Cruises to Cuba
There are a relatively small number of cruise lines that presently use Cuba as a cruise port, but the cruise port area is developing and there are plans in the future to turn this port into a major cruise destination.
There are nevertheless a number of cruise schedules with cruise stops taking place in Cuba in the coming years and the list of these is below.
Note: Which cruise lines include visits to Cuba is changing constantly and so you can check for up-to-date schedules with each cruise line.
Thomson Dreams
Thomson offers what they call their seven-day ‘Cuban Fusion’ trips which start in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and which take you to Playa Del Carmen (Mexico), Havana (Cuba), and Georgetown (Cayman Islands).
These cruises run in tourist season at this time, (outside of hurricane season you might be happy to know).
The Thomson cruise boats are mid-sized and tend to be especially popular with British and German families.
Fred Olsen
Fred Olsen also offers a number of cruise itineraries which include Cuba and normally are via their boat the ‘Braemar ‘.
At this time they have cruises on their ‘Caribbean and Cuba’ packages.
Fred Olsen is one of the smaller cruise lines that have smaller ships but offer a more intimate experience.
In other words, on Fred Olsen cruises you have a better chance to get to know the staff and other passengers because there are not thousands of passengers and because many of their cruises last about 14 nights or more.
Swan Hellenic
Swan Hellenic has one cruise itinerary planned which will take you to Havana during the 12-day trip, on the Minerva.
Swan Hellenic tends to have very small boats (compared to the new super-sized cruise ships which take 3000 passengers) but who provide for and target a high-end market.
The majority of the passengers who travel with them British travelers in the 55 plus age range.
Star Clippers
Star Clippers is one of the best options, because they offer regular 7-day trips.
These seven-day journeys start in Cienfuegos port, in Cuba, and take you to:
- Casilda (Cuba)
- Little Cayman and then Gran Cayman (both Cayman Islands)
- and then to Cayo largo followed by Archipielago De Los Canarreos (both Cuba)
Star Clippers are a specialist company where the number of crew and passengers is roughly the same and where you really have a great chance to get to interact with the crew.
It is common, for example, for the captain to give navigation lessons and to share lessons on all aspects of sailing.
Further Information
- Thomson Dream – Cuban Fusion cruises
- Fred Olsen Caribbean adventures.
- Swan Hellenic trip with 2 days in Havana.
- Star Clippers – for their latest Cuba schedule.
