Q and A
LEAD:  Going to Cuba
Going to Cuba
Question: Is it possible for an American tourist to travel to Cuba on an American ship and a United States passport? If so, where would one get a visa? - H. T. M., Greenwich, Conn.
Answer: Travel by Americans to Cuba is possible, subject to United States Treasury regulations. While the United States Government has not banned travel to Cuba, citizens and residents are forbidden to spend American money there - or foreign currencies obtained by converting dollars. Violation of the law can result in a fine of $10,000 or up to 10 years' imprisonment or both. The regulation is waived for government officials, family visitors and certain professional researchers. Travel may be authorized for visitors wishing to participate in public exhibitions or performances, provided they obtain a license to spend money from the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. The Treasury says neither tourism nor business travel can be authorized.
A leaflet called 'Tips for Travel to Cuba' is available for $1 from the Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.
There is no passenger service by ship, and travel agents who book people on freighters say they know of no cargo vessels that carry passengers to Havana. However, the Cuban Consul in Washington, Walfredo Garciga, says that private boats may dock at Marina Hemingway in Havana for three days without the need for passengers to have visas, although they must have Cuban documentation for the boat. The State Department discourages such visits because if a boat has a breakdown or any sort of mishap the department cannot provide assistance; there is no Coast Guard agreement between the two countries.
There is no scheduled air service from the United States, but there are charter flights twice a week between Miami and Havana, and Cubana Airlines has scheduled service to Havana from Mexico City and Montreal.
The Cubans say the only documents an American needs to visit is a United States passport and a Cuban visa. Visa applications are processed by the Cuban Interest Section -which serves as an unofficial embassy - at 2630 16th Street N.W., Washington D.C. 20009 (202-797-8518). An official said visas were usually issued within a few days on payment of a $24 fee.  Coast of Maine
Question: I am looking for a place to train for an August attempt to swim the English Channel. It is impossible to get accurate answers about sea temperatures from resort areas. What is the average ocean temperature in July in Rockport, Me.? - A. H., Albuquerque, N.M.
Answer: Figures prepared for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a Federal agency, do not include any sea temperatures taken at Rockport, but a comparison of those at Bar Harbor, about 50 miles to the northeast (as the crow flies), and Portland, 70 miles to the southwest, give a good indication. Temperatures recorded over several years show that at Bar Harbor in July the water ranges from 50 to a high of 67 degrees. Generally it's in the mid to upper 50's during the month. At Portland, the range is 52 to 70, with an average of around 60.  For the Disabled
Question: My mother and I love to travel, but she now uses a wheelchair, and she will not fly. Do you know of tours for disabled people to suit us? -R. A. F., Staten Island
Answer: Many travel companies now organize tours for the disabled. Some of their tours involve flying, but agencies can help the disabled to plan trips by bus, train and car. One group that provides programs to suit specific needs is Accessible Tours, a division of Directions Unlimited (720 North Bedford Road, Bedford Hills, N.Y. 10507; 914-241-1700 and, outside Westchester County, 800-533-5343). Lois Bonanni of Accessible arranges driving vacations with specially-equipped car or with car and driver. She organizes tours to Europe, where, she says, catering to disabled travelers is more advanced than here.
Al Miller Travel (602 Essex Street, Lynn, Mass. 01901; 617-599-5113), a travel agency, also does vacation planning for the disabled. The owner, Al Miller, who uses a wheelchair himself, has sent many clients to Disney World and Lake George, N.Y., among other places, as well as on cruises. A major organizer of package tours since 1970 is Flying Wheels Travel (143 West Bridge Street, Post Office Box 382, Owatonna, Minn. 55060; 800-533-0363 or, in Minnesota, 800-722-9351). Destinations this year range from the Grand Canyon to Hawaii and Australia, and there are cruises.
Around and About Travel (931 Shoreline Drive, San Mateo, Calif. 94404; 415-573-7998), a newsletter for the handicapped, acts as a clearing house of information and ideas, and offers details about tours and independent travel. A list of tour operators and travel agencies is available for $5 from the private, nonprofit Information Center for Individuals With Disabilities (20 Park Plaza, Suite 330, Boston, Mass. 02116; 617-727-5540). The center's fact sheet on vacation planning also costs $5. (Both free to Massachusetts residents.)  Scottish Games
Question: I am interested in taking a train from London to Scotland for some of the Highland Games activities. How long are they; where are they held? - N. M., New York, N.Y.
Answer: Highland Games gatherings are held in various parts of Scotland from June through September. Usually they are one- or two-day events. The most celebrated is the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering held at Ballater near Balmoral Castle, Queen Elizabeth's summer home. The event, in which kilted members of clans from all over Scotland compete in sports and dancing, will be on Sept. 3. Admission costs range from about $3.75 (calculated at $1.88 to the pound) for standing areas to $17 for a grandstand seat. Reservations and information are available from the Bookings Secretary, Balcriech, Ballater, Aberdeenshire AB3 5SB, Scotland (telephone, Ballater 0338 55377).
Among other major games are the Argyllshire Highland Gathering in Oban, Strathclyde, Aug. 23 to 25, and the Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon, Strathclyde, Aug. 26 to 27.