Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. both announced Wednesday that they have received approval from the Cuban government to operate cruises to Cuba.
The former will begin offering cruises to Cuba on its Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands as early as March 2017, it announced, while the latter hasn't provided an exact date on when sailings to Cuba will begin.
"We are tremendously excited to have all three of our award-winning brands receive approval from the Cuban authorities to offer cruises to Cuba from the United States," said Norwegian president and CEO Frank Del Rio in a statement accompanying Wednesday's announcement.
Norwegian also revealed Wednesday that its inaugural cruise to Cuba will depart PortMiami on Oceania Cruises' Marina March 7, 2017. It's worth noting that according to Bloomberg, Norwegian brands will only be able to sail to Cuba for about a month.
Meanwhile, Regent Seven Seas' Seven Seas Mariner will call in Havana during a pair of cruises scheduled for April 2017. Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sky will also offer a handful of four-day voyages that will overnight in the Cuban capital in May 2017.
Royal Caribbean said that both Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises will serve passengers traveling to Cuba for purposes approved under current U.S. regulations.
The company said it will reveal its new Florida-Cuba itineraries in the "near future."
"Our guests have expressed real interest in having the opportunity to experience Cuba, and we look forward to bringing them there," said Royal Caribbean's chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain in his own statement. "Our discussions with our travel partners indicate that Cuba is a destination that appeals to a new generation of travelers."
Travelers interested in sailing to Cuba won't have to wait too long for more details. Full itinerary details and on sale dates for Oceania Cruises' future Cuba sailings will be made available Thursday, while additional information surrounding Norwegian's Cuba sailings is scheduled to be released Dec. 20.
More information on Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Cuba sailings is slated to be unveiled at an unspecified date later this month.
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