NLCH, Royal Caribbean Approved for Cruises to Cuba

All of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ (NLCH) cruise brands — Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — as well as Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises, have received approval from the Cuban government to begin cruises to the country. 

“Today’s news from Norwegian Cruise Line makes me even more excited about next year,” says Uf Tukel, president of WMPH Vacations, in a statement provided to Travel Agent. “Having Cuba open up to more mass market cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian is definitely going to make it more affordable to cruise to Cuba. Additionally, past passengers of these cruise lines, especially those who live in Palm Beach County and South Florida will appreciate a new destination and alternative to the Bahamas.”

The first Cuba cruise for NCLH will set sail from PortMiami on Oceania Cruises’ Marina on March 7, 2017, with select Caribbean itineraries featuring calls in Havana, including many multiple-day calls to allow guests to explore Havana and its environs. Seven Seas Mariner, of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet, will call at Havana during two cruises in April 2017. Norwegian Sky will also offer a selection of four-day voyages that will overnight in Havana in May 2017. 

Guests sailing on all three NCLH brands will have a selection of shore excursions to choose from, all of which offer an authentic Cuban experience that explores the people, art, history and culture of the island, which are in compliance with OFAC regulations. 
 
Full itinerary details and on sale dates for voyages that call on Cuba will be available December 8 for Oceania Cruises, later this month for Regent Seven Seas Cruises and on December 20 for Norwegian Cruise Line.

Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises, will provide guests with travel directly to Cuba for the purpose of providing people-to-people exchanges between guests and Cuban citizens and other travel permitted by current U.S. regulations, the cruise lines said. 

The cruise itineraries will comply with U.S. Department of Treasury rules that permit travel companies to transport approved travelers to Cuba to engage in people-to-people activities as defined by OFAC.

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