Cuba, mysterious land of intrigue, a lush Caribbean island
just 90 miles from Florida yet so different from most other neighboring
islands...
I have been intrigued by this island nation both personally
after hearing so many stories from a dear friend who grew up in Cuba, and
professionally being in the travel industry.
This is the first of a multiple-part blog about traveling through Cuba…
Once virtually inaccessible to American tourists, now perhaps
just “moments” away from completely open travel it seems. Which leads me to my first point; regulations
are changing so rapidly that I hesitate to write much about the latest legalities
such as which travel restrictions have been eased, which “forbidden” items are
now permitted for export, etc. Instead,
I wish to provide you with a link to the latest updates and news.
~ TO SEE THE
LATEST REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO TRAVEL INTO CUBA, CHECK OUT THIS LINK TO THE U.S.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT RESOURCE CENTER ON CUBA SANCTIONS, WITH LINKS TO OTHER
PERTINENT WEBSITES: US
DOT re Cuba link ~
This trip came to fruition less than 2 months before sailing
when I received an invitation to experience the Celestyal Cuba cruise on their
1200 passenger Crystal at a discounted travel agent rate. I booked it quickly but through a different
source than the public accesses, so I also went onto their public website to
see how it works for the general public.
Their website at www.YourCubaCruise.com
is very straightforward, user friendly, loads of information on the ship, itinerary,
Cuba and the People-to-People experience for U.S. Citizens. You can book online, call their reservations
department, or go through your favorite travel professional such as myself!
Celestyal Cruises is based out of Greece, very experienced
with island hopping in the Mediterranean, with one ship coming to Cuba each
winter for the last three years. Starting this coming winter they will have 2
ships in Cuba; one for the winter and one expected to stay year round. They wisely embark and disembark cruisers in
2 starting ports; Montego Bay, Jamaica and Havana, Cuba. Of course right now Americans can’t fly
directly into Havana, so “Mo Bay” is key port for Americans. Sailings are Friday – Friday with an evening
departure, and great airlift into MBJ airport which is just 20 minutes from the
cruise port. Come back on Friday and
extend your stay for the weekend there or in nearby Negril!!
~ IN KEEPING
WITH LEGISLATION (AT THE TIME OF SAILING) AMERICANS MUST BE ON A
PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE PROGRAM, ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS
DESIGNED TO PROVIDE HIGH LEVELS OF INTERACTION AND LEARNING OF EACH OTHERS WAYS
~
This is taken care of very admirably in many ways, both on
and off the ship. Before sailing we were
presented with full details on the comprehensive excursion program while in
Cuba, which included basic tours along with some cultural events at all of the
stops; Havana, Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba and Maria La Gorda. This was all expected. What I didn’t expect was such a full,
comprehensive program while on board.
Every day and evening while not in port there were numerous
presentations all relating to Cuba and the People-to-People program.
~ PROFESORS,
HISTORIANS, ARTISANS AND GUEST SPEAKERS SUCH AS THE CUBAN FORMER FIRST
VICE-MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, JOSE VIERA (ON MY SAILING) AND AMBASSADOR
JEFFREY DELAURENTIS OF USA TO CUBA (ON A PREVIOUS SAILING) PRESENT A VERY
IMMERSIVE PROGRAM WITH LECTURES, DISCUSSIONS AND AUTHENTIC DEMONSTRATIONS OF
ALL KINDS ~
To comply with legalities, U.S. citizens must make a donation
to the People-to-People program as outlined by the Office of Foreign Assets
Control of the US Department of the Treasury.
Celestyal works with an NGO that operates under license from the OFAC
office to provide immersive programs to comply with the People-to-People legislative
requirements. For this sailing $95 went
towards these programs, paid separately from what you pay the cruise line. Also, Cuban Authorities mandate authorized health
insurance for ALL travelers into Cuba.
Celestyal provides a link to an official provider who will insure you
for the cruise, for me the cost was about $40.
Although it sounds like some heavy duty rigmarole, and may be
in comparison to many other countries, it really wasn’t a big deal, very easily
accomplished. You make your booking, fill
out a couple of brief forms along with submitting payment, receive a couple of
e-mails with links to do the People-to-People donation, and the health
insurance, along with a couple documents with full info. There you go,
bada-bing bada-boom, just like that you’re going to Cuba!!
I wrote this first part of this blog, on the pre-cruise
logistics, while flying down to Jamaica to embark on this cruise. Just wrapping up the first part when the
Captain announces that we are directly over Cuba! MoBay is 40 minutes away, time for me to
prepare for the adventure that is about to happen!!!
The document shown in the photo below is one of the daily
handouts received regarding the People-to-People experience for that day, while
on board or in port. This one is during
the one day at sea, with an amazing variety of fun and interesting programs!
For pictures of my Cuban experience, check out my Google Plus
profile through the link to the right.
