Today’s news that the Obama Administration has taken steps to ease diplomatic relations with Cuba is interesting. I’m leery of stepping into a big political debate here, but in my mind, it’s high time. Obviously, what we’ve been doing for the last 50 years or so hasn’t worked. It is past time for a new approach to our neighbors just 90 miles to the south.
I’ve cruised the Caribbean many times just off the shores of Cuba looking at the island with wonder. I have to imagine that the day is soon coming that I will be able to travel there freely. Your run of the mill Carnival or Royal Caribbean cruise won’t be sailing to the island anytime soon, but cruises already sail there that are from other countries carrying other nationalities. I have to admit that MrsMJ and I have discussed the idea of sailing to Cuba on more than one occasion.
Ordinary tourism remains prohibited, and I expect that to continue for some time. However, the inevitable will eventually happen. The island is going to open for business. Havana could become almost as ubiquitous as Nassau on cruise itineraries. As an avid cruiser, I look forward to the opportunity to sail to Cuba eventually. That said, I have to admit that I hope I get to go before the big ships get there. In the meantime, I’ll just settle for a cigar without threat of arrest and/or fine. Most importantly, I’ll hope this is the first step towards more freedom and opportunity for the Cuban people.
-MJ, December 17, 2014
@Deltahater –
“No one cares about the opinion of 3 million (generally illegal) Cubans in Miami.”
According to the 2010 US Census, there are only 1,785,547 Cubans in the US as a whole. Where did you get your 3 million figure. And Cuban refugees who reach the shores of the US have long been allowed to stay, hence they’re not illegal.
Ah yes, we live in the land of the free, yet our Govt tells us where we can/can’t travel. If you want to travel to Cuba right now, simply head to Cancun, Mexico, and catch a short flight to Cuba. Your passport won’t be stamped, you can’t use an American issued credit card, but you’ll get to Cuba. Just don’t bring back anything you purchase, else Uncle might take a dislike to you and give you a big fine.
Like ABC said,. the rest of the world has been visiting Cuba since 1963. No one cares about the opinion of 3 million (generally illegal) Cubans in Miami. Don’t mean to be offensive, but the average American has bigger issues to deal with whether or not tourism sponsors torture or not. Cuba has great hotels, beaches etc, and Canadians, Mexicans, Germans, Dutch, Aussies have all be able to elect to go to Cuba or Jamaica. It is high time that the average American tourist has the same rights
I Would assume that only ships originating from the US would have this issue. Foreign tourism is big in Cuba. The US is just the giant arriving late to the game.
I’m Cuban born and raised. I actually grew up there but live in the U.S. now. The main issue with Cuba (and please don’t get me wrong, I’m just educating here) is that everything in Cuba is state controlled and state run. Cigars and rum are great, but by visiting and purchasing those things people are actually supporting a state that not only sponsors terrorism but also imprisons, tortures and kills it’s own people for the simple reason of disagreeing with the regime. I get it that most people might not “care” about those issues, and my philosophy is live and let live. It’s not my business to tell anyone what they do or don’t do. I just thought I’d comment to let people know who might not have otherwise thought about it what the real issue is. Yes, I miss my country and my childhood friends, but I won’t be visiting anytime soon for the personal reasons I just described.
@Mike,
Education is welcome here!
I don’t think Congress (remember the party opposed to the President controls the House & will control the Senate in a few weeks) will let this happen without a HUGE fight. All they’d have to do is pass a law (with a veto proof majority, which they may be able to pull off) banning the government from spending any $$ to carry out the President’s policy.
I won’t comment on whether or not I think any of this (on either side) is a good idea, but the President’s announcement is not the last word.