Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has chosen the Cuban capital Havana as its “turnaround” port for the 2021/22 Caribbean cruising season.
The cruise operator is relaunching its Caribbean programme for next year when it will offer two types of itineraries: focusing either on winter sunshine or the history and culture of the destinations visited.
Clare Ward, Fred Olsen’s director of product and customer service, said: “Using Havana, Cuba, as our new turnaround base allows us to really showcase the Caribbean in all its glory.
“It also means we can offer extended stays into Havana so that our guests have plenty of time to enjoy this vibrant city, with late-night departures or overnight stays where possible.”
Winter sunshine itineraries will call at destinations such as St Kitts, St Maarten, St Lucia and Grenada, while there will be a cultural theme to voyages around the western side of the Caribbean with calls to Cozumel and Belize.
“Too often the Caribbean is thought of as a single destination, but it is so much more than that, with so many islands offering different and unique yet equally exceptional experiences,” explained Ward.
To mark the announcement, Fred Olsen is running a “virtual cruise” this week visiting Havana as well as ports in St Kitts and Jamaica.