Experience the Forbidden Tropical Paradise! (Group 2)

Buenos Dais Amigo! Get used to it because you’ll hear it a lot in friendly Cuba.  Cuba is the largest and one of the most beautiful countries in the Caribbean.  This is a rare opportunity to be a Baseball Ambassador and play baseball in this tropical paradise.

Despite the embargo the US has with Cuba and the ban on travel, there are many legal means for travel to Cuba.  One of them is amateur athletic competitions and this trip is set up under those conditions.  It’s a long and arduous exercise and there is no guarantee the trip will happen until full approval is obtained from both countries.  We’ve been invited by the Cuban sports authorities and they are in the process of planning for this trip.  We’ve also received our license from the US Treasury Department, OFAC who enforces the embargo so we are well under way and all legal.

Cuba is known for it’s beautiful tropical climate, rum, great music, cigars, friendly people and of course baseball.  The people of Cuba are generally very congenial towards people from the USA and are very pro American.  They are very friendly and welcome tourists with open arms.  We’ll be playing in several cities which will give us opportunity to see these historic cities, dense tropical jungles, beautiful beaches, and interact with Cuban nationals. The Cubans are always glad to have visitors from far away lands and are anxious for us to return to play baseball with them and show us their country.

There is no need to feel intimidated.  Cubans are generally pro American and generous hosts.  Cuba is a very popular vacation resort for Canadians, French, Germans, Spanish and Italians.  The Cuban government is very concerned about making sure of the safety of tourists and has very strict penalties for anyone causing problems with them.  There is plenty of police and security protection if you are concerned.  On the other hand, the Cuban people are very warm, friendly and helpful people.  They are always very glad to see you or speak with you.  There are plenty of first class hotels, good places to eat, great music, beautiful sites and lots to entertain you.  Plus, this trip is perfectly legal.

We’ll visit both rural and urban areas and stay in nice tourist hotels.  The food is mild Creole style, the baseball players are very good, the music is hypnotic, the architecture is beautiful, and the people are hospitable and friendly which make for a great trip.   Between baseball, tours, site seeing and some free time on your own, we’ll have a full time agenda to keep you busy.   We’ll be playing in at least 3 different cities so you will have a chance to see various parts of Cuba.  Our traveling baseball experience will begin by playing in the city of Cienfuegos, with short trips to Abreus, and Santa Clara, all about a half hour to an hour away from Cienfuegos.

These trips are a lot more than baseball.  You’ll be interacting with Cuban Nationals every day on various levels.  Each day is a full day agenda of baseball and other activities. Just about everything is included on this trip, all baseball, license, airfare to and from Cuba, tours, travel visa, tour guide, all lodging, most meals and much more.  Each day will be a new Baseball Adventure.  Once you’ve done one of these trips, your perspective on Cuba and the Cuban people will change forever.

This trip is in the planning phase at this time.  Final dates and itinerary will be confirmed as we get closer.  The final costs will be determined probably after the New Year.  If you are interested in joining this trip, please let me know your intentions.  This trip is for members of Dodgertown West only.  Just forward an email to me of your intents. 

This is a custom designed trip for baseball players.  It’s one of the only one of it’s kind to provide a baseball experience for amateurs in Cuba with a full time baseball itinerary.  Baseball is one of many mediums between our cultures.  We’ll eat at some great restaurants, stay at nice hotels, be entertained by a full time agenda, see some great sights and Play Baseball, Cuban style.

This trip is open to any adult person who plays baseball with Dodgertown West, DTW.  The average age of our teams is usually between 50-55 with players ranging in their 30’s through their 70’s.  The trip is scheduled in mid winter to allow for a tropical vacation and chance to get away from the cold, snow or rain in your area.  We’ll be limiting ourselves to a maximum of 15 players. We will need 4-5 good pitchers, a couple of catchers and several good position players.

VALID PASSPORT REQUIRED
You should also be aware that there are strict requirements on spending in Cuba.  All persons will be required to read the embargo requirements and sign a document agreeing to the requirements.

The trip is far more economical than any travel agent could do if they could do it at all.  This is a unique opportunity that we have for local Cuba baseball associations to sponsor us and give us use of their fields, stadiums, teams and parks.  Cuba is a fairly economical country to visit but most all your expenses will be paid for in advance.  We’ll be going at a reasonable cost that includes first class treatment in every step of the way.  The trip will include all lodging, ground transportation, all baseball, and many meals. Most days we’ll be in a different areas, see some local attractions and play a local baseball team.  Each evening we’ll have group outings for dinners.  Occasionally there may be joint meals with the local  teams that will allow the locals and USA players to get together, swap lies and make new friends.  You’ll find baseball enthusiasts of all age groups and levels.  They are eager to meet and play baseball with you.

Don’t be just a tourist, be an International Baseball Ambassador, get to know the people not just the postcards.

Baseball
Baseball and Cuba go hand in hand. They play baseball in Cuba with much more passion, much like it used to be in the USA. They play everywhere and at all ages. You’ll see kids in fields playing with sticks for bats, taped up rocks for balls and a milk carton for a glove. It is their passion. In our previous 19 trips we’ve played in many cities often using their major league stadiums. Most of the players we’ll play are former professional players and members of the Cuban national or Olympic teams. You’ll need to be on the top of your game as they play competitively and don’t like to loose. It is however, all done in fun.  The Cubans have very little baseball gear so you should plan on bringing baseballs and allowing them to use our gloves, bats and other equipment.

In previous trips we’ve met, watched and became friends with a number of professional players.  The Dodgers Yasiel Puig and Erisbel Arruebarrena are both from Cienfuegos where we spent time with them and they would come to our games and hang out with us.  Also the rookie phenom on the White Sox, Jose Abreu, is from Cienfuegos.  I spent some time with him one afternoon having a few drinks by the bay after the game.  This can be your chance to meet with some future star in their home turf before they make it to the big time.

Transportation
You will need to make your own flight arrangements from your origination to and from Miami (MIA) International Airport.  We’ll be on a charter flight from Miami to Cuba and return on another charter flight from Havana.  Once in Cuba, we’ll be met at the airport by our guide and our luxury bus.  We’ll have the bus and guide to transport us throughout the trip.  In addition, there may also be members of the Cuban baseball organizations joining us.

Upon departure, you’ll be transported from the hotel to the airport and assisted by our tour guides. 

 

Food
Cuban Cuisine can be good to excellent depending on where you eat.  It is mostly Caribbean or Creole style with a lot of black beans and rice.  There is also lots of seafood in the diet.  Chicken, fish and pork are the primary proteins and not too much beef.  Most the beef I’ve had there has been pretty tough.

Breakfasts are included with the rooms at the hotels and will be buffet style.  Most lunches are included and will be at various restaurants wherever we are.  A few dinners will be included at local restaurants and others will be on your own.

Some meals may be with the local Cuban nationals prepared by them after games or evening social activities.

You won’t find any McDonalds, Starbucks or other chain food restaurants you are used to.  The only fast food chain type restaurants are El Rapido which is government owned and in almost every city.  Deep fried greasy chicken and the worst pizza you’ve ever had.  On the other hand they have plenty of cheap beverages and are generally open all night.  You’ll also find some specialty restaurants that serve Italian, American, and Chinese foods.

Entertainment
Per the requirements of our license, we are not limited to the things we can do but we are limited to the amount of money we can spend each day which, on last review, was about $175/day.  Much of that is already taken up by pre paid lodging, food and transportation.  There will be time each day for tours, site seeing and evening entertainment. 

We’ll be starting our trip in the coastal town of Cienfuegos, my favorite city in Cuba.  It’s a nice city of about 120,000 people on a beautiful bay.  There are a variety of discos and entertainment areas as well as entertainment at the hotel sometimes.  Schedule permitting we’ll be attending a professional game while in Cienfuegos or Havana.

While in Havana, there are a number of discos or shows and  plenty of other places for entertainment.  Since we are limited on time and money, we’ll never be able to do all there is to do but we’ll have plenty of activities to keep us busy.  We’ll also have some time for you to explore on your own in each city.

With the baseball, tours and your own outings, you’ll be exhausted by the end of the trip.  Sleep when you get back to work.

Sightseeing
Almost everything you see will be new to you.  Each day will be a new adventure with playing baseball, meals at exotic restaurants and seeing the local sites.

While in Cienfuegos we’ll visit the historical downtown area, have a sunset cruise on a boat and take in a professional baseball game, schedule permitting.  When we are in Villa Clara we’ll visit the Che memorial.

Havana is famous for the Old Havana area.  It’s a lively area with lots of restaurants and lots of music.  We’ll visit a cigar factory, a rum museum and explore various spots around Habana Viaja.

Requirements
This trip is for amateur baseball players from Dodgertown West, preferably veterans of previous Cuba trips.  Ages ranging in the 30’s through the 70’s.  Average age of the teams is generally in the mid-50’s.  Only team members are permitted on the trip per the license.  You will need a valid passport and be able meet visa requirements and must be a full time participant in scheduled events.

Accommodations
When you travel a long distance to a foreign land, you want a comfortable place to stay.  Each city has a variety of hotels from which to choose though there are some limits in Cienfuegos.  Our usual hotel is the Hotel Jagua at the end of the malecon.  It is rated a Cuban 4 star but is probably more like an American 3 star.  It’s got pool side bars, a dock, entertainment, quiet, secure and great views.  The rooms are clean and comfortable, the food is good and they have internet access, entertainment and a roving musical group.  Unfortunately we are on a waiting list for the Jagua.  If we do not get the Jagua we’ll be at the Hotel Rancho Luna.  We stayed there a couple of years ago.  It is a bit of a step down, mostly because it is about 12 miles out of town.  The good part is that it is an all inclusive hotel.  All meals, snacks and drinks are included.  It is also by the beach so you guys that want to hang out at the beach, this is the place for you.

There are plenty of good hotels in the Havana area and we’ll be staying at one of them, the Melia Cohiba.  This is a nice hotel in the Vedado area right across the street from the Malecon.  It is a nice neighborhood with stores very close and about half way between Habana Vieja and Miramar where we’ve stayed on previous trips.

Schedule and Agenda
This trip is scheduled to take place in the dead of Winter of 2015. This will give you a break from the rain, snow, wind and cold of winter from wherever you are. There are plenty of flights to and from Miami to choose from. You should plan on arriving the day before we go into Cuba as it will probably be an early morning flight into Cuba You generally need to be at the airport 3 hours before the flight which means being there sometimes at 4-5 am. We usually plan a team dinner in Miami the night before we go into Cuba.

Our departure flight from Havana will probably be in the morning by the time we get through all the customs, this will get you back to Miami where you can stay over night or catch a flight home right away. You are, of course, welcome to come earlier to Miami or stay later in Miami on your own. A preliminary detailed agenda is shown below.

All in all, between the baseball and the tours, this will be a very busy schedule that will give you a great experience and a chance to see some of the sights of Cuba and experience the Cuban culture. You’ll have lots of opportunities for evenings out after the games, tours and dinners.

Outline of Schedule for 9-days and 8 nights

Day 1
Friday
February 20

 

Depart Miami and arrive in Cienfuegos, Jaime Gonzalez Airport
Drive to Cienfuegos
Lunch at local restaurant
Afternoon Free on your own
Dinner at paladar
Accommodations at Hotel Jagua or Hotel Rancho Luna
Day 2
Saturday
February 21

 
Breakfast at Hotel
Transfer to stadium for Game #1 with Cuban veterans.
Lunch in Cienfuegos on Cienfuegos Bay
Dinner in Cienfuegos at local Paladar
Attendance at a professional baseball game (schedule permitting)
Accommodations at Hotel Jagua or Hotel Rancho Luna
Day 3
Sunday
February 22

 
Breakfast at the Hotel

Transfer to Abreus stadium for Game #2 w/Cuban Veterans
Return to Cienfuegos for lunch on your own
Dinner in Cienfuegos on your own
Accommodations at Hotel Jagua or Hotel Rancho Luna

Day 4
Monday
February 23
Breakfast at Hotel
Transfer to Santa Clara for Game #3 w/ Cuban vets.
Lunch at Santa Clara Los Caneyes
Afternoon visit to Che Memorial

Dinner in Cienfuegos on your own
Accommodations at Hotel Jagua or Hotel Rancho Luna

Day 5
Tuesday
February 24


Breakfast at Hotel
Transfer Cienfuegos to Havana
Lunch in Havana El Aljibe
Dinner at Havana on your own
Accommodations at Hotel Melia Cohiba
Day 6
Wednesday
February 25


Breakfast at Hotel
Transfer to ballpark for Game #4 w/ Veteran Baseball Players,

Lunch in Havana at Havana Restaurant
Tours of Habana Vieja
Dinner in Havana on your own (vets) Tropicana (rookies, maybe)
Accommodations at Hotel Melia Cohiba

Day 7
Thursday
February 26
Breakfast at Hotel

Transfer to ballpark for Game #5 w/ Veteran Baseball Players,
Afternoon Lunch on your own
Afternoon free on your own
Dinner in Havana on your own
Accommodations at Hotel Melia Cohiba

Day 8
Friday
February 27

 

Breakfast at Hotel
Transfer to stadium for Game #6 with local vets.
Lunch on our own
Afternoon free on your own
Dinner in Havana at Local Paladar
Accommodations at Hotel Melia Cohiba
Day 9
Saturday
February 28

 

Breakfast at hotel

Transfer to Airport.
Return to Miami on same day.

Harry, Doc, Dennis, Gene & ?

End the Embargo Now!

Dates
February 20-28, 2015.
You will arrive in Miami by Thursday, Feb. 19 for charter flight to Cienfuegos early Friday morning Feb. 20.   We will return from Havana to Miami on Saturday, February 28, 2015.

Cost
We need at least 17 participants for this trip to happen, including any additional non playing staff members.  Costs is not determined yet but look for something in the $3000-$3500 range plus or minus.  These costs are based on staying at Cuban 4-5 star hotels in double occupancy.  If you want a room to yourself, add $300-$350.

It’s best to exchange Euros, British pounds, Canadian Dollars or Swiss Francs before you go to Cuba as you will get a more even exchange.  You’ll still loose about 8%.  If you exchange US dollars they will charge you 10% on top of their normal exchange rates.  This could be about a 18-20% loss total.

Universal Currency #1
Currency Converter #2
Current Exchange Rates
Exchange rate,
1 USD = about 1.0 CUC

Current Weather in Havana
Current Weather in Cienfuegos

If you would like more information on playing in Cuba send an email to Dennis@DennisMc.com

Included is: 

  • Travel License & Visa Processing
  • Charter flights MIA-CFG, HAV-MIA.
  • 8 nights lodging, double occupancy.
  • Luxury Bus & Transportation
  • Travel Guide & Interpreter
  • All Scheduled Local Tours
  • All Baseball Games
  • All Breakfast & Most Dinners & Lunches
  • Attendance at a professional Cuban baseball game (schedule permitting)
  • Transfers to and from Airport in Havana
  • Airport Taxes MIA
  • An experience of a lifetime and More!
Not included is:

  • Travel from your home to and from Miami, beverages, airport taxes.
  • Non-scheduled trips (taxis, buses, trains etc.).
  • Visa fee Approximately $50
  • Airport Taxes Cuba: $25
  • You may have to pay a gift import tax in HAV: $20-$30
  • You will be limited to 44 lb. & 1 checked luggage.  You will have to pay extra for extra weight, $2/lb if it is allowed & $20/extra piece of luggage.
  • You may want to have your luggage security wrapped at about $10-25 each.
  • Each player to bring 6 leather baseballs (to be verified)
  • Each player to bring their own playing gear & uniforms.
  • Gratuities
  • Insurance of any kind
  • Some lunches and dinners

Contact
Paul W. Raymond, Baseball Adventures
1001 Dove Street, Suite 190
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-476-2197
949-955-2886 fax
email: pwresq@gmail.com

Sign Up
If you are interested in attending this trip please let me know and I will forward the sign up information to you.  You’ll need to fill out a variety of forms and send a  $500 deposit.  The balance of funds will be due by the first week of January 2015.  If for some reason, the trip does not happen, all deposits held by me will be returned in full.  Any deposits forwarded to the travel agents are subject to their return requirements.  Other than threat of war, not obtaining the OFAC license (we already have it) or natural disaster, the only reason it would not happen is if we do not enough people to do the trip.

Early booking absolutely essential as Cuba is a HOT spot for tourists from everywhere, including the USA, and we need to secure our hotel rooms.

Roster
We need a minimum of 17 participants and we can take as many as 18.  I usually try and keep the playing roster to 14-15 players for the week, this leaves room for 3-4 non-player support staff.  If the trips are full and you would like to get on a waiting list, please let me know.  Seems like almost always, someone has to drop out for some reason.  Right now we need some more pitchers.

Preliminary Roster of Participants

Player  Status  Positions Status
Dennis McCroskey
Matthew Jackson
Art Ellis
Fernando Leyva
Dave Hall
Thomas Crumrine
James Williams
Arnie Fine
Ari Brown
Steve Fagin
John Haines
Bob O’Conner
Allen Wan
Si
Si
Si
Si
Si
Si
Si
Si
Si
Si
Si
Si
Si
P,DH, Mgr
IF,OF,P
1B,P
C,IF
IF,OF
C,OF
IF,OF,P
IF,OF
IF,OF
IF,OF
IF,OF,C

IF

 

Confirmado
Confirmado
Confirmado
Confirmado
Confirmado
Confirmado
Confirmado
Confirmado
Confirmado
Confirmado
Confirmado
Confirmado
Confirmado
13 Full time players      
Support Staff Status Positions  
Lori Harmon

1Support staff

Total=14

Si Scorekeeper Confirmado
Waiting List      
       

Cuba Flight Information-Preliminary

  Date Airline Destination Flight No. Concourse Check-In Time Departure Arrival
Team Outbound Flight
Feb. 20
MZ
MIA-SNU
AA 9458
Concourse
4:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
Team Inbound Flight
Feb.28
MZ HAV-MIA
6F502 Terminal 2 11:50 am 2:50 pm 3:50 pm
DMc Outbound Flight
Feb. 6
CTS
MIA-CMW
SY 8820
Concourse
8:30 am
12:45 pm
2:00 pm
DMc Inbound Flight
Feb. 28
MZ
HAV-MIA
6F502 Terminal 2
11:50 am
2:50 pm
3:50 pm

Airline Luggage Requirements

Airline Luggage Charges for flight to Cuba only, not for return flight
Marazul Charters
$20 per checked bag, 44 lb. limit, overweight $1/lb including carry-on.
Wilson Airlines
$20 per checked bag, 44 lb. limit, overweight $1/lb including carry-on.
CTS
$20 per checked bag, 44 lb. limit, overweight $1/lb including carry-on.
XAEL Charters
$20 per checked bag, 44 lb. limit, overweight $2/lb including carry-on.
ABC Charters
$20 per checked bag, 44 lb. limit, overweight $2/lb including carry-on.
Gulfstream Charters $20 per checked bag, 44 lb. limit, overweight $2/lb including carry-on.
Island Travel & Tours $20 per checked bag, 44 lb. limit, overweight $1/lb including carry-on.
Viajehoy Charters
$20 per checked bag, 44 lb. limit, overweight $1/lb including carry-on.

Domestic Flight Information

Name
Arrival Date
Airline
Flight No.
Arrival Time
Departure Date
Airline
Flight No.
Departure Time
Dennis McCroskey
Feb. 6
AA
272
8:00 am
Feb. 28
AA
69
6:40 pm
Matthew Jackson
Feb. 14
             
Art Ellis
Feb.
             
Fernando Leyva
Feb. 19
DAL
1168
6:10 am
Mar. 1
DAL
4452
7:45 am
Dave Hall
Feb. 19
UA
1158
4:17 pm
Feb. 28
UA
310
6:00 pm
Thomas Crumrine
Feb.              
James Williams
Feb.              
Arnie Fine
Feb.              
Ari Brown
Feb. 19
AL
38
5:20 pm
Mar. 1
AL
35
6:30 pm
Allen Wan Feb.              
Steve Fagin
Feb.              
John Haines
Feb. 19
SW
2243
6:50 pm
Feb. 28
AA
69
6:40 pm
Lori Harmon
Feb. 19
SW
2243
6:50 pm
Feb. 28
AA
69
6:40 pm
Bob O’Conner
Feb.              
  Feb.
             
  Feb.
             

Miami Hotel Reservations – Coordinate Dinner w/???,
???at ?? pm, ., Miami

Name
Arrival Date
Hotel
Dinner
Dennis McCroskey
Feb. 6 None No
Matthew Jackson Feb.    
Art Ellis
Feb.
   
Fernando Leyva
Feb.    
Dave Hall
Feb. 19 MIA Int. Airport
Yes
Thomas Crumrine
Feb.     
James Williams
Feb.     
Arnie Fine
Feb.     
Ari Brown
Feb.    
Allen Wan
Feb.    
Steve Fagin
Feb.    
John Haines
Lori Harmon
Feb. MIA Int. Airport
??
Bob O’Conner
Feb.    
  Feb.
   

Photos of Cuba

Hotel Nacional 2010 Classic Cars of Cuba
Habana Vieja Havana Malecon
Cuba Photos 2009 Havana City
Blair’s Cuba Photos 2004 Cuba Baseball-2010
Harry Wade Cienfuegos Cuba

 

Other Trips
You missed some of our other recent trips that included Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic and Italy.  We’ve also done trips to Tokyo and Cuba several times.  You are welcome to get on the waiting list for any of these trips. Once space or information becomes available, you’ll be notified.  Look for more trips in the future to Paris, Scandinavia, South Africa, Singapore,  Korea, Philippines, Germany, or the British Isles. Where else would you like to go?  Hop on the band wagon and see the world.  Read what others say about these trips.