Canadian Company Opens Legendary Port of Havana to U.S. Travelers.Business & Travel Editors TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-April 18, 2000-- Beginning November 2000 Nassau-Havana Cruises Available Through Cuba Cruise Corporation When the M/V M/V Motor Vehicles M/V Motor Vessel M/V Merchant Vessel La Habana La Habana, province, Cuba: Ciudad de la Habana. sails on Nov. 16, 2000, from Nassau, The Bahamas, for Havana, it will mark the first time American citizens can take a regularly scheduled cruise to Cuba since the height of the Cold War. In response to increased interest in Cuba, one of Canada's oldest and most respected travel companies will offer year-round trips, beginning in November, four and five day voyages showcasing all aspects of Cuban life and culture, both onboard the ship and on the island. Canada's Blyth & Company Travel Limited, has associated with the Cuba Cruise Corporation to facilitate this cruise program. It is structuring its cruise offerings in light of the U.S. legal requirements to enable unlicensed American citizens to participate, without violating U.S. law, provided they observe certain requirements. The Cuban expenses of unlicensed Americans traveling with the Cuba Cruise Corporation will be paid by a separate organization, likely one which promotes international peace and understanding through people-to-people contact. This organization will act as the Cuban "host" of American travelers, and the travelers themselves can therefore travel lawfully on a "fully-hosted" basis provided that they spend no money while in Cuba. Americans traveling to Cuba under authority of either a general or specific license will also be able to participate. Unlike "fully-hosted" travelers, Americans traveling under license will be able to spend money while in Cuba and to return to the U.S. with up to $100 worth of Cuban merchandise. Blyth & Company Travel will inform prospective travelers of the restrictions which exist under U.S. law and will take steps to assure that all Americans participating on its cruises comply with all applicable U.S. legal restrictions. Per person, double occupancy, rates start at $595 for the "Classic Havana" three-night/four-day cruise. Rates drop to $XX per person, with four in a cabin. Accommodations are offered in cabins and suites on three decks. Children under 12 sharing a cabin with parents receive a 30% discount and those under age two travel free except for certain port fees and taxes. Prices are all-inclusive, including accommodation, meals, entertainment, on-board educational programs and use of ship's facilities. A separate per-person payment for port taxes is not included. This payment may be higher for non-U.S. travelers but will not exceed $100 per person in any event. Special airfares to Nassau are available from over 20 U.S. cities. This three-night/four-day program departs from the newly expanded cruise port in Nassau on Thursday afternoons, with arrival in Havana on Friday after an evening of entertainment and a morning of lectures and briefings about Cuba. The land portion of the itinerary features "Havana by Night" programs, including a walking tour of Old Havana Old Havana (Spanish: La Habana Vieja) contains the core of the original city of Havana. The positions of the original Havana city walls are the current boundaries of Old Havana. (being restored as a UNESCO UNESCO: see United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. UNESCO in full United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site), and a reception in one of Ernest Hemingway's favorite bars. There will be opportunities to meet with Cuban students, professors, professional groups and artists. The ship sails from Havana on Saturday afternoon, arriving in Nassau at noon on Sunday, after an evening of captivating cap·ti·vate tr.v. cap·ti·vat·ed, cap·ti·vat·ing, cap·ti·vates 1. To attract and hold by charm, beauty, or excellence. See Synonyms at charm. 2. Archaic To capture. entertainment and more insights into the history, politics and culture of Cuba The culture of Cuba is a complex mixture of different, often contrasting, factors and influences. Traditionally, Cuba is a meeting point of European, African, Amerindian and continental North American cultures. . The "Classic Havana and Cuba" four-night/five-day cruise sails on Sunday afternoons and, in addition to all of the features of the four-day itinerary, includes an excursion to the Bay of Pigs The Bay of Pigs (Spanish: Bahía de Cochinos, also known as Playa Girón) is an inlet of the Gulf of Cazones on the south coast of Cuba. and several sites of historical and ecological interest. The return to Nassau is on Thursday. On board programs includes a Cuban film festival, educational briefings on history, economics, politics, religion, natural history and the art of Cuba. Shipboard ship·board n. 1. The condition of being aboard a ship: on shipboard. 2. Archaic The side of a ship. adj. entertainment will highlight the uniquely appealing traditions of Cuban music with a "Moveable Feast Noun 1. moveable feast - a religious holiday that falls on different dates in different years movable feast feast day, fete day - a day designated for feasting " of performances by artists that might include the Buena Vista Social Club The Buena Vista Social Club was a members club in Havana, Cuba that held dances and musical activities, becoming a popular location for musicians to meet and play during the 1940s. , folk and reggae masters, string quartets and big bands. The ship meets all international standards of safety and comfort (including air conditioning air conditioning, mechanical process for controlling the humidity, temperature, cleanliness, and circulation of air in buildings and rooms. Indoor air is conditioned and regulated to maintain the temperature-humidity ratio that is most comfortable and healthful. ). Life on board is casually relaxed and evokes the glamour and excitement of Havana in the 1940's and 1950's as well as a bygone by·gone adj. Gone by; past: bygone days. n. One, especially a grievance, that is past: Let bygones be bygones. era of ship travel, complete with the captain's elegant farewell dinner, dancing and romance under the stars. Cuisine will feature Cuban dishes as well as Continental favorites and light fare. Room service is available and, weather permitting, dining al fresco fresco (frĕs`kō) [Ital.,=fresh], in its pure form the art of painting upon damp, fresh, lime plaster. In Renaissance Italy it was called buon fresco to distinguish it from fresco secco, will add a distinctly tropical flair. Several bars and lounges offer appealing venues for relaxation indoors and out. The Habana has its own cigar factory where passengers can watch the famous cigars being rolled by hand. Packing and unpacking happens only once because the ship is used as a hotel while in port in Cuba. The Habana also features an excellent fitness center, a beauty salon, daily aerobics classes, massages and duty-free shopping in several shipboard boutiques. The ship has a full time medical staff, including a doctor and nurse. Blyth & Company Travel was founded in 1977 and has won numerous awards for excellence. The company has been conducting tours to Cuba since 1978 and is the leading provider of educational and adventure travel in Canada. Among its accomplishments have been pioneering ventures to create bicycling tours in the Peoples' Republic of China, early voyages to Tibet and Bhutan and expeditions to the Arctic and the Antarctic regions Antarctic regions Antarctica and the southern portions of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. The waters around Antarctica are sometimes called the Southern Ocean; however, the term “Antarctic Ocean” is sometimes also used, inappropriately. . Blyth & Company Travel is a registered travel agent and wholesaler under the Travel Industry Act of Ontario. All payments are protected under the Ontario Travel Industry Act. For information and reservations: Call 800-387-1387, or visit the website at www.cubacruising.com |
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