Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Royal Caribbean Cruises announced on Wednesday that both were approved to sail their ships to Cuba.
In a press release, Norwegian Cruise said all three of its brands — Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas — were granted permission by the Cuban government to send ships to the island nation.
Oceania Marina will be the first to set sail, and will leave Miami on March 7 and cruise to Havana.
Regent’s Seven Seas Mariner will follow, and has two cruises set to visit Havana in April 2017. Norwegian’s 2,004-passenger Norwegian Sky will leave from Miami in a series of four-night cruises that include overnight stays in Havana, throughout May 2017.
Royal Caribbean did not release itinerary details or dates, but it will soon offer cruises from Florida on Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises.
“As a Cuban-American and founder of Oceania Cruises, I am incredibly proud that one of Oceania’s vessels will be our company’s first to sail to Cuba,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “This is truly a dream come true for me and I cannot wait for our loyal guests to experience the sights and sounds of my hometown of Havana and get to know its rich culture and its warm and welcoming residents.”
U.S. citizens are still prohibited from engaging in strictly tourist activities in Cuba following the 2015 announcement by President Obama to reestablish diplomatic ties with the communist country.
