Washington (CNN)Americans looking to sail between the United States and Cuba will soon be able to board ferries destined for the island, though restrictions on who can operate the service and what types of travelers they carry remain in place.
The ferry licenses were issued by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control, according to an agency official, who couldn't specify the number of licenses that were issued or the names of the carriers who received them.
However, at least two Florida-based lines -- United Caribbean Lines and Airline Brokers Co. -- confirmed they had received licenses to operate ferry routes between ports in Florida and Cuba. A Puerto Rico-based carrier, America Cruise Ferries, also confirmed they had received a Treasury license for ferry operation on Tuesday.
Revolutionary May Day celebration in Cuba
Revolutionary May Day celebration in Cuba 01:56
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RELATED: Obama plans post-presidency agenda
The lifting of a ban on ferries between the neighboring countries -- in place for decades -- comes as President Barack Obama works to thaw relations with Havana. He met with Cuban leader Raul Castro in April, marking the first time a U.S. president has met his Cuban counterpart for substantive talks in more than half-a-century.
Obama has also worked to lift long-standing restrictions on travel to Cuba. Cuban-Americans visiting family, officials on government trip, and journalists no longer need to receive special permission before traveling to the island, though tourist travel is still prohibited.
The Treasury official said Tuesday the agency was issuing specific ferry licenses on a "case-by-case" basis, and not allowing blanket permission for ferry services to the island.
Advocates for ferry service between the U.S. and Cuba -- which at their closest points are separated by only 90 miles of sea -- say boat transport is more cost-effective than air charters, which can cost hundreds of dollars per passenger.
"This is a significant opportunity to advance U.S.-Cuba relations," said James D. Whisenand, an attorney for America Cruise Ferries, calling the newly issued licenses "a significant green light of the new U.S.-Cuba relationship and a major proponent of the people-to-people policy endorsed by the Obama administration."
"The new ferry service will allow people to board their cars in Miami and arrive in Havana within 9 hours," Whisenand said.
Ferries set to run between U.S. and Cuba - CNNPolitics.com
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JetBlue Announces Weekly Flights from New York to Havana
Deal shows growing ease of travel between the two countries
JetBlue will begin operating a weekly flight from New York to Havana, Cuba this summer following the lifting of several travel and trade restrictions on the country.
The new flight will travel between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Havana Jose Marti International Airport each Friday at noon, with a return flight from Havana to JFK every Friday at 4:30 p.m. This makes JetBlue the first carrier to announce additional flights to Cuba from New York since restrictions were lifted earlier this year.
Fliers will have to book flights through Cuba Travel Services, a company that organizes charter flights to Cuba, rather than JetBlue. But Americans are still not authorized to travel to Cuba as tourists and must instead visit for one of 12 specific purposes like visiting a close relative or participating in an academic program.
The partnership follows a recent trade mission by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to Cuba, where he and JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes hashed out a deal with Cuban officials. ?By leading one of the first state trade missions to Cuba as the United States reestablishes diplomatic relations, we placed New York State businesses at the front of the line for new prospects in Cuba, that will in turn support jobs and economic activity here at home,? Cuomo said in a release.
The flights begin on July 3.
JetBlue Announces Weekly Flights from New York to Havana
The ferry licenses were issued by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control, according to an agency official, who couldn't specify the number of licenses that were issued or the names of the carriers who received them.
However, at least two Florida-based lines -- United Caribbean Lines and Airline Brokers Co. -- confirmed they had received licenses to operate ferry routes between ports in Florida and Cuba. A Puerto Rico-based carrier, America Cruise Ferries, also confirmed they had received a Treasury license for ferry operation on Tuesday.
Revolutionary May Day celebration in Cuba
Revolutionary May Day celebration in Cuba 01:56
PLAY VIDEO
RELATED: Obama plans post-presidency agenda
The lifting of a ban on ferries between the neighboring countries -- in place for decades -- comes as President Barack Obama works to thaw relations with Havana. He met with Cuban leader Raul Castro in April, marking the first time a U.S. president has met his Cuban counterpart for substantive talks in more than half-a-century.
Obama has also worked to lift long-standing restrictions on travel to Cuba. Cuban-Americans visiting family, officials on government trip, and journalists no longer need to receive special permission before traveling to the island, though tourist travel is still prohibited.
The Treasury official said Tuesday the agency was issuing specific ferry licenses on a "case-by-case" basis, and not allowing blanket permission for ferry services to the island.
Advocates for ferry service between the U.S. and Cuba -- which at their closest points are separated by only 90 miles of sea -- say boat transport is more cost-effective than air charters, which can cost hundreds of dollars per passenger.
"This is a significant opportunity to advance U.S.-Cuba relations," said James D. Whisenand, an attorney for America Cruise Ferries, calling the newly issued licenses "a significant green light of the new U.S.-Cuba relationship and a major proponent of the people-to-people policy endorsed by the Obama administration."
"The new ferry service will allow people to board their cars in Miami and arrive in Havana within 9 hours," Whisenand said.
Ferries set to run between U.S. and Cuba - CNNPolitics.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
JetBlue Announces Weekly Flights from New York to Havana
Deal shows growing ease of travel between the two countries
JetBlue will begin operating a weekly flight from New York to Havana, Cuba this summer following the lifting of several travel and trade restrictions on the country.
The new flight will travel between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Havana Jose Marti International Airport each Friday at noon, with a return flight from Havana to JFK every Friday at 4:30 p.m. This makes JetBlue the first carrier to announce additional flights to Cuba from New York since restrictions were lifted earlier this year.
Fliers will have to book flights through Cuba Travel Services, a company that organizes charter flights to Cuba, rather than JetBlue. But Americans are still not authorized to travel to Cuba as tourists and must instead visit for one of 12 specific purposes like visiting a close relative or participating in an academic program.
The partnership follows a recent trade mission by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to Cuba, where he and JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes hashed out a deal with Cuban officials. ?By leading one of the first state trade missions to Cuba as the United States reestablishes diplomatic relations, we placed New York State businesses at the front of the line for new prospects in Cuba, that will in turn support jobs and economic activity here at home,? Cuomo said in a release.
The flights begin on July 3.
JetBlue Announces Weekly Flights from New York to Havana
