By Dana Niland
Cuba Journal Contributor
Carnival Cruise Line will offer 17 new sailings to Cuba aboard Carnival Sensation in 2019.
The five-day Cuba voyages will be the line’s first to operate round-trip from Miami, and will feature a day-long call in Havana as well as stops at ports including Grand Turk, Grand Cayman, Nassau, and the private destinations of Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays.
“Our inaugural cruises to Cuba aboard Carnival Paradise from Tampa were met with exceptional guest response and we’re thrilled to expand upon the program with our first Cuba cruises from Miami featuring Havana and some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean and The Bahamas,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
The sailings complement a series of voyages to Cuba from Tampa aboard Carnival Paradise taking place in 2018-19.
“Cuba is a sought-after destination and we’re delighted to provide our guests with even more opportunities to experience and explore this fascinating island,” Duffy added.
The 2,052-passenger Carnival Sensation underwent a multi-million-dollar drydock last year, adding a variety of food and beverage concepts including Guy’s Burger Joint, developed in tandem with Food Network star Guy Fieri, the poolside RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar, BlueIguana Cantina, the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar and the Cherry on Top sweets shop.
These complement the ship’s array of onboard features, including a WaterWorks aqua park, a Serenity adults-only retreat, 24-hour pizzeria, supervised programs for kids in three age groups and the Seuss at Sea program operated exclusively with Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
Guests sailing on Carnival’s Cuba can select from nearly 20 different shore excursion experiences that showcase the island’s culture, majestic beauty and centuries-old architectural landmarks.
A variety of Cuban-themed activities and entertainment, including Amor Cubano: A Caribbean Dance Romance Playlist Productions show, Havana-inspired deck parties, trivia contests and salsa lessons, are also offered.
The ship also features a lecturer on board who discusses the country’s rich history and culture.
The visits to Havana comply with regulations of the U.S. Department of Treasury that permit travel operators to transport approved travelers to Cuba to engage in activities as defined by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
