Thoughts on the future of Cuba cruising?

[alfaeric]

Cubans that have escaped the country don't generally agree with you. It's viewed as supporting the oppressive government.

 

 

 

Of course they will, they are not going to get their property back.

 

But, according to the entrepreneur guide we had, things have improved a lot recently.

 

 

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[OceansOfTravels]

Cubans that have escaped the country don't generally agree with you. It's viewed as supporting the oppressive government.

 

I understand that it supports the oppressive government in ways, and have many friends that have either escaped themselves, or have family memebrs that have escaped, but my post was more geared towards explaining how travel and immersion can pave the way for positive future relations, which could likely mean possible work to fix the oppressive government. But, going back to the original question and intent of my post, with the demand of the Americans that want to go to Cuba, and the loosening of restrictions that have blocked them from traveling for years, and as long as both of those things stay for another year, the flights and cruises will continue, which is what the OP was asking about.

[voyager70]

4 countries: Cuba, Russia, China, Vietnam

 

Russia? I don't think so.

[rt1092]

I think, or at least I think out of hope, that the Cuban cruises will stay. Hopefully, the cruises can act as a means of education to Americans, and will hopefully begin a paved road between relations in the future. Obviously, fathom isn't around anymore, but if Royal opens up some cultural immersion or volunteer excursions (not sure if they have any, I could be wrong), and continues to promote even recreational tourism to the island, there will be more Americans with a positive image of the Cuban people, after interacting with them and their culture, which will also lead to a cultural respect. Once there is respect, it will be veryh easy to pave the way for future relations. This whole idea of cruising Cuba couldn't have happened 20 years ago, we as a society were just not open to the idea of opening up to Cuba. But now, in 2017, we are willing to open up relations and try to build a future relationship. This thing is solely based out of the openness of Americans and the changing cultural among American people. Hopefully, if it can stick it out through the current administration, I believe that Cuba cruises will be here to stay, and will hopefully grow in number/impact as the Cuban government works to increase the size of their ports and airports.

 

As for booking your Cuba trip, I would say to keep in mind the saying "there's no time like the present". You never know what could happen to you, or the situation with the Cuban relations, or the ships that cruise there, etc, so I would definitely say to go for it if it's soemthing you want to do!

 

Just got off the Empress Got a good rate from the Casino. So we gave it a try. It was okay (did a ships bus tour) All tours take you past the remains of a US spy plane they shot down in 1960. The tour guide was very proud of this. The "old cars" were nice but all but the convertibles were 4 door coupes. I can go to a drag race and see "old cars" anytime.

The people were friendly but you could tell they were "brainwashed" by their government.

[alfaeric]

Just got off the Empress Got a good rate from the Casino. So we gave it a try. It was okay (did a ships bus tour) All tours take you past the remains of a US spy plane they shot down in 1960. The tour guide was very proud of this. The "old cars" were nice but all but the convertibles were 4 door coupes. I can go to a drag race and see "old cars" anytime.

The people were friendly but you could tell they were "brainwashed" by their government.

Based on that, I would very much suggest that people find their own tours.

 

Busses are owned by the Cuban state, so that defines what kind of tour you will get.

 

I'm sure we saw the same things, but I got a different view from our driver/guide.

[sfaaa]

I wouldn't give my money to any communist country. Treat the citizens well, and I am happy to help out with my tourist dollars.

 

x1000. Besides being a commie country, Cuba is also a staunch ally of Venezuela currently ruled by a brutal left wing dictator. No tourist dollar to both.

[dagunny]

Having done two cruises to Cuba, one on the RCCL Empress and one on the NCL Sky, I can say we were definitely allowed to do what we want. On the Empress we were a little reserved because of all the hype we heard. We did Empress 20 May and NCL 29 May. NCL was an overnight. On Empress we booked an all day excursion and it took us all over with a guide. We booked a night tour to the Tropicana from NCL which was fabulous. We wandered around on our own during the day and did what we wanted on day 2 and had a walking and old car tour with a guide on day 1. The Cuban people, after tasting the American dollar, will want more and more cruises to come to beef up their economy. While there are restrictions they are doable. Sooner or later they will stop the dual CUC nonsense and go with one currency. Old regimes die off as will the restrictions. I won't get into a political discussion but the people are friendly and want us there and I, for one, want to go back and visit more ports. The Havana Club and Santiago de Cuba ain't half bad either.

[Biker19]

the havana club and santiago de cuba ain't half bad either.

+1.

[Boatingmom]

Didn't some diplomats just return with hearing loss due to low or high frequency waves purposely emitted in their vicinity???! I wouldn't be chancing it.

 

 

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