MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping group, said it is to strengthen its presence in Cuba by home-porting a second ship in Havana from the winter 2016-17 season.

“In a move that will quickly double the number of MSC Cruises Caribbean itineraries centred on Cuba, MSC Armonia will join MSC Opera in Havana, from November 2016, for the entire winter season,” the company said in a statement.

MSC Armonia will offer guests the choice of two different seven-night itineraries, adding new must-see Central American and Caribbean destinations to the MSC Cruises portfolio.

Following two days and one night in the Cuban capital, the first itinerary will take guests from Havana to the white sand beaches, pristine bays and spectacular coral reefs of Isla de Roatán (Honduras), before heading for the wood and brick colonial charm of Belize City (Belize).

Then it’s on to Costa Maya (Mexico) and an exclusive Caribbean beach experience on Isla de la Juventud (Cuba), before returning to Havana.

The second itinerary will start with two and half days and two nights in Havana, then set sail for Montego Bay (Jamaica), Georgetown (Cayman Islands) and Cozumel, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, before circling back to the Cuban capital.

Guests will have the opportunity to combine both itineraries into a 14-night cruise.

In July. MSC Cruises announced that it would become the first global cruise line to homeport in Havana, with MSC Opera sailing from the city from December 2015. Its itineraries feature two-and-a-half days in the Cuban capital before calls in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Mexico.