Cruise tourism, tourist mode with a dynamic global expansion, is extending its influence to Cuba thanks to the benefits it enjoys due to its enviable geographical location.
Recent measures taken under the process of normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States opened the way for the development of this recreational option.
In this direction, it is noteworthy that the island is a hub of navigation for large boats used in cruise tourism, in addition to transport sailboats and other recreational boating.
After a fledgling off in the 1990s of last century, the activity was limited in the country until months ago when the shipping company MSC Cruises in the region put the MSC Opera, with capacity for 2,100 passengers.
The ship, the largest of its kind that has touched a Cuban port, already offers a seven-day itineraries sailing the Caribbean and some Cuban ports, fueled with European and Canadian vacationers arrived by air.
Also, the MSC Armonia, with capacity for 2,679 passengers, will join later this year to build on the success of the initial operation, with a positive impact on the sector.
Added to this, there are several proposals of a ferry to link the south of US with Havana, as in the 50s of last century.
Also the cruise company Phantom, the US group Carnival, will have a first trip to the island in May with the Adonia 1 vessel, with capacity for about 700 passengers.
Reservations for the cruise to Cuba have base prices from 800 dollars per person in inside cabin, up to 7,320 dollars in a suite.
At the moment, the seven-day trip includes the limitations imposed by the US authorities and only offers travelers cultural exchange programs.
That is precisely one of the 12 categories authorized as part of a relaxation of the economic, commercial and financial blockade facing the Cuban people.
The tourist boat will leave the port of Miami on Sundays and do a circumnavigation of the archipelago with stops in Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos.
In addition, operators of the cruise scheduled activities with Cuban theme, music, movies and other samples of Cuban culture, including classes in Spanish.
The island, ideal for tourism in the Caribbean, committed to the incorporation of new modalities capable of supporting the diversification strategy in the field of entertainment industry scenario.
Therefore, traditional sun and beach programs are now combined with the options of cruise tourism and tours in the Caribbean to tap the existing potential in the archipelago.
Indeed, these offers become vacationers favorites by adding elements linked to nature, recreational boating, culture, traditions and cuisine.
The movement of visitors is guaranteed by connections that provide about 40 airlines with five dozens of cities around the world, with an extensive network of international airports on the island.
Internal displacement is in charge of the airlines Cubana de Aviacion, Aerocaribbean and Aerogaviota, while the services of seven international marinas are added: the Hemingway in Havana, Dársena (Varadero), Gaviota Varadero, Gaviota Holguin and Marlin Gaviota, in Santiago.
There are other two other jetties operating, such as Marlin in Cienfuegos and Cayo Largo del Sur Marlin, attached to three cruise terminals in Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos.