Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Win Approval to Sail to Cuba
December 07 2016 - 4:20PM
Dow Jones News
WASHINGTON—Two American cruise lines said Wednesday that they
have received permission from the Cuban government to begin trips
to Cuba next year, expanding the scope of business ties between the
U.S. and its longtime adversary.
The announcements by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Norwegian
Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. come as the Obama administration is
pushing for completion of a number of business deals in Cuba before
President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The Obama administration
sees such deals as key to making the diplomatic and commercial
opening to the island permanent.
General Electric Co. and Alphabet Inc.'s Google unit, among
other companies, are expected to make announcements in the coming
weeks, officials have said. A third cruise line, Pearl Seas Cruises
is also expected to obtain approval. Carnival Cruise Line began
trips to the island earlier this year.
Both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian said the Cuba stops would
comply with regulations enforced by the Treasury Department's
Office of Foreign Assets Control and that the trips would involve
activities that fall under the U.S. government's "people-to-people"
exchange license.
"Our guests have expressed real interest in having the
opportunity to experience Cuba, and we look forward to bringing
them there," said Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive of
Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean said it would announce additional
details about the trips in the coming days.
Norwegian said all three of its cruise brands—Norwegian Cruise
Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises—will offer
service to Cuba next year. Its first trip to Cuba will be in
March.
Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian, said that as a
Cuban-American he was especially excited to start service to the
island.
"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," he said.
Write to Felicia Schwartz at Felicia.Schwartz@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 07, 2016 16:05 ET (21:05 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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