It's good news for who anyone who appreciates classic cars, history, world-famous rum, music and the arts as travelling to Cuba just got easier. Given permission by the government, American cruise companies Royal Caribbean International (Royal Caribbean and Azamara Club Cruises) and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas) have now been given the go ahead to operate cruises to Cuba as early as March 2017. This is wonderful news for the cruise industry since until recently, U.S citizens were heavily restricted in travelling to the island known for having passion, music, heart and soul.
Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings declared, "We are tremendously excited to have all three of our award-winning brands receive approval from the Cuban authorities to offer cruises to Cuba from the United States. As a Cuban-American and founder of Oceania Cruises, I am incredibly proud that one of Oceania's vessels will be our company's first to sail to Cuba.” Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International is also ecstatic, “We’re thrilled to introduce culture-seeking travellers to Cuba. As the unrivalled innovators of the cruise experience, no company is better positioned to help adventurers explore and experience this culturally rich destination.”
Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings declared, "We are tremendously excited to have all three of our award-winning brands receive approval from the Cuban authorities to offer cruises to Cuba from the United States. As a Cuban-American and founder of Oceania Cruises, I am incredibly proud that one of Oceania's vessels will be our company's first to sail to Cuba.” Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International is also ecstatic, “We’re thrilled to introduce culture-seeking travellers to Cuba. As the unrivalled innovators of the cruise experience, no company is better positioned to help adventurers explore and experience this culturally rich destination.”
The news comes only weeks after Carnival Corporation announced that Fathom was going out of business - though they've reported that they hope to continue their presence in Cuba and have requested permission for their other brands to operate services to the island, beginning in June 2017.
Oceania Cruises’ Marina will be the first of the American cruise lines to set sail to Cuba from Miami in early March 2017. The select Caribbean itineraries will feature many multiple day calls including Cuba’s bustling capital, Havana.
Old Town Charms, 6th March 2017
Seaswept Breezes, 20th March 2017
Bahamas, Cuba & Mexico, 30th March 2017
Seven Seas Mariner, of Regent Seven Seas, will also call in Havana during 2 sailings in April 2017.
Royal Caribbean will begin cruises to Cuba on the 19th April 2017 with the newly revamped Empress of the Seas on a five-night sailing from Miami. After heading to Tampa for the summer season, from here, there are two more itineraries calling in Havana departing on the 30th April 2017 and the 20th May 2017.
Offering a selection of four-day voyages from Miami, you can cruise with Norwegian Sky from April 2017. Further itinerary details will be released by NCL on the 20th December 2016.
Guests sailing with Azamara Club Cruises can take part in several different sightseeing tours including one named Hemingway’s Havana, where you can follow in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway, whose love affair with Cuba is well documented. Other activities you can enjoy as part of a tour include a lesson in how Master Rum Makers make their distinct spirit plus visits to fortresses, citadels and other landmarks.
Empress of the Seas guests will revel in curated people-to-people experiences designed to immerse them in the country’s architecture, cuisine, music, art and natural beauty. They will explore Old Havana, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as a rum museum, a local artisan market, plus much more.
Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas are yet to release details of their Cuba excursions.
Check out our cruises porting in Cuba page for all of our available itineraries. More information on Cuba and Havana.
Itineraries
Available to book with Planet Cruise now:
Oceania Cruises’ Marina will be the first of the American cruise lines to set sail to Cuba from Miami in early March 2017. The select Caribbean itineraries will feature many multiple day calls including Cuba’s bustling capital, Havana.
Old Town Charms, 6th March 2017
Seaswept Breezes, 20th March 2017
Bahamas, Cuba & Mexico, 30th March 2017
Seven Seas Mariner, of Regent Seven Seas, will also call in Havana during 2 sailings in April 2017.
The first Cuba cruise for Azamara Club Cruises will be with Azamara Quest.
Available soon:
Royal Caribbean will begin cruises to Cuba on the 19th April 2017 with the newly revamped Empress of the Seas on a five-night sailing from Miami. After heading to Tampa for the summer season, from here, there are two more itineraries calling in Havana departing on the 30th April 2017 and the 20th May 2017.
Offering a selection of four-day voyages from Miami, you can cruise with Norwegian Sky from April 2017. Further itinerary details will be released by NCL on the 20th December 2016.
Excursions
Empress of the Seas guests will revel in curated people-to-people experiences designed to immerse them in the country’s architecture, cuisine, music, art and natural beauty. They will explore Old Havana, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as a rum museum, a local artisan market, plus much more.
Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas are yet to release details of their Cuba excursions.
What next?
Check out our cruises porting in Cuba page for all of our available itineraries. More information on Cuba and Havana.
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