Posted on 12/02/2020 7:27:01 AM PST by SJackson
(2:55 p.m. EST) -- Cruise lines could return to Cuba as early as next year with the change of administration in the U.S. "Cuba was a very important part of our itineraries," said Tom McAlpin, president and CEO of Virgin Voyages, speaking at the International Cruise Summit in Madrid. "We hope that, with the new administration, that will open up again. It was very good for our industry, and we look forward to being back in Cuba." McAlpin stated that Cuba would be an ideal close-to-home destination for cruises based out of Florida. "In the short run, before there is a vaccine that is going to be readily available, I think there will be a shift in demand for ports close to home," said McAlpin. "It puts a lot of pressure on places like the Bahamas when you're sailing out of Miami. It puts pressure on places like Key West. Key West just had a referendum vote on banning cruise lines; that is being challenged in the courts." "Things change. As one port closes down, others open. We're optimistic about Cuba. I think that's a great opportunity for the entire industry." Cruises to Cuba had resumed from the United States in 2016 after a 57-year absence -- but were halted by the Trump administration last year. Ship Exterior on Adventure of the Seas Speaking at a panel discussion, cruise line executives also noted that there will be an increased need for diverse itineraries and new ports of call when cruise operations resume next year.
Larger cruise ships are not capable of docking in Havana due to berthing restrictions and a narrow turning basin.
"We see that the itineraries in a specific region will be adapted for a wider range of destinations than they are currently," said Celestyal Cruises' CEO Chris Theophilides. "Our thinking is that we need to appreciate that cruise ports will initially have less capacity…because of all the time and space requirements with implementing the COVID protocols.
"Even on transit calls, in the eastern Mediterranean where ports tend to be smaller, I think we will find there will be certain destinations that will not be able to service more than one ship at a time. It would be very hard for them to handle multiple arrivals in a single day," due to COVID-19 restrictions and protocols. "
Theophilides noted that in the initial stages of restart, it would be unrealistic to expect ports of call to operate at pre-pandemic levels, making the need to source new and diverse ports, and to vary existing itineraries, greater than ever.
Gee, I wonder if any location will be off limits to tourists? Guess pedo joe will be all in on re-establishing relations with them like obxxx did.
After Biden/Harris are done with us, Cuba will be luxurious.
Venezuela will be too at the rate we are going.
Why bother to go to Cuba? The Democrats are determined to bring the Cuban system to the U.S.
Canadians love Cuba.
It never occurs to them that all the “wonderful people” are desperate for a dollar.
It never occurs to them that they are in fact engaging in a kind of slavery.
It never occurs to them that every single one of their servants has a friend or family member in some sort of re-education camp.
They simply sip their drinks, relax on the beach, and praise “Che.”
Damned evil fools.
Just par for the course should biden complete the steal.
I won’t be on any ship headed for cuba.
I think Haiti is nicer than Cuba.
Not a happy place. But they have cool 1950 car relics still rollin.
They said it sucked and were really disappointed. Robberies, bad hotel, lousy food, the works.
Why the hell would anyone pay to go to a communist country?
Replaces Thailand as lurid destination with no legal repercussions.
Good opportunity for Blackmail.
Some will. Under Obama there were travel warnings for Israel. Even a brief suspension of flights from the US. Places like North Korea or Yemen might need a connected agent to make their case.
Haiti is nice, never been to Cuba. Plenty of nice places in the Carribean.
Went to Gitmo one time. Sadly some of us were to busy replacing a spun bearing on a main prop shaft in the aft engine room to enjoy the place. LOL!
As long as Communists are in charge there I will NEVER go there! Even if they pay me.
Cruises to Cuba: Will they use Higgins boats?
A nice mass grave and prison tour with a lunch at Victory Plaza would be a real popular excursion, especially with HollyWeedites who loved Fidel.
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