- Mississippi River: Captain must avoid hitting large catfish, kayakers and occasional alligators.
Cuba: Captain must avoid hitting rafts jammed with desperate people escaping.
- Mississippi: Even from miles off shore, you can hear the call of a coyote or an eagle.
Cuba: If the winds are right, even from miles off shore, you might hear a firing squad.
- Docking in Memphis means a blues concert, fine meals, a selection of newspapers and the ability to load up on ammo.
Docking in Havana means military rations, a party-controlled “newspaper,” and ammo for secret police only.
- Mississippi: As you disembark in port, you might spot singer Vince Gill or former governor Lamar Alexander.
Cuba: As you disembark in port, you might spot former dictator Raul Castro in his limousine, or fugitive bomber William Morales relaxing on a beach.
- Mississippi: Hunters’ rifles pointed inland at trophy game like bear and deer.
Cuba: Army rifles pointed offshore at your cruise ship, “just to show you who’s boss.”
- Mississippi: On some nights in upper Minnesota , you can see the Northern Lights.
Cuba: On many nights, electricity is rationed.
- Mississippi: Even from Illinois, you can see the St. Louis Arch.
In Cuba, you can see real Russians on naval maneuvers.
- Iconic TV shows available in your ship’s stateroom:
On the American river: “60 Minutes” and “Swamp Thing.”
Nearing Cuba: “You Bet Your Life” (…and not the Groucho version).
- Docking in American cities, you can receive the most advanced medical care in the world.
In Cuba: “do you happen to know supreme leader Miguel Diaz-Canel or Raul Castro?”
…AND THE #1 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAILING the MISSISSIPPI RIVER vs. CRUISING CUBAN WATERS IS:
- Picayune-Times journalist overheard in New Orleans: “I live in a great country. I can denounce President Trump or President Biden any time I like.”
Cuban “journalist” overheard in Havana: “I too live in a great country. I can denounce President Trump any time I like.”
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