Government is cracking down on Cuba tourism, could affect cruise ship calls

We cruised to Cuba in March from Tampa on Carnival Paradise so it’s a moot point for me. If they stop it I’ve been there.

My hubby and I had the great good fortune to spend 8 days in Cuba in late 2016 with the Road Scholar Program and would have doubled that time if possible. Cuba has a rich and vibrant historical past and hopefully wiil find its way again. We saw and learned so much about the people and the country:past and present. Politics has nothing to do with a genuine desire to see and better understand our world and how it got that way. The people are genuinely warm and welcoming to U.S. citizens and want to know us better. If you get a chance to visit this beautiful, yet in many waystragic, place, do it. But, go with an open mind and heart for the people you will meet.

I worked for Alaska Airlines for about three years, but not flying. I flew the bush and Alaska didn't have a bush division anymore, so I was offered a flying job on their mainline but I had to move to Seattle and start at the bottom of the seniority list and furlough list, which was extensive in 1968. So I stayed in Alaska.

I was a bush pilot for years with Cordova Airlines, we merged with Alaska in 1968. We had a bush division and a mainline division, our mainline pilots were organized and merged with the Alaska pilots on an original date of hire basis. Since I worked in Cordova's head offices in Anchorage in the winter Alaska also offered me a good job in their Seattle offices. I like Seattle but didn't want to move there. I eventually quit Alaska and started our own Air Taxi with which we flew a lot of Alaska's smaller mail routes for them.

So did you fly for the greatest airline that’s ever been formed in the history of the universe? Alaska Air.

We, uhhh, I mean they, were all set to start flying to Cuba a few years ago but it all fizzled out to nothing. We ended up going to Costa Rica instead. Probably nicer and certainly a lot less controversial!

Looks like your second attempt stuck..good read....no deferment possible for me...into the meatgrinder...actually wanted to, thought it would be ...ummm...exciting...HAH! it was that! I DO have a girlfriends name tattooed on my arm though, haven't seen her since 69...no complaints though, its faded to a blotch like memories of her..and besides, I still have the arm...

I agree. Something about Cuba though that really gets folks riled up. I have to be careful. Some years ago, long before Trump even, I really got into an argument with my son-in-law, who I'm really close to, over this same stuff about Cuba, he is of the same mind as Rebel on the issue.

On a lighter note----How many of you remember the "Cuban Missile Crisis"? It was in October 1962. At the time I was in college, I should have been out by that time but I screwed off my first year then went on to become a commercial pilot, in 1959-60 I spent the winter in Texas picking up my instrument rating at the then largest flying school in the world. I was the youngest pilot there, it was very busy, partially because it was loaded with Air Force types who were getting kicked out due to no action, so in order to make a living flying on the outside they needed civilian ratings. You know, B-47 type pilots, most with Korean War backgrounds. I heard a lot of real "war stories" that winter.

By 1962 I was flying for a living, finally learned good study habits and was back in college in the winters and engaged to a young lady (now my wife of 56 years). Having finished up the required Army Reserve Officer Training and not signing up for "advanced", (they didn't want me anyway), besides they were still kicking people "out" of the military.

Then, almost overnight the Cuba Missile debacle hit. Geez, it looked like we were going to war. The US had been real lax for years and had no idea how many qualified men were out there eligible for a draft. Suddenly, most of us got notices and tickets to fly down to Fort Richardson near Anchorage and undertake physical examinations. The campus was in an absolute panic, at least the male side was. The next morning the line outside the, once hated Dean of Men's, office was blocks long, all looking for some sort of deferment. In those days we couldn't make long distance calls from campus, we had to go to downtown Fairbanks and use the phones in the Army Signal Core office there. My finance was still in Cordova in school, so another Cordovaite, also engaged, and I drove down and called our girl friends. OMG, all bets are off, we are going to war, please wait for me honey.

Fortunately for me, I was one of the older students on campus, at the time the Army had set up what they called the "Bootstrap Progam" (I think) where officers still on duty could obtain college degrees and retire early from the service. I had some friends that were enrolled in that program, two were seasoned colonels. Still in a panic, I had gotten back from Anchorage and the physical. Before class again, I was having coffee with my two officer buddies. They noted my concern. They said, "quit worrying, this is all BS". "Wiser heads will prevail". Oh yes, I do remember the Cuba Missile Crisis.

KENN....got an email notification of your reply...starts with .."I agree...something about Cuba that gets folks riled up..." love to read the thing but looks like it got eaten....happens to me from time to time..it just may have something to do with clicking on post reply too quickly...it really didn't load...since I slowed down after I hit post reply, it hasn't happened..but who knows??

Wife asked me ONCE if I wanted to take a cruise "back" to you know where...she would've done it if I wanted to ...lots of guys seem to have the urge once "goin back" became a thing. Closure mebbe, or something...I do NOT have the urge...I spent a tour and a half all of it in Injun country...walking mostly, occasional ride in a slick (too many actually)....didn't finish because the law of averages caught up to me. helluva thing to realize you aint immortal, especially at that tender age....all I know is the country I "visited" isn't there anymore...blink and mebbe you think you're in Singapore or some such. I didn't get that warm fuzzy feeling dealing with the locals either. So going back as a so-called tourist somehow frosts me. I therefore understand why those of that generation who had to flee Castro have, shall we say, mixed feelings about it. And why those of the more modern persuasion are, apparently clueless..just another foreign country with beaches..and close too!!

Well, all I can say is is our fearless leaders screwed NAM up to a fare-the-well...with a ton of blood and treasure left behind...and while I can see where a lot of folks who weren't involved in "the Cuba thing" over the years can't understand current events...well...its because they haven't been following "current events"...

I kinda agree...you want to go to NAM, or CUBA, or some damn hill you ran up in KOREA or some village where something particulary oogly happened when you were young and dumb enough to do that kind of thing..(weren't we all once).well then, you ought to be able to...but...you aren't in charge of that...political expediency trumps (pardon the pun) all of us, especially those of us spending our kids inheritance cruising around! some nerve we got complaining about ANYTHING!

Let me explain ...gently...if folks would actually read (even the daily papers such as they are) as to why some things happen, before making blanket statements about "so many people etc etc..." the rules are changing re CUBA because of this administrations chain yanking ELSEWHERE in South America..something to do with...CUBAS support for...wait for it...a blatant dictatorship...and, of course, the fact that the regime there could care less what OUR President thinks about much of anything....lets move on...cyber has a horrendous reputation for these kind of discussions...cruising is infinitely more pleasant. hmmm?

JC

I do agree that Americans should be able to visit Cuba if they wish. My original comment was meant only that I do not wish to visit at this time

Iharbor no ill will to others who do not share my opinion. In fact, I look forward to their reviews.

Well good grief! This kind of thread is what this forum needs. Something that gets people’s blood flowing a bit faster and makes this place a bit more interesting.

I think that can be done without insults. And if people do sink to that level, that’s what the mods are here for.

Have a controversial opinion? State it respectfully instead of this “Let’s tread lightly on this subject” mentality.

Here’s my opinion:

We should be allowed to go to Cuba and enjoy the island. I think it has the potential of being a wonderful cruise destination. The US should get over the past and be willing to make friends with this government instead of gritting it’s teeth and saying it will never forget.

We established diplomatic relations with Vietnam. And that was a million times worse than anything that happened with Cuba. My dad visited Vietnam back in the early 2000’s and enjoyed his stay there. From the pictures I’ve seen it looks like a lot of beautiful scenery over there. If I ever get a chance I’d like to go there too. I’d also like to visit Cuba someday and enjoy the beaches.

I think its unfortunate that so many people are holding onto these grudges against Cuba.

There! I think I stated my opinion in a respectful fashion. And I hope someone’s blood got a bit heated enough to reply. Let’s make this place a bit more interesting.