Cuba Bound! Two U.S. Cruise Lines Get the Go-Ahead for Cruises to Cuba

Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line receive approval to begin cruises to Cuba from Florida.

Today, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. announced they’ll soon begin cruises to Cuba from Miami. The long-awaited approval from the Cuban government finally came through.

Adding to the excitement, Royal Caribbean’s little sister cruise line, Azamara Club Cruises was also given approval to cruise to Havana. Norwegian’s upscale siblings Oceania Cruises and Regent will add cruises to Cuba on their 2017 itineraries.

Though no date has been set, Royal Caribbean’s 2,270 passenger Empress of the Seas will begin their Havana, Cuba cruises. For Norwegian Cruise Line it will be the 2,004 passenger Norwegian Sky, sailing from Miami on four-day cruises in May with an overnight stay in Havana.

The 1,258 passenger Oceania Marina is already earmarked for its first Havana cruise, departing from Miami on March 7, 2017 with a series of Caribbean cruises that include Cuba. Regent Seven Seas Mariner, with up to 700 guests, will begin voyages from Miami to Cuba in July 2017.

Don’t plan to head to any of Cuba’s beautiful beaches on your own, though. U.S. visitors still must adhere to the U.S. Government’s People-to-People program that focuses on learning about Cuba’s history, art and culture. Shore excursions will be offered that follow the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control guidelines.

Stay tuned as more details emerge.