Obama Administration to Ease Cuba Travel Restrictions

[Ram]

Obama to ease Cuba travel restrictions-The White House press office sent out a release saying Obama had directed the changes, which do not need congressional approval. They will be put in place within two weeks.Obama to ease Cuba travel restrictions - Yahoo! News

[hummingway]

That's great news. Maybe he'll begin the process of giving Guantanamo back as well which be even better.

[pabells]

This is good news. Does anyone have an idea of the mooring or slip fees are in Cuban ports?

[boatman61]

Dunno about that but I reckon the price of cuban cigars in the States is gonna crash...

[markpierce]

I didn't see anything mentioned in the article about allowing little boats greater access to Cuba.

[James S]

Just a note...Lets take care not to let this thread get political.

[savoir]

I sure hope everyone understands that there is absolutely nothing at all stopping any US citizen or their boat from visiting Cuba right now. The Cubans would be pleased to have you as a visitor.

Things could get interesting on your return home, however.

To avoid such problems it is necessary to get a little creative in your itinerary. Not too hard.

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by savoir

I sure hope everyone understands that there is absolutely nothing at all stopping any US citizen or their boat from visiting Cuba right now. The Cubans would be pleased to have you as a visitor.

Things could get interesting on your return home, however.

To avoid such problems it is necessary to get a little creative in your itinerary. Not too hard.

Other than respecting and obeying your own countries laws.

[Wand]

Originally Posted by Tellie

Other than respecting and obeying your own countries laws.

It may be law but it's also an extraordinary law for a modern western democracy where freedom of the individual is a core value. The USA is not at war with Cuba. There is no comparable law to that one in any other comparable nation today or in recent history. The nearest would be in the Cold War days when the East Germans were forbidden to visit the West. And they were the enemies of freedom... Savoir was only suggesting that cruisers practise the Gandhian notion of peaceful resistance to bad law.

[savoir]

Originally Posted by Tellie

Other than respecting and obeying your own countries laws.

Respect is not a right. It must be earned.

Everyone I know who has been to Cuba has absolutely loved the place. The Cuban customs guys know what to do. They will never stamp a US passport.

[mrohr]

I would love to sail to cuba from my home here in the land of the free,however our gov. has been threatening to confiscate boats that do so upon return.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by mrohr

I would love to sail to cuba from my home here in the land of the free,however our gov. has been threatening to confiscate boats that do so upon return.

Owning a British passport and having been able to travel the world without even needing a visa; apart from trips to the US (why ) I am still astonished US citizens can't travel 90 miles to Cuba. I am aware of the events of the previous century but still find it odd.

Hopefully over the next few years restrictions will continue to be lifted.

However, would lots of US dollars flooding into Cuba change a country currently stuck in a 1960 time warp into just another tourist destination, big hotels, cheap travel packages. That would be a shame.

Pete

[savoir]

I thoroughly agree that a flood of US tourists will ruin the place. That's why I hope I can get there before it happens. The grand plan says next winter.

We'll see.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by At sea

It may be law but it's also an extraordinary law for a modern western democracy where freedom of the individual is a core value. The USA is not at war with Cuba. There is no comparable law to that one in any other comparable nation today or in recent history. The nearest would be in the Cold War days when the East Germans were forbidden to visit the West. And they were the enemies of freedom... Savoir was only suggesting that cruisers practise the Gandhian notion of peaceful resistance to bad law.

Yes. The rules purporting to restrict US citizens from travelling to Cuba (however formulated as not spending money) are unconstitutional in my opinion. I taught a course in Constitutional Law at one point in my misspent youth.

[sailorboy1]

Meanwhile back to the proposed new travel restriction changes:

Does this mean a bunch of US boats are going to become Churchs or schools? if so does that qualify for tax exemption or anything?