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MSC Cruises said that for the first time it will sail to Cuba from the U.S.
The Geneva-based line said it plans to launch regular, seven-day cruises from Miami on its MSC Armonia ship that will spend two nights in Havana.
The cruises are scheduled to begin Dec. 10.
Previously, the Armonia was based in Havana itself.
“This new MSC Cruises product out of Miami allows to us to further enrich our offer to North American guests,” MSC president Gianni Onorato said. “Additionally, by having Miami as homeport this will give European and international guests an opportunity to add a pre- or post- cruise portion to their land vacation from New York, Orlando or other U.S. cities.”
Like other cruise lines calling on Cuba from the U.S., MSC visits to Cuba will comply with regulations of the U.S. Department of Treasury. That means shore excursions cannot be for general tourism and must comply with the people-to-people educational exchange activities requirement as set forth in the U.S. regulations.
MSC said forms and visas to acknowledge guest confirmations will be provided by MSC Cruises USA so that the qualifying people-to-people engagement is documented prior to each arrival in Cuba.
MSC said the 2,065-passenger Armonia will leave Miami on Mondays, with the ship then calling in Montego Bay (Jamaica), Georgetown (Cayman Islands), and Cozumel (Mexico) before arriving in Havana, the Cuban capital, on Saturday and staying through to Sunday. Upon departing Havana, the ship will return to Miami.
With the addition of the Armonia, MSC will have three ships sailing this winter from Miami, including the MSC Seaside on seven-day cruises and the MSC Divina on 10- and 11-day itineraries.
Source: travelweekly.com