Cuba News
MSC Cruises becomes first line to homeport in Havana
MSC Cruises has revealed that, starting in December 2015, it will be the first mainstream cruise line to homeport in Cuba. Its 2,120-guest MSC Opera will homeport in Havana for the winter 2015-16 season to offer guests 16 Caribbean cruises.
Air France boosts Cuba connections as tourism soars
Air France has confirmed it will operate an additional weekly flight to Havana in Cuba from October 2015, increasing its offer to 11 weekly departures during winter 2015. Air France has offered flights to Cuba for the past 17 years, operating daily services from the UK to Havana via Paris-Charles de Gaulle throughout the summer season.
JetBlue Airways adds charter flight to Cuba
JetBlue Airways has signed an agreement with its partner, ABC Charters, to add a new charter flight to Cuba beginning this summer. The weekly flight, which begins on June 5th, will operate on Fridays from Tampa to Havana. The addition marks one of the first expansions in charter service by a major US airline since restrictions on travel to Cuba were eased in January.
Operator sees surge of interest in Cuba following USA announcement
Western & Oriental, the luxury tour operator which offers a comprehensive Cuba travel programme, has experienced an unprecedented surge of interest in Cuba travel enquiries following the USA’s announcement yesterday to relax regulations, making it much easy for US citizens to visit the island.
Cuba set for US travel boom as restrictions eased
Cuba is expected to receive a boom in visitors from the United States after the Obama administration took a series of steps to normalise relations between the two countries. At present, travel between the two destinations is heavily restricted, with direct commercial flights banned, special visas compulsory and visitors required to join strictly controlled groups.
Abercrombie & Kent suspends Cuba plans
Abercrombie & Kent has suspended plans to offer holidays to Cuba following concerns over its relationship with the Foundation for Caribbean Studies. The luxury travel tour company had affiliated itself to the Cuba-based Foundation in an attempt to open the ‘people-to-people’ requirement needed to offer trips to the island.
Cuba to accept more flights from the United States
Cuba has added nine further cities in the United States to a list of permitted departure points for travel to the Caribbean island. Cuban travel agency Havanatur Celimar added Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Baltimore, Chicago, Atlanta, New Orleans, Dallas, Houston and San Juan, Puerto Rico, to the list from where charter flights would be accepted.
Iberostar expands holiday hotel offering in Cuba
Iberostar has built on its position in Cuba with the opening of two new properties in Havana and Cayo Ensenachos. Also in the Caribbean today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Havana.
Fidel Castro issues statement about Japanese earthquake
Cuba’s Fidel Castro has issued a statement about the Japanese earthquake.
Could U.S. be set to lift Cuba travel ban?
A congressional committee has voted to lift the ban on U.S. travel to Cuba, a first but significant step towards rebuilding trade and travel relations between the countries. A removal would lead to an expected tourism bonanza by Americans to the island.
Travel insurance mandatory for tourists heading to Cuba
Insurewithease.com warns that holidays could be stopped before they even start if tourists forget their travel insurance documents when heading to Cuba
Cuba seeks inward tourism investment
Cuba has unveiled plans to allow overseas parties to develop tourist attractions on its territory, including golf courses, marinas and associated residential developments. The Communist government suggested long-term leases would be on offer to developers, as present regulations prohibit overseas ownership of real estate.