Biggest Cruise Line Companies Can Now Take Tourists To Cuba

With then-President Barack Obama first easing the travel restrictions between Cuba and the United States back in 2014, the cruise line industry was hopeful for the possibility that they could finally get a chance to include Cuba in their routes.

Their wishes were granted last Wednesday, December 7,when they announced that the Cuban authorities have finally approved for the sail of the two of the biggest cruise line companies in the world, the Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean, in Cuban waters.

Carnival Corp. was actually the first cruise line company to get approval from the Cuban government. Its ship Fathom has already sailed between Miami and Havana last May. Since then, rival companies Norwegian Cruise and Royal Caribbean have been working nonstop in order to get their turns as well.

For Royal Caribbean, full details concerning their maiden voyage to the Cuban seas haven't been provided yet, with the Royal Caribbean team saying everything will be announced "in the future." What they confirmed, however, is that they will offer multiple itineraries in their brands Royal Caribbean International and the more high-end Azamara Club Cruises Lines, according to Skift.

But for Norwegian Cruise Lines, they didn't hold any details back. In their announcement last Wednesday, they revealed their plans to send all of their three brands ashore Cuba next year namely, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. But according to Bloomberg, Norwegian brands can only sail to Cuba for a month.

"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. 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," Frank Del Rio, the CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said in a statement.

"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," he added.

This is an excellent opportunity for travelers who want to experience Cuba. There will still be a lot of announcements in store, so stay tuned for more updates.