Just booked a Cuban cruise...so excited!!

[PH8]

I'm waiting for Margaritaville and/or Senior Frogs:D

Of course,you are...:p

:p:p:p

[BND]

Having been involved in some ways with this Cuba vs The U.S.A. issue from the late 50's I find it totally amazing that the same mindset exists in so many today as it did then.

 

Did Castro and his bonding with Russia create a world of problems for so many people and produce thousands of executions? YES !

 

Did almost SIXTY (60) years of a politically driven vendetta, called the "Embargo" do ONE SINGLE THING to get rid of the Castro regime, bring back any of the milk that was spilled, improve in ANY WAY the lives the PEOPLE of Cuba or did it in any way steer us in a course towards friendly relations with the largest country in the Caribbean just 90 miles to our South? NO !

 

The total abandoning of Cuba and its people, forever, because it is a Communist country, ruled by a Castro or any same thinking successor will continue unless there are changes.

 

The lessening of government regulations HAS AND IS a change for the better, no way it can be dismissed, it is a POSITIVE change and thousands and thousands of families are prospering, becoming a vibrant middle class.

 

If a sensible change in how we regulate or policies towards Cuba, not making it one of our MOST FAVORED NATIONS, but treating it and its people a little less like a Rabid Dog , just might go a long way in improving things.

 

Just like anything the power of the almighty dollar rules (WHETHER IT IS THE U.S. DOLLAR, THE CUC, THE CUP OR THE MONEDA NACIONAL). Tourist dollars and the taxes, port fees and other associated revenue they produce will go a long way to open the eyes of those in power, more so than the continuation of a SIXTY year old failed policy.

 

This is NOT a political argument, but it is how the economics of cruising can go a long way in expanding our world and making it a better place.

 

What do we have to lose? If things don't improve we can CHOOSE ON OUR OWN not to go.

 

bosco

 

Thanks for the lecture, but I don't think that US cruisers (or tourists in general) will make that big of a change especially since the rest of the world hasn't been able to. The Cuban people have to figure out how to fix their own issues.

 

What families are propspering? If anything, the infrastructure is in worse shape and the people are living in mostly poverty (except for the leadership, which is how communism/socialism work).

[rajju077]

Thanks for the lecture, but I don't think that US cruisers (or tourists in general) will make that big of a change especially since the rest of the world hasn't been able to. The Cuban people have to figure out how to fix their own issues.

 

What families are propspering? If anything, the infrastructure is in worse shape and the people are living in mostly poverty (except for the leadership, which is how communism/socialism work).

 

I highly doubt that.

 

Or China would be a very very different story.

[boscobeans]

Thanks for the lecture, but I don't think that US cruisers (or tourists in general) will make that big of a change especially since the rest of the world hasn't been able to. The Cuban people have to figure out how to fix their own issues.

 

What families are propspering? QUOTE]

 

Sorry if you think information based on fact to be a lecture, if you do you can skip the following from the BROOKINGS NSTITUTE.

 

"In Havana these days, trendy bars are not the only visible indicators of Cuba’s prosperous upper-middle classes and their lucky, beautiful children. Expensive daycare centers and domestic housekeepers, 21st century cars with private license plates replacing the iconic but decrepit 1950s Chevrolets, and expensive cell phones with e-mail service — all signal the emergence of new money."

 

These are who.... Not Government officials, but today's growing number of entrepreneurs who are earning money for themselves, their families and using it to invest in their businesses as well as fixing up their surroundings and enjoying a new way of life the relaxed regulations are allowing.

 

Ignore all the facts you want but Cuba IS changing and I would rather it change in a direction that is at least NOT HOSTILE towards the United States. Not with McDonalds and Diamonds International but hopefully with rebuilt storefronts, restaurants, bars , B and B's and entertainment provided by the PEOPLE.

 

OMO, and as always you can do whatever the heck you want and others are free to do what the heck they want.

 

Happy cruising to ALL.

 

 

 

bosco

[LizC]

We booked😃 But 👑&⚓️ Say nothing special is planned😳😔. Hard to believe!

No formal night either!

[dagunny]

After we booked the May 20th, we found out Norwegian Sky is overnighting in Havana, so we also booked that the next week. The first will give us an idea what to expect and then we can see what we can do at night. We didn't see any Norwegian excursions posted yet so don't know what to expect as we don't do Norwegian. Royal does have Cuba excursions posted and we pre-booked the day we booked the cruise on Empress - there is an all day tour. I have a picture of my Aunt at the original Sloppy Joe's in Havana (1950's) and wonder what it looks like inside today. I see on Wikipedia they reopened in 2013.

 

I hope they open more ports. I can foresee a circuitous route around Cuba and look forward to more places in the Caribbean to visit.

[mafig]

Thanks for the lecture, but I don't think that US cruisers (or tourists in general) will make that big of a change especially since the rest of the world hasn't been able to. The Cuban people have to figure out how to fix their own issues.

 

What families are propspering? QUOTE]

 

Sorry if you think information based on fact to be a lecture, if you do you can skip the following from the BROOKINGS NSTITUTE.

 

"In Havana these days, trendy bars are not the only visible indicators of Cuba’s prosperous upper-middle classes and their lucky, beautiful children. Expensive daycare centers and domestic housekeepers, 21st century cars with private license plates replacing the iconic but decrepit 1950s Chevrolets, and expensive cell phones with e-mail service — all signal the emergence of new money."

 

These are who.... Not Government officials, but today's growing number of entrepreneurs who are earning money for themselves, their families and using it to invest in their businesses as well as fixing up their surroundings and enjoying a new way of life the relaxed regulations are allowing.

 

Ignore all the facts you want but Cuba IS changing and I would rather it change in a direction that is at least NOT HOSTILE towards the United States. Not with McDonalds and Diamonds International but hopefully with rebuilt storefronts, restaurants, bars , B and B's and entertainment provided by the PEOPLE.

 

OMO, and as always you can do whatever the heck you want and others are free to do what the heck they want.

 

Happy cruising to ALL.

 

 

 

bosco

 

Brookings Institute?

 

Our local news is full of reports of very serious food shortages in Cuba because the food is being allocated to the tourist areas because of the uptick in tourism. Ain't Communism Grand?

[tiessa]

I am sorry if I am being negative but I have been holding on to my emotions & cannot hold on anymore. I understand that everybody has their own opinions but please respect mine.

 

 

 

Coming from a Cuban-American family that had to literally leave Cuba with nothing when the dictator Fidel took office & took (that is correct, just took) all of my families possessions(houses, clothes, jewelry, everything!). I get so mad when individuals want to go to Cuba & give our hard owned money to this government dictatorship. Luckily they were able to come to the USA back then and were able to get their lives back on track & give myself & my brothers a very good life in the U.S.A.).

 

 

 

Also, I just read on MSN.com the other day that the locals in Cuba are having a food shortage now with certain items/staples because all the food is going to the hotels & the tourist areas first. The locals are struggling to find food. Just why we cannot give anything to this dictatorship.

 

 

 

Thank you for letting me rant & please understand that these are my opinions as a son of a Cuban-American family

 

 

 

 

Thank you for sharing. I have no family or friends who have been directly affected but I have trouble giving any money to a communist country with the history of human rights violations Cuba has. While I might be curious to see a country I have not seen, my moral conscious just won't let me do it. You have many who understand and you support you.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[mafig]

 

Brookings Institute?

 

Our local news is full of reports of very serious food shortages in Cuba because the food is being allocated to the tourist areas because of the uptick in tourism. Ain't Communism Grand?

 

Isn't Brookings Institute usually referred to as "the liberalBrookings Institute."?

Edited January 1, 2017 by mafig

[dagunny]

I've finished the design for the Cuba pin. Attaching an image. I do this for the crew but if anyone wants one they will run $5 or less depending on the quantity. It will be my cost so I'm not doing it for profit. I did it for the inaugural season and included all posted ports. As soon as I get the proof back from the design shop I'll post that. I can deliver at the meet and mingle on the 20 May sailing (if they have one on a 5 day cruise or I'll be wearing a T Shirt with same design around the ship - find me) and if Trump doesn't squelch it. If you are on another sailing contact me and I'll see what I can do about delivery. Let's keep our fingers crossed. A sample of the previous one I did is attached also. Unfortunately, there is no roll call on the Empress or I would post there.

[sugcarol]

Posted in error

Edited January 2, 2017 by sugcarol
posted in error

[Alter Ego]

I've finished the design for the Cuba pin. Attaching an image. I do this for the crew but if anyone wants one they will run $5 or less depending on the quantity. It will be my cost so I'm not doing it for profit. I did it for the inaugural season and included all posted ports. As soon as I get the proof back from the design shop I'll post that. I can deliver at the meet and mingle on the 20 May sailing (if they have one on a 5 day cruise or I'll be wearing a T Shirt with same design around the ship - find me) and if Trump doesn't squelch it. If you are on another sailing contact me and I'll see what I can do about delivery. Let's keep our fingers crossed. A sample of the previous one I did is attached also. Unfortunately, there is no roll call on the Empress or I would post there.

 

?? You've posted about the pin on the May 20 roll call and people have requested some. Sorry - don't understand your post.

[dagunny]

?? You've posted about the pin on the May 20 roll call and people have requested some. Sorry - don't understand your post.

 

 

When I went to find your ship here

http://www.cruisecritic.com/rollcalls/?cruise_line_id=32

there was no Empress - I found another way in.

Seems they forgot to add Empress to the drop down list.

[Alter Ego]

When I went to find your ship here

http://www.cruisecritic.com/rollcalls/?cruise_line_id=32

there was no Empress - I found another way in.

Seems they forgot to add Empress to the drop down list.

 

I never knew there was another way into the Roll Call! I just go via the main boards.cruisecritic.com site (although I also bookmark on my phone). Not sure if you were able to find or not; I know your pins have gotten a nice response (although, I'm pretty sure you'll need to set up a spot for people to meet up with you as I don't think there will be a M&M on a 5 day.)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2430442

[RaiderDuck]

GF and I are going on the Empress on the inaugural April 19th sailing, primarily because it's a month earlier than the NCL sailing and thus likely to be cooler.

 

As for the ethical issues (and YMMV to all of this): The US government politically and economically isolated the Castro regime for a full half-century in an attempt to bring it down. Isolation didn't work. There is no reason to believe a continued policy of isolation would suddenly start working. So let's try something else.

[BillOh]

Booked April 30,2017 on Empress out of Tampa.

 

So excited to go somewhere new!!

 

 

When you started this thread, I didn't even look at the OP was to notice that is was a former cruise mate. You were helpful in our road trip cruise out of Tampa. I'll look forward to hearing about this one.