevrolets the moment the door is opened. :D

 

I know someone that has family down there, and those 57 Chevies have very little left on them that's still Chevy. Most of those cars are held together with fiberglass and bubblegum.

[lillian marie]

I'd love to go and a cruise would be an ideal way to go.

[dan40]

I don't know about cruises (I'm sure they'll come) but I'll be on a plane to Havana with cash to buy '57 Chevrolets the moment the door is opened. :D

 

You really want a 57 Chevy shaped pile of Bondo powered by a 3 cylinder tractor diesel engine? You really are an exotic car collector!!:D:D

[CruisefromNY]

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/07/04/2010-07-04_at_last_legal_travel_to_cuba_is_on_horizon.html

 

Unfortunately, some of our politicians feel the need to bring their own agendas into this.

[TravelerThom]

Please read the article carefully, as this has come up on the boards several times. This is for allowing people who have family to visit them in Cuba. They hint at eventually allowing regular tourists in, but there is no timetable on this and it would be foolish to think it will be anytime soon.

Which article are you referring to? I have read what [little] I can about the current bill going through Congressional hearings, and I have seen nothing that refers to it applying only to people with family members in Cuba - maybe I'm just missing it.

Cuba IS a sovereign country. ALL sovereign countries, with the single exception of the US, decide who enters their country and who does not.

Castro has publicly stated that he does not care what the US decides, HE will not allow American tourism in Cuba. He made that announcement at the beginning of BO's time in office, which was the last time the "open Cuba," rumor cranked up. BO had made some friendly overtures to Cuba and Castro told BO to go wash his socks!

Can you give a reliable source for Castro saying that he will not allow US tourists in? I was pretty sure that has been minimal restriction from the Cuban side on US citizens entering Cuba [note I am not referring to restrictions on where you can go once you are in Cuba].

 

Thom

[dan40]

Can you give a reliable source for Castro saying that he will not allow US tourists in? I was pretty sure that has been minimal restriction from the Cuban side on US citizens entering Cuba [note I am not referring to restrictions on where you can go once you are in Cuba].

 

Thom

 

Early on in the Obama administration some statements were released saying that perhaps it is time to improve relations with Cuba and reopen Cuba to Americans. Statements made by people in the Obama administration.

 

Reliable source? I watched a frail Fidel Castro himself say on TV that whatever Washington DC decides means nothing to Cuba. ONLY Cuba will decide what tourists come to Cuba and when.

 

 

In international protocol and negotiations, that amounts to the olive branch being offered and being slapped away.

[BaconIsGood]

I see this happening in the not too distant future. When it does, im there!