Cuba travel twofer – news you can use

Here are two recent newsworthy travel-related items for Cuba [2]-bound travelers, those considering a visit, and cubaphiles worldwide.

First, an update on Cuba’s recent cholera outbreak, which I blogged about on July 9, 2012 [3], and July 16, 2012 [4].

Two weeks ago, the Cuban government announced that the outbreak had run its course, with no new cases reported since August 18, 2012. In all, the Cuban Ministry of Health stated that 417 persons had contracted the potentially deadly infectious disease, of which three had died.

The cases were concentrated in and around the city of Manzanillo [5], in the eastern province of Granma [6], plus a few isolated cases in Havana [7] and Santiago de Cuba [8].

Dissident journalists reported far more cases, including elsewhere throughout Cuba. There’s no knowing the truth, as the Cuban government (which denounced the dissident reports as attempts to discredit the government) went mum, and no independent international journalists seem to have been allowed to report from the Manzanillo region. So we will have to take the Cuban government at its word.

For sure, Cuba’s highly efficient public emergency system was clearly put to work to good effect.

Meanwhile, the deluxe cruise ship company Star Clippers [9] recently announced that it will offer Cuba-based cruises aboard its fully-rigged 170-passenger Star Flyer sailing ship in 2014.

The Monaco-based company draws heavily from a non-U.S. clientele… a good thing, as U.S. citizens are barred by Uncle Sam from participating in any such cruises, and Star Clippers America (the company that represents Star Clippers in North America) will not market the Cuba cruises.

The company has said it will not accept U.S. citizens who wish to book the trips and fly to Cuba through Mexico [10] or Canada [11] or many other countries, as doing so is illegal under U.S. law.

The company says the tall-masted ship will berth in Cienfuegos [12] for the six-night itineraries.

“Each season we try to diversify our itineraries and offer something new and exciting," said company owner Michael Kraftt. "The small islands that we’re calling at in Cuba are an ideal match for the Star Clippers product.”

That suggests an itinerary that includes a stop at Playa Frances, a gorgeous white-sand beach on the south side of Isla de la Juventud [13]; and perhaps Cayo Levisa and at least one of the cays of the Jardines del Rey [14].

Now that you’re ready to travel to Cuba, buy Moon Handbook Cuba [15]

For further information on Havana, buy Moon Spotlight Havana [15].

Learn more about Christopher P. Baker [16].

Disclosure: I occasionally accept free or discounted travel when it coincides with my editorial goals. However, my opinion is never for sale. The opinions you see in Cuba & Costa Rica Journal are my unbiased reflection of the good, the bad, and the ugly

Copyright © Christopher P. Baker [16]