In early December, I wrote about the different cruise lines that were ready to start offering cruises to Cuba following the Cuban government’s approval which granted more United States-based cruise lines permission to sail to the country.
Since Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line started taking reservations, demand far exceeded available cruises. To be honest, I’m not really surprised. After all, who wouldn’t want to step back in history by visiting the land that time forgot?
In response, Royal Caribbean has added more cruises on Empress of the Seas through November 2017. The four-and-five-night cruises sail from Tampa with stops at Key West, Florida, and Cozumel, Mexico. Some of the cruises on the line’s 1,600 passenger ship will overnight in Havana giving passengers the ability to take in some of Cuba’s famous nightlife including a visit to the Tropicana Club.
Like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line felt the Cuba love from their customers as well and went ahead and added an additional 25 cruises on Norwegian Sky – the line’s only all-alcohol-included cruise ship. Sky will begin sailing to Cuba in May 2017 and will offer four-night journeys that leave every Monday from May through December from Miami. Unlike Royal Caribbean, each of Norwegian’s Cuba cruises will include an overnight in Havana in addition to a stop at the line’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay which just emerged from a multi-million dollar refurbishment.
In order to book a cruise to Cuba, passengers must meet the people-to-people requirements set by the government. As long as you book a shore excursion through the cruise line, the requirement is fulfilled.
Who’s ready to go to Cuba? Can I see a show of hands? I know I am!