Let’s talk about Sailing in Cuba
Following the issuance of OFAC’s regulatory changes, travel-related transactions with prohibited entities identified by the State Department generally will not be permitted. Guidance will accompany the issuance of the new regulations.It’s #FlotillaFriday! As some of you may already know - Sailors NYC is one of the pioneer companies to offer sailing flotillas in Cuba. So far we got two trips under the keel - the first ALL WOMEN Flotilla (20 women) from Key West to Cuba in November 2016 and a second flotilla Last April. Both flotillas were on boats chartered from Harmony Yacht Vacations - a Key West charter company.
This coming fall we are having our third Cuba flotilla - this time it’s going to be the South of Cuba - from Cienfuegos towards the Western islands and back. This flotilla already includes 2 fully booked catamarans and a catamaran with last two spots available.
It was an intense week following President Trump’s speech in Miami on Friday 6/16. After reading through numerous articles and the publication done by the Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
For those of you who don’t want to read the whole post - Let’s start from the end and from the good news: Sailors NYC’s November 4-11, 2017 South Cuba Flotilla is compliant with all upcoming regulations. Please note that as per the document by the Dept. of Treasury (above) - nothing will change until the new regulations are officially announced (which can take up to 90 days, but much earlier) and that any travel plans made PRIOR to the announcement date of these new regulation - shall not be affected by them.
For those who want to be more educated with the new regulations and their relevance to our trip - please continue reading:
In addition according to the new regulations regarding travel of Americans to Cuba:
- “Group people-to-people travel is educational travel not involving academic study(...) and such exchanges to promote people-to-people contact. Travelers utilizing this travel authorization must maintain a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities that are intended to enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba(...) and that will result in meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba. An employee, consultant, or agent of the group must accompany each group to ensure that each traveler maintains a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities.” Sailors NYC’s flotilla will be lead by Capt. Nitzan Levy - founder of Sailors NYC and Capt. Joy Sherman - founder of Joyride Charters who. The group leaders are in charge of running a full time schedule of activities promoting “people-to-people” between the flotilla participants and local Cubans.
- “The new policy will not change how persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction traveling to Cuba pursuant to the 12 categories of authorized travel may purchase their airline tickets.” This means direct flights from the US to Cuba are still running, and that travelers who would travel with us will simply have to select on their travel affidavit the “Educational exchanges – people to people”. A travel affidavit is being filled up with the airline when purchasing the ticket.
- “Following the issuance of OFAC’s regulatory changes, travel-related transactions with prohibited entities identified by the State Department generally will not be permitted. Guidance will accompany the issuance of the new regulations(...) The forthcoming regulations will be prospective and thus will not affect existing contracts and licenses.“ According to President Trump - Americans won’t be allowed to spend their tourist money in institution owned by the Cuban government or Military such as: hotels, boats, restaurants, car rental etc. Sailors NYC’s Flotilla offers the following activities which are fully compliant with the above:
- Boats are chartered from Dream Yacht Charters which is a French private company.
- We will spend all of our nights on an anchor.
- All transportation will be provided by local private drivers who own their own motor vehicles.
- Sailors NYC is offering land excursions prior and after the week of sail. These excursions are coordinated with a local Cuban Private English speaking tourist guide. All land accommodations will be in Casas Particulares - which are Cuban Bed & Breakfasts owned by Cubans.
If you are still interested in joining our November trip - this is the time! Don’t miss it! https://www.sailorsnyc.com/cuba-nov-2017 1.800.777.6493.