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Related: About this forumDestination Cuba: Ferry operators eye Florida-to-Havana service
Destination Cuba: Ferry operators eye Florida-to-Havana service
Costas Paris April 25, 2015
Ferry operators are racing to be the first to tie up pier-side in Havana.
At least five shipping companies have applied for special licenses from the U.S. State Department to relaunch overnight ferry service from ports in Florida, according to shipping executives familiar with the matter. The routes were popular with American tourists and weekend revelers before sea links were closed off more than 50 years ago.
The Obama administration has eased sanctions and promises to normalize relations with Havana. As part of that move, Washington has lifted some travel restrictions that have long made Cuba practically off limits for most American visitors.
The U.S. Treasurys Office of Foreign Asset Controls now allows visits for a variety of purposes that once required special approval. Those include trips by Americans to see family, professional and educational travel, and travel related to humanitarian projects and sporting events.
Tourism is still prohibited, but shipping executives are betting that those restrictions will fall away soon, too. Since the Obama administration first started easing travel restrictions to Cuba several years ago, approved travelers have been able to use several Washington-sanctioned charter flights to the island. There are some private ferry charters for humanitarian cargo and other approved shipments, too, but passengers arent typically allowed aboard.
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http://progresoweekly.us/destination-cuba-ferry-operators-eye-florida-to-havana-service/
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)I can't wait to visit. Never thought I would. This is so exciting.
xfundy
(5,105 posts)come from Communist China, this should be a no-brainer.
flamingdem
(39,321 posts)just hope it can be sustainable and not too obnoxious. The prices for the ferry seem too high but I guess it beats the $450 round trip being charged now for a 44 minute trip MIA to HAV.
Daniel537
(1,560 posts)The current charter flights are indeed too expensive considering the length of the trip, but then again even flights from Miami to the Bahamas are hard to find under $300 nowadays. Really need a serious federal investigation into these prices.