Port of Tampa says "Si" to Cuba.By: Brendan McLaughlin. TAMPA - The Port of Tampa is saying "si" to the idea of a ferry service from Tampa to Havana.At least two shipping companies are preparing bids to take passengers and their cars on an overnight cruise to Cuba.And though this would revive a route that was well travelled before the cold war, it will remain illegal for most of you reading this story to take that trip.">Port of Tampa says "Si" to Cuba.By: Brendan McLaughlin. TAMPA - The Port of Tampa is saying "si" to the idea of a ferry service from Tampa to Havana.At least two shipping companies are preparing bids to take passengers and their cars on an overnight cruise to Cuba.And though this would revive a route that was well travelled before the cold war, it will remain illegal for most of you reading this story to take that trip.">

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Cruise industry leader plans a ferry service from Tampa to Cuba

Port of Tampa says "Si" to Cuba.By: Brendan McLaughlin. TAMPA - The Port of Tampa is saying "si" to the idea of a ferry service from Tampa to Havana.

At least two shipping companies are preparing bids to take passengers and their cars on an overnight cruise to Cuba.

And though this would revive a route that was well travelled before the cold war, it will remain illegal for most of you reading this story to take that trip.

Tampa International Airport was just recently added to the list of airports authorized to take U.S. passengers to Cuba.
Now the Port of Tampa is hoping the federal government will also allow ferry service to the island nation.

"Anything that brings Tampa and Cuba in communication think is a positive development" says Albert Fox, an advocate for ending the U.S. embargo on trade and travel against Cuba.

The 50-year-old policy divides Cubans in the Bay area, some of who believe the island should be isolated. There is bound to be opposition to the ferry plans.

The CEO of United Caribbean Lines in Davenport says the ferry would carry 600 cars and about 1500 passengers. A reclining chair will cost $150 dollars, a cabin berth for the first adult will cost $300.

And though the ferry line could only draw from the relatively few Cuban Americans authorized to travel, Bruce Nieremberg of United Caribbean Lines expects that will change.

"There will be millions of Americans going to Cuba when the embargo is lifted some day in the future, so the advantage of having relationships in place is clear," said Nieremberg.

Newspaper publisher Patrick Manteiga's grandfather travelled on Tampa ferries that sailed almost daily for Havana when the two cities were intimately linked.

"We were just dragging our feet now on something that's better for the people of Cuba and America for this to happen sooner rather than later," said Manteiga.

United Caribbean Lines hopes to get approval from the federal government to start operating by this summer.

Source: /www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_tampa/

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