Travelore Cruise News: Oceania & Regent Ships Will Travel To Cuba

Havana/flickr/Marika Bortolami

Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, is expecting a call any day giving final approval from the Cuban government for several of the company’s ships to cruise to the island. The ships will come from the Oceania line, but ships from the flagship lines could also be included.

At a press briefing onboard the Seven Seas Explorer — Regent’s new “world’s most luxurious ship” — Cuban-born Del Rio said he’s already received tentative approval to send Oceania Cruises’ 684-passenger Regatta to Cuba before the end of the year. That ship is expected to offer itineraries that include circumnavigations of Cuba.

Also headed to Havana (assuming the final okay) will be the Oceania line’s 1,250-passenger Marina in 2017. Del Rio mentioned that other NCLH ships will visit the island on Western Caribbean and Panama Canal itineraries, but he stopped short of saying whether the ships would be in the fleets of Norwegian Cruise Line or Regent.

However, when I asked what port he might drop in favor of Havana, he was quick to say Key West — which happens to be on some Western Caribbean itineraries of theNorwegian Jade, Norwegian Pearl, Seven Seas Mariner, and Seven Seas Explorer.

Del Rio also suggested that Havana could be substituted for a day at sea or even Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private Bahamian island.

“We want to use Havana as much as possible,” he said. “It’s an incredible place. I cried more than once when I went there in September… I have traveled the world, and I just marveled [at Cuba].”

Currently, the only American brand cruising to Cuba is Carnival Corporation’s social impact line Fathom, with the 705-passenger Adonia doing bi-weekly cruises out of Miami. Royal Caribbean is also looking to launch cruises with its 2,020-passenger Empress of the SeasASAP — meaning as soon as they get the green light from Cuba.

by Fran Golden

Carnival Announces Ports Of Call For Planned Cuba Cruise

 (AP) — Carnival's proposed cruises to Cuba will include two colonial cities outside Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba, in addition to the Cuban capital, the cruise company said Wednesday.

Carnival is working to finalize approval from the Cuban government for the planned seven-day trips from Miami on a ship from the new Carnival brand, Fathom.

The cruises have already been approved by the United States. Americans cannot travel as ordinary tourists to Cuba under current U.S. regulations, but they may participate in certain types of trips, including people-to-people trips that foster cultural exchanges.

Carnival said the trips will "focus on supporting cultural exchange and economic development for the Cuban people and include a variety of artistic, educational and humanitarian activities."

The preliminary itinerary includes meetings with artists, entrepreneurs, schoolchildren and others in settings ranging from the Afro-Cuban community in Havana's Muraleando neighborhood to an organic farm to colonial heritage sites.

Carnival says the Cuba cruises will begin in May.

All trips offered by the Fathom brand will have a focus on volunteering in a destination. The brand is also selling service trips to the Dominican Republic.