Any Cruises to Cuba?
Aug 17th, 2001, 05:18 AM
#3
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Not true. It's not illegal for Americans to go to Cuba, it's illegal to spend US dollars there. The state dept is mostly looking the other way to Americans going to Cuba these days. The immigration in Cuba won't stamp your passport. Plus, American's are even allowed to go to Cuba from the US if it is for educational or journalistic opportunities. I don't know about you, but any time I travel, I consider it education!
Aug 20th, 2001, 04:35 AM
#6
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An Italian liner called Valtur Prima (the old "Stockholm," I think) sails to Havana. Website is http://www.cruisehavana.com. We have American friends who recently took the cruise and had no problems whatsoever. Havana was hands-down their favorite port. The ship sails to/from Jamaica, by the way. <BR> <BR>This is from their website's Q&A: <BR>"Can American travelers spend U.S. dollars during their time ashore in Havana, at shops, restaurants and bars?" (posted April 18, 2001) <BR> <BR>CruiseHavana: Unless you have a special permit to travel to Cuba (i.e., you are a journalist on assignment, etc.), the U.S. trade embargo requires that Americans spend no money whatsoever while in Cuba. The ship itself is there at the dock to provide your breakfast, lunch and dinner—as well as the cabin you'll sleep in during your two-day visit in Havana. Remember, a U.S. Customs official may well search your bags for evidence of Cuban purchases—and all those Monte Cristo cigars will be hard to explain. A final note: as there is logically no evidence of a traveler's food-and-drink consumption in Havana's restaurants or bars, nor of his or her taxi-cab rides and tour purchases, you would presumably be guided by your conscience in that regard. <BR>
Aug 20th, 2001, 09:50 PM
#7
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<BR>Sure, you can travel to Cuba same as you can rob a bank. It can be done but you will break the law. <BR> <BR>This is the latest news release by the Treasury Department dated 08-17-2001: <BR> <BR>The Treasury Department confirmed published reports of a spike in the number of warning leters sent to U.S. citizens who may have violated U.S. Cuba travel restrictions but denied that the spike was due to a tougher enforcement of U.S. policy. <BR> <BR>A spokeswoman said there "legitimately was a spike," but she attributed it to a backlog in processing of so-called "pre-penalty" letters. <BR> <BR>President Bush on July 13 asked that the existing regulations prohibiting travel to Cuba be enforced. <BR> <BR>The Bush initiative comes at a time when several members of Congress are again pushing for a relaxation of the travel ban. The House recently passed an amendment to the Treasury Department's funding bill that would effectively lift the ban on U.S. citizen travel to Cuba. <BR> <BR>While the recent spike was mostly a coincidence, the Treasury spokeswoman said any future spikes in the number of such letters likely would be due to the stricter enforcement that Bush requested. <BR> <BR>I will add from other news reports that President Bush will definitely veto any legislation that is passed. <BR> <BR>Also another tidbit: Most cruise lines have a plan in effect that will offer cruises to Cuba immediately if the ban is lifted. <BR> <BR>Paul
Aug 20th, 2001, 10:07 PM
#8
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<BR>You are correct Sarah, the Valtur Prima was the old Stockholm built in 1948. It is now owned by Dorking International S.A. and is leased to Italy's Valtur. <BR> <BR>I did not know the Prima was sailing again since the cruises were cancelled for quite a while due to the threats against the ship and its passengers. <BR> <BR>Paul
Nov 10th, 2001, 02:38 PM
#11
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On a side note - a local little league baseball team from our area went to Cuba this summer to play baseball against Cuban teams. A couple of weeks later, the Cuban team came over.<BR><BR>There was a big write up in our paper about this exchange. Both teams raised money for the trips.<BR><BR>
Dec 3rd, 2001, 01:47 PM
#14
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I bet you Paul is the type that declares ALL his purchases when he comes home from a cruise..Right Paul??<BR>don't wanna cheat Uncle Sam out of any tax revenue. *W*...<BR> If you wanna go to Cuba, just go to, Grand Cayman, then fly over to Havana, then back to Cayman. And BTW, the US dollar IS the prefered method of payment<BR>EVERYWHERE in Cuba.
Dec 3rd, 2001, 09:25 PM
#15
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Hey Steve,<BR><BR>If you are a U.S. citizen and you know so much about getting to Cuba, then go! When you return tell us how it went. Then you can advise.<BR><BR>I just state the law. It has nothing to do with me cheating the government. And what has that got to do with this thread anyway?<BR><BR>OK, I admit it .... the last car I bought overseas I did not declare when I drove through immigration.<BR><BR>Paul<BR><BR>
Dec 4th, 2001, 02:07 PM
#16
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Paul> <BR> Well Paul, I am a US citizen, and have <BR>traveled to Cuba that way several times.<BR> When you are asked where you have been when you return to the states you just say "Grand Cayman". Its really no big deal...<BR> oh but WAIT!!! that might get me in trouble with the State dept. right??? <BR> You really need to lighten up Paul..the state dept REALLY doesn't care.
