Company Press Release. Tuesday May 2, 6:41 pm Eastern Time
VIPS, Artists and Politicos Among 400 US Citizens Scheduled on Historic Journey
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2000-- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be among a select 400 guests, including celebrities, VIPS and politicos, on an historic cruise to Havana, Cuba, from Nassau, Bahamas, on Nov. 16, 2000.
Sam Blyth, president of the Cuba Cruise Corporation and Blyth & Company Travel Ltd. of Toronto, made the announcement today. Blyth & Company Travel Ltd. is one of Canada's oldest and most respected travel companies.
For the first time since 1963 and the height of the Cold War, the Cuba Cruise Corporation will offer regularly scheduled departures to Cuba that are legally accessible to American citizens.
On Nov. 16, the M.V. La Habana will take U.S. passengers on an historic voyage to Havana. In Havana on the night of Nov. 17, a festive outdoor concert will bring cruise guests together with Cubans for a special celebration.
``We expect that the 'music' of this concert will reverberate around the world,'' said Blyth, who, with the distinguished law firm of Patton Boggs, has engineered the strategy whereby U.S. citizens can accomplish this journey without compromising the law.
The Nov. 16 departure is the inaugural journey of the Cuba Cruise Corporation which will offer twice-weekly four-and five-day cruises throughout the year.
Blyth said that the Cuba Cruise Corporation is structuring its cruise offerings in light of the U.S. legal requirements to enable unlicensed American citizens to participate, without violating U.S. law, provided they observe certain requirements.
The Cuban expenses of unlicensed Americans traveling with the company will be paid by a separate not-for-profit organization.
This organization is participating in the goal of promoting international peace and understanding through people-to-people contact.
In addition to serving a pent-up demand on the part of Americans who wish to visit Cuba, Blyth said that the Cuba Cruise Corporation will facilitate the transportation of medical and educational supplies to Cuba as provided for under U.S. law.
``We will work with various humanitarian organizations as well as passengers to facilitate the delivery of much needed supplies to approved organizations in Cuba,'' he said.
In addition to on-board cultural and education programs, passengers will enjoy a walking tour of Old Havana (designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and a reception in one of Ernest Hemingway's favorite bars. There will be opportunities to meet with Cuban students, professors, professional
groups and artists.
Blyth & Company Travel was founded in 1977 and has won numerous awards for excellence. The company has been conducting tours to Cuba since 1978 and is the leading provider of education and adventure travel in Canada. Among its accomplishments have been pioneering ventures to create bicycling
tours in the Peoples' Republic of China, early voyages to Tibet and Bhutan and expeditions to the Arctic and the Antarctic regions. Blyth & Company Travel is a registered travel agent and wholesaler under the Travel Industry act of Ontario. All payments are protected under the Ontario Travel
Industry Act.
For information and reservations: Call 800-387-1387, or visit the website at www.cubacruising.com
Contact:
Hawkins & Widness Public Relations International
Sara Widness, 646/602-7010
hwpri@aol.com
Tuesday May 2 4:40 PM ET |