Holland America Line’s Veendam is to begin cruising to Cuba from Fort Lauderdale in December to help meet the growing demand for premium cruise experiences to the latest Caribbean hotspot.
Nine seven-day itineraries will feature the capital city Havana, and three of these will add another Cuba call at Cienfuegos, known as the model of early 19th-century urban planning in Cuba.
Veendam stars cruising to Cuba in December
The 12-day holiday cruise showcases both Cuban ports. Depending on the departure day, cruises include the Cuba ports as well as a combination of Caribbean ports including Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Key West, Florida; and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
“For many, travel is about seeking new places to explore and discovering meaningful new cultural opportunities, and Cuba is one of the most sought-after new destinations for many of our guests,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line.
“We are excited to finally be able to include Cuba in our itineraries, and our guests and travel partners have been anxiously awaiting a premium cruise experience to this relatively undiscovered Caribbean treasure.”
Holland America Line adds Cuba to its itineraries in order to provide guests with a thoughtful cultural exchange experience. Most itineraries include an extended call at Havana, allowing guests the time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site and immerse themselves in a wide array of historical and cultural adventures.
Additionally, a stop at Cienfuegos presents the opportunity for a special visit to Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Cuba’s province of Sancti Spíritus.
The series of Cuban cruises will debut on 22 December with a 12-day Christmas & New Year sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. In addition to the seven-day cruises, an 11-day spring cruise sails 17 March, 2018, and also features the Cuban ports of Havana and Cienfuegos as well as Key West, Cozumel, Montego Bay and Georgetown. The final seven-day Cuba sailing departs on 18 April, 2018.
On board, the Cuba experience will be enhanced through the line’s Explorations Central, or EXC, programme, featuring EXC Guides who will bring the destination to life through presentations and EXC Talks that will enable guests to deepen their understanding of the Caribbean’s largest island.
Cruise only fares for Cuba cruises begin at £989 per person, double occupancy.
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