When is the average American going to get to go to Cuba?

[Hoppy]

[Atman]

1. The first thing I noticed...it opens the door for BUSINESS and BANKING.

Gosh...what a surprise. Tourists still can't go there, but if there is a buck to be made on Wall Street, let's do this thing!

[winetourdriver]

3. When

Well of course, one of the benefits of being Lords of the Universe is first dibs at the Trough!

[Atman]

6. When? First.

That is what was announced. Business, banking and sending money back to Cuba from the states. That is basically what this does. it's a good start for sure, but you and I won't be able to travel to Cuba unless we have a "business" trip. Tourism is still forbidden. Just travel for banksters and CEO's to begin the exploitation of the island.

Don't get me wrong, I'm 100% for opening up relations with Cuba. It is long passed due. But we should be serious about it. Tear down this wall. End the nonsense. If we can bomb the shit out of half the world, why are we afraid of a little island in the Caribbean? Oh, wait...the voting block. Never mind, I answered my own question.

[Jesus Malverde]

12. Insiders have been traveling there for some time.

The biggest lobbyist in california took a delegation not too long ago.

Through Californians Building Bridges, Darius founded Project Havana a humanitarian project dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the Cuban people through providing grants and donations of supplies to charitable organizations that lack their own resources. For the past 10 years, Darius and CBB have led over 50 missions to Cuba.

http://platinumadvisors.com/team/darius-anderson-founder-and-ceo/

At least two California state legislators secretly traveled with Sacramento’s “best connected” lobbyist to Cuba during the legislature’s spring break, an exclusive CalWatchdog.com investigation has revealed.

State Sen. Cathleen Galgiani, D-Livingston, and Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian, R-San Luis Obispo, confirmed through their offices that they spent the spring holiday in Cuba with lobbyist Darius Anderson.

The founder and president of the influential lobbying firm Platinum Advisors, Anderson and his firm agreed in 2010 to pay out half a million dollars to settle pay-to-play allegations.

Both legislators’ offices said the elected officials paid their own way on what one Capitol source described as a “super-secret trip.” The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that participants “shredded their itineraries when they landed.”

“He went on the annual trip to learn and study about Cuba,” said Craig Swaim, Achadjian’s chief of staff.

http://calwatchdog.com/2013/04/05/legislators-secret-trip-to-cuba-with-sacramento-lobbyist/

You didn't get a pass from the feds for a super-secret trip? Guess you don't know the right people...

[a kennedy]

13. Saw some CEO, can't remember which one, on CNBC, but he had this stupid arse smirk on his face when

they asked him about the now business investment opportunities in Cuba. Made me Such an arse. It's always been about the business and banking industries.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. The average American?

You think the average American can even afford to? I think the average American has 'staycations'.

[bigwillq]

4. I hope never.

Unless one has family there.
I just know the American Tourist will find a way to ruin this island.

[CTyankee]

5. They already can and have for a bit. A good friend of mine went there two years ago and

my primary care doc went also a few years ago. There exist categories of exemptions available. If you are interested here is one tourist company's page of Cuba tour offerings from their website
http://www.roadscholar.org/programs/search_res.asp?keyword=cuba

[lonestarnot]

9. 6 to 8 months. Cubans still working on condos that will be sold.

[BKH70041]

10. Accompanied a British investment group to Cuba back in the late 80's.

Meh. Not impressed. And I've been all over the Caribbean.

Some of the older gentlemen who were on the trip told me the island was a shell of how beautiful and inviting it was in the late 40's and early 50's. Marxism tends to do that.

But, no doubt, some will find it alluring. Hell, some people think the Bahamas are just the best thing ever.

[Atman]

15. I've got old home movies of my grandparents' cruise to Havana.

Very cool. Faded and look like someone processed them through an Instagram filter, but they're the real deal. The place looked beautiful, even in smudgy old black & white.

And "The Bahamas" is a ridiculous term. Kind of like saying "New York" when referring to upstate as opposed to Manhattan. The Abacos in the Bahamas are stunning. You have a pretty narrow view, imho.

[BKH70041]

18. Marsh Harbour is fair.

There are just other Caribbean islands I view as being more alluring than anything the Bahamas has to offer.

[Jesus Malverde]

11. You could go now.

You go to cancun, get a flight to havana. When you arrive in havana ask the immigration office not to stamp your passport. They will not stamp it. Enjoy Havana and the rest of the island without troubles. No one the wiser.

[Bluenorthwest]

14. Many people I know have been to Cuba. It's not all that hard to do.

Now it will be easier. I assume much of the timing of open tourism lies with the Cubans.

[VScott]

16. I want to go just to see Superman in action

[HappyMe]

17. I don't know.

Whenever they want. I'm usually not concerned with people's travel plans.