Alan Lam reporting

Pearl Seas Cruises has just announced its 2016 Cuban itinerary. Starting 6 March, the first cruise - on the 210-passenger Pearl Mist - will depart Miami and call at various ports in Cuba. The company has lavishly advertised this new offering in the colourful Time Magazine, thus putting itself in the pole position among the US based cruise lines in the race to Cuba.  

In the short to medium term, operators like Pearl Seas will have a distinct advantage, as Cuban ports are ideal to handle small to medium size ships. Ports in Cuba, including Havana, are not yet capable of handling mega-cruise liners coming from Miami. Major infrastructure upgrades will be needed before they can be accommodated. The intermediate stage is therefore the era of smaller ships for this as yet a relatively niche or specialty market. Mass-market cruises to Cuba are not yet fully functionally in terms of operational practicality.

The US government has recently granted Pearl Seas the licence to include Cuba in its itineraries, based on the so-called “People-to-People” exchange programme, permitted under the current US law. On the same principle, a dozen or so ferry companies have also been granted permits to operate between the two countries.

While it is already accepting bookings, the company is still awaiting permission from the Cuban government for this itinerary.

The Peal Seas excursions will include various Cuban cities. A seven-day cruise will cost around $7,500-$10,235, depending on types of accommodation. There is little doubt that this will be a popular product among the North American clientele.