Photo courtesy of Celestyal Cruises
As domestic cruise lines still await final Cuban governmental approval to sail there, Cyprus-based Celestyal Cruises returns to Cuba for its third year, now carrying U.S. travelers on its new People-to-People Cruise & Land itinerary.
Like MSC Cruises, Celestyal Cruises can operate in Cuba as an international company, and now it's expanding to legally accommodate U.S. citizens by bookings made through a U.S. tour operator partner or directly with Cuba Cruise and registered for a People-to-People Cuba Cruise program with U.S. non-profit organization Fund for Reconciliation and Development (FFRD). Such cultural exchange travel programs are currently allowed by the U.S. government.
Celestyal Cruises hosted a reception attended by USA and international ambassadors and diplomats. There Captain Giannis Fountoukas said, "this year Cuba Cruise is promoting its product in North America as a complete, all-inclusive proposition comprising five shore excursions and our All-Inclusive Drink package. The cruise will embark every Monday from Havana, and every Friday from Montego Bay, for the duration of the season. With 12,000 bookings and confirmed passengers to date, we are expecting our third season to be our most successful so far."
U.S. citizens can cruise to Cuba on an extensive people-to-people itinerary detailed in part below:
DAY 1 - EMBARKATION IN MONTEGO BAY
Celestyal Cruises welcomes guests aboard the Celestyal Crystal (pictured above) in Montego Bay, Jamaica; home to fishing villages and reggae music. In the afternoon, Professor Jorge G. Arocha primes passengers on Cuba with a discussion on its visual arts, and at night, Cuban dance instructors get the party started with salsa lessons.
DAY 2 - SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Santiago de Cuba is the second-largest city in Cuba, and here a tour features a meeting Dr. Martha Cordié Jackson, historian and director of the African Cultural Center "Fernando Ortiz." A dance performance and memorial and Moncada Barracks visit follow before either lunch onboard or a trip to the colonial central square of Santiago. On the ship in the afternoon, Professor Arocha talks about Cuban history from Christopher Columbus to the Cuban-Spanish-American War. Guests also get a chance to meet the Cuban staff. Then the evening is full of rumba teaching and dancing.
DAY 3 - FULL DAY AT SEA
While entirely onboard for the day, several activities are available: a Cuban cooking lesson, Cuban cigar presentation, lecture about the Cuban people, rum discussion, Cuban culture discovery and cha-cha dancing.
READ MORE: Three Reasons To Travel To Cuba, Now and Always
DAY 4 - HAVANA
A guided tour of Havana focuses on Paseo del Prado (the Promenade), the Grande Teatro de Havana, the Capital Building, Plaza de la Revolución, the Jose Martí Memorial, the National Library and the San José Market. Dinner is served onboard or can be enjoyed locally along with the city's evening scene at the Tropicana or Buena Vista Social Club.
DAY 5 - HAVANA
Another day in Havana delves into music with the "Cuba's Unconventional Musical Instruments" demonstration and an Afro-Cuban dance performance. Further exploration of the city, Old Havana, the Museum of Fine Arts and more follows. Back on the ship, guests will enjoy a Cuban ecosystem presentation and more Cuban dancing and music.
DAY 6 - MARIA LA GORDA
Maria la Gorda is where travelers discover Cabo San Antonio, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Onboard, a lecture about modern Cuba and a cooking demonstration offer additional cultural tastes before mambo dancing.
READ MORE: Top 3 Tips For a Trip to Cuba
DAY 7 - CIENFUEGOS
Cienfuegos is known as "the Pearl of the South," where touring highlights the University of Cienfuegos, the Plaza de Armas, the Teatro Thomas Terry and the Graphic Society of Cienfuegos. Cruisers can stay in the plaza for more time or return to the ship for lunch. Later, Professor Arocha talks about the African and European influences on Cuban music, and at night, Cuban mixologists instruct guests on how to make regional cocktails. The evening brings several dances together: cha-cha-cha, mambo, and salsa.
DAY 8 - MONTEGO BAY
Back at Montego Bay, guests disembark the Celestyal Crystal and return to the airport.
Celestyal Cruises' people-to-people sailings are offered now through April 2016. All-inclusive packages come with the cruise, five shore excursions, an unlimited bar and beverage package, gratuities, port charges and taxes. Rates begin at $1,529 per person, based on double occupancy.
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