Royal Caribbean Adding Larger Ship For Cuban Travel From Tampa

TAMPA, FL – With the lifting of some of the travel restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump in June, Royal Caribbean International is expanding opportunities to cruise to Cuba.

The cruise line’s announcement to upgrade its service from Port Tampa Bay to Cuba comes after the Trump Administration’s decision in November to ease some of the restrictions on travel to the Communist country that were put in place in June.

Former President Barack Obama softened travel sanctions to Cuba in 2014 in an effort to improve diplomatic relations with Cuba. This included permitting American airlines and cruise ships to travel to Cuba.

Trump, however, rescinded some of those privileges in June and then reinstated them with restrictions in November following pressure from Congress and travel lobbies.

This proved to be good news for airlines and cruise lines, which had enjoyed an upsurge in demand to travel to Cuba. According to the Cuban Embassy, the number of Americans traveling to Cuba increased from 91,254 in 2014 to 281,706 in 2016.

As a result of Trump’s amended policy, Royal Caribbean cruise line anticipates the demand to travel to Cuba to resume.

In preparation, the cruise line announced that it is upgrading its service to Port Tampa Bay with a larger vessel that will accommodate more than 500 additional passengers during the 2018 summer season.

This summer, Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas, which carries 2,350 guests, will call from Port Tampa Bay. This is the second summer in a row Royal Caribbean will offer cruises to Cuba out of Tampa.

"Port Tampa Bay is thrilled that Royal Caribbean will be upgrading its service in Tampa and looks forward to welcoming Majesty of the Seas this summer," said Port Tampa Bay President/CEO Paul Anderson.

Majesty of the Seas will offer four- and five-night trips to Havana that include day and overnight stays, departing from Port Tampa Bay from April to October 2018. All sailings to Cuba will offer shore excursions designed for guests to experience the country’s offerings while complying with the people-to-people educational exchange activities requirement in federal regulations.

"Cruising remains the easiest way to visit Cuba, and we hope to make it that much easier for adventure seekers to experience the legendary island," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

In the summer of 2017, Royal Caribbean International sailed Empress of the Seas from Tampa to Cuba, which carries 1,602 guests. Currently during its current winter schedule, Royal Caribbean operates two vessels from Port Tampa Bay: Brilliance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas.

For more information about Royal Caribbean cruises, visit the cruise line's website.

Photo via Royal Caribbean