Cuba via cruise

Old Sep 27th, 2017, 05:14 AM
  #21  
 
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How could I have information on Cuba if I never been there?

Howo many times have you been there? Why is that so difficult a question to answer..cause you've just been there once and do not want to admit that? It's once more than I've been! Stop with the haranguing and offer some concrete answers on subject you do know about, even if these are not the ones I am asking about (hotels, etc)


You have friends in Cuba, so you are more concerned with the welfare of individuals in that country.

Whether or not I choose to stay in a hotel is not really going to have a tremendous amount of bearing on the situation in Cuba. A hotel will probably be more comfortable, and allow me to swim, and that is what I want. I am not on a humanitarian mission. I expect some Cubans will benefit, at least more than they would if I stayed home.

I stay in hotels on most of my many, many trips throughout Mexico over many decades, and not with private citizens despite the fact that I have many friends and relatives in that country and that there are many many poor people south of our border who would benefit with direct home stays. I lmosgt always eat in restaurants in Mexico, although I am sure if I paid to eat in a family home, that family might benefit if they charged me over and above the cost of the food.

Get it through your head that your opinions are your own. Not every traveler has to follow your own style, or think as you do. You do a lot of criticizing and don't offer too much help here, if the few threads I've read are any example.
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Old Sep 27th, 2017, 05:55 AM
  #22  
 
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“How could I have information on Cuba if I never been there?”
READ. There are a lot of well informed people who have traveled to Cuba for decades. This is not the only Cuba travel forum. There are also books, both guide and history, and lots of blogs and online info in addition to forums.

”You have friends in Cuba, so you are more concerned with the welfare of individuals in that country. “
Again, as I explained, my concern is that US travelers have a unique opportunity to show the Cuban people who we are, which may go far to heal a rift of decades, the principal reason travel was opened..

”Whether or not I choose to stay in a hotel is not really going to have a tremendous amount of bearing on the situation in Cuba. A hotel will probably be more comfortable, and allow me to swim, and that is what I want. I am not on a humanitarian mission. I expect some Cubans will benefit, at least more than they would if I stayed home.”

Yes, it does have a huge bearing. Sad you can’t see that.
Hotels are not necessarily more comfortable than casas, nor is the food in restaurants necessarily better than that in casas.
If swimming is a major reason for your trip, you can get a day pass to any hotel pool in the city, or get a taxi to the beach 20 minutes away.
Again, Cubans benefit when you support individual Cuban entrepreneurs, not government and foreign investors.
Again, this decision will be out of your hands very soon.

”I stay in hotels on most of my many, many trips throughout Mexico over many decades, and not with private citizens despite the fact that I have many friends and relatives in that country and that there are many many poor people south of our border who would benefit with direct home stays. I lmosgt always eat in restaurants in Mexico, although I am sure if I paid to eat in a family home, that family might benefit if they charged me over and above the cost of the food.”

Again, Cuba is NOT Mexico or any other country. What applies in Mexico may not in Cuba, given the unique situation.

”Get it through your head that your opinions are your own. Not every traveler has to follow your own style, or think as you do. You do a lot of criticizing and don't offer too much help here, if the few threads I've read are any example.”

Get it through your head that Cuba is unique. US travelers are setting precedent there.
The best “help” I can offer here is not to treat a this as another sightseeing trip, but to maximize your opportunities to get to know Cuban people, and have discussions with them in a situation suited for exchange of views. You may find your world view altered.
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Old Sep 27th, 2017, 06:06 AM
  #23  
 
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So the only crises that matter are those that are close to the US and/or where you have friends involved?

When I traveled to Myanmar in 2004 I tried as far as possible to keep my money out of the hands of the government, but everyone needs to make their own decision. I prefer to stay in small pensions, guesthouses and B&Bs in any case. Eks usually stays in hotels where she can swim, I don't see why she should travel differently in Cuba.

In any case this has nothing to do with the OP's visit, which is already underway.
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Old Sep 27th, 2017, 06:38 AM
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"So the only crises that matter are those that are close to the US and/or where you have friends involved?"
No, but this is a Cuba forum.
Trying to equate the unique opportunity for US travelers in Cuba to anywhere else in the world is just a red herring.

"In any case this has nothing to do with the OP's visit, which is already underway." REALLY?
OP said: "I'll be going to Cuba via NCL cruise in Oct."
By my calendar, it's still September.

"I don't see why she should travel differently in Cuba."
So sorry you both don't get it.
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Old Sep 27th, 2017, 06:53 AM
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"OP said: "I'll be going to Cuba via NCL cruise in Oct.""

Right. Confused by the "be there Tuesday" bit.

"So sorry you both don't get it."

I get that you think that Cuba is a special case. I don't think it is any more special than a number of other places. And all I see WRT US travelers is that they have been denied the opportunity to travel to Cuba the same way those of other nationalities can for far too long. Which is ridiculous.
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Old Sep 27th, 2017, 08:15 AM
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Sorry you don't think Cuba is a special case.

Realize that many of the daily hardships faced by run-of-the-mill residents on an island so close to the US are directly or indirectly caused by the US embargo, which is supported by officials we US citizens selected.
IMO US visitors who are curious enough to travel there can try to do the max to support them in their entrepreneurial endeavors when visiting their country.

How do you think Cubans see you?

Perhaps talking to some more Cubans on the island, who are in a situation where they feel comfortable enough to be honest, would open your mind to another perspective.
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Old Sep 27th, 2017, 09:03 AM
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I don't know why you think I support the embargo. I don't. It seems to me that the Cuban "exile" lobby has a great deal more to do with it than a single US voter in a state where it is not even an issue. Getting rid of the embargo would have a much more meaningful effect than a few visitors staying with locals.
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Old Sep 27th, 2017, 09:34 AM
  #28  
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This is turning into something else entirely.. Thanks for all the feedback. My cruise gets into Cuba on a Tuesday around 9am and leaves on Wednesday around 11am we'll have to be back on the ship. I plan to spend as much cash with the Cuban folks.. I just needed key things that would be memorable to see in such a short space of time.. my goal is to see, do, eat, drink talk with the Cuban folks. I plan on buy little trinkets to give to (Cuban)people on my visit. I'll buy from the locals after reading how much they make a month, which is not much. I plan to buy cigars as souvenirs and rum. So looking forward to my trip; any additional info. will be most welcome. And lets try to get along, we can't all have the same views, but we can do as we choose and to please ourselves. We work hard for the money and can spend it as we see fit. Thanks and praises. One love..
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Old Sep 27th, 2017, 09:59 AM
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Do more research on the other Cuba forums and elsewhere online.

Random Cuban people you encounter casually DO NOT NEED your "little trinkets".

Profits from cigars and rum go to the Cuban government, not "Cuban folks".

Use a good guidebook to identify what interests you (not what interests me or any other poster).
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Old Sep 27th, 2017, 10:05 AM
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"I don't know why you think I support the embargo."

Because you deny that it makes Cuba a unique situation for US tourists.

Ever hear the phrase "If you aren't part of the solution, you're part of the problem?"
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Old Sep 27th, 2017, 10:14 AM
  #31  
 
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How many more threads do you plan on ruining?

The OP is rightfully fed up.
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Old Sep 27th, 2017, 10:21 AM
  #32  
 
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""I don't know why you think I support the embargo."

Because you deny that it makes Cuba a unique situation for US tourists."

That makes zero sense. I have no control over whether or not the embargo exists. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF THE EMBARGO, WHICH I DO NOT SUPPORT. I have dual nationality. I see absolutely no reason why I should behave differently WRT Cuba as a US citizen than as a UK citizen.
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Old Sep 27th, 2017, 10:44 AM
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SC's response to this particular comment is pretty much the only thing I can agree with. They really have no need for "little trinkets". If you feel like you must give something away, buy them WiFi cards from Etecsa (the only internet provider on the island).

Oh, and 90% of the tobacco grown on tobacco farms does go straight to the government.
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Old Sep 27th, 2017, 12:03 PM
  #34  
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Thanks I guess no trinkets.. I still intend to have a blast. I'll make the best of everything. Thank you all for your ideas, comments. Got a guide book and I've already started to visit other forums. On my return I'll give feedback on my trip. My interpretation... that is..
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Old Sep 27th, 2017, 03:02 PM
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Fortunately the OP took my suggestion to go onto the "other" forum where most long-time Cuba experts reside.
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