Cruising Around Cuba

[CaptJacknLes]

I know this may be a touchy subject, but I need advice on the do's and don'ts about cruising around Cuba. Is it possible? Thanks

[TaoJones]

Several threads on this subject at Cruisers Forum, Capn. Check out:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...again-874.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...rum-23198.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...one-10535.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...uba-23388.html

TaoJones

[s/v Jedi]

Cruising around Cuba is great and done by many. It is a tourist destination and sail charter companies are there. But not much of that is by US tourists/sailors. The rest of the world's sailors feel that now is the time to cruise there before Cuba opens for US tourists and turns into a Disney world ;-)

cheers,
Nick.

[s/v Moondancer]

I had a great experience in Cuba and the officials at Marina Hemmingway, where we cleared, were exceptionally helpful.

[CaptJacknLes]

For sure, one day soon, the embargo will be lifted and Cuba will be over run and ruined by the western world. I would like to cruise it before that happens. There aren't many places left in the world that aren't spoiled by capitalism.
Do you know of any privately owned charters in Cuba?
King regards, Jack

[Endojoe]

Spoiled by Capitalism? As opposed to the pristine image of communism?

[TaoJones]

Please keep this thread on track, folks. Political commentary relating to competing economic systems is way off base. Thanks.

TaoJones

[CaptJacknLes]

Thank you for that TaoJones. I was just trying to indicate that Cuba is relatively unspoiled and should be seen before things change. I will ignor the post by our friend in Dallas. Thanks!

[mesquaukee]

You might want to do a quick search.
I found Caribbean Yacht Charter - Cuba
Cuba Sailing:bareboat and crewed yacht charters in the Caribbean. Complete air inclusive packages from Australia and the US.
Boat rental Cuba - yacht charter Cuba
Cuba is a nice place to cruise.
You cannot go to shore anywhere you please. You are required to check in with the Guardia at the town or villiage first. If there isn't a Guardia post you are not allowed to go ashore. We were detained and questioned for doing so.

[Ocean Girl]

Group hug!

Sorry don't have any info about Cuba except a friend sailed to Mexico then on over to Cuba, the Cubans put their stamps on a slip of paper which was placed in her passport. She was advised that she could throw it away when she leaves Cuban waters. I am told this was the way it is done for Americans. However, this was over ten years ago Anyone have a similar experience? Also knew a guy that lost his boat on a reef in Cuba, he was rescued by the cubans and sent home by the Americans, he did not mention any repercussions about cruising in cuban waters (that was 12 years ago). Sorry my info is so out of date.
Erika

[mesquaukee]

They were still doing that 5 years ago when we visited Cuba the last time. That slip of paper is for all nationalities so "certain people" do not know you went there.
You can fly into Grand Cayman using your birth certificate, fly to Cuba where they give you that slip to place in your passport and fly back to Grand Cayman on your birth certificate and "nobody" will know.
That is what all the Americans who I was working with in Grand Cayman were doing and are still doing.
That travel restriction is for mass consumption not for the dedicated traveler.

[Boomp]

To visit a place that has not been 'discovered' nor exploited. Whether the minions are 'eco friendly' or bent on a zillion cruise liners visiting. I think we'd all like to see it remain much like it is.
I recall the old films of Costeau visiting Cozumel in the 60's. I visit and dive it regularly but the tree huggers and multitudes of tourists have wreaked havoc. [I know, I'm just another tourist ] But, I think that always happens when you have too many people congested in a given area.

[sck5]

Another way is to "lose" your passport, get a new one, and go to Cuba on the "lost" one which you can then throw away. This worked a few years ago if you went to Toronto first as a place to go to Havana from

[mesquaukee]

Originally Posted by sck5

Another way is to "lose" your passport, get a new one, and go to Cuba on the "lost" one which you can then throw away. This worked a few years ago if you went to Toronto first as a place to go to Havana from

I would have a problem with that.
There is a big difference between errors of omission and errors of comission, espescially if one should get caught. With all these machine readable passports and all I wonder about what gets traded back and forth.
To me the golden rule of travelling is never ever volunteer anything. If asked anything give short honest answeres.

I love my nonmachine readable passport.

[Boracay]

These days too many passports have been "lost".

I think you'll find that immigration authorities are very touchy about "lost" passports. It's probably easy to get on some kind of black list that way.