Cuba Anyone?

[Aquahound]

One wonders how many car collectors will quickly head to Cuba if all the embargos are lifted.

 

Perhaps, but good luck finding a good, classic car not powered by a tractor engine.

[Christine Frances]

While I agree with you completely and also don't want to break the law, trips under the auspices of approved organizations are very expensive. Friends of ours took a 7 day educational trip last year and the cost exceeded $9,000 for the week. I wonder if these institutions are not exploiting the embargo to feather their own pockets. Surely, the Cuban government is.

 

 

Here are offers for March break for 1 week all inclusive (air from Canada included). Not much room at these prices for any "feathering" lol. Hope the attachment is big enough.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[iancal]

There are many all inclusive trips to resorts in Cuba from various Canadian cities for $1800. or less per week per person. Air, hotel, food, liquer. Melia, Ibostar, Bahai type hotels. And many of the hotels leave a complementary bottle of rum in your room.

 

Included in the price are some of the best beaches and the most friendly people in the Caribbean!

 

And if you shop and/or jump on a last minute you can shave $500. off that price. These are prices from the west. Departures from Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto area are often a few hundred dollars less per person.

 

We expect the prices to increase. Cannot comment on the hotels in Havana since we stayed in a private B&B.

Edited December 23, 2014 by iancal

[doublebzz]

Here are offers for March break for 1 week all inclusive (air from Canada included). Not much room at these prices for any "feathering" lol. Hope the attachment is big enough.

 

[ATTACH]334509[/ATTACH]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

There are many all inclusive trips to resorts in Cuba from various Canadian cities for $1800. or less per week per person. Air, hotel, food, liquer. Melia, Ibostar, Bahai type hotels. And many of the hotels leave a complementary bottle of rum in your room.

 

Included in the price are some of the best beaches and the most friendly people in the Caribbean!

 

And if you shop and/or jump on a last minute you can shave $500. off that price. These are prices from the west. Departures from Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto area are often a few hundred dollars less per person.

 

We expect the prices to increase. Cannot comment on the hotels in Havana since we stayed in a private B&B.

 

U.S. citizens cannot book these tours without breaking U.S. law regardless of where the tour originates from. Maybe that will change in the future. The only tours Americans can take are those sponsored by educational, religious and similar organizations and the cost of these are very high. The fact, as you point out, that there are Canadian tours far less costly tells me somebody's using the embargo to overcharge.

[iancal]

A few years ago we snagged a last minute from Calgary about five days out.

$580. each plus 200 tax. Met some folks who bought the same package a day later...they paid $480. You would be hard pressed to find air for that price, let alone hotel, etc. The food, however, is usually very mediocre but the mojitos make up for that.

 

The beauty of these last minute offers, if your schedule if flexible, is that air is included.

 

You only need your passport, sunglasses, reading material, bathing suit, and sunblock! Pack in 10 minutes.

Edited December 23, 2014 by iancal

[chrispb]

My DD and I were discussing our visit a number of years ago and we agreed that only Havana is really worth a visit. Food and standards in hotels are not up to what you'd expect elsewhere.

 

Possibly a day in Havana on a cruise would be sufficient for many.

 

Don't think it's crime free either. Just like lots of other countries, it's not.

[iancal]

We had a day and a half in Havana. We very much enjoyed the City and we were glad that we did an overnight.

 

We love the beaches in Cuba. When it's -20 and snowing where we live there is nothing better than jumping on a plane at the last minute and heading to the beach! The only downside is coming home to the snow and cold.

Edited December 23, 2014 by iancal

[sail7seas]

U.S. citizens cannot book these tours without breaking U.S. law regardless of where the tour originates from. Maybe that will change in the future. The only tours Americans can take are those sponsored by educational, religious and similar organizations and the cost of these are very high. The fact, as you point out, that there are Canadian tours far less costly tells me somebody's using the embargo to overcharge.

 

Certainly somebody is making money on those tours.

Supply and Demand rule.

Unlike Cuba, U.S. is a capitalist society.

 

[iancal]

Don't be so quick to assume that Cuba is not capitalist-at least at the 'street' level.

 

There are three economies in Cuba. The official one. The black one based on Cuban currency (citizen and tourist). And a third based on hard, foreign currency. We met a dentist who no longer practised-his family ran some B&B's. He wanted hard currency from tourists and visitors since this buys the most in Cuba-for a resident or a tourist. This work provided him and his family with a higher standard of living than did dentistry.

 

If for instance, you want your hair styled you can find places that cater to all three market types. The latter will have all the latest hair care products that one would expect. On our tour, the guide showed us examples of all three. Same with restaurants.

Edited December 23, 2014 by iancal

[doublebzz]

Don't be so quick to assume that Cuba is not capitalist-at least at the 'street' level.

 

There are three economies in Cuba. The official one. The black one based on Cuban currency (citizen and tourist). And a third based on hard, foreign currency. We met a dentist who no longer practised-his family ran some B&B's. He wanted hard currency from tourists and visitors since this buys the most in Cuba-for a resident or a tourist. This work provided him and his family with a higher standard of living than did dentistry.

 

If for instance, you want your hair styled you can find places that cater to all three market types. The latter will have all the latest hair care products that one would expect. On our tour, the guide showed us examples of all three. Same with restaurants.

 

I'm sure the Cuban government takes a blind eye towards small entrepreneurs but, in no way, can Cuba be considered a capitalist society. Even in communist governments there are elements of capitalism just as there are elements of socialism in capitalistic countries.

[sail7seas]

I'm sure the Cuban government takes a blind eye towards small entrepreneurs but, in no way, can Cuba be considered a capitalist society. Even in communist governments there are elements of capitalism just as there are elements of socialism in capitalistic countries.

 

Russia

 

 

[chrispb]

Funny you should mention hairdressers. In communist Russia the women couldn't buy clothes, so would spend their money on hair and make-up instead. I believe they had the best coiffed heads in Eastern Europe:D

[iancal]

My exception was 'at the street level'.

 

Clearly Cuba is not a capitalist country.

[Katie333]

Sail, you asked a question that I don't think was fully answered so I thought I would chime in ...

 

Cuba is indeed a very popular winter destination for many Canadians, I can't think of anyone I know who hasn't been there for an all-inclusive vacation. Like anywhere, the quality or 'star' rating of the resorts will vary. The feedback I have always consistently heard and agree with is that the food quality and taste at these resorts is not always that great, especially for meals like spaghetti and meatballs for example. Think ketchup in lieu of sauce (not quite, but just for comparative purposes). I think they try to appease the North American palate but don't have the ingredients/recipes/whatever in order to do so.

 

Resorts are always supplied with everything you might need. The fancier the resort, the nicer the amenities. Many people bring toiletries, not for themselves but as part of the tip for the hotel staff. Not everyone has easy access to these types of things and they are generally well appreciated. Of course, cash tips go a long way as well. :)

Edited December 23, 2014 by Katie333

[sail7seas]

Sail, you asked a question that I don't think was fully answered so I thought I would chime in ...

 

Cuba is indeed a very popular winter destination for many Canadians, I can't think of anyone I know who hasn't been there for an all-inclusive vacation. Like anywhere, the quality or 'star' rating of the resorts will vary. The feedback I have always consistently heard and agree with is that the food quality and taste at these resorts is not always that great, especially for meals like spaghetti and meatballs for example. Think ketchup in lieu of sauce (not quite, but just for comparative purposes). I think they try to appease the North American palate but don't have the ingredients/recipes/whatever in order to do so.

 

Resorts are always supplied with everything you might need. The fancier the resort, the nicer the amenities. Many people bring toiletries, not for themselves but as part of the tip for the hotel staff. Not everyone has easy access to these types of things and they are generally well appreciated. Of course, cash tips go a long way as well. :)

 

 

Thank you, Kate.

Very helpful information and what I was looking for. :)

 

[Christine Frances]

Sail, you asked a question that I don't think was fully answered so I thought I would chime in ...

 

Cuba is indeed a very popular winter destination for many Canadians, I can't think of anyone I know who hasn't been there for an all-inclusive vacation. Like anywhere, the quality or 'star' rating of the resorts will vary. The feedback I have always consistently heard and agree with is that the food quality and taste at these resorts is not always that great, especially for meals like spaghetti and meatballs for example. Think ketchup in lieu of sauce (not quite, but just for comparative purposes). I think they try to appease the North American palate but don't have the ingredients/recipes/whatever in order to do so.

 

Resorts are always supplied with everything you might need. The fancier the resort, the nicer the amenities. Many people bring toiletries, not for themselves but as part of the tip for the hotel staff. Not everyone has easy access to these types of things and they are generally well appreciated. Of course, cash tips go a long way as well. :)

 

I agree with Katie but we don't go to Cuba for the spaghetti (know what she means though lol) But I find this interesting on Trip Advisor

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Travel-g147270-c129786/Cuba:Caribbean:Think.Before.You.Gift.html

[Christine Frances]

Sail, you asked a question that I don't think was fully answered so I thought I would chime in ...

 

Cuba is indeed a very popular winter destination for many Canadians, I can't think of anyone I know who hasn't been there for an all-inclusive vacation. Like anywhere, the quality or 'star' rating of the resorts will vary. The feedback I have always consistently heard and agree with is that the food quality and taste at these resorts is not always that great, especially for meals like spaghetti and meatballs for example. Think ketchup in lieu of sauce (not quite, but just for comparative purposes). I think they try to appease the North American palate but don't have the ingredients/recipes/whatever in order to do so.

 

Resorts are always supplied with everything you might need. The fancier the resort, the nicer the amenities. Many people bring toiletries, not for themselves but as part of the tip for the hotel staff. Not everyone has easy access to these types of things and they are generally well appreciated. Of course, cash tips go a long way as well. :)

 

I agree with Katie but we don't go to Cuba for the spaghetti (know what she means though lol) I find this interesting on Trip Advisor though

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Travel-g147270-c129786/Cuba:Caribbean:Think.Before.You.Gift.html

[Hlitner]

Have to smile at the posts that reference tour guides for their info. Of course everyone knows that government permitted tour guides would never mislead their charges, or spin the local facts/economy to present a positive view. We all understand that government tour guides are very honest, never mislead, and allow all of us to experience the "real" island.

 

Hank

[Christine Frances]

Have to smile at the posts that reference tour guides for their info. Of course everyone knows that government permitted tour guides would never mislead their charges, or spin the local facts/economy to present a positive view. We all understand that government tour guides are very honest, never mislead, and allow all of us to experience the "real" island.

 

Hank

 

Whatever lol Like we have never run into that before with private guides:D I think it is just hard for US citizens to understand what a neat place Cuba is and that for the last 10-15 yrs we have enjoyed Cuba for what it is. Not sure that we would go back if it was opened to the US market as it may have lost it's charm.

Edited December 24, 2014 by Christine Frances

[ookpik]

Whatever lol Like we have never run into that before with private guides:D I think it is just hard for US citizens to understand what a neat place Cuba is and that for the last 10-15 yrs we have enjoyed Cuba for what it is. Not sure that we would go back if it was opened to the US market as it may have lost it's charm.

 

Did you see the editorial cartoon in this week end's Globe and Mail? LoL:p

[sail7seas]

Whatever lol Like we have never run into that before with private guides:D I think it is just hard for US citizens to understand what a neat place Cuba is and that for the last 10-15 yrs we have enjoyed Cuba for what it is. Not sure that we would go back if it was opened to the US market as it may have lost it's charm.

 

You do know literally millions of Americans have visited Cuba in the last fifty years, right?

 

[Christine Frances]

You do know literally millions of Americans have visited Cuba in the last fifty years, right?

 

 

1.1 million Canadians just in the last year. Not including everyone else ie Europe, Central/South America etc Sorry my pet peeve. We (Canadians) are American as well. We are all North Americans, Central Americans and South American. The United States is a country not a continent. Sorry I guess this is the wrong place/time for a tiny rant lol Merry Christmas:)

Edited December 24, 2014 by Christine Frances

[sail7seas]

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Edited December 24, 2014 by sail7seas

[YubaSutter]

1.1 million Canadians just in the last year. Not including everyone else ie Europe, Central/South America etc Sorry my pet peeve. We (Canadians) are American as well. We are all North Americans, Central Americans and South American. The United States is a country not a continent. Sorry I guess this is the wrong place/time for a tiny rant lol Merry Christmas:)

 

Excellent post.

[Himself]

Have to smile at the posts that reference tour guides for their info. Of course everyone knows that government permitted tour guides would never mislead their charges, or spin the local facts/economy to present a positive view. We all understand that government tour guides are very honest, never mislead, and allow all of us to experience the "real" island.

 

Hank

 

You Jest!