WASHINGTON—Two American cruise lines said Wednesday that they have received permission from the Cuban government to begin trips to Cuba next year, expanding the scope of business ties between the U.S. and its longtime adversary.

The announcements by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. come as the Obama administration is pushing for completion of a number of business deals in Cuba before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The Obama administration sees such deals as key to making the diplomatic and commercial opening to the island permanent.

General Electric Co. and Alphabet Inc.'s Google unit, among other companies, are expected to make announcements in the coming weeks, officials have said. A third cruise line, Pearl Seas Cruises is also expected to obtain approval. Carnival Cruise Line began trips to the island earlier this year.

Both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian said the Cuba stops would comply with regulations enforced by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control and that the trips would involve activities that fall under the U.S. government's "people-to-people" exchange license.

"Our guests have expressed real interest in having the opportunity to experience Cuba, and we look forward to bringing them there," said Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive of Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean said it would announce additional details about the trips in the coming days.

Norwegian said all three of its cruise brands—Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises—will offer service to Cuba next year. Its first trip to Cuba will be in March.

Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian, said that as a Cuban-American he was especially excited to start service to the island.

"This is truly a dream come true for me and I cannot wait for our loyal guests to experience the sights and sounds of my hometown of Havana," he said.

Write to Felicia Schwartz at Felicia.Schwartz@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 07, 2016 16:05 ET (21:05 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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