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I've been a handful of times when I still lived in Canada.
The only people that care if you go to Cuba is the Department of Homeland Security. Cubans don't care, and don't stamp passports, just the tourist visa.
Only ever seen that question on custom cards for your destination country. Never seen the US ask which hotel you stayed at when you're abroad. Are you saying Canada does this? Wouldn't surprise me, a couple of my friends have been hassled by customs at the airport in Vancouver when flying back to Asia. Laptops searched and everything. Won't use Canada as an exit/entry point for this reason.
Quote:
Originally Posted by annerk
I've never been asked for the phone number of my hotel. I've been asked how long I intended to stay, the purpose of my visit, and that's about it. In Italy they have never even spoken to me, just glanced at my passport and waved me on.
Yes, yes, sorry, as I explained I was thinking about entering the U.S. from Canada. My bad. I can't imagine the BP people at Pearson in Toronto "watching" people get off a plane from Cuba to see if there were Americans onboard--I doubt if they have time for that.
As for those Americans who live in Mexico or Canada, then there'd be little issue, as long as you don't get your passport stamped. No one would ever know. But back in the day, we didn't do that, because my DH didn't want to do anything to compromise his American citizenship, period.
I looked into the accredited tourist trips--very expensive, and I'm sure very restrictive.
Yes, yes, sorry, as I explained I was thinking about entering the U.S. from Canada. My bad. I can't imagine the BP people at Pearson in Toronto "watching" people get off a plane from Cuba to see if there were Americans onboard--I doubt if they have time for that.
As for those Americans who live in Mexico or Canada, then there'd be little issue, as long as you don't get your passport stamped. No one would ever know. But back in the day, we didn't do that, because my DH didn't want to do anything to compromise his American citizenship, period.
I looked into the accredited tourist trips--very expensive, and I'm sure very restrictive.
They do--a friend of mine got caught that way about six years ago. The fine was steep--I recall $5000, and he's been subject to absurd screenings every time he's re-entered the US since.
I didn't find the approved trips expensive, they seemed pretty reasonable.
I didn't find the approved trips expensive, they seemed pretty reasonable.
Again, your reality is not the reality of most of us. You might remember that most people do not fly first class, stay in 5* hotels or sail on luxury cruise ships.
Again, your reality is not the reality of most of us. You might remember that most people do not fly first class, stay in 5* hotels or sail on luxury cruise ships.
Obviously plenty of people do or the companies that offer such experiences would be quickly out of business.
They do--a friend of mine got caught that way about six years ago. The fine was steep--I recall $5000, and he's been subject to absurd screenings every time he's re-entered the US since.
I didn't find the approved trips expensive, they seemed pretty reasonable.
Wow, well then live and learn!
The trips I've seen to Cuba are in the $3-5K range per person, for a week or ten days.
The trips I've seen to Cuba are in the $3-5K range per person, for a week or ten days.
I've found them as low as $2500 for a week, including transportation, tour guide, entry fees, hotel, and most meals. Very reasonable IMHO.
By the way, my friend has actually gone back to Cuba twice since he got caught. He's just smarter now and goes through Brasil instead of Canada. Me, I think he's playing with fire, but it's not my life and he's a big boy.
Location: RI, MA, VT, WI, IL, CA, IN (that one sucked), KY
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Quote:
Originally Posted by botticelli
that's crazy.
I visited Italy for 9 days for under $3k. Cuba? Only explanation is these people are rich and budget is not an issue.
Yeah, these are the elite. Not real people.
Going through Mexico or the DR is cheap and easy. Don't do Canada. That's asking for it.
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