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Seabeau · 01-08-2017, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by windhorze

a) who's talking about doing business with Cuba?

b) I doubt we are so innocent either...

"The move comes as part of a deal announced December 17 to normalize relations between the United States and Cuba.

Both nations have previously released political prisoners in a show of goodwill."

Visiting, i.e. spending money is doing business. The US holds political prisoners? Spies certainly. Cuba still has its own citizens jailed for political reasons.

Cottontop · 01-08-2017, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by windhorze

1) ditto on the "no politics"....not why I am here (except where it directly impacts cruising of course).

So there are a lot of alarmist out there, but I will admit I am concerned about carrying on with my plans to visit Cuba this winter. Of course, as of today, nothing has changed since Obama's roll backs.

Trump on the other hand has "promised" to make any commerce with Cuba's military branches off limits (ie; marina at Varadaro) and has "promised" to remove the People to people educational license...the most obvious and easiest license to meet.

So, as it is still possible to go under say "support for the cuban people" proving so may be more difficult. Am I really that worried, nah. But trying to convince the wife is a whole different matter...

happy to have encouragement to go...cheers

My understanding is that if and when Trump's rules take effect, just the "self-guided" people-to-people trips will be banned. These were nothing more than people going and laying on the beach. Officially sanctioned people-to-people tours, that include significant contacts with Cubans other than housekeeping and bartenders, will still be permitted.

windhorze · 01-08-2017, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cottontop

Officially sanctioned people-to-people tours, that include significant contacts with Cubans other than housekeeping and bartenders, will still be permitted.

exactly, meaning P2P is going back to "organized group tours"

restricting independent travel under P2P as far as I can tell

windhorze · 01-08-2017, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cottontop

My understanding is that if and when Trump's rules take effect, just the "self-guided" people-to-people trips will be banned.

and you are forgetting the "dealing with the enemy" aspect, which limits where you can spend your money...

windhorze · 01-08-2017, 14:07

but back to sailing discussions...in general...around late Nov to Mid December, would you find sailing windows to Cuba to be more or less present than windows to the Bahamas...all things being equal...leaving from Marathon or there abouts....

DotDun · 01-08-2017, 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by windhorze

but back to sailing discussions...in general...around late Nov to Mid December, would you find sailing windows to Cuba to be more or less present than windows to the Bahamas...all things being equal...leaving from Marathon or there abouts....

Gee, let me look that up for you.....november is the first one, december the second.....

wsmurdoch · 01-08-2017, 15:32

Cuba? It is really simple. Take the boat to the Bahamas. Have a nice vacation as you work your way down to George Town. Put the boat on a mooring in Stocking Island. Catch a flight to Havana. Just Google "GGT to HAV flights". Don't put a stamp in your passport. No problem mon. Nassau would be faster, but you'll have a better time on the way to George Town.

Forget politics. This argument has gone on since '59. (I was 8 years old then.)

windhorze · 01-08-2017, 16:10

Great idea Ws, but I was actually trying to go legally...I think I read somewhere "sneaking in is s no-no"

windhorze · 01-08-2017, 23:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by wsmurdoch

Cuba? It is really simple. Take the boat to the Bahamas. Have a nice vacation as you work your way down to George Town. Put the boat on a mooring in Stocking Island. Catch a flight to Havana. Just Google "GGT to HAV flights". Don't put a stamp in your passport. No problem mon. Nassau would be faster, but you'll have a better time on the way to George Town.

Forget politics. This argument has gone on since '59. (I was 8 years old then.)

I've been going back and forth on this...was ready to buy my wife a ticket from LA to meet me in Havana...she is concerned about the legality of it all, and has a more sincere reason, as she is green card holder....

I looked into the GGT to HAV thinking she could come out and do the Bahamas, and then I could take your advice and do a little side trip to HAV. Funny thing is flights from LAX to HAV are $325 RT, GGT to HAV $550 RT...a bit crazy aye?

Thanks for thinking outside the box though, still a great option...

**Dockhead** · 02-08-2017, 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

geoleo, what you saw was the result of western isolationism. After the Soviet Union collapsed Russia was not able to support Cuba and the US left the trade embargo in tact. Had the US reached out and befriended the people of Cuba and allowed them to trade freely with the world there would have been a marked difference in the lives of the Cuban people. For ideological reasons the US would not do that. The captains of capitalism would not allow it.

It was not the "captains of capitalism"! Those individuals were chomping at the bit to trade with Cuba. It was the Cuban expatriate lobby.

And it was not an ideological issue at all -- it had to do with nationalized property.

Otherwise I agree with you. Big missed opportunity