Cuba Anyone?

[Davidson Duo]

Maybe its because the Castro government remains one of the most oppressive regimes on the planet; and maybe its because the the Castro government is less eager than the U.S. to remove the embargo because that would also remove the primary blame Cuba uses to rationalize their disastrous economy; and maybe some governments place a higher value on their own financial gain than human rights.

 

I would suggest you may want to learn a bit more about Cuba from other than the biased media reports you have apparently been gathering your info from.

 

In response to many posters who have never travelled to Cuba, I would like to comment about my observations from personal experience, NOT what I have heard or read second hand.

 

We have travelled to Cuba many times and talked to the actual people who live there. Rather than being "oppressed" as you describe them, they actually have a lot of freedoms, including some that we do not have in Canada or the US.

 

They actually are quite able to freely travel the world outside of Cuba. We know many who have vacationed in various countries, including one fellow who travelled to Toronto a couple of times, where he met his wife. They married, and he had no interest in defecting, or claiming married residency status in Canada. They returned to Cuba and live healthy and happy there.

 

There are some restrictions on their daily life choices, but we in Canada and the US also have restrictions on what we can and can't do. They are not necessarily right or wrong, they are just what works under our various laws and social structures.

 

The Cubans are very happy to welcome Americans to their country for vacations. And many Americans travel to Cuba often to vacation at beach resorts, or Havana B&B's where they go to enjoy their rich culture. There is no Cuban restriction on American's traveling there, it is US restrictions only. A large number of Americans fly from Canada regularly to resorts, etc. Cubans do not regard Americans negatively nor do they target vacationers to "detain them for no reason". They are actually welcomed with open arms, as are most visitors.

 

Cubans travel to other countries on humanitarian missions, also. Their work in Sierra Leone is well known and highly respected by world leaders as well as individuals like us. Their medical system and advanced techniques and medical research are very progressive and respected. As is their education system.

 

Their economy is actually quite strong OTHER than to do with items they have no access to because of the embargo. But they are a resourceful people, fiercely proud of their country, and some of the nicest and most respectful people we have ever met. Yes, there are some exceptions, but as a general rule, they are truly kind and generous towards all.

 

The animosity we often hear from Americans toward the Cubans is something we have NEVER, not once, heard from anyone in Cuba in respect to Americans. I personally think that this move by President Obama to normalize relations and work together towards IMPROVING current issues is the way to go. Nothing will improve for anyone if there is no attempt to work together to achieve progress. If there is cooperation between the US and Iran, Vietnam Nam, Germany, and China, surely there can be an effort and positive change with Cuba.

 

We are world traveller's who have been to a good number of countries in all corners of this big world of ours. Cuba has always been our favorite destination, and I'm excited that American traveller's will soon have the opportunity to experience this amazing country on their vacation.

 

Just as long as it isn't overrun and overwhelmed that it changes from who they are. I hope that there remain strict limitations on the influence that foreign business can have in it's development. It is unique and has it's own "flavor". I really hope they are able to maintain that. :)

Edited December 19, 2014 by Davidson Duo

[Christine Frances]

Thank You!

[sail7seas]

Before any large cruise ships from US PORTS enter Cuba the US will have to alter the current regulations dealing with the strict programs that must be part of any visit, since the Cuban infrastructure that provides the needed person to person and educational programs the US requires is not up to handling large numbers of visitors.

 

Currently anyone from the US can visit Cuba Via Air since the relatively smaller number of visitors can easily take part in the group programs approved by the US as far as their content and size..

 

Non US visitors are not required to fulfill any such requirements and enter freely by any means of transport.

 

The newer policy does not seem to address any of the above issues but instead deals with easier visits for relatives, journalists, business, personalities and the such as well as now allowing increased spending in Cuba for those allowed along with the ability to bring back Cigars and Rum..LOL

 

Drop all the tourist requirements and let us spend our money at local privately owned restaurants, craft shops, bars and any number of the numerous small enterprises the people of Cuba are now opening. Let us stay on our cruise ship and not have to spend our cash at Government owned venues.

 

Seems more like the US is looking more at profits and tax money from a new market (not a bad thing) while ignoring the value of boosting the local people up a few notches. That type of GOOD WILL is invaluable to the creation of a good neighbor, especially one only a few scant miles off our southern shore.

 

OMO

 

bosco

 

 

 

Maybe Carnival Corporation will do some terminal/port construction. They have been building facilities around the Caribbean, if Cuba would permit it seems a sure investment cruisers will book cabins as soon as there are ships sailing from U.S. ports to Cuba.

 

[keeponcruising]

There are British , Canadian and German lines that already cruise to Cuba.

 

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Forums mobile app

 

 

I mean from the US.

[doublebzz]

I would suggest you may want to learn a bit more about Cuba from other than the biased media reports you have apparently been gathering your info from.

 

In response to many posters who have never travelled to Cuba, I would like to comment about my observations from personal experience, NOT what I have heard or read second hand.

 

We have travelled to Cuba many times and talked to the actual people who live there. Rather than being "oppressed" as you describe them, they actually have a lot of freedoms, including some that we do not have in Canada or the US.

 

 

I will be sure to let my Cuban aunt and uncle, who still live in Havana, know this.

[shandryl]

Canadians have been going there for years, especially to All Inclusive Resorts" and really enjoy:) it.

 

This is true!! I have friends leaving this Saturday for two weeks to one of the "All Inclusive Resorts". :)

[shandryl]

Careful, the EU is renowned for imposing their crazy laws on all of us. Remember the straight bananas fiasco?

 

We Brits also had metric forced on us, much against our will.

 

Definitely more than a touch of big brother:cool:

 

 

Very Well Said!! :D

[shandryl]

Sorry meant to quote Aquahound!

 

 

Doesn't that seem part and parcel of not having any type of negotiated "relationship" with Cuba? If you don't talk to them "politically" how can issues like this be solved? Other countries seem to do it. Sorry I am Canadian! We live a simple life lol

 

Yes!! Thats right! We live the simple life............LOL I like what you say. :D

[world~citizen]

Its interesting to see the US and non US perspective on this.

 

For me, any policy that builds bridges is a step in the right direction. It isn't a popular position with some, but it is the wise position in my view.

 

Be it commerce or cross cultural understanding, what is happening here is going in the right direction.

 

Love to take a HAL cruise to Cuba someday. But time is short and life is uncertain.

 

I am optimistic by nature though.

[sail7seas]

Its interesting to see the US and non US perspective on this.

 

For me, any policy that builds bridges is a step in the right direction. It isn't a popular position with some, but it is the wise position in my view.

 

Be it commerce or cross cultural understanding, what is happening here is going in the right direction.

 

Love to take a HAL cruise to Cuba someday. But time is short and life is uncertain.

 

I am optimistic by nature though.

 

 

It's nice to see you posting, World~citizen. I haven't noticed you here lately. Hope all is well with you.

 

[world~citizen]

It's nice to see you posting, World~citizen. I haven't noticed you here lately. Hope all is well with you.

 

 

How nice of you to say.

 

We haven't been able to cruise (or leave the house for extended periods) since we befriended our parrot in that park in Athens. Its going to be three years next valentines day, the anniversary of our making his majesty's acquaintance.

 

As our knowledge of things HAL is dated, I don't feel comfortable offering advice to current cruisers.

 

Its not all that bad. We have saved a fortune in travel, and have had our lives enriched in ways we couldn't have imagined before meeting our little friend.

 

Still, we live somewhat vicariously on the cruise experiences of those who post here. Its nice to see your posts. always so positive, sincere and helpful.

 

Good luck to you Sail, and hearty best wishes for the season and beyond.

[shandryl]

Its interesting to see the US and non US perspective on this.

 

For me, any policy that builds bridges is a step in the right direction. It isn't a popular position with some, but it is the wise position in my view.

 

Be it commerce or cross cultural understanding, what is happening here is going in the right direction.

 

Love to take a HAL cruise to Cuba someday. But time is short and life is uncertain.

 

I am optimistic by nature though.

 

I have not seen your posts in awhile nice to see you again! :) I have always enjoyed reading your posts. Hope to see you more and all is well with you.

[Copper10-8]

How nice of you to say.

 

We haven't been able to cruise (or leave the house for extended periods) since we befriended our parrot in that park in Athens. Its going to be three years next valentines day, the anniversary of our making his majesty's acquaintance.

 

..................................

 

What's his majesty's name? Zeus? Apollo? Achilles? ;)

[fm6175]

Great thread , first I had POA's live from now this . Well done CC HAL .

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[world~citizen]

What's his majesty's name? Zeus? Apollo? Achilles? ;)

 

For six months we weren't sure we would be able make all the arrangements necessary to bring him home. So we didn't give him a name, reasoning if we did, it would be more difficult if we had to leave him behind.

 

Inspections Canada officials suggested Icarus. On his vets charts he is identified as "no name bird".

 

As he is clearly too dignified to go without a name, We call him Mr. Oiseau (french for bird). Informally he is just Birdie.

 

Formal or no, we are his ground crew.

 

Life takes us in very strange directions.

 

Nice to see you again.

[world~citizen]

I have not seen your posts in awhile nice to see you again! :) I have always enjoyed reading your posts. Hope to see you more and all is well with you.

 

I am here a lot, but my knowledge of things HAL is dated.

 

I miss everyone here, and of course, HAL.

 

Thanks for the kind words.:)

[Copper10-8]

For six months we weren't sure we would be able make all the arrangements necessary to bring him home. So we didn't give him a name, reasoning if we did, it would be more difficult if we had to leave him behind.

 

Inspections Canada officials suggested Icarus. On his vets charts he is identified as "no name bird".

 

As he is clearly too dignified to go without a name, We call him Mr. Oiseau (french for bird). Informally he is just Birdie.

 

Formal or no, we are his ground crew.

 

Life takes us in very strange directions.

 

Nice to see you again.

 

Nice to see you also!

 

Since you're now HRH's ground crew, please don't forget to remove the landing gear chocks and 'remove before flight' streamers! ;)

[world~citizen]

Nice to see you also!

 

Since you're now HRH's ground crew, please don't forget to remove the landing gear chocks and 'remove before flight' streamers! ;)

 

Important safety tip. I will pass it on to DW also.:)

[donaldsc]

We haven't been able to cruise (or leave the house for extended periods) since we befriended our parrot in that park in Athens. Its going to be three years next valentines day, the anniversary of our making his majesty's acquaintance.

 

.

 

Do I understand this correctly. You are stuck at home because you own (or should I say that you are owned by) a parrot.

 

DON

[Hflors]

I get the touchy - feely good news this brings to some people, but I have two comments.

 

How can having dealings with Cuba BENEIT the US? No I am not interrested in sending any more foreign aid to any more countries. We have been subsidizing a number of countries in the world and the only thing it seems to get us is a need for more foreign aid. Building an embassy in my opinion is a clear waste of money and time. And since we are even thinking about it where are you, Mr. President going to get the money to do it? Maybe it has slipped your mind that we have, how many Trillions in debt?

 

I think the government here is serious, but I don't think the Cuban gov. has any intention of going thru with any relations unless we send the dollars. I think Cuba saw a way to 1) get rid of a prisioner who was aging and most likely would need some medical care in the near future and 2) and most importantly get back three of their spies. As usual the US screwed another exchange up. Three for one! I'm sure Castro laughed all the way home on that exchange.

 

Sorry, but I really have no interest in going to Cuba. There are just so many other places I can go and spend my dollars in this world.

 

My flame retardent suit is on and ready!

[world~citizen]

Do I understand this correctly. You are stuck at home because you own (or should I say that you are owned by) a parrot.

 

DON

 

Something like that.

 

Briefly, injuries he sustained when he was free (some sort of attack) were permanent requiring monthly treatment by an avian vet while he is sedated. Complications are such that his health can turn on a dime at any time. We have to stay on top of it. No petsitter can deal with this.

 

Owing to a career which required we move to different countries every 2-4 years, it is not as if we haven't seen the world. This little guy flew into our lives at the only time we could have taken on a pet - when we were going home to retire. Clearly he needed us, and now we can't imagine losing him.

 

So we won't cruise as long as he is alive, and we are pulling out all the stops to give him the most optimal and longest life we can.

 

So we are grounded by a bird - an irony we are happy to live with.:)

[Ky Colonel]

W-C ... what a beautiful and uplifting story, especially at this holy season of Christmas. I do not know you but wish I'd had the privilege to meet you earlier. Congratulations and best wishes for a very long life with Oiseau.

 

Rod

[doublebzz]

 

So we are grounded by a bird - an irony we are happy to live with.:)

 

Sounds like this pet might qualify as a service or therapy animal.

[cruisemom42]

I get the touchy - feely good news this brings to some people, but I have two comments.

 

How can having dealings with Cuba BENEIT the US? No I am not interrested in sending any more foreign aid to any more countries. We have been subsidizing a number of countries in the world and the only thing it seems to get us is a need for more foreign aid. Building an embassy in my opinion is a clear waste of money and time. And since we are even thinking about it where are you, Mr. President going to get the money to do it? Maybe it has slipped your mind that we have, how many Trillions in debt?

 

 

US Business interests have had a lot to do with the push to open up relations with Cuba -- and there is much to gain in some sectors (Internet providers, travel-related businesses, banks, medical supplies, etc.) Not to mention a new consumer base for other US products.

 

You do realize that Carnival stock (yes, HAL's parent company) saw a good-sized bump on the day the announcement was made, on the strength of future cruise possibilities:

 

http://www.thestreet.com/story/12989148/1/carnival-ccl-stock-gains-following-easing-of-uscuba-tensions.html

[realnurse2]

Just my 2 cents worth about Cuba :

It is a popular holiday for Canadians as the beaches are beautiful and the cost fairly low. Havana is a fascinating place . When I was there many years ago, a lot of places were still restricted and the majority of tourists were Russian. The areas we could stay were re-claimed homes of the wealthy who had fled to Florida and had since been converted to apts. Travel around the island was not permitted unless you had a Cuban escort. Sail seven seas is correct in saying that items like toilet paper were very costly as everything was rationed. Locals were not allowed access to the resorts or stores in a tourist area. If you worked in a resort you were quite privileged and a lot of the maids would ask for discarded clothing or toiletries as a tip. Even the tiny children on the beach would ask for gum not cash. You had to exchange your cash into Cuban currency when you arrived and change it back when you left as it was otherwise useless plus you paid a fee on both ends. US dollars were greatly coveted by the locals but they got into trouble if they asked you or were found with the cash.I would go back anytime and I'm sure the changes are numerous.