Cruises to Cuba?

[volvo99]

U.S. government policy notwithstanding, do you think the major cruise lines will ever make Cuba a destination? It has some fantastic natural areas, historic cities, is not run over with commercialism, and it is so close to Florida.

 

Any views?

[Cotton]

No, I don't think Cuba will ever be a cruise ship destination.

[Bequia]

It would make a great destination someday. I see it happening. ;)

[mcboo]

U.S. government policy notwithstanding, do you think the major cruise lines will ever make Cuba a destination? It has some fantastic natural areas, historic cities, is not run over with commercialism, and it is so close to Florida.

 

Any views?

 

Cruise ships already do call at Cuba. Just not the ones that call at U.S. ports.

See the following article on the expansion of the cruise terminal.

 

www.cruisehavana.com/news01.html

 

You have to remember that only U.S. citizens are banned from travelling to Cuba, and that is by our own government.

The rest of the world has been travelling there for many years.

 

mcboo

[mii]

Maybe down the road but not anytime soon.

 

Marilyn

[Northender]

With all the beautiful ports out there, why would we need Cuba. Once Fidel kicks the bucket, perhaps his successor will try to open a good dialogue with the US. Canadians go there to resorts, etc. and really enjoy the beaches.

Personally, give me T&C, USVIs or BVIs anyday. :)

[Sekhmet]

We visited Cuba for a week last year, and a ship called the A'Rosa Blue was in Havana - it is German owned and largely caters for German speakers.

However, whenever the US embargo finishes, I can think of no reason why Cuba would not become a major port of call. It could offer historic cities (not just Havana and Trinidad, World Heritage sites, but Cienfuegos and Sancti Spiritus), good beaches, wildlife spotting, fabulous music, a living history of 1940s and 1950s American cars, some working steam locomotives, a Hemingway trail to complement the one in Key West, not to mention the cigars for those who seek them!

[jcanino]

U.S. government policy notwithstanding, do you think the major cruise lines will ever make Cuba a destination? It has some fantastic natural areas, historic cities, is not run over with commercialism, and it is so close to Florida.

 

Any views?

 

I have been told by a Senior VP at one of the major cruise lines that they are poised to begin calling on at least three different ports in Cuba once sanctions are lifted.

[DougYWG]

"U.S. Government policy notwithstanding..."

 

There you have it. As soon as that changes, the cruise ships will call at Cuba. Canadians have been enjoying it by the planeload for years.

[springtxbill]

I would guess that within a year of Castro's death that it will be open to the cruise lines and they will be there.

[FreesiaE]

I agree--give it a few years. That Fidel probably only has a few more left in him anyhow. I would go ASAP once it opens up though. The charm of the old 50's cars, etc. will be taken over by Walmarts, Holiday Inns, and McDonalds. As a twentysomething,I really don't understand the whole situation. I mean the Soviet Union went away when I was in 5th grade. Why are we so concerned with this little island with, well, not much on it in the way of industry, military, etc. Seriously.

[cruisingfreak]

I'm ready to cruise there, as soon as the sanctions are lifted.

 

 

Minette

[Philip217]

Most of the major cruise lines have already purchased property in the Havana Port area, waiting for Castro to die and the US to open up to his successor.

 

The Port of Miami has proven to be an expensive, dangerous, dirty, poorly maintained mess. The city of Miami has steadfastly resisted any and all requests to modernize and clean it up. Port Charges for cruise ships calling at Miami are ridiculously high. The transportation system in Miami is equally disgusting and rather expensive. Taxi Drivers rarely speak English or seem to know where anything is located. The Miami airport is a joke.

 

Havana by comparison is very inexpensive. Transportation there is as good as in Miami, but far cheaper. I found more and better English spoken in Havana than in Miami. Port charges are nearly nothing. Crime is very low.

The people of Cuba are very warm and welcoming. Havana is a beautiful and vibrant city. I can't wait for Cuba to open up so I can start my Caribbean cruises in Havana.

 

As soon as Havana opens up

[kalamari]

I have some friends who are Marialitas and will loan you their raft...Menina

[xgdgirl]

There are already cruise ships from at least two countries that I know of that make regularly scheduled stops in Cuba.

[BobBeaSea]

Cuba was the Americans' "Jewel of the Caribbean" until about 1960. Interestingly enough, the U.S.A was one of the first countries to recognize the Castro regime and then things started to go downhill from there. As mentioned above Cuba has long been a vacation destination for Europeans and Canadians (and a lot of border Americans who go to Cuba from Canadian airports on packages bought in Canada). Once the embargo is lifted you can bet Cuba will once again be a port of call for U.S. based Cruise Lines. The other destinations are hoping this is a long way off because Cuba will provide some pretty stiff competition.

[DanJ]

I wouldn't go so far as to suggest, though, that Havana is going to become a large competitor to Florida as a homeport. It doesn't really offer anything logistically (in the way San Juan does) to sail from there, and I think they would severly cut their marketshare back by making people fly there to board a ship. And I don't think the local drive-up market will be ready to support large ships for a few years LOL.

 

But as a port of call? If the embargo ends on a Tuesday, ships will be stopping there Wednesday.

[CaptainDaddy]

I was on the Festival cruise lines "Mistral" 2 years ago and we stopped in at Santiago de cuba. I believe the cruise line went belly up,they were a french company. Quite frankly the port was a dump. It looks like it hasn't seen a paint job in 45 years and the pollution was terrible. The old cars were cool though. I did mannage to get 6 boxes of cigars on the BM for only $110. So I was happy. Nice to see capitalism was alive and strong in Cuba. I believe that there is a rule about ships not being allowed to dock in the ports in the US if they had been in Cuba within 3 months or something. This kind of rules out most of the lines that cater to the American markets.

[MikeNJ1109]

I have to agree with previous posters, it won't happen until "The Bearded One" dies. One other caveat...if Fidel's brother, Raul, takes over after Fidel dies, then the embargo isn't going anywhere. Having talked with a couple people I know in the State Department, alot will depend on how things shake out with the local government in Havana after Fidel's ultimate demise.

 

From a curiosity standpoint, I'd enjoy visiting there...the island is beautiful, and the people have a reputation for being very friendly and hospitible. As for the cigars...IMHO, they've gone way down in quality overall. Give me a high quality Dominican cigar anytime.

 

Michael

[oklahomagirl]

I was wondering if there are certain things you only see on cruise ships that you don't see anywhere else. I got this idea when I was at the casino last night and there were ash trays in the bathroom.

I have not been on my first cruise yet, but I am looking at going next March. Let me know what you guys see on cruise ships that other newbies (like me) might not be aware of.

[MiniMom57]

A couple of things come to mind.....

 

The carpet in the elevator (on RCI ships, at least) has a section for a strip of carpet that has the day of the week!

 

The toilets have EXTREMELY powerful suction :eek:

[oklahomagirl]

LOL The day of the week? I guess when you are on vacation you might not know. I have been forewarned about the toilets. :)

[Grandpaul]

Half of the cruise you see sunsets out your window the other half you see sunrises. When is the last time you had a room steward, a butler and a concierge all come to your room to check on you? You can surf in the pool on rough days at sea. You will only have smooth days Oklahomagirl. You will have a room at a different island almost everyday but you will also have the same casino. Where else can you sit with 300 people having dinner and go 20 mph.

[oklahomagirl]

Sounds like heaven.:D

[Grandpaul]

Pretty close to Heaven I would imagine. Watchout that you don't get too much Sun. Happened on my second cruise.