Due to popular demand, Royal Caribbean is expanding their cruises to Cuba with not only a second cruise ship in 2018, but also two new destinations on the Caribbean island.
The added sailings and breadth of experiences at the new ports of Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos on the southeast coast give will give you even more ways to immerse youselves in the culture and history of the vibrant island.
Departing from Miami year-round, Empress of the Seas sailings will include 7-night Best of Cuba itineraries to Cienfuegos, Havana and Nassau; 5-night vacations with an overnight in Havana and a stop in Key West; and an immersive 8-night journey to Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba, Grand Cayman, and Labadee, Haiti.
Majesty of the Seas will continue the 4- and 5-night offerings to Havana that include day and overnight stays, departing from Tampa during the summer months and homeporting in South Florida in the winter.
All sailings to Cuba will offer shore excursions designed for guests to experience the destination and to comply with the people-to-people educational exchange activities requirement as set forth in the U.S. regulations.
Cienfuegos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site established in 1819 with a wide array of visually-stunning attractions, including acclaimed Botanical Gardens with more than 2,000 plant species on display, impressive neoclassical architecture, a 950-seat opera house and the bustling Santa Isabel Boulevard.
Santiago de Cuba is a gateway to Cuba’s revolutionary and religious history, with adventures such as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Castillo del Morroto, the Sierra Maestra foothills, El Cobre – one of the most significant religious destinations in Cuba – and historic sites like Revolution Square.
Cuban culture is reflected throughout Empress of the Seas with cortaditos and café con leche in Café Royal, salsa music and dancing in Boleros Latin lounge, and a range of onboard activities developed to bring the spirit of the island to life while at sea. Empress of the Seas spans 11 guest decks, encompasses 48,563 gross registered tons, carries 1,602 guests at double occupancy and features 795 staterooms.
