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popcornjack wrote:I would love to go and hope it opens to tourism, even though it would probably mean a huge hit to the economy of Key West, but keep this is mind. The number that was floated around years and years ago was $1 Billion, as in that's how much the casino operators of the USA were willing to/looking to spend in Cuba if it opened up. That figure has got to be much, much higher by now. If Raoul Castro has half a brain (which is being generous I grant you) he'll see the writing on the wall and line up contacts and contracts with the gaming and hotel concerns so that the moment Congress says yes, ground breaks, and the Cuba we all hope to see will get bulldozed over.

A and E quoted a couple of old Mustachied Petes as saying that the
Mob lost 4 billion a year when Castro took over..
(what was that "58??) lotta $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

SharkOnLand wrote:Four words: Havana Club 7 Años.

Mmmmmm.....

I'll see your 7 Anos and raise you to Ron Legendario Elixir de Cuba.

Agree that I would go, but I also really don't think they'll open it up.

In talking to people from Canada in the tourism industry they say it is not even in talks for tourism. Right now you can go to Cuba if you have family there, or on a work/educational visa. It is cheap, right now...... but if they open it up to US travelers who knows how long that will last.

From the US State Dept website.....

The Cuban Assets Control Regulations are enforced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and affect all U.S. citizens and permanent residents wherever they are located, all people and organizations physically located in the United States, and all branches and subsidiaries of U.S. organizations throughout the world. The regulations require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed in order to engage in any travel-related transactions pursuant to travel to, from, and within Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable. This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada. U.S. law enforcement authorities enforce these regulations at U.S. airports and pre-clearance facilities in third countries. Travelers who fail to comply with Department of the Treasury regulations could face civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States.

here's everything you ever wanted to know about traveling to Cuba

http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcem ... a/cuba.pdf

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:From the US State Dept website.....

The Cuban Assets Control Regulations are enforced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and affect all U.S. citizens and permanent residents wherever they are located, all people and organizations physically located in the United States, and all branches and subsidiaries of U.S. organizations throughout the world. The regulations require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed in order to engage in any travel-related transactions pursuant to travel to, from, and within Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable. This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada. U.S. law enforcement authorities enforce these regulations at U.S. airports and pre-clearance facilities in third countries. Travelers who fail to comply with Department of the Treasury regulations could face civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States.

It's been like that forever, yet Americans go to Cuba every year thru Canada. The Cuban officials look at American passports, stamp a piece of paper that they slide in the passport, and take it back when they leave. I know divers who have made the trip, and said it was well worth the risks, and that the Cuban people love Americans, just not the American Govt.

Hey it's an island down south with great great cruising grounds, I'm there.

One of my co-workers was born in Cuba. Her parents fled the country with her as an infant when Castro came to power. From what I can understand, the family was quite well-to-do, but had to flee the island quickly with few possessions. They, like many immigrants to America, started over and built themselves a successful life here.

I've had many conversations with her and her family about the beauty of Cuba, both the land and its people. Havanna was quite the social hotspot before the revolution. When the travel ban is lifted (and it should be) I would love to visit and watch the transformation of the island to yet another desirable Caribbean travel destination.

My niece went a couple of years ago.....she was working for a member of congress and they went on a goodwill visit. She said it was spectacular. I would go.....for the rhum!

C-Dawg wrote:It's been like that forever, yet Americans go to Cuba every year thru Canada. The Cuban officials look at American passports, stamp a piece of paper that they slide in the passport, and take it back when they leave. I know divers who have made the trip, and said it was well worth the risks, and that the Cuban people love Americans, just not the American Govt.

I've heard that it's no longer advisable to go through Canada, as they will report you.

You can go via Mexico, Ireland, Costa Rica, the UK, Russia, Jamaica, Columbia, Brazil and a host of other countries. For US citizens, it is illegal to go there, without the State Dept. permission and it is illegal to spend US dollars in Cuba.

While parts of Cuba remain stuck in 1961, much of it is already being developed to cater to tourists from every other country in the world. While Ford and GM can't sell cars there, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mercedes, etc., sell cars there. The embargo hurts Cuba, no doubt about it however it also hurts the US because our travel industry can't do business there, we don't export anything there.

The embargo is probably the number one reason that the Castro's are still in power. Without it, economic development would have caused their revolution to modify, much like the Chinese are now discovering. The Castro regime has repeatedly been in trouble and they use the US as the big bad boogie man to scare the local population into continuing to support them.

As much as I would love to see the embargo lifted, I don't expect it to happen anytime soon. Less for the anti-Castro crowd in Miami and more because the Republicans like to point at the commie pinkos in Havana. It used to be that the Cuban community in South Florida was solidly behind the embargo but the younger generation isn't really into it. They want to be able to go back and without too many hassles.

What will a Cuba Libre become once Cuba is free?

buffettbride wrote:What will a Cuba Libre become once Cuba is free?

Still a really pretentious way to order a rum and coke?

Coconuts wrote:

buffettbride wrote:What will a Cuba Libre become once Cuba is free?

Still a really pretentious way to order a rum and coke?

si si!