Upscale tour operator Tauck expanded its Cuba offerings in 2018 with a new 11-day small-ship cruise titled “Cruising Cuba: A Cultural Gem.”
Working with long-standing partners, Tauck also lowered prices on two land-based Cuba journeys — the seven-day “Cuba: Connecting with People and Culture” and the 12-day “Cuba: A Cultural Odyssey” — reducing costs by up to $1,400 per couple.
“Guest interest in Cuba remains strong,” said Dan Mahar, CEO of Tauck. “We look forward to operating three fully licensed journeys in Cuba next year and are pleased to add small-ship cruising to our portfolio. By collaborating with our partners in Cuba to reduce the prices of our land tours, we’ve increased value while expanding our program offerings.”
Le Ponant © Tauck
Beginning in December 2018, travelers can explore Cuba by sea on an 11-day trip that includes a seven-night cruise aboard the 60-passenger yacht Le Ponant, a two-night hotel stay in Havana with guided sightseeing, and a pre-departure overnight in Miami. Eastbound departures on Dec. 13 and 27 sail from Havana to Santiago de Cuba. A westbound sailing on Dec. 22 follows the reverse route, departing Santiago de Cuba and ending in Havana.
Highlights of the cruise itinerary include a visit to Finca Vigía, Ernest Hemingway’s former winter home outside Havana, and Cojímar, the fishing village that inspired The Old Man and the Sea. Guests also enjoy lunches at local paladares, visits to Playa Girón on the Bay of Pigs and the tomb of Fidel Castro, and opportunities to meet local artists, musicians, agricultural workers, and community leaders.
The cruise price of $9,990 is comprehensive: it covers airfare, the pre-cruise hotel nights in Florida and Havana, the seven-night cruise, all shore excursions, gratuities, meals and beverages, port charges and taxes, luggage handling, airport transfers, and more.
The 12-day Cuba: A Cultural Odyssey offers a deeper, island-wide experience, showcasing Havana, Santa Clara, Camagüey, Guardalavaca, Holguín, and other communities. This people-to-people program delves into everyday Cuban life, history, and culture, including a walking tour of Habana Vieja, the nearly 500-year-old historic district and UNESCO World Heritage site. Prices for the Cultural Odyssey start at $7,590 per person, plus air.
Following recent changes to U.S. travel policy for Cuba, Tauck confirmed that all scheduled itineraries will proceed as planned.