Puerto Rico - 51st US State? - Cuba Travel Suspended? - Impact on Cruise Travel

I was born and raised in a US Territory, Alaska, was 19 at Statehood. We really couldn't tell any difference between Alaska and a "real State" in those days when traveling back and forth to the "States". Been to P. R. three times on cruises, even stayed a couple of extra nights in a hotel there before embarking one time. Like most of those islands down there, I haven't really been enamored with them except for our last visit to P. R., that is when I took a tour out to their "National Park", it was great.

A while back there was an insurance company poll that purportedly showed some weakening in general public interest for visiting Cuba, but only slight, 2%. However, after taking a close look at it that same poll showed that cruise line aficionado type interest in traveling there to be on the increase. http://cruisefever.net/survey-shows-americans-losing-interest-traveling-cuba/

"Although Americans are losing interest in traveling to Cuba, the survey showed that 17% of Americans felt the recent announcements of cruise lines now sailing to Cuba has made them more interested in visiting the Caribbean island."

A pew research poll accomplished about five months ago actually tells a different story over positive general public interest toward Cuba. Up 2% in the last two years. http://www.pewresearch.org/.../americans-still-favor.../

We Caribbeaned out some time back, been there done that, prefer Hawaii much more. Anymore we do enjoy the Caribbean but only when coming from or going to somewhere else. Having said that, I do look forward to visiting Cuba, since I dislike cruises less than two weeks long perhaps Princess will have something that ports in Cuba and goes on through the canal or on to somewhere in S.A. I strongly believe that Obama did the right thing in relaxing visitation rules there. Trump is making a mistake.

I hear a lot of ideological and political reasons to shun traveling to Cuba, none of which makes much sense to me. With respect to their human rights violations, I say teach by example, one can't do that without interfacing with an adversary. After all, Cuba has been a sovereign country for generations now, as such they have certain independent rights and choices. I don't recall them ever shooting at me. Rather, I have enjoyed visits when traveling to the Soviet Union, Japan, Germany, Italy, Vietnam, Russia, Austria, Finland and China numerous times; most of which, in the past, we have been deeply embroiled in confrontation with at one time or another. I do recall us invading Cuba (Bay of Pigs).

And need to learn American language "English". Though seems Latinos are reluctant.

Good news that airlines & cruise ships will not be affected. I wonder where traveler who are traveling in a group on a land tour of Cuba will stay if the hotels profit the government & can't be used?.

Oh my! Shows how out of touch I am with Cuba. I think you're right with this being simply another "let's undo what Obama did" move.

Here's a link to info regarding the impact, if any on Cuba and the cruise industry.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2017/06/16/cuba-cruises-could-become-less-flexible/102915746/

Russia and China have already invested! It's the potential "audit" Americans will face for five years for money they spend in Cuba - Customs on Steroids - that many object to also. The "ban" was merely intended to undo what Obama had started in my opinion.

I hadn't thought about Chinese investors. Good point there. It be funny and ironic if Russian investors came in and built up Cuba. Unfortunately the White House would probably freak out if that happened.

I read that the airlines and cruise lines won't be effected but Americans would only be allowed one visit per year.

I am hoping to cruise to Cuba.

With China and other countries now heavily investing in the hotel scene etc., I believe it will become a huge tourist draw to everyone but US citizens who thanks to the latest stupidity of today reversing some of the previous policies will make the US late to the party ....

P.R. looks very interesting to me. Someday I hope to go there a few days before a cruise and enjoy the island before sailing out.

Cuban situation is unfortunate. I think too many people in America are stuck in the past and dwell on our not so friendly history with Fidel. I think the US needs to move on and open things up with Cuba. I'm not so interested in Cuba but I think that those that want to visit should be allowed to.

The question I'll put out there is: Will Cuba ever get back to it's 1950's pre-Castro glory days?

I don't think it will happen in my lifetime, if at all.