Cuba Cruises announced for Americans by Small-Ship Operator

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And the surge continues for the Cuban travel

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Photo: locallysourcedcuba.com

Earlier in 2015, the governments of Cuba and the United States desired to have diplomatic ties reestablished, which led to the floodgates being reopened for teases of travel such as Airbnb accommodations and nonstop flights. Now those who wish to visit the island through schooner can begin having an itinerary planned: commencing from this December, Adventure Smith Explorations the small-ship cruise operator is going to start offering sailings of eight-days, entitled the People to People Cruise. The recently refurbished schooner with three masts called Panorama will be boarded by guests. It is able to hold as many as 49 passengers. Places where the itinerary would stop are Cienfuego, Trinidad, Cayo Largo, Marie LaGorda, and Havana, and the chance to meet and speak with locals in regards to topics that would range from Afro-Cuban culture to sports to medicine will be given to guests.

Photo: 2travelcuba.com

An evening will be spent in Havana by cruisers at the Buena Vista Social Club and at restaurants and pseudo-restaurants that are run by families (known as paladares) they would dine at. Excursions in a limestone island of salt plains and mangroves called Cayo largo would involve visiting a rehabilitation center for sea turtle and snorkeling. Guests will get to tour the Architecture Museum in the Spanish colonial city of Trinidad and visit with artists that are young local females. What is even better is that any red tape is dealt with by Adventure Smith Explorations. All the required licenses will be obtained for Americans by the company.

Photo: cubaexplorations.com

Rates per person will start at $4,999 (for a double). Included in this price are transportation, Cuban medical insurance, a Cuban visa, all meals, and airfare from Miami.  

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Direct Flights can now be booked by you to Cuba

Trips to Cuba are taking a further leap forward, as a result of Cheapair.com the airfare booking engine that is the initial site to permit travelers in the United States to book flights directly to Havana from the US. The online travel agency is providing flights everyday from Miami, twice every week ones from Tampa, and weekly services from New York City through Cuba Travel Services the charter company. The costs range from around $500 for a round-trip from Miami to around $900 for flights from New York City.

Photo: cnbc.com

There is a similarity in the way we book for flights to any other destination with just one exception: prior to making your payment you must select which of the 12 categories of travel presently authorized by the US which is applicable to your trip. Your expectation should therefore not be that you can simply and easily go down plop on a beach resort that is all inclusive. Choices that are available for your to select from comprises educational activities, humanitarian projects, journalistic activities, and the more broadly worded “support for the Cuban people,” This means that if you have any enquiries you need to check for what each type of trip is characterized by through the rundown made by the Treasury Department. Although it is not yet still clear if the government of the United States is going to have any of these requirements enforced in any way, theoretically authorities could return and ask for documentation from travelers, so ensure that you retain something on hand which outlines your itinerary.

Photo: yahoo.com

The announcement by Cheapair.com comes on the heels of the entry into Cuba by Airbnb which is also assisting in easing the way for travel to the island which are independent. It is just a matter of time before commercial airlines and cruise lines that are large launch services that are regular there. For travelers who desire to visit Cuba prior to the opening of those floodgates, these are among the options which are your best.

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A fresh course gets charted by the White House with Cuba

On December 17, 2014 sweeping changes to the US policy with Cuba were announced by President Obama. They are aimed at loosening trade and travel restrictions there. In bringing an end to the embargo which has been in effect since 1961 as a Cold War Policy, a re-establishment of an embassy in Havana will be made by the U.S. in order to get travel expanded to the country for Americans.

The president of tour operator InsightCuba, Tom Popper stated that in regards to the changes, in summary, it was going to make travel to Cuba less restrictive, easier, and simpler.

Since President Obama came to office in 2009, he has relaxed policies on travel to the Caribbean island systematically. For instance, previously any American was not allowed to go there individually but could legally use a licensed provider for cultural and educational exchanges. However, the paperwork and regulations which were heavy and persistent got a lot of would-be visitors turned off. Although the announcement of December 17, 2014 did not get the requirements lifted, it made travel to the country far more accessible.

As part of the new policy and strategy, Americans will be permitted while in Cuba to make use of their debit and credit cards. This is a boon for tourists because previously cash was all that they could bring. Also providers of telecom services will now be permitted to get their infrastructure established there, which would get internet service and phone calls improved.

Cuba has been included in this blog’s list of the Wonderful Travel Destinations in 2015 and is featured in the soon-to-be-published book. Motivators for any tourist to Cuba would include the Havana Biennial which is starting in May 2015, a restaurant scene that is burgeoning, and Smithsonian Journeys, G Adventures, and InsightCuba itineraries.

Popper said that the policy change was welcome news on so many levels. He advised tourists and travelers to go no, because this was it, and this was going to live in the books of history.