Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the global cruise company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, announced last week that the Cuban government has approved cruise visits to Cuba. The company said it will reveal its first Florida–Cuba itinerary at a later date.
Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises will offer guests the chance to travel directly to Cuba. Under current U.S. travel regulations, these sailings are intended to facilitate people-to-people exchanges between travelers and Cuban residents.
“Our guests have expressed strong interest in experiencing Cuba, and we look forward to bringing them there,” said Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Our conversations with travel partners show that Cuba appeals to a new generation of travelers.”
All itineraries will follow U.S. Department of the Treasury rules that permit travel companies to transport authorized travelers to Cuba for activities defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Other cruise lines have also received authorization to resume service to the island. Norwegian Cruise Line, for example, announced its first sailing to Havana from Miami would depart on March 7, 2017.