Need Helping Planning Cruise to Cuba

[Ricky_Pollo]

Hello All:

As almost everyone before me on this forum has said, I need help planning a sailing trip I'll be making from Florida to Cuba.

Has anyone made this trip since the Treasury department's OFAC began enforcement of spending laws on cruisers(i.e. no spending allowed unless a license to travel is obtained)? Does this apply to trading for goods? Can an American-born Cuban captain obtain a license to travel for his crew if a family visit can be documented as the reason?

So many questions, and I have only begun planning. If anyone is in the Miami area and interested in a free dinner in return for helping me brainstorm a bit, please write me a message at suncoup@yahoo.com

Also, ANY information that can be provided or directed to would be an incredible help.

A final plea: I'm young, I'm idealistic, and I need to be knocked violently into reality! Please help me jade a little be quicker! :)

Kindest Regards,

Ricardo Pollo

[greslogo]

"Can an American-born Cuban captain obtain a license to travel for his crew if a family visit can be documented as the reason"

I don't see why not. Americans, regardless of origin, that have relatives in Cuba, are permitted one trip per year. Prior approval for a license is not necessary unless you are leaving on one of those direct flights from the US. The travel agent, in that case, gets the paperwork for you.

I don't know what "family" you have in Cuba but you should check the OFAC web site for what qualifies as "family".

[OL_Nate]

I am beginning to research info for a trip myself. I read some very useful info last night on ABOUT.COM It was all about OFAC. Basically it said not to worry about it. The gov't sends threatening letters, but has NEVER taken anyone to court, or even appointed a judge over it. But I would advise that you read over the information for yourself. They also have a lot of helpful forms regarding OFAC.

[beardo]

I think the original poster was asking - if the captain goes to visit family, can he take along a crew even if they have no relatives in Cuba. I doubt that is allowed.

And OL, if they say that, they are out of date. Three judges have recently been seconded to hear such cases.

[Ricky_Pollo]

greslogo, OL_Nate, and beardo,

Thanks for your responses. I did read about OFAC starting to actually take people to court, which is a relatively new development, it seems.

Beardo, you're right, I was asking specifically if I can get travel licenses for my crew if I have one myself, or if I have to find crew who all have family there. I still have 5 uncles and a bunch of cousins in Cuba, and I'd like to visit them before my uncles get too much older. I have video! :)

What I'm asking is this: if you can prove close family ties on the island, can you hire any crew or do they have to be people with family on the island as well? Like Beardo, I doubt it would be as easy claiming that I need them to complete my planned trip. But if anyone has DIRECT experience with this, please post a response. Also if you'd like to post saying that you think I'm crazy, you can do that too :)

Kind Thanks,
Ricardo

[greslogo]

Your crew would also have to fall under one of the allowable categories where licenses are issued.

There isn't one, no matter how liberally you want to interpret the regs, that would allow your crew to be exempt.

Since the regs state that it is not illegal to go to Cuba but it is illegal to spend money with any Cuban enterprise, you might claim they never left the boat. They would still need a Cuban tourist card which costs $20. You can claim you paid for it (fully hosted) BUT there is a catch 22.

A psrson cannot claim being fully hosted if the host paid in lieu of services rendered (they crewed the boat).

Bottom line, there is no "loophole" for your crew.

[beardo]

Except the loophole, as Ricardo says, of finding a crew EACH of whom have family here.

[cubafish]

To "Ol Nate:" The information you read on About.com is old information. If you believe what you read - well, I read a story on the web about a good deal on buying a bridge in Brooklyn that I'm sure you would be interested in. :)

The first reply from Beardo contains good information.

Gres & Beardo's most recent posts are correct - Ricky, you cannot legally/under the OFAC regulations do what you are proposing to do. If you want to go, go, but don't tell your passengers/crew that their travel will be legal unless they themselves have confirmed that they can legally travel to Cuba.

Keep in mind that upon your return the chances of US Customs giving you and all of your passengers/crew a long multi-page very detailed list of questions will be a reality (you will all be placed in a different room so you can write your answers without collusion amongst one another). And I guarantee that all of the answers you and your passengers/crew give will be different. These are "fill in the blank" qestions and since everyone aboard your vessel will answer the questions differently, the Treasury Department will have the evidence they need to prosecute . . . . . . . . :'(

[edtequila]

;)listen to me, my friend wen't to cuba and on return was question if they spent any money, even if it was .10 cents that they would confiscate his boat and they weren't kidding. So if i were you i would just go to cuba-consular information sheet or travel.state.gov/cuba.html they will tell you how to obtain a travel liecence trust me i know. Just look into it you'll see.