Cuba? Would you go? (poll)

i went in spring 2001 before W put a stop to it and would do it again in a heartbeat. The people are friendly and the only safty issue is with the goverment when you return (ours).

Absolutely! I have been to Cuba 10 times in the last 13 yrs. When compared to other Latin American countries, it is far safer, (no guns, no drugs), the people are universally friendly, and facilities and food is cheap. The municipal water is safe in virtually every city, and Cuba has more doctors and teachers per capita than the US. The down side is that the country does not have the infrastructure to accomodate large numbers of cruising sailors, the exceptions being, Varadaro, Cienfuegos, and Hemingway Marina just outside of Havana. All that being said, it is still better being an American in Cuba than a Cuban---- however, that can be said of almost all of Latin America. Government red tape can be vexing, I suspect they took lessos from the TSA!

Capt Jim Stengel

yes

I would go if it were legal or I had a permit... No otherwise. I did not contaminate the poll as I did not know if mine was as a yes or no answer. I would not need a guide.

Hell, yes. I grew up in Venezuela, and have always wanted to go. Have several friends that have gone and loved it.

Yes, but it must be during the winter, in Jan to Apr, while cold up north.
Cathy and Mel Stewart, also from Canada, spoke very highly of their time in Cuba. And, we, being Canadian, can go legally anytime. We will go in within the next couple of years, however, if it was a flotilla, that would be even more fun and informative.
Brian and Penny Kelly, Northern Lights, IP380, #45, Winnipeg, Canada

Yes will it ever happen?

CAROL AND I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH FRIENDS WHO HAVE BEEN TO CUBA 3 TIMES ON A "WRITER/JOURNALIST" VISA....AND WITH SEVERAL CANADIANS, AND GERMANS WHO HAVE BEEN THERE AS WELL.

AFTER SAILING THE CARIBBEAN AND BAHAMAS FOR THE PAST 4 YRS, IT WAS TIME TO BRING CYGNUS BACK TO MICHIGAN........BUT IF CUBA HAD OPENED TO US CITIZENS EARLIER THIS YR, WE WOULD HAVE KEPT THE BOAT IN FL........AND WOULD HAVE HEADED THERE ASAP.

WE WOULD LOVE TO JOIN SOMEONE FOR THE ADVENTURE IF SOMEONE IS LOOKING FOR A WELL EXPERIENCED CREW!

yes, with no hesitation

We are from Canada, and have had the opportunity to enjoy two fly in vacations in Cuba.
We have nothing but good things to say about the country and the people that live there.
I offer another boats blog site. ( Diamond Lil's Adventures ) These people are from Canada as well. They traveled through Cuba as they made their way further south. I found it to be an interesting read, and may be informative if this adventure can come together.
We will be starting our loop in the Spring of 2012. If it ever comes together we would love to be part of a flotilla to visit Cuba.
Gary

I would go in the blink of an eye! Have been wanting to go for years, the idea of a flotilla has a lot of merit, we should watch developments on the Sarasota Sailing Squadron who tried unsuccessfully last year and is trying again this Spring, they have about 200 boats registered, Hopefully it will work for them . The time for a change in U.S. policy is long past due. Bill Sloan

I spent time in the Navy during the mid 70's on and around Gitmo chasing Russian subs. Cuba is beautiful, its a shame politics spoil everything!

I would go in a heartbeat if it were legal. I volunteer with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and work for a bank and do not want to jeapordize that with anything negitive on a background check.

It is unfortunate that most responders when asked if the would go to Cuba usually answer , "Yes, definitely if it were legal and the penalties weren't so severe!." Essentially, what they are saying is that, "Although I'm an American citizen-- I'm afraid of our government." American citizens are allowed to go to any nation on planet Earth without US permission, except Cuba! Cuban expats who committed atrocious terrorist acts against Cuba and innocent Cuban civilians walk as heroes on the streets of Miami. (Google: Luis Posada Carriles and Orlando Bosch==== Bosch recently died of natural causes, but I propose digging him up and hanging him). Historically the right of free travel has been an undisputed right of American citizens- unfortunately, it has become a political issue and neither national political party has the stomach to suffer the political reprisals of the hysterical, psychotic, Cuban "exile" community. I have been to Cuba 10 times in the last 15 years and have never had a problem while in Cuba. I'm a wounded Vietnam infantry officer and right wing Republican--- but what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong=== time to get over our chagrin over our embarrassing defeat at the Bay of Pigs and have an even handed approach toward Cuba, the safest nation in Latin America. Cuba has no drug problem, no gun problem, *unfortunately private citizens can't legally own firearms), and has more teachers and doctors per capita than the U.S.
Capt Jim Stengel

Mel and Cathy IP27-80 Starsinger,
Starsinger spent more than a year in Cuba and we were aboard for about two months of that time. As Brian Kelly reported we loved it and loved the people. The rules and regs get a bit tiresome but the adventure is super. The safest place we have ever been. We are discussing it as an alternative to the SW Caribbean, which seems to be expereiencing a rapid increase in violence and attacks on cruisers/charterers and local marine traffic. Travel on land to return to the boat is also becoming more dangerous. While we have not personally experienced violence to us or our boat, Cuba on the other hand was very very safe at all times of the day and night.

It is rough (as in self reliant) cruising however because the amenities one expects in the rest of the Caribbean are just not there. Anchoring can also be a challenge since approved anchorages can become "un approved" without warning.

A funny story, when we were clearing out of Marathon I reported to US authorities that we would clear out for Mexico by way of Cuba. We were forbidden to go to Cuba, in spite of the fact that we are a Canadian registered vessel and that my wife is Canadian and I am a Brit. We set out any way but were apprehended in the midst of the Florida Straights, in 8ft waves at about 0230 by a US Coastguard Cutter that required us to identify ourselves, our vessel, port of departure and destination. All of this under spotlight in heaving seas. To avoid being boarded I supplied our information, though I believe we were in international waters. There was a delay while this information was checked. Once they had established that the information was accurate we were cleared to continue. I asked about the nature of this intrerference with our passage, the Coasties claimed they were concerned for our safety. I thanked them and we continued, making Cuba early next morning. We may have drawn attention by the fact that I had hove to, to top up the diesel in the main tank and to take a little nap, a boat essentially stopped in rough weather in the straights. Al we were smuggling were two bags of dog food for Lobita, the border collie of an ex-pat Canadian who lives at Marina Darsena near Verradero. Entry and exit were simple, though time consuming and moorage was very cheap, but facilities were in poor shape. Electric is 110 ac 60hz and internet access can be had. Many cell phones work on the island but costs are high since they are routed through north American providers. ( at least they were at that time 2008/2009)

Do not expect to find any parts or marine supplies on the island. Diesel is available and inexpensive when we were there. Take jerry cans for transport of diesel as the marina pumps "don't work today". Cap'n Jim is rights, Cuba is great.

This is not to encourage any one to contravene the laws of the United States. Cuba is a handy refuge for US registered vessels that have mechanical and other failures while in the southern part of the Florida Straights, or ar unfrotunate enough to be driven in to a safe harbour to wait out a storm.

I think we still have some paper charts of the NW sector of the island if anyone is interested. NIgel Clader has written a very good cruising guide. Charts can be had from Blue Water Books, they are published by the Cuban governmnet and are serviceable but on poor quality paper. (Ours are water damaged)

Cheers Mel IP27-80 Starsinger

Would love to go again.....last there back in 08/09....spent a month cruising North coast west of Havana.....very safe....rented a purple scooter and travelled in around the city with no problems....people where great...friendly....helpful during entire trip. They board and check you out again at each stop but never any problems.

Jeff IP27

Absolutely!

And....I would bring back a reluctant hand-cuffed passenger in my cockpit locker named Joanne Chesimard, aka Assala Shakur, a fugitive from justice harbored by Castro in Cuba, and who is on the FBI's Most Wanted list. She is an escaped felon, who is wanted for the murder of N.J. State Trooper Werner Forrester back in 1973, and for attempted murder, armed robbery, and kidnapping!
Sgt. John Longo
IP-29/62
Haverstraw, N.Y.

I have already replied, but wanted to add. We were recently in Isla Mujeres after sailing from Roatan. While there, we put Silver Sea in a marina and went to the dark island via plane. Stayed for 5/6 days, and loved every minute. It can be set up through local travel agent.
Isla Mujeres is also a great place to hang out on your boat.
Be Safe, George & Pixie