MIAMI, July 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Once a
forbidden place, Cuba is a jewel
in the Caribbean that should be on
every traveler's bucket list. And now there's a way to confidently
travel to Cuba – by cruise
ship.
Two of the most popular and well-known cruise lines recently
received approval for sailings to Cuba – Carnival Cruise Line and Holland
America Line, two of the 10 cruise brands that are part of Carnival
Corporation, the world's largest cruise company.
Carnival Corporation made history in May
2016 when its Fathom brand became the first cruise line to
sail from the U.S. to Cuba in more
than 40 years. So the company has had plenty of recent experience
in sailing guests to Cuba – and
fine-tuning how to provide their guests with a great
experience.
And on June 29, history was again
made as Carnival Cruise Line's 2,052-passenger Carnival Paradise
set sail from Tampa to
Havana, becoming the largest U.S.
cruise ship ever to sail from the U.S. to Cuba.
Carnival Cruise Line – recently named America's Most Trusted
cruise line by Reader's Digest for the third consecutive year – is
currently offering four- and five- day cruises starting this summer
and fall that will overnight in Havana, giving guests the unique opportunity
to immerse themselves in the city's rich culture and history, as
well as its vibrant nightlife. Five-day sailings also call at
Key West or Cozumel.
On December 22, Holland America
Line – widely recognized as a leader in the premium segment of the
cruise industry – will become Carnival Corporation's third cruise
line to sail to Cuba.
Holland America Line's
1,350-passenger ms Veendam will sail on seven-, 11- and 12-day
itineraries during the 2017-2018 winter and spring seasons from
Fort Lauderdale. The ship's
itineraries will visit Havana and
some also call at Cienfuegos, known as Cuba's "Pearl of the South," which will
include shore excursions to the stunningly preserved colonial city
of Trinidad. Depending on the
itinerary, passengers will also have opportunity to explore other
ports of call in the Caribbean,
including the Bahamas and
Mexico.
The opening of Cuba gives
travelers a new, must-see destination to visit and explore in the
Caribbean, the world's most
popular cruising region. The Spanish-speaking country is like no
other place, filled with legendary history, culture and
architecture, with people known for their work ethic,
entrepreneurship and vibrant spirit for life.
Only 90 miles from the U.S., Cuba was for generations a place that U.S.
travelers could only dream about visiting on a cruise ship. While
the country is more accessible than ever by sea, it still feels
like another world.
The opportunity to learn more about the Cuban culture directly
from the Cuban people only enhances the experience of visiting
Cuba. People-to-people exchanges,
which meet U.S. guidelines for travel to Cuba, are arranged by the cruise lines on
half-day and full-day shore excursions. After a complete day of
exploration and immersion, guests can also experience nighttime
shore excursions.
"Guests will get the chance to participate in culturally
enriching experiences such as visiting historical sites and
engaging directly with the Cuban people, which ultimately will
expand horizons," said Terry
Thornton, Carnival Cruise Line's senior vice president of
Port Operations. "Our team has created a variety of great shore
excursions that we are excited about and believe will create
special memories for our guests."
Global cruise travelers and enrichment seekers are naturally
curious about new destinations and places that are not easily
visited. Cuba is one of these
places, and Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line guests
will find opportunities to learn about a country that most have
only seen in photos and news reports.
"Many of the tours are designed in order to have our guests
interact with small family-run operations to give them an authentic
Cuban experience," said Beth
Bodensteiner, senior vice president of Revenue Management
and Global Deployment for Holland America Line. "We have done all
the legwork in creating meaningful experiences that meet all U.S.
regulatory requirements. In our view, cruising is the best and most
worry-free way to travel to Cuba,
even more so going forward."
"The history, culture, amazing sites, art, music and
interactions with the Cuban people are unique to this special
destination," added Thornton. "A cruise to Cuba will provide lasting memories from being
one of the first U.S. guests to visit this fascinating island
nation."
Arriving in Havana
Do not miss the sail-in through the narrow channel into Old
Havana, with the beautiful, historically significant Morro Castle
watching over your cruise ship as it sails into the harbor. Among
the city's stately buildings, keep an eye out for the Hotel
Nacional, a landmark on the waterfront since 1930.
Old Havana, a UNESCO World
Heritage site, is a jaw-dropping place to explore, a history-rich
capital city with cobblestone streets, examples of baroque and
neoclassical architecture, broad plazas and the impressive Malecón
seawall on the Straits of Florida.
Your ship will dock right in Old Havana, an easy walk to museums
and other historical landmarks, such as La Bodeguita del Medio,
where a scribble on the wall is attributed to Ernest Hemingway.
It's hard to believe this time capsule of a city is a metropolis
that is home to two million people. It feels like a living
breathing slice of history.
Cienfuegos and Trinidad
On Holland America Line cruises, guests will have the additional
opportunity to see the sophisticated neoclassical buildings of
Cienfuegos, a port city carefully planned out by French settlers in
the 19th century. Book an excursion to Trinidad and you will drive about 60 miles
through the countryside to a beautifully preserved Spanish colonial
city of cobblestone streets, palaces and plazas, founded in 1514 by
the conquistador Diego Velázquez and located on a hilltop
overlooking the Caribbean. Both
Cienfuegos and Trinidad were
significant trading capitals that like Old Havana are recognized as
UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Tips for Cuba cruise
travel
While U.S. residents are free to travel to Cuba, you need to do so under regulations
established by the U.S. government. Here are some things to know
about traveling to Cuba:
- Required paperwork. All U.S. citizens and most
international travelers must have a valid passport. All guests are
required to obtain a visa in order to enter Cuba. The type of
visa that a guest will need will depend on certain factors,
including the reason for travel to Cuba. Most guests will be able to enter
Cuba utilizing a "Tarjeta
Turistica" (or tourist card) visa. Guests will be able to purchase
the "Tarjeta Turistica" from the cruise line at a cost of
$75 per person. The visa is
distributed at the time of boarding your ship. You can
alternatively obtain a visa from the Cuban consulate or a visa
service, but going through your cruise line is a major
benefit.
- Health fee. The Cuban government requires all guests to
purchase health insurance, which will be automatically included in
your port charges.
- Shore excursions. Shore excursions offered by Carnival
Cruise Line and Holland America Line meet the people-to-people
educational activities requirement. Both lines offer a wide range
of shore excursions.
- Money matters. Your ATM and credit cards may not work in
Cuba. You should plan on bringing
cash for any purchases. Pending any updated U.S. Department of
Treasury rules, U.S. dollars can be exchanged for Cuban Convertible
Pesos (CUCs). There is an exchange office at the Havana cruise terminal. The transaction fee
for converting U.S. dollars to CUCs is approximately 10%.
- Staying in touch. Wi-Fi in Cuba requires the use of cards with codes. You
are best off sharing experiences with your friends using your
ship's Internet access. If you are planning to use your cellphone,
check with your provider regarding service and fees.
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SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc