Several American cruise companies have received permission from the United States authorities to travel to Cuba for cultural and humanitarian “people-to-people” exchanges. Leisure travel to Cuba by Americans is still banned by the US government, but cruises are being approved under the people-to-people exchange allowance.
None of the American cruise lines have yet received the necessary permission from the Cuban government.
All the cruises that have received the go-ahead from the US government are smaller cruise lines, sailing small to medium-sized ships. Cuba does not currently have the infrastructure necessary to handle the large ships operated by the major cruise lines.
Cruises to Miami for Americans:
Here are the US companies with plans to sail to Cuba, as of August 2015. There are probably more to come. Keep in mind that none have yet received the necessary permission from Cuba.
Fathom, a new “social impact” cruise line owned by Carnival, plans to begin sailing to Cuba in May 2016.
Globus, a Colorado-based tour company, has announced that they will begin offering cruises from Miami to Cuba aboard a ship operated by Greek cruise line Celestyal Cruises.
Haimark Line, which operates luxury river cruises, plans to offer cruises to Cuba from Miami on their 210-passenger “Saint Laurent”
Pearl Seas Cruises has announced plans to begin cruises from a south Florida port to Cuba aboard their 210 passenger ship, The Pearl Mist, in May of 2016. Their departure port has not been decided.
Oceania Cruises, which currently sails from the Port of Miami, has applied to the US government for permission to sail to Cuba.
International Expeditions plans to begin sailing to Cuba in December 2015 with a 48-passenger three-masted sailing ship owned by Greek cruise line Variety Cruises.