MIAMI, Dec. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Salsa music,
dominoes, Mojitos and historic Havana neighborhoods are easier to reach than
ever before for guests on Royal Caribbean International. The newly
revitalized Empress of the Seas will make history for the
cruise line with its first visit to Cuba during a 5-night sailing departing
Miami on April 19, 2017. The ship will then reposition to
Tampa offering two itineraries
with calls to Havana on
April 30 (7-night sailing) and
May 20 (5-night sailing). These
Empress of the Seas sailings are now open for sale.
Empress of the Seas will homeport in Tampa for the 2017 summer season – the cruise
line's first-ever summer program from the destination – offering a
series of 4- and 5-night sailings, including port calls to
destinations in Cuba. The largest
ship to sail to Cuba from
the United States, Empress
will provide vacationers with the opportunity to discover the
timeless sights, sounds and culture of this island nation. Details
of the summer itineraries will be released at a later date.
"Royal Caribbean is the world's most exciting adventure company,
and we're thrilled to introduce culture-seeking travelers to
Cuba. As the unrivaled innovators
of the cruise experience, no company is better positioned to help
adventurers explore and experience this culturally rich
destination," said Michael Bayley,
President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
Guests sailing onboard Empress of the Seas and visiting
Cuba can enjoy curated
people-to-people experiences created to immerse vacationers in the
natural beauty of Cuba, its
architecture, cuisine, music and art. All cruises will be designed
in accordance with current U.S. to Cuba travel regulations.
While in Cuba, guests will
explore Old Havana – a UNESCO World Heritage site – some of the
city's most notable squares, historic neighborhoods, a local
artisan market, Havana's rum
museum as well as Hemingway's former residence and favorite haunts.
Local experts will immerse guests in the history, culture and
people of Cuba. These authentic
encounters will give guests an unforgettable taste of what has made
Cuba the gem of the Caribbean.
The authentic experiences aren't limited to land. The vibrant
culture will extend to Empress of the Seas, from cortaditos
and café con leche in Café Royal to salsa music, guests will have a
range of onboard activities developed to bring the spirit of the
island to life during the entire journey. The revitalized
Empress will bring the shipboard Cuban flair together with
signature amenities, such as a thrilling rock-climbing wall for
adrenaline seekers; new pools and whirlpools, including an
adults-only Solarium; a Vitality Spa with an extensive treatment
menu; and a complimentary Adventure Ocean youth program.
Empress also will offer a variety of dining options with the
casual atmosphere of the Windjammer Café, family-friendly Ben and
Jerry's Scoop Shop, and fine dining at Royal Caribbean's signature
steakhouse Chops.
The summer program on Empress of the Seas provides
travelers with more opportunities to sample the unique Royal
Caribbean experience from Tampa.
Two other Royal Caribbean ships, Rhapsody of the Seas and
Brilliance of the Seas, will offer Caribbean itineraries from the homeport during
the winter season. Guests interested in being one of the first to
experience Cuba with Royal
Caribbean can contact their travel professional, call Royal
Caribbean at 1-866-562-7625 or visit RoyalCaribbean.com/Cuba.
Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise
brand with a 46-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry
"firsts" never before seen at sea. The cruise line features an
expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found
on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style
entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to
families and adventurous vacationers alike. Onboard, guests are
catered to with the cruise line's world-renowned friendly and
engaging Gold Anchor Service by every staff and crew member. Royal
Caribbean has been voted "Best
Cruise Line Overall" for 13 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly
Readers Choice Awards.
The cruise line sails 25 of the world's most innovative cruise
ships to the most popular destinations in Bermuda and the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, South
America, Asia, and
Australia and New Zealand. Media can stay up-to-date by
following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter, and visiting
RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to
make reservations, vacationers should call their travel agent;
visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.
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SOURCE Royal Caribbean International