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FLPanhandle

(7,107 posts) Sun Feb 22, 2015, 04:25 PM Feb 2015

Cuba ferry from Florida Keys could become reality

http://www.wokv.com/news/news/national/cuba-ferry-keys-could-become-reality/nkGM9/

Florida Keys to Cuba?
That's the goal of Fort Lauderdale-based company KonaCat, which hopes to carry travelers from Marathon to Havana by the end of the year.

The service is just one of many now possible since President Barack Obama eased travel restrictions to Cuba earlier this year.

A one-way trip would cost $169, or $338 for a round trip ticket.

I would so line up for this. A high speed ferry between the Keys and Cuba would be an experience.

12 replies

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Cuba ferry from Florida Keys could become reality (Original Post) FLPanhandle Feb 2015 OP

Oh, I would go in a heartbeat! djean111 Feb 2015 #1

It makes sense. I've taken the boat to the Tortugas from KW NightWatcher Feb 2015 #2

To ferry across L. Michigan on the Badger it's $110 for each car and $111 per adult passenger HereSince1628 Feb 2015 #3

Not sure if it would be feasible but it would be cool! csziggy Feb 2015 #4

Yes, but this would be a short trip by comparison FLPanhandle Feb 2015 #7

That's true - Havana is a lot closer to Key West than the Yucatan csziggy Feb 2015 #8

I so look forward to visiting Cuba. AtomicKitten Feb 2015 #5

Beats a bathtub, an innertube, or a bunch of styrofoam glued to the front door, that's for sure! nt MADem Feb 2015 #6

But, it simply cannot beat a '58 Ford with 55 gallon drums strapped to it... Cooley Hurd Feb 2015 #9

I have to agree--extremely creative! MADem Feb 2015 #10

This would be great. Dr Hobbitstein Feb 2015 #11

Spending the weekend in Cuba might be the thing to do again FLPanhandle Feb 2015 #12

djean111

(14,255 posts)

1. Oh, I would go in a heartbeat!

Reply to FLPanhandle (Original post)

Sun Feb 22, 2015, 04:31 PM

Feb 2015

Wonder if Rubio would be stupid enough to try and block it.

NightWatcher

(39,343 posts)

2. It makes sense. I've taken the boat to the Tortugas from KW

Reply to FLPanhandle (Original post)

Sun Feb 22, 2015, 04:31 PM

Feb 2015

Cuba would be a fun day (or two) trip from the Keys.

HereSince1628

(36,063 posts)

3. To ferry across L. Michigan on the Badger it's $110 for each car and $111 per adult passenger

Reply to FLPanhandle (Original post)

Sun Feb 22, 2015, 04:34 PM

Feb 2015

cost of the car doesn't include any passengers

just as a point of reference...

csziggy

(34,136 posts)

4. Not sure if it would be feasible but it would be cool!

Reply to FLPanhandle (Original post)

Sun Feb 22, 2015, 04:34 PM

Feb 2015

A few decades ago someone tired to run a ferry from Tampa to the Yucatan. I'd hoped to take it someday to visit Mexico but they just couldn't get enough business to keep it gong.

Someone was going to try it again, but delayed the start from 2012 to 2014 and I don't think it has started yet:

Will it happen again? Who knows. Significant barriers stand in the way. For one, Tampa’s port director, Richard Wainio, has said that the service would require the Tampa port to construct ramps for cars and additional fenced areas for U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents to check vehicles and cargo. That total cost to the port could be $1 million USD.
http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2014/03/ferry-service-could-start-operating-this-year-between-florida-and-yucatan/

If service from Key West to Cuba was started, a ferry to the Yucatan from Key West is more likely than one from Tampa. The Cuba run would be more profitable, making it more feasible to add service since the Yucatan run wouldn't have to pay all the costs for the required ferry set up and customs inspections.

FLPanhandle

(7,107 posts)

7. Yes, but this would be a short trip by comparison

Reply to csziggy (Reply #4)

Sun Feb 22, 2015, 04:40 PM

Feb 2015

Around 120 miles vs. around 700. Ferries typically do well financially when in short routes that allow many trips per day.

csziggy

(34,136 posts)

8. That's true - Havana is a lot closer to Key West than the Yucatan

Reply to FLPanhandle (Reply #7)

Sun Feb 22, 2015, 04:44 PM

Feb 2015

But it would still be cool to go to either - and take our own vehicle!

Lets see, according to Google Earth it's about 100 miles from Key West to Havana and a little over 400 to the Yucatan.

Oh well, neither will be in the budget anytime soon.

AtomicKitten

(46,585 posts)

5. I so look forward to visiting Cuba.

Reply to FLPanhandle (Original post)

Sun Feb 22, 2015, 04:36 PM

Feb 2015

Hope I make it before I shuffle off this mortal coil.

MADem

(135,425 posts)

6. Beats a bathtub, an innertube, or a bunch of styrofoam glued to the front door, that's for sure! nt

Reply to FLPanhandle (Original post)

Sun Feb 22, 2015, 04:38 PM

Feb 2015

Cooley Hurd

(26,877 posts)

9. But, it simply cannot beat a '58 Ford with 55 gallon drums strapped to it...

Reply to MADem (Reply #6)

Sun Feb 22, 2015, 04:44 PM

Feb 2015

THAT ride has a certain... panache!

MADem

(135,425 posts)

10. I have to agree--extremely creative!

Reply to Cooley Hurd (Reply #9)

Sun Feb 22, 2015, 04:49 PM

Feb 2015

Some of the "rides" to Miami were quite remarkable--they should establish a museum and put the best ones (or reproductions of them) in them--I'd go see that!

Imagine what those guys could have built with MATERIALS! Cuba's chock-a-block full of smart people who don't mind work - the future looks bright for them.

Dr Hobbitstein

(6,568 posts)

11. This would be great.

Reply to FLPanhandle (Original post)

Sun Feb 22, 2015, 04:58 PM

Feb 2015

I live in Central Florida. They Keys are just a few hour drive for me. My wife and I (we married in October) haven't taken a honeymoon (and probably won't for a couple years). This would be a great way to spend a week, though.

FLPanhandle

(7,107 posts)

12. Spending the weekend in Cuba might be the thing to do again

Reply to Dr Hobbitstein (Reply #11)

Sun Feb 22, 2015, 07:10 PM

Feb 2015

since the 1950's.

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