by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:50 AM ET, Wed May 24, 2017
Holland America Line announced Wednesday that it had become the latest cruise line to gain approval for sailings to Cuba.
Starting on December 22, Holland America Line will begin its first Cuba sailing with a 12-day holiday cruise aboard ms Veendam. It is the third Carnival Corporation brand to be granted approval for sailings to the island nation, following Fathom and Carnival Cruise Line.
Some of the scheduled sailings include nine, seven-day itineraries with stops in Havana and the 12-day holiday cruise from Fort Lauderdale that will also stop in Cienfuegos.
Depending on the departure dates, the sailings will also include ports of call in other areas, including Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Key West, Florida; and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Holland America Line added Cuba to its portfolio so as to provide guests with a thoughtful cultural exchange experience, which will allow passengers to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Havana and Cienfuegos.
"For many, travel is about seeking new places to explore and discovering meaningful new cultural opportunities, and Cuba is one of the most sought-after new destinations for many of our guests," Holland America Line Orlando Ashford said in a statement.
"We are excited to finally be able to include Cuba in our itineraries, and our guests and travel partners have been anxiously awaiting a premium cruise experience to this relatively undiscovered Caribbean treasure."
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In addition, Holland America Line will offer an 11-day spring cruise departing March 17, 2018, that will feature calls in Havana, Cienfuegos, Key West, Cozumel, Montego Bay and Georgetown.
To help make the experience even more memorable, the cruise line's Explorations Central program will provide guests with guides who highlight the educational and cultural aspects of Cuba through tours and other activities.
For cruise enthusiasts looking to take advantage of Holland America Line's sailings, bookings open May 26 and prices start at $899 per person, double occupancy, with taxes, fees and port expenses marked as additional costs.
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