| Author |
Message |
    
Kibbegirl
Citizen
Username: Kibbegirl
Post Number: 392
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 8:56 pm: | 
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I've always dreamed of going to Cuba as a tourist. When I was in college, I said to myself that by the time I was 40, all American's would be able to travel to Cuba. Well, I'll be 40 this year and we still can't go. I'm not a politician, scholar or scientist -- just a nosey American dying to get there and see the sites. Is there a safe way to travel to Cuba? I understand Americans do go via other countries, but once there, are we there at our own risk (whatever risks there may be)? It just doesn't make sense to me why our travel options to this beautiful country are still closed. |
The Woeful Mr T
Citizen
Username: Howardt
Post Number: 1558
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 8:57 pm: |
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You CAN go to Cuba! Drive to Montreal and fly from there. Bring me some cigars, please. |
Kibbegirl
Citizen
Username: Kibbegirl
Post Number: 393
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 9:04 pm: |
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Is it legal for us to go? I guess that's my question. I'm assuming that it's not yet legal for American's to fly to Cuba. The Montreal path is the way many of us do go, so you're right on. |
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 3061
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 9:16 pm: |
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I know a lot of Synagogues arrange trips to Cuba (Beth-El did within my recent memory)> They are usually called humanitarian or educational trips. My cousin in California goes there at least twice a year. If you would like, I'll call her and get some info for you.
Hasta manana! |
Mr. Big Poppa
Citizen
Username: Big_poppa
Post Number: 504
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 9:50 pm: |
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It is legal to fly to Cuba. It isn't legal to spend your money in Cuba (i.e. supporting their economy).
You can get there via Canada, Mexico and Jamaica. US customs actively scout the Cuba-Canada and Jamaica flights. I've known a couple of people who were busted by Customs coming in through Canada. Of course, they were obvious in that they had maps of Havana and other purchased goods.
You can go via Mexico City and Cancun with no problem.
It is worth a visit before Fidel dies and the island becomes Miami 2. |
Grrrrrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Oldsctls67
Post Number: 318
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 10:15 pm: |
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You can just buy the Cuban cigars in Montreal... |
Projects Dude
Citizen
Username: Quakes
Post Number: 93
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 10:52 pm: |
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It's not illegal per se to be in Cuba as an American citizen. Technically, you just aren't allowed to bring currency there.
Problem is that it's actually not cheap compared to other less developed countries. The reason is the tourism industry - nearly everything from hotels to restaurants to tourist buses - is state controlled and they milk visitor dollars. |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 469
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 12:07 pm: |
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Does anyone know why Guantanamo Bay holding the alleged muslim extremists is on Cuban soil but operated by the US military? |
Grrrrrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Oldsctls67
Post Number: 322
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 12:17 pm: |
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Watch the movie "A Few Good Men" with J. Nicholson and T. Cruise |
Joe R.
Citizen
Username: Ragnatela
Post Number: 297
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 12:28 pm: |
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http://www.nsgtmo.navy.mil/htmpgs/gtmohistory.htm
I think we lease it frim the enemy for about $4,000 per year. Bizarre, huh? |
Projects Dude
Citizen
Username: Quakes
Post Number: 95
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 1:04 pm: |
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Sorta like the UK leased HK from China until the Handover. Don't know if the lease at Guantanemo is perpetual or definite though. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 6839
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 2:17 pm: |
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Perpetual. Cuba has wanted the US out for years.
If you fly thru Canada, you can request that your passport not be stamped on the Canada-Cuba leg.
So, how many people think that this thread tripped some spy software at the FBI? Dave & Jamie will get subpoenas and we will all have to share one cell. In Guantanemo.
This could work out for Kibbe after all.... |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1383
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 3:03 pm: |
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There are also exemptions for a variety of educational programs -- my brother is looking into going there for a few months to work on his Spanish. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 2198
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 3:09 pm: |
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It’s completely legal to go to Cuba, but against the law to spend American money there. I have three Cuban Stamps on my passport.
There was a large horse race there a few years ago and I went with my father. We got a license from the US because the sport was for a Non-government sponsored charity. We were also advised to stay at a few non-government run hotels, eat at the same type of places. I don’t think we had to prove we didn’t spend any other US funds though.
I flew there once from St. Martian, and once from Jamaica, both were for business leading up to the race, but I didn’t get licensed then.
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argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 777
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 3:48 pm: |
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Does anybody ever bother to actually go to the source of information on this board?
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1097.html
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS/TRAVEL TRANSACTION LIMITATIONS : The Cuban Assets Control Regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed to engage in any transaction related to travel to, from, and within Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable. This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada. U.S. law enforcement authorities have increased enforcement of these regulations at U.S. airports and pre-clearance facilities in third countries. Travelers who fail to comply with Department of Treasury regulations will face civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States.
Much more info there. Or you may continue speculation and conjecture.
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greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 6842
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 4:14 pm: |
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Isn't that what I said in fewer words? |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1620
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 4, 2006 - 11:21 am: |
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I avoid the hassles by using my Irish passport in and out of Montreal or London, UK, then return to the US on the American passport.
No aggravation, no explanation. Just sun, music, good food, and lusting after 1951 De Soto sedans.
Anybody asks at ICE: I say I was staying with cousins in the UK or Canada
A while back, Air Canada used to fly to Havana out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, but that's a thing of the past. |
argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 778
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 4, 2006 - 12:38 pm: |
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Greenetree: not unless you got redirected to a significantly different site than I did when you clicked that link.
Nothing anyone said in this thread paraphrases the actual law correctly.
Most importantly, when / if you get busted, a defense of "I read I could on the SO-M discussion forum" should most definitely get you out of any pickle you may be in.
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Greeneyes
Citizen
Username: Greeneyes
Post Number: 759
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 4:26 am: |
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A person can have two passports? |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1621
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 1:04 pm: |
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Yes. I have and hold a US passport in good standing and an Irish passport (European Union) in good standing as well.
My daughter holds the same. It's due to birth and immigration circumstances.
Holding more than one passport has advantages when you wish to travel in places where showing a US passport may cause some discomfort.
And everybody likes the Irish, even the Brits. |
Abner Aliger
Citizen
Username: Vichy
Post Number: 12
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 1:44 pm: |
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I also hold Dual US/Irish Passports and it is a definite plus especially when travelling to places like Algerie. Now call Paris "home" and thanks to mt Irish Citizenship the entire process was sans problem. Yes it does seem that most of the world love the Irish. |
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