Phil Ammann
As America improves trade and cultural relations with Cuba, one of the ways U.S. tourists will soon be able to visit the Caribbean island is by ferry via luxury vessels offering entertainment, gambling and restaurants.
One Florida company — Havana Ferry Partners of Fort Lauderdale – has been granted U.S. government approval to begin commercial service to Cuba. The Havana Ferry trip would originate in Key West – possibly adding Fort Lauderdale and Miami routes, carry as many as 200 people and cost an estimated $300 for a round-trip ticket. Plans for a deluxe journey could include food, drinks and perhaps casino gaming.
On Wednesday, lobbyists Jeff Sharkey and Taylor Patrick Biehl announced that Tallahassee-based advocacy firm Capitol Alliance Group will represent Havana Ferry. Biehl, a native of Brevard County, is Capitol Alliance’s legislative programs director.
“The Capitol Alliance Group is proud to represent Havana Ferry Partners, which provides luxurious and reliable transportation between Florida and Cuba,” Biehl said in a prepared statement. “With diplomatic ties re-established between the U.S. and Cuba, we are confident that our client’s services will play an important role in the burgeoning Cuba tourism industry.”
Among the legal and legislative obstacles facing a ferry service to Cuba are Homeland Security concerns and approval by both the U.S. Coast Guard and Cuban naval officials.
Although Cuba and the U.S. have recently reopened their respective embassies, and overall travel restrictions have eased, the average American tourist still cannot visit Cuba without meeting specific criteria, and will be subject to daily spending limits and other restrictions.
