Even More New Options for US Citizens to Cruise to Cuba

CORRECTION: Pearl Seas Cruises is visiting more Cuban stops than the line last announced.

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Following news that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited and Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited have received approval to sail to Cuba from Florida, Pearl Seas Cruises has now gotten its own permission to do so, and Celestyal Cruises has also begun year-round circumnavigations for U.S. citizens as well.

READ MORE: Pearl Seas Announces Cuba Cruises

Since 2015, Pearl Seas has intended to sail to Cuba but has only now just been permitted to do so. Starting even before Oceania Cruises sends its Marina from Miami, the Pearl Mist will depart roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale in January 2017. The smaller 210-guest ship will offer a more intimate experience on voyages longer than what Fathom has been offering. 10-day cruises will feature not only Havana; Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba but also Trinidad; Isla de la Juventud; El Cobre, Santiago and Parque Baconao, Santiago on 11 departures beginning on Jan. 17 and going through May.

“There is significant demand to visit Cuba on a smaller ship and we are honored to be among the first cruise lines to have access to the country,” said Timothy Beebe, vice president of Pearl Seas Cruises. The Pearl Mist promises a “more personalized people-to-people cultural program than the larger cruise ships,” and the new ship, currently operating in North America, features full stabilization and the most up-to-date navigation and safety technology.

READ MORE: Celestyal Cruises Takes US Travelers to Cuba

Also offering a P2P program for U.S. citizens is Celestyal Cruises, which has sailed to Cuba for years and is now available to Americans year-round as of this November. While not quite as convenient as leaving from Florida, seven-day sailings depart from either Havana or Montego Bay, Jamaica more frequently than Fathom currently does every other week, and the experience is all-inclusive extending to onboard meals, drinks, entertainment, gratuities and selected excursions.

The Celestyal Crystal spends two days in Havana and one day each in Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. The line specified, “For U.S. travelers, a people-to-people itinerary is offered by Celestyal Cruises that meets current U.S. legal requirements for a full-time program of educational and cultural exchange activities. Special shore excursions have been designed to comply with OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) regulations while providing opportunities for personal discovery and enrichment.”

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