Royal Caribbean still waiting on Cuba

Royal Caribbean International said that the cruise
line is still in the process
of obtaining permission to sail to Cuba, and would likely use the Empress of the Seas for Cuba voyages.

“Obviously, we’re looking forward to being able to
sail to Cuba, and we’re in the process of talking to various authorities … to
get the various permissions that are required,” Royal Caribbean International
CEO Michael Bayley told reporters at a press conference on the new Harmony of
the Seas last weekend.

As for when? “Tomorrow would be good,” Bayley
said. “But we’re waiting for the approvals.”

The Empress is scheduled to operate short Caribbean
cruises from Miami through the end of July. “So we wouldn’t be going [to
Cuba] until the end of July, beginning of August, assuming we get permission
from the Cuban government.”

The 1,602-passenger Empress, which previously sailed for
Spanish cruise line Pullmantur, is in drydock through the
end of May.

Carnival Corp. began sailing to Cuba in early May via its
Fathom brand. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has also expressed interest in Cuba,
possibly using an Oceania Cruises ship.
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CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Royal Caribbean had confirmed the use of the Empress for Cuba sailings.