Adios, Fidel... hello Havana???

[*Mach*]

As you've probably heard, Fidel Castro has stepped down as dictator of Cuba to be replaced by his 'younger' brother Raoul the new dictator of Cuba...

I doubt this will make much difference in the near term but do you guys think that in a few years we might see Havana on the list of ports of call for Carnival?

It seems as though Havana would be convenient to pretty much all of the Gulf Coast home ports and, of course, Florida.

Cigar smokers unite!!!

[cruisecruisecruise1234567]

Originally Posted by Host Mach

As you've probably heard, Fidel Castro has stepped down as dictator of Cuba to be replaced by his 'younger' brother Raoul the new dictator of Cuba...

I doubt this will make much difference in the near term but do you guys think that in a few years we might see Havana on the list of ports of call for Carnival?

It seems as though Havana would be convenient to pretty much all of the Gulf Coast home ports and, of course, Florida.

Cigar smokers unite!!!

That was a poll question I started a few weeks back and many would like it,but I think our goverment will still block it for years to come.

[yst347]

I wish the embargo would end but I don't see it happening. The way the politics play now there is little upside for an end to the embargo as it isn't a hot button issue for most Americans, but it can be the difference between victory and defeat for a Presidential candidate in a close election.

Some day the embargo will end but I don't see it happening before the Cuban government reforms, allows free travel for its citizens and holds free elections. That won't happen any time soon.

[MrPete]

The man will have to be cold and dustlike first.

[*Mach*]

Originally Posted by cruisecruisecruise1234567

That was a poll question I started a few weeks back and many would like it,but I think our goverment will still block it for years to come.

Could well be and I expect that you're probably right. Personally, I'm hoping that folks who love to travel might bring some pressure to bear on their lawmakers.

The only real downside that I can see would be the lack of infrastructure in Cuba. I know that Carnival and other cruise lines have invested many millions of dollars in ports around the world. I wonder if they'd we willing to make the same investment in Cuba... ???

[yst347]

Originally Posted by Host Mach

The only real downside that I can see would be the lack of infrastructure in Cuba. I know that Carnival and other cruise lines have invested many millions of dollars in ports around the world. I wonder if they'd we willing to make the same investment in Cuba... ???

I don't think infrastructure is an issue. Cuba is chock-full of high end resorts where Cubans can only work...not play. Tourism is Cuba's main source of hard currency. I don't think cruise lines would worry about investing in Cuba.

[futaba951]

http://www.havana-mobile.com/

Mobile and Havana have had a sister city relationship for years now. There is some limited trade between the port of Mobile and Cuba. The mayor and other city and state officials have travelled to Havana as well as hosting Cuban officials to the city of Mobile. Maybe Carnivals first ship to call on Cuba should be one from Mobile due to the relationship between the two cities.

[ILUVCRUZEN]

I would love to cruise to Cuba. I'd be the first to sign the roll call.

[marty30907]

Originally Posted by ILUVCRUZEN

I would love to cruise to Cuba. I'd be the first to sign the roll call.

We would be second!

[BobBeaSea]

The moment the U.S. embargo is eliminated, the cruise lines will be making deals to open up Cuban ports of call. Heaven knows the Caribbean basin needs some freshening up with respect to port offerings. We shall see if Castro himself was the target of the embargo or whether Cuba being a communist country was the reason.

It really doesn't make sense to continue an embargo against a country simply because it has a communist government. If this was the case how does one explain the massive trade with China (China is close to being America's largest trading partner, if not so already) as well as full relations and trade with Vietnam? Both of these nations are communist countries and both are cruise destinations offering ports of call.

Could be some interesting times and discussions approaching.....

[yst347]

For the record cruise ships already call on Cuba.

[BobBeaSea]

Originally Posted by yst347

For the record cruise ships already call on Cuba.

Almost non-existent once RCI purchased Pullmantur. Cuba really took a hit when this transaction happened.

[keyguide]

Originally Posted by BobBeaSea

The moment the U.S. embargo is eliminated, the cruise lines will be making deals to open up Cuban ports of call. Heaven knows the Caribbean basin needs some freshening up with respect to port offerings. We shall see if Castro himself was the target of the embargo or whether Cuba being a communist country was the reason.

It really doesn't make sense to continue an embargo against a country simply because it has a communist government. If this was the case how does one explain the massive trade with China (China is close to being America's largest trading partner, if not so already) as well as full relations and trade with Vietnam? Both of these nations are communist countries and both are cruise destinations offering ports of call.

Could be some interesting times and discussions approaching.....

We may need a few folks to die off over here as well. The problem is they would not be bullied or bribed,and the big kid on the block took his ball and went home.They quickly forgot the dictatorship(Batista) that caused empty handed peasants to charge down the guns.Put a U.S. embargo on any Caribbean country and they will suffer worse than the poor Cubans.Remember it was tourists and Levi's that caused the U.S.S.R. to collapse not the military or postering. Still the collapse was not in our best interest .

[Lesinindy]

Cuba libre, muerte a Fidel Castro. Bring on Havana!

[tls630]

I would love to sail to Cuba. I would also like to see the exiles get thier property returned to them so they can go home. As the saying goes there is no place like home !!!

[SkyMaster]

Having been stationed at Gitmo many, many years ago, and having a job of flying the perimeter of the base for security, I'd dearly love to go back to Cuba,,,,as a tourist. I doubt, as others have speculated above, that the demise of Castro will change much down there. I think that cruising into Cuba would be OUTSTANDING!

Ken
"SkyMaster"

[MississippiMom]

I'm not sure if Cuba will become a port of call anytime soon, but I'd like to see it with my own eyes. However, I would want it to be an adults only vacation so my DH And I could go explore outside of the touristy areas. I highly doubt that I would do that with children tagging along.

[douglinc@msn.com]

I would love to see Carnival drop Montego Bay and go to Cuba instead!

Doug

[ParrotHead79]

Originally Posted by Lesinindy

Cuba libre, muerte a Fidel Castro. Bring on Havana!

X 2 !!!

[doctordi]

I've only done Western Carib cruises so far and I've seen Cuba from the ship. It looks like such a beautiful island and I'd love to visit. I'd be willing to spend some of my hard earned dollars there when our government allows it.