Well it's happened! Supposedly by next year, one will be able to take a cruise to Cuba! How cool!

That's quite a hefty price tag per person!

Yeah, for sure. And according to what I'm reading, since you have to do some volunteer work while onboard these cruises, I think I personally will wait until they lift all the restrictions for Americans and there are a bunch of cruises going there.

Ugh. Another tropical island ruined by cruise ships.

Really? That's all you can say?

I'm thinking it will be a economic boon to Cuba, with many improvements to follow. Much like Cozumel, Merida, And Progresso, I doubt they would exist if not for the Cruise Ship industry. Of course they suffer from a little too much commercialism, but the locals certainly prosper from the influx of the $$$, and the Cruisers enjoy the Ports of call and what they have to offer. If they didn't, they would find another type of vacation. Cruising is not for everyone, but I believe that the Cruise Industry is still growing (witness the Mega Ships that are continuously being built), and any port of call that can support these ships will do well with the influx of the almighty $$$.

Yep - the day a mass market line can sell us a cruise from USA to Cuba with a port of call in Havanna or Santiago and without the cultural requirements is a day I am calling Bonnie!

Yes, looking forward to that!

I think it pretty much sums up my feelings on it but if it wasn't clear, I think cruise ships are generally detrimental to many of their ports of call. Yes, they do generate jobs and revenue but I think it's at the expense of the local ecosystem and long-term quality of life for the locals.

It's just my opinion - I have no data to back it up.

I happen to think that cruise ship ports are ugly and industrial and, as I said, ruin an otherwise beautiful tropical island.

Better?

I totally disagree with your premise. Many or most islands benefit greatly in economic benefit from cruise ships. Long term quality of life?? I guess if having more money degrades the quality of life, then I would say that most islanders would prefer more money, if they could better feed their families.

Progreso (one s) only gets about 8 or 9 cruise ships a month. The 5 mile long pier was constructed for frieght, not passengers. Progreso, Chelem, Chicxulub, Telchak Puerto and other gulf towns also evolved as recreation destinations for residents escaping the brutal summer heat of the City of Merida and the surrounding urban area.

Merida is a city of almost a million people with industry, universities and cultural events. 9 cruise ships a month, docking 22 miles away would not make the tiniest dent in that economy. You might want to rethink your assessment in respect to Progreso and particularly to Merida.

O.K. Rethought, and moving on <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Why would you even compare Cuba to Mexico......Cubans are 99% literate & the majority have University education....6 lane hiways.....one of the best eco systems in the world....as well as the best hustlers....I really think the USA tourists are in for one big surprise.....kate <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/canada.gif" alt="" />

Still moving on (trying to anyway) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Kate--I know almost nothing about Cuba. I do wonder what you mean by "one of the best eco systems in the world". Do you mean not polluted? For some reason, I had always thought that Havana in particular was very polluted, with all the old cars, and lots of diesel cars. Not sure where I got that impression from. Hope I get to see it someday!

We spent a week in Havana, no pollution....lots of new BMW's...Mercedes & high end SUV's....as well as old cars mostly for the tourists rides....don't forget it is only USA that can't go to Cuba....the rest of the world goes....over 1 million Canadians alone go to Cuba & we only make up 30% of tourism.....lots of Brits...French...Spanish...
The beaches are beautiful most better than Anguilla and many more of them....
The history will knock your socks off....
I do hope tourism will open up for the USA....you are in for a surprise and sure you will be shocked, at what you find....and maybe you have not been told the whole truth...
The forests...lakes..& rivers as well the coral reefs are all protected & I think there are 6 UNESCO biospheres in Cuba.....
kate <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/canada.gif" alt="" />

OK, thanks for the info. Yes, I knew that only US citizens can't go to Cuba. I do wonder at the reports that there is so little tourist infrastructure though. It will most certainly change Cuba if US citizens can travel there freely, but I certainly look forward to that possibility!

Carol...the tourist infrastructure is great for the tourists they have now......when they open it up to the USA that would be adding a few more million....hence me tinks the cruise ships till it is all set up....most are European owned partner hotels....kate <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/canada.gif" alt="" />

Agreed, the amount of beds available, eating places, etc. will need to be beefed up and cruise ships can provide those things till there is sufficient building happening.

Cruising helps expands one's abilities to Travel at a reasonable cost. Had it not been for Cruising, I never would have made it to Cozumel, Progressso, or Merida (except of course the travels gratuitously granted by the US Army).
I would look forward to a Cruise to Cuba, although the price would have to come down a bit.

CubaCruise leaves from Havana and from Montego Bay - I suppose .... an American could elect to start out from Montego Bay. Im told many do, but only know that 2nd hand
J&B