Deshielo Cubano

Wednesday, March 21st
Straits of Florida
ms Veendam
Cuban Explorer
Day 4

On December 17th, 2014, just four days before the winter solstice, President Barack Obama of the United States and President Raul Castro of the Republic of Cuba announced the normalization of relations between the two nations.  It would be known as the Deshielo Cubano, the Cuban Thaw.  This resulted in the reopening of the US and Cuban embassies, as well as the easing of trade and travel restrictions across the Straits of Florida.  For the first time since 1961, US citizens are free to travel to Cuba.  Travelers must sign an affidavit declaring the purpose of the trip under one of the following 12 categories:

1. P2P Travel and Educational Activities
2. Family Visits
3. Official Business of the US Government, Foreign Governments and Certain Intergovernmental Organizations
4. Journalistic Activities
5. Professional Research or Meetings
6. Religious Activities in Cuba
7. Public Performances, Clinics, Workshops, Athletic and Other Competitions, and Exhibitions
8. Support for the Cuban People
9. Humanitarian Projects
10. Activities of Private Foundations or Research or Educational Institutes
11. Transactions Related to Information or Informational Materials
12. Certain Authorized Exports

Unfortunately, as has been the case with far too many policies, what Obama does, Trump undoes.  Trump has not closed Cuba to travel, yet, but has imposed additional restrictions that effectively bar self-guided travel, as noted with an asterisk under the tour descriptions for Holland America excursions:

"Pursuant to November 8, 2017 changes in U.S. regulations with respect to People to People travel authorization to Cuba, guests who wish to disembark in Cuba and do not qualify for other categories of authorized travel must participate in a full-time group People to People program sponsored by either Holland America Line or a third-party U.S. sponsoring organization.  This tour is designed to be in compliance with People to People guidelines."

So, we checked the box for P2P Travel, signed our affidavits, and selected our tours, each with a people to people educational or cultural exchange component.

Next Stp:  Havana, Cuba