Carnival given permission to sail to Cuba

[Weedy]

http://www.mynews13.com/content/new...ticles/bn9/2015/7/7/carnival_granted_gov.html

 

[erionm]

Already a thread on the subject: US Allows Cruises to Cuba, Carnival to Start May '16

 

[Weedy]

Oops I looked but didn't see it.

 

[diznymom]

Weedy, thanks for the info and the link.

 

[southerngirl528]

Heard about this at work yesterday, but I must confess other than the fact that Cuba has allowed very, very few visitors for decades, I'm not sure what the fascination is….

 

[havoc315]

Heard about this at work yesterday, but I must confess other than the fact that Cuba has allowed very, very few visitors for decades, I'm not sure what the fascination is….

Cuba never disallowed vistors... They wanted vistors, and got quite a few from Europe. The USA had an embargo against Cuba, and wouldn't allow American citizens to legally visit Cuba. That policy has now been lifted after 50 years.

I strongly suspect that Cuba will become a prime vacation destination very very quickly.

 

[DahliaRW]

Cuba never disallowed vistors... They wanted vistors, and got quite a few from Europe. The USA had an embargo against Cuba, and wouldn't allow American citizens to legally visit Cuba. That policy has now been lifted after 50 years.

I strongly suspect that Cuba will become a prime vacation destination very very quickly.

And it's be nice to see it before it gets totally developed into resorts...

 

[havoc315]

And it's be nice to see it before it gets totally developed into resorts...

It's kind of frozen in time. It was all American resorts in the 1950's and early 60's... Ever see The Godfather?
Then came the American embargo combined with communist economy, and they had trouble importing many products. So you still see tons of 50's and 60's automobiles in Cuba.

But Europeans have continued to vacation in Cuba, so you do already have some magnificent resorts.

Jamaica and the DR are in trouble in terms of vacation destinations.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

And it's be nice to see it before it gets totally developed into resorts...

There are tons of resorts on Cuba. Canadians have been frequenting them for years.

 

[subwife81]

It's exciting to say the least. I did find it interesting that Carnival was the first one on board though! Aren't they known as the party-booze cruise? Hard to picture a Carnival cruise ship doing humanitarian trips!

 

[erionm]

It's exciting to say the least. I did find it interesting that Carnival was the first one on board though! Aren't they known as the party-booze cruise? Hard to picture a Carnival cruise ship doing humanitarian trips!

Carnival is using their fanthom brand, which combines cruising with humanitarian aid.
http://www.fathom.org/

 

[subwife81]

Carnival is using their fanthom brand, which combines cruising with humanitarian aid.
http://www.fathom.org/

Well that explains it. I think it's a great idea in theory. It's something I'd be inclined to do with young children if it were possible.

 

[com_op_2000]

Posted this back on Tuesday:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/us-allows-cruises-to-cuba-carnival-to-start-may-16.3426608/

 

[erionm]

Haven't seen if Cuba has given their permission yet.

 

[erionm]

Cuba never disallowed vistors... They wanted vistors, and got quite a few from Europe. The USA had an embargo against Cuba, and wouldn't allow American citizens to legally visit Cuba. That policy has now been lifted after 50 years.

Not lifted, but relaxed somewhat.

From a story at the Orlando Sentinel (contained in the post liked to by com_op_2000:

Americans still can't travel for leisure tourism to Cuba under terms of the U.S. embargo against communist-led Cuba, a measure that must be lifted by Congress.

But new rules permit U.S. visits to Cuba without a prior license in 12 categories of travel, including the people-to-people type tours now planned by Carnival's fathom brand.

 

[mevelandry]

Being Canadian, I got a lot of friends going on vacation to Cuba (because it's affordable) ... I saw pictures but meh... I never understood the hype and never been tempted to go there. But I guess going for 1 day is not that bad.

 

[phinz]

I'll be on the first ferry from Key West when they start regular trips.

 

[kaseyC]

I'm looking forward to going. We are looking at a tour geared towards families through Thomson Family Adventures for possibly next year.

http://www.familyadventures.com/destinations/cuba/cuba-cultural-connection-families