Cruises to Cuba

One only can hope that Cuba is careful with promises being made. Not everything is gold that shines. :rolleyes:

Would love to see Cuba open up to Americans. It is totally on our list, and it would be nice to have more options than the current "educational" tours.

One only can hope that Cuba is careful with promises being made. Not everything is gold that shines. :rolleyes:

 

:confused: I don't know what this means?

 

Aquahound -- The embargo, as currently constituted, is a joke. Most everyone who has the money and connections can go now. Legally. There are charter flights already even from Baltimore's BWI. You just have to have family in Cuba or be part of an "educational" group.

 

You don't have to convince me. I've always been of the opinion that restriction on Americans private travel is unconstitutional. I'm no fan of the Castros, but I'm also no fan of the embargo. I'm a bit conflicted on the matter.

 

But be that as it may, regardless of how you or I feel, the embargo isn't going anywhere soon, and that means no U.S. based cruises.

........ same as they had under US-backed Batista, before the Castro-led revolution????

 

The embargo was (is) all about Castro seizing the assets of foreign corporations without paying compensation.

 

JB :)

 

It involves the Castros but not for those reasons.

Was watching president Obama talking about the embargo finally being lifted. Do you think we'll start seeing cruises to Cuba? If so when? Which lines do you think are most likely to go?

Nothing for now. Allowing mass tourism requires congressional approval, and doesn't seem likely to happen anytime soon.

 

Here's Cruise Critic news article posted today:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6112

Nothing for now. Allowing mass tourism requires congressional approval, and doesn't seem likely to happen anytime soon.

 

Here's Cruise Critic news article posted today:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6112

 

Exactly. This is one thing the President does not have the power to order on his own. It must pass through U.S. Congress.

 

No embargo was lifted today!

 

As to cruises from USA to Cuba, figure 5-10 years, both Castro brothers being cold in their graves, and a non-communist government in place.

Was watching president Obama talking about the embargo finally being lifted. Do you think we'll start seeing cruises to Cuba? If so when? Which lines do you think are most likely to go?

 

No, not anytime soon, and none because no embargo was lifted.

........ same as they had under US-backed Batista, before the Castro-led revolution????

 

The embargo was (is) all about Castro seizing the assets of foreign corporations without paying compensation.

 

JB :)

John I like your posts and you are very smart (and I am for ending the embargo) but to compare Batistas Cuba to Castros is way off base the everyday Cuban had much more freedom under the latter than at any time under Castro. Under Castros leadership Cuba went from the richest country in the Cairbbean to the poorest . While many blame the U.S. enbargo for this ,the facts are they can trade with the other 188 countries in the world but they dont because they have no money and no economy because of the false gods of socialism and mismanagement of Castro . Does any man have the right to rule a country for 54 years with out a single election.

As soon as the Castro bothers are dead, it will be opened up.

 

Not before.

 

 

And, frankly, with all the giving up of our freedoms, we should soon be able to go to Cuba and notice no difference in our standard of living

 

 

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No, not anytime soon, and none because no embargo was lifted.

 

Then what was all that stuff today about? He even said they're setting up an embassy in Cuba.

 

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John I like your posts and you are very smart (and I am for ending the embargo) but to compare Batistas Cuba to Castros is way off base the everyday Cuban had much more freedom under the latter than at any time under Castro. Under Castros leadership Cuba went from the richest country in the Cairbbean to the poorest . While many blame the U.S. enbargo for this ,the facts are they can trade with the other 188 countries in the world but they dont because they have no money and no economy because of the false gods of socialism and mismanagement of Castro . Does any man have the right to rule a country for 54 years with out a single election.

 

Hi, Dr D.

 

But there are elections in Cuba. And the turnout is around 95%.

Not the same electoral freedoms - or constraints - that you or I have, but yes, they've certainly had elections since the 1970's.

 

Unfortunately how good - or how poor - the electoral system depends far too much on who's telling you about it.

Here's how wonderful it is : http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/faq-answer.asp?faqid=7

And here's how bad it is: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yoani-sanchez/cuba-is-also-having-an-el_b_1897732.html

 

Good unbiased detail of Cuba's electoral system is much more difficult to find. About the best I could find is Wiki, which at least puts the pros & cons. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Cuba

 

Yes, under Batista there was indeed a great deal more wealth. But unfortunately all in the hands of a few - the ordinary working folk didn't see that wealth, mainly due to corruption in high places. Hence the popular uprising that put Castro in power.

Cuba is poor, but you might be surprised at how good the government health & education systems are.

 

And yes, there's certainly been a lot less freedom. Ownership of cars, for instance. The many classic 1950's US cars are still on-the-road because those who had cars were allowed to keep them (& to pass them down), but apart from them only folk with appropriate jobs were allowed to have cars. I don't know if that's still the case, I'll find out next month.

And I'll be interested to see how Havana has changed since I was last there, about 30 years ago. "Decayed Spanish decadence" would have accurately summed-up the feel of the place then, and it was a great place to visit - quite unique.

 

BTW, Luddite, if the seizure of foreign assets wasn't the reason for the embargo, perhaps you can tell us what was?

 

JB :)

It's a bit confusing.

 

Obama announced the beginning of diplomatic relations -- setting up an embassy, etc.

 

However, it takes approval from Congress to lift the embargo. Even Obama's "executive orders" can't do this.

 

Obama said that he hopes Congress will move toward lifting the embargo. We all know how slowly Congress moves.

Then what was all that stuff today about? He even said they're setting up an embassy in Cuba.

 

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I believe their re-opening an embassy...tourist for educational purpose...but I think you can also bring back Cuban cigar's now from caribbean ports into the US...not sure but from what I heard..although I may have misunderstood my nightly news. I'm sure many other's will have exact info as this all unfolds.

Hi, Dr D.

 

But there are elections in Cuba. And the turnout is around 95%.

Not the same electoral freedoms - or constraints - that you or I have, but yes, they've certainly had elections since the 1970's.

 

Unfortunately how good - or how poor - the electoral system depends far too much on who's telling you about it.

Here's how wonderful it is : http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/faq-answer.asp?faqid=7

And here's how bad it is: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yoani-sanchez/cuba-is-also-having-an-el_b_1897732.html

 

Good unbiased detail of Cuba's electoral system is much more difficult to find. About the best I could find is Wiki, which at least puts the pros & cons. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Cuba

 

Yes, under Batista there was indeed a great deal more wealth. But unfortunately all in the hands of a few - the ordinary working folk didn't see that wealth, mainly due to corruption in high places. Hence the popular uprising that put Castro in power.

Cuba is poor, but you might be surprised at how good the government health & education systems are.

 

And yes, there's certainly been a lot less freedom. Ownership of cars, for instance. The many classic 1950's US cars are still on-the-road because those who had cars were allowed to keep them (& to pass them down), but apart from them only folk with appropriate jobs were allowed to have cars. I don't know if that's still the case, I'll find out next month.

And I'll be interested to see how Havana has changed since I was last there, about 30 years ago. "Decayed Spanish decadence" would have accurately summed-up the feel of the place then, and it was a great place to visit - quite unique.

 

BTW, Luddite, if the seizure of foreign assets wasn't the reason for the embargo, perhaps you can tell us what was?

 

JB :)

It is mind blowing to me that anyone could think that Castros cuba can be defended because they have good health care(they don't) and good schools (they don't) . My favorite part of this great country is after the boss is out they decide the best man in the whole country of millons of people is'' my brother.'' Crony communism at it is best. I will never understand the left's love of personality cults communism always turn into Russia,China,and Cuba.As far as your pointing to there education systems I would rather be an illiterate in a free country than educaded in a totalitarian society. The truth will come out about the Castros brothers and the left will have egg on there face one more time.

I believe their re-opening an embassy...tourist for educational purpose...but I think you can also bring back Cuban cigar's now from caribbean ports into the US...not sure but from what I heard..although I may have misunderstood my nightly news. I'm sure many other's will have exact info as this all unfolds.

 

Americans are now permitted to bring Cuban cigars and Cuban rum into U.S. with maximum value of $100.

Edited December 18, 2014 by sail7seas

It's a bit confusing.

 

Obama announced the beginning of diplomatic relations -- setting up an embassy, etc.

 

However, it takes approval from Congress to lift the embargo. Even Obama's "executive orders" can't do this.

 

Obama said that he hopes Congress will move toward lifting the embargo. We all know how slowly Congress moves.

 

First Obama decision I was happy with lol

 

Sent from my SM-G900P using Forums mobile app

 

 

BTW, Luddite, if the seizure of foreign assets wasn't the reason for the embargo, perhaps you can tell us what was?

 

JB :)

 

Castro got tired of Kennedy trying to kill him.

It is mind blowing to me that anyone could think that Castros cuba can be defended because they have good health care(they don't) and good schools (they don't) . My favorite part of this great country is after the boss is out they decide the best man in the whole country of millons of people is'' my brother.'' Crony communism at it is best. I will never understand the left's love of personality cults communism always turn into Russia,China,and Cuba.As far as your pointing to there education systems I would rather be an illiterate in a free country than educaded in a totalitarian society. The truth will come out about the Castros brothers and the left will have egg on there face one more time.

 

This is simply an amazing thing to read.

It is mind blowing to me that anyone could think that Castros cuba can be defended because they have good health care(they don't) and good schools (they don't) . My favorite part of this great country is after the boss is out they decide the best man in the whole country of millons of people is'' my brother.'' Crony communism at it is best. I will never understand the left's love of personality cults communism always turn into Russia,China,and Cuba.As far as your pointing to there education systems I would rather be an illiterate in a free country than educaded in a totalitarian society. The truth will come out about the Castros brothers and the left will have egg on there face one more time.

 

I agree with you, I rate freedom as perhaps the most important human right.

I didn't "defend" Cuba because of its healthcare and education, I simply used them as examples of the pros as well as the cons, to get an accurate balanced & non-partisan viewpoint - something which a number of folk on this thread seem incapable of doing. The world ain't as black and white as you or they seem to think, nor as white and black as those subjected to communist propaganda seem to think.

 

Lets take cronyism, or more accurately nepotism, as an example.

I think we can agree that Castro's engineering his brother to be vice-President, and consequently to take over the reins, is an example of nepotism.

But of course no American president would ever appoint his brother to Attorney-General, would he.

Nor would there be any other family dynasties in US politics.

No Indian Prime Minister's wife would succeed him as Prime Minister.

And there was no Marcos dynasty in the Philippine government.

Or 5 members of the Churchill family in the UK parliament.

Here are some examples of cronyism, courtesy of Wiki, but I'd better forewarn you, they're not all communists ;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronyism

 

Nepotism & cronyism are an unacceptable part of life. But they're not unique to lefties.

 

Please don't blindly suggest that education & healthcare aren't excellent in Cuba, because every resource will confirm that they are.

But then education ought to, because according to UNESCO 10% of its budget is spent on education, compared to 2% in the US & 4% in the UK.

And the ratio of doctors to population increased five-fold from the end of Batista's government - according to the World Bank only the US & the UK have a higher ratio. Infant mortality is lower than in the US, and Cuba's healthcare is free to all. Is that such a bad record?

 

Do those things make Cuba a better place to live than the US or UK?

Not for me they don't, but life for Cubans ain't all doom & gloom.

As I'm sure my impending cruise will confirm.

 

JB :)

Castro got tired of Kennedy trying to kill him.

 

Well, there were at least half-a-dozen attempts ;)

But that didn't answer my question.

If the US embargo wasn't imposed because of Castro's seizure of foreign assets in Cuba as I stated, why was it imposed?

 

JB :)

I agree with you, I rate freedom as perhaps the most important human right.

I didn't "defend" Cuba because of its healthcare and education, I simply used them as examples of the pros as well as the cons, to get an accurate balanced & non-partisan viewpoint - something which a number of folk on this thread seem incapable of doing. The world ain't as black and white as you or they seem to think, nor as white and black as those subjected to communist propaganda seem to think.

 

Lets take cronyism, or more accurately nepotism, as an example.

I think we can agree that Castro's engineering his brother to be vice-President, and consequently to take over the reins, is an example of nepotism.

But of course no American president would ever appoint his brother to Attorney-General, would he.

Nor would there be any other family dynasties in US politics.

No Indian Prime Minister's wife would succeed him as Prime Minister.

And there was no Marcos dynasty in the Philippine government.

Or 5 members of the Churchill family in the UK parliament.

Here are some examples of cronyism, courtesy of Wiki, but I'd better forewarn you, they're not all communists ;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronyism

 

Nepotism & cronyism are an unacceptable part of life. But they're not unique to lefties.

 

Please don't blindly suggest that education & healthcare aren't excellent in Cuba, because every resource will confirm that they are.

But then education ought to, because according to UNESCO 10% of its budget is spent on education, compared to 2% in the US & 4% in the UK.

And the ratio of doctors to population increased five-fold from the end of Batista's government - according to the World Bank only the US & the UK have a higher ratio. Infant mortality is lower than in the US, and Cuba's healthcare is free to all. Is that such a bad record?

 

Do those things make Cuba a better place to live than the US or UK?

Not for me they don't, but life for Cubans ain't all doom & gloom.

As I'm sure my impending cruise will confirm.

 

JB :)

 

Great response :)

 

We recently discussed doing a cruise (and land based holiday) to Cuba and it would be lovely if you could do a review after your return as it has been a while since I have been there.

I would love to cruise to Cuba.

Will it happen any time soon? I don't think so.