Cuba travel becoming more likely

March 29, 12:16 PMNY International Travel ExaminerSuzanne Russo

Cuba. It's long been a loaded word in the United States, fraught with thoughts of political unrest, romantic visions of music and cobbled streets and mojitos and, perhaps the most romantic notion of all: the idea that it is the forbidden fruit. For American travelers, Cuba may well be thh trip to end all trips, the shiny red apple (with a rhythmic Latin beat) dangling there in the haze of adventure that comes with the thougth of sneaking in via Mexico or Canada (or the correspdinding cloud of doom that comes with the thought of getting caught).

It must be the mystery that is part of the intrigue. And yet the prospect of all restrictions on travel to Cuba being lifted is a thrilling prospect. Already, the Obama administration has eased up on Bush-era restrictions—where Cuban-Americans were once only able to visit their families once every three years, they can now go every year. The rest of the restrictions don't seem to be far behind, and America is preparing for that day.

American Airlines charter planes already fly from Miami to Havana daily, and major crusie lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean are looking into adding Cuba to their itineraries.

But if it's no longer forbidden, will Cuba lose a little of its intrigue? My initial answer is a resounding no, but then I wonder about the "resortification" that is likely to take place. Only time will tell...

Cuban Travel Resources