Norwegian Cruise Line yesterday announced it will expand its Cuba cruise offerings in 2018 with 33 voyages. Most of the trips will feature overnights in Havana.
Norwegian, owned by Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., will begin hosting the 4-day roundtrips from Miami at the start of 2018 cruise season March 26, 2018 on Norwegian Sky. The newly announced trips are in addition to 30 calls Norwegian will offer through December 2017.
Cruisers can travel to Cuba on Norwegian's ships as cultural visitors instead of tourists because the U.S. embargo against the country still prevents American tourism to the island. The cruise line offers 15 half and full-day Office of Foreign Assets Control-compliant shore excursions. Sales for the cruises open April 20.
Norwegian is adding trips to Cuba as airlines are dropping their routes between South Florida and the island nation. Fort Lauderdale-based Silver Airways will drop its flights to Cuba because the airline said there's not enough demand. Denver-based Frontier Airlines will do the same.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania and RSSC-Regent Seven Seas brands. It has a combined fleet of 24 ships in operation and another eight ships sailing by 2025.