who are late to propose their own offerings.

I just hope that environmental concerns are under the microscope for these cruises.

That said it's a great idea because travel is uncomfortable in Cuba and food limited and lodging overbooked these days from what I've heard. It's one way they can increase tourism without stressing their infrastructure. Plus, the tourists stay out of trouble for the most part by keeping them off the roads and in people's lives for limited times.

Travel is uncomfortable? Sorry, I don't buy that.

I recently returned from a dive trip to Cayo Largo del Sur (off the south coast of Cuba) very recently and stayed at a hotel managed by the Sol Melia chain. Very nice accommodations and facilities quite comparable to all but the most ultra-plush US and European-owned resorts. There were three other tourist hotels on that island, and from the outside at least, they looked equally comfortable.

I will say that the getting-there was a bit awkward. Aerogaviotta (a local Cuban airline) does run Rooskie-built (Antonov turboprop) aircraft that don't have overhead luggage bins and I do wish that they flew out to Cayo Largo del Sur from Havana more than once a day (Cayo Largo does have international flights from other places), but I've been on other small (and capitalist) Caribbean islands where there was only a once-a-day connection to the big wide world.

is dicey. I've traveled the Central Highway and it was harrowing. Also those Russian planes are a bit too much with the collapsing seats and missing seat belts.

Regular tourists would not be pleased! They mostly want zero adventure and don't crave "cultural learning experiences" that go beyond knick knacks for sale and a rumba show.

Plus there aren't enough rental cars and bus tickets to go around for long distance.

How was Cayo Largo? Is that near any nature areas or coral reefs? What is the draw? Did you meat "Edduar"? !!
Someone I know ended up working there I believe.

I went to Cayo Largo because the Canadian travel agent I dealt with said that there was good diving there. And he was right. If the critter count wasn't as great as I'd remembered on a couple of occasions in Belize and off Cozumel, it was pretty good.

There is a nature preserve off Cayo Largo as well as on the island itself. That was part of the attraction, plus knowing that I could stroll down the beach aways and not have to worry about straying onto the beachfront property of some mega-millionaire or other.

My accommodations were nice, even if they weren't something as fancy-schmantasy as the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas or the interiors of someplace like Sandals' in the Bahamas or elsewhere. They were a long ways indeed from being creaky and decrepid third world resorts that had fallen on hard times after the Union Jack was hauled down and the colonizers departed or where the old United Fruit Company packed up and left town. I'd say three to four star level, if not five-star quality.

As for the airliners, despite my concern about the Antonov turboprop, I couldn't help but remember the tiny single-engined (and cramped) overgrown Cessna-like machines that I rode in from Belize City to San Pedro. The Antonov may have lacked windows, but it had a bit more space and was more comfortable.

before U.S. Americans start taking advantage of this opportunity, too, with Cuba Cruise.

Could be a terrific way to spend some time.

the idea of a cruise might win over visiting on the cheap and buying food in the markets. Been there done that! And visiting areas outside of Havana has gotten more expensive so that's a treat. It's a big hassle to deal with booking internal travel since a lot of flights fill up. There is a tourist bus but it's quite boring to do the long stretches on the Central Highway. When I went with friends in a rental it was harrowing due to dips and people passing on curves, donkeys, crabs and every vehicle type imaginable on the road.

So now the US needs to combine the educational with the cruise as in have Cubans give talks on board -- classes -- for the Ofac requirements. No shuffleboard or dancing allowed! This is not a vacation!