CUBA July 28-Aug. 6, 2016
Photos Courtesy of Chris and Sarah Caldwell
To
reserve your spot send me your name, street address and telephone number.
I will then send you the information on how to make the initial deposit.
If you
want a sample of what the diving will be like watch the 60 minutes video on the
Gardens of the Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhC1U8hj4Yk
I tried to cover all information but please email me any questions you have.
We will be traveling on a People-To-People Program (this makes it legal)
http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/sicw/EN/Mission/ConsularSectioninWashington.aspx
This is different from our regular trips, the rules are I may collect, organize,
and provide to Oceans For Youth Foundation basic contact information from
individual travelers. Third party’s may not collect funds from travelers for the
Cuba Travel Program to forward to Oceans For Youth Foundation. Only authorized
persons (the Licensee) may handle Cuba travel related funds. As such, all
persons in a group will need to handle their own payments personally with Oceans
For Youth Foundation and are subject to the individual cancellation policies of
that particular space reserved.
The costs are broken down as follows
1)
Boat charges: Deluxe $3999. And Master $4299. Non Diver Discount $250
2)
Hotel $895.pp
3)
Mandatory Subscription Fee $110.
4)
Optional; Nitrox $100
Getting There - Flight Information
There are many daily international flights available. LiveAboard Vacations is an
authorized travel provider for the Cuba Travel Program and can book your airline
travel reservations. Email:
info@liveaboardvacations.com
for information.
Details
The Cuba Travel Program
will include 10 days/9 nights arriving in Havana, Cuba on Thursday and departing
Havana, Cuba on Saturday.
During our program, travelers will spend 2 hotel nights at the Parque Central
Hotel in Havana, and will visit with Cuban scientists and marine experts about
ocean conservation and cultural exchanges. One of these will include a
presentation by world renowned expert, Dr. Julio A. Baisre. Interactive
exchanges will discuss how Cuba has maintained one of the healthiest marine
ecosystems in the Caribbean. Travelers will visit the town of Cojimar and Habana
Vieja before spending a week on the Jardines Aggressor liveaboard. Seven days of
the program will be spent on the Jardines Aggressor liveaboard exploring the
spectacular Gardens of the Queen (Jardines de la Reina) National Park, located
60 miles off the southern coast. During the week, biologists and Cuban
specialists will host discussions and presentations on the marine
environment, conservation, and the importance of this magnificient ecosystem.
The boat is an Aggressor boat that is being refitted for this market, all the
bunks are lower (no top and bottom bunks)
The Cuba Travel Program does not include airfare, visa requirements or
insurance.
The land package with hotel includes: (More details Below)
1) Thursday airport arrival transfer from Havana José Martí International
Airport to Parque Central Hotel.
2) 2 nights accommodation at Parque Central Hotel in Havana Thursday and
Friday night.
3) All meals starting with dinner Thursday evening.
4) Full day in Havana on Friday with a cultural exchange with scientists
and marine experts.
5) Saturday transfer from Havana to Jucaro for boarding on Jardines
Aggressor.
6) Disembarkation transfer Saturday morning back to the to Havana José
Martí International Airport.(lunch included)
The Boat
(More
details Below)
The Jardines Aggressor includes accommodations aboard the yacht, diving,
compressed air tanks, weights & weight belts, all meals and snacks, non
alcoholic beverages, local beer/wine and a conservation program.
Program Requirements
Full-Time Schedule:
Under the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba, travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens for
tourism is strictly prohibited. However, the US Government permits licensed
"people-to-people" educational trips.
Under this program, "each
traveler must have a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities that
will result in meaningful interaction between the travelers and individuals in
Cuba." Oceans For Youth has designed a full-time educational
schedule in which travelers are required to participate in all activities, in
compliance with the US Government rules for travel to Cuba.
Hotel Accommodations - Parque Central Hotel, Havana
Travelers will enjoy staying at the elegant 5-star Parque Central Hotel located
in central Havana, Cuba Thursday and Friday nights. Known for its Spanish
colonial-style architecture, which pulls in the rich culture of the streets, the
IBEROSTAR Parque Central Hotel is an excellent starting point for the Cuba
Travel Program which is nestled in the heart of Havana. Travelers will admire
beautiful city views from the charming French windows and doors of the hotel.
The restaurant has some of the best international cuisine in Havana, but above
all, the most impressive Cuban fare.The hotel is conveniently close to the José
Martí International Airport and only 20 minutes away.
Boarding Jardines Aggressor
Travelers will depart Havana Saturday morning as a group at 8 am for a 4 - 5
hour drive (lunch included) to Jucaro to board the Jardines Aggressor. After all
travelers are onboard, the boat will depart for the Gardens of the Queen.
Throughout the week, scuba diving will be offered from Sunday until Friday
around noon. The Jardines Aggressor will depart after lunch back to Jucaro where
travelers will stay onboard for dinner then depart Saturday morning as a group
back to the José Martí Airport for their flight home.
Disembarking Jardines Aggressor
Saturday between 6 - 7 am, travelers will depart the Jardines Aggressor to the
José Marti International Airport where the Cuba Travel Program will end.
Travelers will stop for lunch on the way to the airport. Arrival at the airport
will be at approximately 1 pm - 2 pm.
Cuba Airport Departure Tax
There is a required departure tax of $25CUC (Cuban Peso) per person that has to
be paid in CUC if it is not included in the price of your airline ticket. Some
airlines will include the departure tax, please verify with the airline carrier.