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Pam
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After reading through the thread about the TA and all the difficulties associated to it, I have an honest question.

 

What is the huge draw to Cuba? It looks to me like AZ is expending huge effort and lots of $$$ and saying 'ohboyohboy we get to go to Cuba with our small ships'. Isn't the US the only country that had restrictions on travel to Cuba? There has to be a finite number of US citizens who 1)haven't been to Cuba and 2)are rabidly excited at the chance to go to Cuba ( and 3)willing to pay the big money AZ seems to think it's worth). I personally am not all that interested; I might go on a cruise that stopped in Cuba on its way to islands I like, but I'm not about to book a Cuba-intensive cruise. As to other US citizens, isn't Cuba caught in a time warp? There aren't any luxury all-inclusive resorts, casinos, duty-free shopping malls, etc. It's picturesque because of the old cars and bright colors, but is that enough to cause repeat visits? And with repeat visits, won't the above mentioned tourist traps start to appear, and then Cuba will look like all the other islands?

 

I obviously don't see the draw. And, I know that the TA apparently got screwed up because of a charter, but then I see a cruise that looks like it is all about Cuba right in that time frame, too.

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What is the huge draw to Cuba? It looks to me like AZ is expending huge effort and lots of $$$ and saying 'ohboyohboy we get to go to Cuba with our small ships'. Isn't the US the only country that had restrictions on travel to Cuba? There has to be a finite number of US citizens who 1)haven't been to Cuba and 2)are rabidly excited at the chance to go to Cuba ( and 3)willing to pay the big money AZ seems to think it's worth). I personally am not all that interested; I might go on a cruise that stopped in Cuba on its way to islands I like, but I'm not about to book a Cuba-intensive cruise. As to other US citizens, isn't Cuba caught in a time warp? There aren't any luxury all-inclusive resorts, casinos, duty-free shopping malls, etc. It's picturesque because of the old cars and bright colors, but is that enough to cause repeat visits? And with repeat visits, won't the above mentioned tourist traps start to appear, and then Cuba will look like all the other islands?

 

 

Cuba- for many of us our parents went now we went to go. first i went this winter on a land tour. the hotels were lovely. i stayed in two all inclusive resorts are so there. the rooms and bathrooms were huge. our group including the guide were assigned to resturants. 3 of us ddi our own ting in one resort but we found it tougher in another one. we had bottles of white rum in our rooms. one tiny hotel-fancy B&B type place rooms were lovely.

being in the time warp makes it great. you learn how people really live. you see people with carriage and horses. you see lovely old buildings. great art and music and dance.

Please do ont go if you do not just like i do not want to go back to Rio but am to fly home this winter. we still do not know what 45 doing but for now i am going to enjoy.

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It won't just be U.S. citizens, though the finite number who haven't seen Cuba and want to see it will fill those small ships many times. I'm sure there will be plenty of people from countries other than the U.S. who will take advantage of Azamara being in Cuba because they like both the ships and the country. It's a unique culture, and yes, it will change. The generic all-inclusives and malls will come. For lots of people, that in itself, is a reason to go now.

 

 

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It won't just be U.S. citizens, though the finite number who haven't seen Cuba and want to see it will fill those small ships many times. I'm sure there will be plenty of people from countries other than the U.S. who will take advantage of Azamara being in Cuba because they like both the ships and the country. It's a unique culture, and yes, it will change. The generic all-inclusives and malls will come. For lots of people, that in itself, is a reason to go now.

 

 

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Yes there are plenty of non U.S. citizens who want to do so but the point is that they are free to do so without any of the costs or restrictions associated with traveling from Miami on Azamara.

We have lots of opportunities to travel all inclusive either by ship or direct to resorts, for example only this week I received an email offering a two centre 5* all inclusive stay with flights from the UK for £850pp.

 

 

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Thank you to all who have given me more information. I have only seen some pictures, and I had no idea there were the more modern hotels and resorts there; I love learning about different places, so that is something to file away. I guess I sounded incredibly stupid and "ugly American" when I certainly didn't mean to.

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I think it depends what information you have had the chance to see and read. Because there have been no travel restrictions for us on the UK, travel agents and tour companies put out a lot of adverts for the big hotels in the beach resorts in Cuba. I guess there have been no adverts of this sort in the US, given the restrictions on travel.

 

 

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You're right, we in the U.S.don't see ads for resorts, etc. In Cuba. The lifting of travel restrictions has been gradual, so Cuba isn't really on the travel agent radar yet. Now, who knows what will happen?

For the Cuban people, I hope for the modernization and advantages they've been denied and that increased tourism can help bring. They'll remain a unique Caribbean culture even as they leave their time warp. Sure, there are less expensive ways to visit than with Azamara, but aren't there always? It's an option people seem to want, and for us in the U.S. cheaper airfare than Europe or Asia.

 

 

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Given the restrictions imposed by the Cuban government, I wonder how many big chains will want to develop resorts and stores there? I personally am looking forward to a cruise where there isn't a DI, etc. in every port.

 

 

 

Kathy

 

 

 

Many of the big chains already have hotels in Cuba - such as Sandals, Mercury, Sheraton, Barcelo(Spanish hotel group), Iberostar, Amelia etc.

 

 

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I just know my hotels were lovely. the one in Havana was the mela. I would of prefer the national with old world charm or one of the ones i saw near the capital .right now the big problem is Americans can not sue credit cards. I know canadans can in hotels but what about others.. you must have cash.

food varies from good and really good to- really skipped it.

our country has had group tours to Cuba for years. high end-good hotels- but you must compare hte tours fro the hotels and free time. i manged to get more as i walk. plus taxi places.

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After reading through the thread about the TA and all the difficulties associated to it, I have an honest question.

 

 

 

What is the huge draw to Cuba? It looks to me like AZ is expending huge effort and lots of $$$ and saying 'ohboyohboy we get to go to Cuba with our small ships'. Isn't the US the only country that had restrictions on travel to Cuba? There has to be a finite number of US citizens who 1)haven't been to Cuba and 2)are rabidly excited at the chance to go to Cuba ( and 3)willing to pay the big money AZ seems to think it's worth). I personally am not all that interested; I might go on a cruise that stopped in Cuba on its way to islands I like, but I'm not about to book a Cuba-intensive cruise. As to other US citizens, isn't Cuba caught in a time warp? There aren't any luxury all-inclusive resorts, casinos, duty-free shopping malls, etc. It's picturesque because of the old cars and bright colors, but is that enough to cause repeat visits? And with repeat visits, won't the above mentioned tourist traps start to appear, and then Cuba will look like all the other islands?

 

 

 

I obviously don't see the draw. And, I know that the TA apparently got screwed up because of a charter, but then I see a cruise that looks like it is all about Cuba right in that time frame, too.

 

 

 

I'm extremely excited about my cruise to Cuba over thanksgiving! I wouldn't say I'm "rabidly"excited, but am very excited. It will be our first cruise with Azamara and Cuba was the draw for us. We've wanted to go to Cuba since travel restrictions were lifted, but haven't gotten around to it. We have friends who have gone and reported on the fabulous scenery, the warm people, the interesting culture, the dance, art, food, architecture, and the fascinating appearance of a time warp due to the prevalence of classic cars. I don't really know exactly what to expect, which is part of why I am so excited about the trip! I'm a visitor, not a tourist. I don't do all inclusive hotels or tour busses. Now that our President has said he is going to tighten restrictions with Cuba again, a cruise seemed like an easier way to go with a built in back up plan if Cuba is again declared off limits.

 

Did Azamara make a mistake in altering established itineraries to add Cuba? I'm not on their board of directors, so I'm sure they don't care about my opinion. I do feel bad for the people whose plans were altered and the way it was handled. But ultimately we all get to vote with our wallets, and I am voting for visiting Cuba. I don't feel there was a high price tag associated with this cruise, as you have described. I'm unaware of what the cruise fares were before Cuba was added and perhaps that is what you are referencing. We were deciding between this itinerary and a Crystal cruise aboard the Esprit the same week. It wasn't an apples to apples comparison, but this cruise was considerably cheaper.

 

You don't see the appeal? Different strokes for different folks. Our cruise also stops at Cozumel and Key West. Been there, done that, and zero interest in going back. I won't be getting off the ship in those ports. You can go get a yard of frozen drink and peruse the duty free shopping malls and I'll explore Cuba. If we all wanted to go to the exact same spots, those places would be terribly overcrowded. Don't question or belittle my desire to visit Cuba. Just don't go there.

 

 

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As I said, I didn't want to question or belittle anything/anybody. I was wondering if Azamara was overdoing the Cuban itineraries because I have seen some people, mostly people who have never had travel to Cuba restricted, not happy with the port stops in Cuba for several reasons. If the Cuban stops continue to be a good part of the cruise, and the visa is more expensive than what they are accustomed to paying, my concern was if there were enough people who wanted to visit Cuba to keep the multiple stops there financially viable. I was looking at the business side of it, never questioning where other people wanted to visit. I am one of those people who enjoy Key West for a stone crab/spiny lobster dinner if they are in season.

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I have just studied the Cuba intensive itineraries on Azamara's UK website and there's nothing there to alert potential passengers that they will be subject to American restrictions on these cruises.

This is worrying as I doubt many here in the U.K. would be aware of this, certainly we would not if it wasn't for CC.

Just imagine the potential outcry if when boarding in Miami passengers are told that they have to pay $75pp for an unnecessary visa and can only leave the ship if they book a tour.

 

 

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I have just studied the Cuba intensive itineraries on Azamara's UK website and there's nothing there to alert potential passengers that they will be subject to American restrictions on these cruises.

This is worrying as I doubt many here in the U.K. would be aware of this, certainly we would not if it wasn't for CC.

Just imagine the potential outcry if when boarding in Miami passengers are told that they have to pay $75pp for an unnecessary visa and can only leave the ship if they book a tour.

 

 

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We were on the first Azamara visit to Cuba earlier this year, initially we were going to Mexico and were a bit miffed at the change, but in the end we enjoyed our two days there. Yes the visa cost at $75 per person is higher than as a UK citizen we could get cheaper direct, but it's just one of those things you have to go with, a bit like the Visa cost to India which is way more time consuming to get. As far as the Declaration document you have to sign is concerned it's no big deal, just sign it saying you're doing your own thing. We did a private tour to Vinales the first day, then meandered around Havana on the second.

 

Will we go back?, probably not, lots more places on the bucket list to go to, not least the part of Mexico we missed out on.

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I honestly have no idea. As a Canadian Resident, we've had no restrictions. From people that have been there, the All Inclusives suck, the food is horrible but they have nice beaches. No desire whatsoever to go. But for an American, I guess it's finally being able to have something that was forbidden.

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I have been wanting to visit Cuba for a long time. I truly feel that the more interaction US citizens have with Cuban citizens the better off we all will be. I spent 30 years as a travel professional and witnessed countries such as Vietnam & Cambodia come off the banned list and into the "must see" travel itineraries. I find it reprehensible that a few politicians have made it so difficult and costly for US citizens to visit Cuba. I will be thrilled to be on board the March 19th Azamara Quest as we sail into Havana. Let's hope that our politicians don't go back to the failed policies of the past.

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Enjoy your Cuba experience, Nasha. I agree that people-to-people connection and the understanding that creates are a great and fascinating step to a safer world. I'd love to visit Iran....not by Azamara, of course! Now, it's impossible for a U.S. citizen to get a visa.

 

 

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We visited Cuba on a 4-day Empress OTS cruise from Tampa last month. Spouse curious as her mother used to vacation in Cuba from NYC. Having lived 3 years in Yugoslavia and Romania during the "Cold War" period I found Cuba to be an improvement over eastern Europe of 30 years ago and similar to what Romania's progress 3 years after the fall of Ceaucescu. There is commerce. Privatization is just starting - we lunched at a private restaurant. However, the restrictions on currency; the convertible CUC for foreigners and Peso for locals, enables the government to remain in control. Its a place to enjoy, meet locals, take images, and begin to understand the challenges its people and future leadership have in creating a prosperous culture. Cuba is not a threat to the US and cannot be treated in that way. Visit!

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That's what's wonderful about travel...for every person that goes to a certain place you'll get that many different opinions. As a Canadian we've been going to Cuba for years...land based vacations. Food is subjective. I wouldn't blanket it as it all sucks. Some resorts are better than others I'm sure, and within each resort some restaurants are better than others. Yes...they are less refined in general. Room decor may be dated, etc. But the people are the most friendly we've ever come across. Truly beautiful people that make you feel like family. Havana I found fascinating....the architecture is stunning. Time warp? Yeah maybe..but what a unique experience!

 

 

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Cuba! Just the word conjures images for me of glamorous movie stars dancing to the Latin beat, and legendary tales of romantic short get-aways from the East Coast.

Overlay those images with a new Caribbean destination for the cruiser who's been everywhere, and you have pent up demand...at least in the USA.

I hope to join one of our Azamara cruises this winter!

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Cuba! Just the word conjures images for me of glamorous movie stars dancing to the Latin beat, and legendary tales of romantic short get-aways from the East Coast.

 

Overlay those images with a new Caribbean destination for the cruiser who's been everywhere, and you have pent up demand...at least in the USA.

 

I hope to join one of our Azamara cruises this winter!

 

 

 

I would enjoy adding the 4 night November 6 '18 voyage to my B2B. Unfortunately the price quoted is approximately $1000 per night inside cabin. Seems a little expensive!

 

 

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Bonnie, could you please clarify whether Canadian citizens are subject to the same restrictions as U.S. citizens when visiting Cuba with Azamara. My wife and I are booked on a January 2019 Cuba intensive cruise but, with three nights in Havana, don't want to be limited to organized tours to go ashore. Will we be allowed to go ashore and do our own thing? I'm not concerned about having to buy $75 visas but being limited to organized tours would be a deal breaker for us.

 

 

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Bonnie, could you please clarify whether Canadian citizens are subject to the same restrictions as U.S. citizens when visiting Cuba with Azamara. My wife and I are booked on a January 2019 Cuba intensive cruise but, with three nights in Havana, don't want to be limited to organized tours to go ashore. Will we be allowed to go ashore and do our own thing? I'm not concerned about having to buy $75 visas but being limited to organized tours would be a deal breaker for us.

 

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I'll see what I can find out.

Btw, where do you live when in Mexico?

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